Building A Gypsy Wagon, Part 11 / Bohemian Bits And Bobs (Tying Loose Ends, Completing Odd Jobs...)

Since my last wagon post, Just3Gypsies Farm has been inundated with emergencies--horse injuries, cat funerals, and dog surgeries.  Such is life on a farm--particularly one that is blessed with a multitude of animals...
 Between emergencies, Siobhan and I have continued to work on our beloved gypsy wagon--building  roof trusses and roof framework while waiting for our tin roofing  to arrive.  When our framing was completed, we concentrated on more pleasurable work-- adding bohemian bits and bobs, tying loose ends, completing odd jobs. All the Fun Stuff.  Some folks say "the devil is in the details".   Other folks say "What the hell does THAT mean?!"  I say  it's the smallest details that give us the greatest pleasure.

Some of the details we added were Necessities...

An antique chest (Cline's antiques, $75.00) with a large drawer for storing table cloths and kitchen linens, and ample cabinet space below for storing canned goods and tableware.  The chest's large flat top accommodates a cutting board and bread basket, and serves as a workspace.

  A fully functioning replica antique icebox (Ebay, $125.00) 

                                           
Gypsies took great pride in their wagons, and kept them scrupulously clean.  Siobhan and I found the perfect cleaning tools to help us uphold the tradition: 

  Ornate vintage clothes brushes (Ebay, $6.00 and $4.00) to hang beneath ledge seats--perfect for keeping cushions clean and bright.

 A beautiful hand painted broom and wooden dust pan, a treasured gift from Siobhan (Victorian Trading Company, $29.95 and $24.95) and a vintage Fuller Brush Company ostrich feather duster (Ebay, $19.99)

Some of the details we added were Luxuries.

 Siobhan remarked that the Horse Chair would be a cozy place to curl up and read or sketch--if it only had a convenient tray to hold a drink or snack .  And so the drop-down shelf tray was built, complete with a wooden rack below it for books or artist supplies. (hinges, Lowes, $; no other expense--made from scrap lumber.)


  True to gypsy tradition, every bed and bench is resplendent with ornate cushions and pillows.

Woven tapestry pillows on Siobhan's Horse Bench (ebay, $18.00 and $33.00).  Arm rests are made from wood scraps and carved wood horse corbels (ebay, $55.00).  * Coordinating small  brush hanging beneath bench seat for cleaning cushions (vintage clothes brush with carved horse head handle, ebay, $14.00).

                                        

Woven tapestry pillows on long bench seat (ebay $33.00 ea.).  Arm rests are built with antique carved wood lion corbels (ebay, $65.00 per pair), and antique brass stair rail brackets (pictured below).  *Vintage carved lint brush with lion handle (ebay, $6.00)  matches carved arm rests.

House of Antique Hardware, $24.95 each.

                                   

Sacred Grove print cushions in lower sleeping quarters (Gael Song, $26.00 ea.)

Various pillows in upper sleeping berth: antique circus print pillows (etsy, $34.00 ea.),  woven tapestry elephant pillow (Amazon, $19.90), embroidered beaded floor cushion (Eyes of India, $31.88).

One of Siobhan's treasured "bits and bobs"--an antique hand carved wood clown, rescued from a now-defunct traveling circus...(private purchase, $110.00)

  Each window in our wagon is adorned with a creamy antique lace panel and an antique embroidered Rabari Banjara valance  (antique lace panels, circa 1920, purchased from Yorke Centre of Antiques, UK, $7.00 - $18.00 ea.) ; antique kutch valances, Maharaiartsus/Ebay, $65.00 - $94.00).

                                    

 A custom doggie bench was built beneath Siobhan's back window; the padded upholstered top lifts for easy storage of rawhide bones, dog sweaters, leashes, and treats. No expense--made entirely from lumber scraps and fabric remnants.


Sometimes Siobhan and I will look at something we've built, and say "wouldn't this work better?"  And so we tweak our design a little.

                                                                        
 After several near-slips, we added extra wood handles (Grand River Wood Products, $12.50 ea.) to the sides of Siobhan's ladder as a safety precaution.    

 After Boxing in under the hearth floor extension, we said "Wait a minute!  Why couldn't we add a door to one end and use it for storage?!"  And so we did...

Storage compartment is large enough to accommodate a folding pet gate, a large flashlight, and a small fire extinguisher.

Some of our favorite bits and bobs were added simply for the Pleasure they give us...

Antique carved wood horse corbels, purchased from India through Ebay. ( $55.00 ea ); carved pediment, Cline's Antiques ($16.00).

                                                  

Antique carved wood king and queen figurines, purchased on Ebay.  ($46.00 pair)

                                            

                               Antique horse brasses, purchased through ebay.ie ($16.00 ea).
                               Custom leather martingales, hand made by Master Saddler Robert
                               Steinke, Ireland ($44.00 ea.)


And now, FINALLY, our tin roofing panels have arrived!  So it's Back To Work--until next post...

"Baxt hai sastimos tiri patragi."
"good luck and health"