Vardo - Trips to Lowes

There have been many...

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

many ....

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

many ..

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

trips to Lowe's.  We did a lot of research before starting this project.  We went to Lowe's three different times on windows just to check sizes and see what we could order direct.  We looked at doors with the inset stained glass and even tried checking out baker's doors.  In the end, we decided to pick up some windows at Habitat for Humanity instead.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

The next big decision was around the outside of the wagon.  What did we want it to be?  There is tongue in groove which is the best for the wagon.  It looks really good and finished.  There is however the issue of cost.  Buying wood that is already tongue in groove is significantly more expensive than doing the cutting ourselves.  At this time of this writing we were still debating on what the best course of action would be.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

These are the beaded boards above and the tongue in groove below.  We opted for the tongue in groove look, now we just have to decide if we're going to make it, or buy it.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

Lowe's was pretty much our go to spot for picking up the majority of the new items that we needed for the wagon. Where possible we picked up everything else at the second hand stores and shop.  Even our hurricane straps were picked up at Habitat for Humanity.  Our interior wall covering was purchased at Goodwill as were the majority of the interior design furnishings.

Vardo - The Bones

When getting started on any project a good foundation is critical.  These are the bones of our vardo.


Just as many of our other projects we decided to go the recycle/re-purpose route with the vardo wagon. The bones of the wagon is the frame from an old RV trailer.  The previous owner a dear friend of ours who passed away, modified it from the rv trailer and used it to haul his race car back and forth to the track.

The first thing we had to do was get it home.  So we went over on a chilly morning in February to pick it up.  One of the tires was completely blown out and the other three were in horrible shape.  We took the tires off and went to a local shop to have some tires put on that would at least get us home.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

The frame was a bit rusty and in need of a repaint.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

Eli got to work immediately getting measurements for the planning phase of the project.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

So this is it!  Our little vardo wagon project.  Stay tuned for more updates to come!

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

What is a Vardo?

 A vardo is simply put, a gypsy wagon.  These wagons, sometimes called caravans were used as the living space for families.  They were horse drawn and popularized by the Romani people.

CC Wikicommons

CC Wikicommons

Today our cars and trucks take the place of horses and our wagons are used for recreation instead of everyday living.  That isn't to say that you couldn't do that, mind you.  Just as there is a life on the road in RVing, you can always use the little vardo in the same manner.  So much so that there are people who will build a custom vardo to order.

Many folks are keen on trying to build their own wagon.  You can find tons of stuff on YouTube. This is one below.

Eli and I decided, what the heck, let's give it a try.  We started with a few videos and sites with information on how do it.  Here's a list that we used.

http://www.curbly.com/users/badbadivy/posts/1537-build-your-own-gypsy-vardo

http://paleotool.com/the-vardo/

http://tinyhousetalk.com/category/gypsy-vardo-caravans/

http://tinyhousetalk.com/dee-williams-released-new-12-foot-vardo-building-plans/

So over the next few months we hope to document the progress of the project.

Wrapping up Summer

It has been a pretty busy summer.  Hubby and I dedicated this year as focusing on us.  Here's a little bit of what we've been doing.

In the beginning of the year we picked up a new Nikon Camera. Hubby got it for me as a birthday gift.  I love it!  I've been taking photos all year long.  I submitted some to Deviant Art.

Eli built a vardo!  Yes, a vardo!  We can now travel around and stay the night at places we vend at. I'm so excited about that.

We joined the Friends of the NC Zoo. This gave us free access to the Zoo, Museums and Animal Parks in North Carolina.

We have visited the NC Zoo, The Sylvan Heights Bird Park, The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, and the Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Here are a few photos from our adventures.

Strange Magic - Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

Parrots - Sylvan Heights Bird Park
- Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

Buffalo - NC Zoo - Photo Credit Renee Olson Olson

Jellyfish - Ft. Fisher Aquarium - Photo Credit Renee Sosanna Olson

April Full Moon - Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

It has been a pretty awesome 2015 thus far.  Over the next few months we have festivals to attend, and fire pits to keep company.  Our days will get shorter but our lives will continue to grow fuller and fuller.  I hope you all have had  a wonderful Summer.   Be ready, later this month, the entire build of the vardo will be outlined in my blog!

Happy September!