These are pictures of two of the six Gypsy Wagons (or "Vardos" in the Romany language) that Jim Tolpin has built.  The Ledge Style was built in the mid-eighties and the Bow Top version was finished in 2007. (It was shink wrapped and shipped by Fedex from Port Townsend to upstate New York).

Gypsy Wagons are the ulitmate cozy home on wheels - its like traveling back in time to a beautiful place where one finds joy in life pared down to the basics. Port Townsend is a centre of Gypsy Wagon makers, (perhaps that is overstating it a tad). But Jim and Steve Habersetzer (Steve is also on our faculty) have both built wagons and there are at least three other woodworkers in the area who have built one!

Warning! Warning Will Robinson! Building a highly detailed Gypsy Wagon is a long process. It took Jim more than 2000 hours over several years to build his last wagon. A simpler version, however, can take less than half that time. In these courses Jim will share the tricks and techniques that he has learnt - you'll still have your work cut out but the learning curve will be much shorter.

In 2009 we'll be offering three courses that will teach you the basics of building a Gypsy Wagon:

Building a Gypsy Wagon

In this week-long course we will explore how the late 19th century, English-made “Living Wagons” (called “Vardos” by the Gypsies)—were designed, built and used. Then you will discover how modern design and construction techniques can be used to create a wagon that will be enchanting and cozy, yet roadworthy for travel at today’s highway speeds. In the balance of the course you will learn the techniques and practice the hands-on skills that you'll need to return home and build a Gypsy Caravan for yourself.

Here's what we'll be doing:

• Drawing full size patterns for various components such as the end walls and the superstructure supports.
• Designing a suitable chassis frame and running gear.
  
• Building an endwall for a bow top.
  
• Making a sample door and window.
  
• Carving a knee bracket and a length of molding with "butterfly" chamfers.)
  
• Designing the interior built-in cabinetwork
  
• Bending hoops with a steam box and setting them to a form.
  
• Designing electrical and plumbing systems
  
• Designing the chimney for a wood-burning stove
  
• Painting and varnishing some sample parts.
  
• Talking about how to outfit a wagon for the road.
  

Included in the cost of the course are practice materials, detailed handouts and access to a free online forum where you can ask further questions and solicit advice.

Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for students taking this course other than having a passionate interest in learning how to create the most cozy and lovable living space one could ever hope to spend some time in!

If you have some experience with woodworking, you will likely be delighted with how much your skills will be upgraded over the course of the two weeks. If you are a raw beginner to woodworking, you will enjoy a fear-free approach to working with hand and hand power tools so you can experience woodworking as the joyful activity that it really is.

Class size:   12
Cost:            $600

Carving Decorative Panels for Gypsy Wagons

In this weeklong course Dan Packard (another Port Townsend treasure) will teach you how to carve the decorative panels that adorn Gypsy Wagons.  This course is scheduled after the Building a Gypsy Wagon class so you can spend two full weeks immersed in the traditions of Gypsy Wagons.

Class size:   8
Cost:            $600

Building a Gypsy Wagons - An Introduction

This three day class is a highly compressed version of  the one week course listed  above.  We  will cover all the topics listed, but there will not be as much hands-on  work.

Class size:   12
Cost:            $360