An Early Gypsy Friday

(click to view larger image)

I have not abandoned Gypsy Fridays, but I suddenly can’t wait until Friday to do a gypsy post. I have had these images lovingly set aside for months now and I’m very happy to finally post them.  I love the above photo fiercely. I could look at it all day. There is something heroic about that gypsy woman that makes my heart sing. I wonder what kind of a woman she was? She seems like someone who could discover a little bit of  joy in everything, even the in the hardest of times.

I doubt the little ladies in the image above are gypsies, but I would like to think that they see the absolute wonder in that beautiful wagon they are posing with. The workmanship is extraordinary. I can’t wait to have wagon of my own to write and dream in. I always imagine having a wagon anchored in my backyard to serve as a creative studio.

(For when I’m not off traveling of course! )

{image sources unavailable. please let me know if you know anything about these!}

Gypsy Flight

I curated my first treasury!

{Please view it here at Etsy!}

Gypsy Friday the First

I have wanted to do a regular gypsy-related series of posts for a while now and I have decided that they will be the occasional “Gypsy Fridays”. I hope you enjoy it. All of these stir something deep inside of me and I wish I could join some of these campfires for an evening or two…

{source- unfortunately does not contain original links}

The First Gypsy Doll

This week has been a whirlwind of preparation. I’ve been shopping, wrapping, and baking nearly every moment that I haven’t been at work. I’ve also been making quite a  few things as well. I knitted several scarves, tried my hand at tutu making (it turned out SO very lovely I must say!) AND I finally finished my little gypsy doll for one of my dearest friends. As she has already been wrapped and opened I will share some pictures…

I actually started her around this time last year! My intent was to only use materials that I already had on hand and see what I could do. I only ended up buying the wire to hold her little limbs together.

I knitted her little shawl with embroidery thread and her skirt is embroidered as well.

Being the first, she definitely was a learning process. In the end I was pretty happy with her and inspired with future plans. Perhaps there will be more gypsies to come in the New Year!

My family holiday festivities begin tomorrow and I’m very excited! I hope you all have a beautiful and wonderful holiday.

Merry Christmas!

Inspiration

I’ve been very busy indeed the past week or so, but I happily managed to get this little tree for our apartment. It smells so lovely and there is such magic in the soft glow of Christmas lights in the evening. I love this time of year and try not to think too much about how fast it seems to be flying by.

So many blogs have been posting wonderful wish lists and gift guides this season. I’ve been thinking about doing one myself. Naturally it will probably be very Etsy-themed. (Sometimes I think I will need to start another blog and call it “My love affair with Etsy”…)

A few weeks ago I received a very sweet email from Sarah who had discovered Gypsea Tree and gave me an enormous compliment when she told me that she found inspiration here. When you visit her lovely little shop Crooked Thorne Jewelry you will see why I felt so honored. Her work is certainly inspiring to me as well! Below are a few of my favorites.

Part of the description of these bangles are as follows…

“These beautiful bangles have been handmade and aged to look like they just slipped off a Gypsy’s wrist!”

Oh how I love them!

This one is also positively bewitching.

I also love this stunning swan necklace.

Crooked Thorne also has a tempting give away of free gypsy jewels! You must visit!

Thank you for the inspiration Sarah!

{all jewelry photos via Crooked Thorne}

Gypsy Life goes High Fashion

{from V magazine 09/09}

The Gypsy

I sit alone and dream dear, dream of you night and day,

Once you were here beside me, now you are far away.

I’ve had my fortune told me, can I believe it’s true?

Soon we shall be together, living our life anew.

In a quaint caravan there’s a lady they call The Gypsy,

She can look in the future, and drive away all your fears.

Everything will come right if you only believe The Gypsy.

She could tell at a glance that my heart was so full of tears.

She looked at my hand and she told me, my lover was always true,

And yet in my heart I knew dear, somebody else was kissing you.

But I’ll go there again ’cause I want to believe The Gypsy,

That my lover is true and will come back to me someday.

A Perfect Pair

Don’t you love it when some of your favorite things all come to together creating something perfectly magical? Ruthie commented a few posts ago that a friend of hers was in Ireland on a gypsy caravan. Ireland is one of my favorite places in the world and gypsies… well, you know how much I love anything gypsy! So I did some googling and found this awesome site. Oh my: perfection! All I need to conclude this dream holiday is this beloved fellow gypsy friend.

Who else wants to join?

If my Gypsy Soul had Wheels

I came across this site and quite naturally had to share some pictures with you! I could gaze at them all day. Or better yet: take a trip to France and visit them in person! This little company sells vintage gypsy wagons as well as reproductions. I have officially decided I must have such a wagon in my backyard someday (if I don’t already have one as  my “official little house“). It will be my creative studio where I will also keep my vintage typewriter. I hope you will stop by for tea…

Gypsy Lore

Here are some wonderful gypsy pictures I’ve come across and I thought you might enjoy them as much as I do. This first one is priceless. It’s titled “Slovenian Gypsy Family at Ellis Island” circa 1910. I love how most of the family is focused on that adorable little sulky baby.

Click on the pictures to link to original sources.