a
Enchanted Gypsy ~ Travel Diaries
"May the long time sun shine upon you,all love suround you and the pure light within you,guide your way on"~Incredible String Band
Follow along with our adventures as we set out to convert a school bus into a beautiful,energy efficient home that runs off recycled vegetable oil. We then embark on a life long adventure, roaming the country, selling our handcrafted art and music as we go, meeting strange and wonderful people along the way. Crazy,naive,you ask ? Maybe,..maybe not..

Home On The Range...

Monday, August 24, 2009
We are STILL here on the farm in Oregon...going on almost a year now since we parked our bus in the lower meadow. There is still so much to do as far as renovations go, but I think we are finally beginning to find our rhythm and learn all about settled life.


Our business is coming along nicely, and although we are having to get help from the govt with food stamps, I think we will soon be able to go off that. Even if we wanted to find regular jobs ( which we don't) in this economy and with literally no prior regular work experience, it would be very difficult. It seems our best bet really is to try to create our own unique business. Initially we were having difficulty trying to figure out childcare for Sage, so we could work during the day, filling orders, promoting and making new items. For a few weeks we tried sending Sage to a local day care, but she was clearly not liking it and to be honest, I did not like the influence of some of the things she was being exposed to and it just did not feel right to us. So , after a few weeks of that we canceled the daycare and have figured out a way that we can work and have her at home. I am SO glad we figured this one out quickly. Moss takes a few days during the week to make and shape boots, card wool and such, while Sage and I go off and play in the woods or do errands. Then I get a few days to work while Moss and Sage go off and play. We also have worked it out so we have a day or two together as a family doing fun stuff. In this way Sage gets the best of both worlds...as do we.


Recently we vended at our beloved Faerie worlds Festival, which we do every year. I spent months working on my new piece to debut at the festival, a giant, life sized banshee puppet, that is as of yet still not completed. She is the first puppet in series that is being made for our production of the Grimm's tale, The Nixie of The Mill Pond. Despite the 100 degree heat and no shade, we did well and the festival was incredible. We did not sell many boots, most likely due to the 100+ degree heat, but our hats sold out quickly as well as some small dolls and yarn.


It is interesting to me to look back to the beginning of this blog, when I first started it, it seems so long ago now and I looked so much younger. We began with the intention to make a rolling home and to make a living off our art. The rolling home we DID create but making a living off our art was never really that easy in the bus, but then our expenses were so much less as well. It seems like now we are finally fulfilling the second part of our original intention. It will be intresting to see where this all goes and weather or not we will eventually merge our new found business success back with the bus again and take it on the road. I often get the feeling with this blog, and with life in general, that I am reading a story of someone else's life, wondering how it will all turn out....





This is the 4.5 foot tall banshee puppet I have been working on..


Firming up a doll at Faerieworlds Fest. This one just sold ! Finally !


Helping Sage adjust her wings..


Me in another of our new hats..



Sage giving her apple to Pan....




Helping out in the garden...


Looking very vouge in this pic..







12:06 PM :: ::
19 Comments:

  • the hats are great!

    sounds like you have found a rhythm, that's great!

    By Blogger tansy, at 7:16 PM  

  • Lovely photos, but I'm confused? I thought you said the fairie world gathering was on aug. 31st?

    By Blogger beadbabe49, at 11:43 AM  

  • In love with your life, your stories, your pictures and your strength. Keep the posts coming, I'm all caught up with the others, running low on reading material! ;) Keep On! ~Kelli
    St. Peters, MO

    By Blogger Kelli, at 4:13 PM  

  • Your feltwork truly is amazing!!!

    By Blogger mummybear, at 11:45 AM  

  • You all are such wonderful souls. Congrats on having a good time at the festival. :) I love the Banshee! And you daughter is, as always, breathtaking. :)

    By Blogger Adopt-a-Critter, at 7:17 AM  

  • I love it!

    By Blogger 5windsOfvenus, at 1:11 PM  

  • Just saw you added me back on Twitter, and I realized I had not added your blog to my Google Reader!

    Wanted to also say I came across your blog a few months back while I was researching simple living in small places :) It all really helped me in the push to decide to sell our home and live on a boat! So, we're currently trying to get our house cleaned up, and on the market.

    I'm glad to hear your enjoying your home. It's been a beautiful summer here in Oregon. I'm in Newberg - whereabouts are you guys?

    Nicole

    By Blogger Nicole, at 10:23 PM  

  • So nice to see you three at Faerieworlds! I wish we could have had more chance to chat, but we both know that it can be a challenge when being there to work as well as each trying to keep up with an active toddler! (I think next year it will be easier in both cases). And I'm glad we had the little chance for conversation we did. I'm so eager for in-person conversations with other artist-parents working on that delicate balance between crafting at home and trying to raise a child in a manner that minimizes commercialism and connects with creativity and nature. Than you again for sharing the little snippets of that journey with us.

    By Blogger Monica of the Masks, at 9:52 AM  

  • I have loved your work for a long while. Glad to have stumbled across your blog. What a beautiful life!

    By Blogger Sycamore Moon Studios, at 10:36 AM  

  • I love your honesty! We also created a "rolling house" and tried to make a living off our art on the road, but could not survive that way. We still live in our bus, but we are parked back in Asheville. Steve is still selling his art & I am going to school. We have also inspired many friends to try this lifestyle, but I always tell them it is much harder then it looks! I'm glad you are finally making it on your beautiful art!

    PEACE!!!
    Bryce

    By Blogger organic tribe, at 7:32 PM  

  • We too work with the rhythm that is life. 5 children, animals, garden, homeschool, business, life...

    I wish you all prosperity and joy!

    Blessings~

    By Blogger Lizz, at 11:54 PM  

  • Love your photos! You are very talented!

    By Blogger Hip Mountain Mama, at 10:06 AM  

  • I love reading your blog and I know just what you mean about reading your blog and feeling as though you are reading about someone else's life. I do the same with mine.

    Love the Banshee!!

    By Blogger Melinda, at 7:28 PM  

  • Lovely photos... It's so nice to see Sage growing as beautifully as she is... you both are gorgeous souls.... glad to hear you three are working and playing so nicely together.... you have the best of the best my darlin'....

    By Blogger Paula McGee, at 2:15 PM  

  • i love your work you are a great artist

    By Blogger BIKY, at 2:24 AM  

  • sigh..i love your blog. I want to live in a bus one day ♥

    By Blogger jiorji, at 1:33 PM  

  • just had to stop by & say every so often i dip in and out of your blog & i admire you so, having the strenght & belief to live the life you choose is a wonderful thing. best wishes to you all *ruthie* ps i do adore your felting too!

    By Blogger ruthie, at 2:11 AM  

  • I love the Banshee.. Your creations are wonderful!!
    much love to you and your family! xox

    By Blogger greencocoon, at 9:34 AM  

  • I just found your site, and do not want to close the window. What a great life, to live. It takes great souls to do so. It is my dream, it will happen, just slower than yours.
    If your ever on the East Coast, or in New England, Keep us in mind up here in Maine.
    Your Blog and life, is wonderful, inspirational, and fills a person full of hope, love, and purpose.
    Thank you!!!
    Peace,
    David
    Portland, ME

    By Blogger NatureDudeME, at 1:59 PM  
Post a Comment
<< Home

EMAIL ~ enchantedgypse@gmail.com :: PERMALINK