Found: Silver Lining: October 2013

When the Sisters on the Fly plan an event not to be missed - and it's in your own backyard - you go! And that's just what I did...packed up the new truck (now named Dillion, btw, he is my trusty steed) and headed out for a weekend of glamping fun!

The setting was idyllic, an artists' retreat on a preserved farm in beautiful Bucks county. My spot on the farm was in the front yard of a photographer/mixed media artist's cottage, under a magnificent tree. I got to meet Colleen, the artist, and she graciously gave me a tour of her studio; I later purchased one of her photographs, as a memento from the weekend. This trip offered a good "test run" for me (there were baths/shower, but I brought my own "facilities") and a chance to see if indeed I would enjoy "roughing it" (as much "roughing it" as glamping allows). Well, Dillion was the perfect camper and so sound proof, I slept right through a fellow sister joining the camp after midnight, right next to me.

What else can I say, I loved every minute! Oh yeah, and I learned how to solder. Now how is that for a little grit with your glamour ?!

The road to the farm - our welcome sign - a vintage trailer, of course!!

Setting up for the weekend festivities - art show, music, food, FUN

Sisters setting up camp

My glamping set up out of the back of Dillion.
It was super cozy, warm and quiet.
What else could a girl ask for?

Just a few essentials

The view of my "backyard"- Colleen's little artist cottage

I brought my own facilities and , of
course, had to glamp that up too.
Yes, that is a port a potty, it was surprisingly o.k.
to use, thanks to this nifty pop up tent.

Camped out under the stars and
the arms of this magnificent tree

This tent also made a perfect spot for changing and cleaning up

Dillion lookin' sharp

The complete set up with vintage accoutrements

The entire camp with all the sisters

Not sure why, but I awoke the next morning before the sun rose!
Must be all that fresh air

Handmade metal flowers - how sweet

Getting up early afforded me time to take some photos of the farm
and have it all to myself

This is an untouched photo,....I think the angels were happy there was
going to be a bake sale :) Can't you just hear the choir
singing

The original farmhouse circa late 1700's

A perfect fall day

Check out these cuties. I got some good ideas for my own little canned ham

Be sure the check out the one way at the end - it's painted like a watermelon!

Each and every one is unique and shows each individual's
personality. This one painted like an old chuck wagon, with
a dash of pink petticoat

The art show on Saturday. This is Colleen's booth

Taking a class on site....learning how to solder...so cool

Our teacher and hostess

So, turning 50 has it's plus side.....you just do what you have always wanted to do, because you realize that life really is too short. Now it is about steering the rudder, rather than going as fast as you can - so you can enjoy the scenic route.

About a year ago, I got a glimpse of my first vintage camper at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio. A group called Sisters on the Fly had several campers displayed there and after touring each one, I don't know what grabbed a hold of me, but I became obsessed with wanting to create my own. I also knew that this was the perfect direction to take my vintage store - it fit in so well with what I was already doing. So, earlier this year, I "dipped my toes in the waters" by contacting a Scotty Serro trailer restorer (who happened to only live one county over) and began brainstorming on creating just a facade (didn't think I could really get a real trailer) for my bricks-and-mortar store. It was going to be the "stage" in which to merchandise my little store.

Well, as things always seem to work out for the best, even if we don't know it at the time, the restorer decided he had too many projects to handle and was no longer going to be able to continue his little side business. So, that set into motion the re-thinking of my whole business model. I packed up my bricks-and mortar store and decided to plunge full-time into developing my online Etsy store - Swanky Safari. Knowing I would have to supplement my online marketing efforts to reach customers, I decided that a little vintage trailer would do the trick; I could take it "on the road" to flea markets and fairs. So began an intense search for the "perfect little camper".

Well, several months later ( as it turns out, that is a short amount of searching time) I found the perfect fixer-upper in a vintage canned ham trailer from New York! After scouring the internet, hunting down every lead - only to hear "it's already been sold"- turns out she was waiting for me in Niagara Falls of all places. All within a 4 day period, everything fell into place. I found the listing on Ebay... thought it had potential, but the seller was asking way to much for the condition the trailer was in. So, after much coaxing from my always-supportive Husband, I contacted the seller directly to negotiate a better price and much to my surprise - he took my offer! I guess I just bought a trailer!! John and I went two days later to pick it up.... near Niagara Falls, New York (we never actually saw the falls, just the mist in the distance)...turn around and hauled it home, all in one day. And just like that, I have a new pet project to dream into reality over the next 6 months.....watch for all the details here and on Pinterest, as this cutie is transformed into a charmer! Always an adventure awaits when you are on the Swanky Safari.

Road trip to New York (aka the scenic route).... couldn't have asked for a better time of year to do this!

She's all mine :) Oh, the ideas in my head to glam it up!

Only one minor glitch on the way home - the siding started to blow off .
No problem, John, alias "McGyver", used the old hanging electrical wires to tie it together.
Worked like a charm.