the Alchemy vardo

Sometimes I have 'store front' fantasies. My Boss Lady friend says I just want to decorate it...which may be true.

I got all jazzed about the idea of having my own sidewalk-level shop over the winter but then I realized I LOVE my little studio tucked up on the third floor. The vardo allows me to keep my charming studio AND connect with a whole new set of folks.

Remodeled vintage trailers were a source for inspiration (my favorite is Menageriepdx); so was the local pop up Drifter Coffee; And old-school shepherds wagons, medicine man shows and Gypsy caravans. Not wanting to repeat someone elses vision, and wanting something as unique as Achemy's studio in Ferndale, building from scratch was the only option.

Built on a 4'x8' trailer platform, the vardo is more of a model than a full-sized livable wagon. A mobile studio that had to be light enough to pull behind a Subaru, the vardo was built with a lot of help from my Mom and my brother. We got the main structure built in time for it to be authored by Bunnie Reiss (the talented artist who painted the hamsa mural at the studio). It is now a walk-around piece of art. 

Now I'm in panic mode --- finish carpentry, interior painting, getting it registered, ​learn to 'trailer' it, decor & setting the mood all need to be done by one week from tomorrow. The Maiden Voyage is to the pot & box HLDYMRKT at the Jam Handy next weekend.

....more on the artist Bunnie Reiss:
​on Juxtapoz and LAX