Look Who Finally Came Home

Finally picked up the LorigamiVan this Friday - two months (less a day) after purchasing her. I had no idea the number of hoops I would have to jump through to insure a commercial vehicle as a mobile store! I was concerned that missing out on the beautiful weather we had in October and the first part of November was going to mean working in freezing temperatures and wading through walls of snow to get from the house to the bus daily. Turns out God is on my side and is providing a mild winter to work in. Yay!

Saturday, with space heater on board, we started work on the interior. We began by removing all the L-track accessories we wouldn’t be using.

If anyone wants some hooks, I will sell them to you at a better price than you will pay on Amazon (currently $235+ each).

Next, I removed the two passenger seats from behind the driver’s seat. I expected that task to be more difficult than it was but it’s amazing what one can accomplish with a wrench, a rubber mallet and a little determination. The remainder of the day was spent measuring around wheel wells, fixed heaters and seatbelts (that were riveted to both the upper and lower L-tracks on the walls). Much of my lower storage plans got rewritten because of all these obstacles but that just means there will be more permanent display space for the yarn!

Sunday, Mom and I started building her out despite not having some of the hardware needed to secure some of the fixtures to the existing L-track. I tried for two months to find it locally but was finally forced to buy it online. Of course, the more cosmetic products can come within a week. The more functional products won’t be here until after Christmas.

Sunday was also the day we discovered the foldaway seat on the passenger side refused to be removed, so more reconfiguring is required because that was supposed to be my till area. Thankfully, my plans for the upper storage worked out exactly the way I wanted! The only drawback is that I have to buy more 2’x5’ grids to complete the task. Combining two 1’x5’ grids (which I have in abundance) resulted in a hinged effect that would put too much strain on the walls. No pictures until I have the rest of the grids purchased so that you get the full effect. Hopefully, Eddies Hangup Display has stock in Edmonton for me to pick up today (Monday).

As fas as the exterior is concerned, I’m leaving it as it is for now. I can use the same banners I was using on the motorhome because I am able to secure them the same way on the bus. I am toying with the idea of graphics in the future but for now that is an unnecessary expense. 

Written by Lori, extremely motivated TCL owner, who is going to have the most amazing shopping experience available to you next Spring!

When Is An RV Not An RV?

When it’s a mobile store! Can it be an RV after having been a mobile store for two years?

You tell me.

n.b. As of this publication (morning of October 18, 2021) I have not set a definite price but will update as soon as it has been appraised in it’s reverted configuration (which could be as early as the afternoon of October 18, 2021).

I could share ALL the pictures from empty store to it-could-go-either-way to full blown RV but I’ll just share a few highlights. 

Here you see the full U-shaped dinette with 4 of the 5 seatbelts visible. When the tables are dropped down onto the shorter legs, the extra cushions create an rv version of a king-sized bed!

In this photo, the double bed above the cab is visible along with the cargo net (or child sleepwalking prevention net). It also shows half of the dance floor I created when I removed the L-shaped counter from the kitchen. Each of the table leg holes has a protective cap on it so there will be no snagged pinky toes to contend with.

This photo highlights a few things. Set high between the upper cabinet doors are cute little drawstring lights that act as nightlights (or mood lighting), an MPPT solar charge controller to keep track of what the 315W panel is up to, and the 10” overhang on the kitchen counter. Also, notice the little 'block' on the back corner of the counter? It serves two purposes. It makes room for the cushion when in dinette mode and it flips down to create a full countertop when the seat cushion isn't there. And the little notch that's visible is to allow an electrical cord through from the outlet underneath.

This photo gives a glimpse of the propane stove and oven as well as the complementary rug. Why am I throwing in a rug? Because I am a full disclosure kinda gal. It completely covers the few (I think 6) tiny holes in the flooring left from the L-shaped portion of the counter. Other than making room for customers, why did I remove the L? Didn't I lose storage space? No, I actually gained storage AND cupboard space.

At countertop height, the corner of the L was completely taken over by the TV with hardly enough room to make a sandwich. Below, the corner was a huge void with a few wires and plumbing. The plumbing is still there and so is the storage from the original L. I also made a pathway from dinette to bathroom that isn't blocked by someone looking in the fridge.

This view is from the in-between stage. In case someone is interested in using this motorhome as a mobile store like I did, I want them to see it with the door in front of the bunks.

This photo showcases the copper tile backsplash and the counter extension that extends into the entryway. I don’t recommend using the extension during the day when people are constantly in and out - although the kids would have no trouble ducking underneath it - but it works great in the evening and makes a neat deterrent if it’s left up at night and someone tries to break in. ;)

This photo shows the TV placement. Great for watching while working in the kitchen (or from the back bunk beds) and it also swings out so that the whole family can watch their favourite show from the dinette. Behind the TV is more storage space which could accommodate a small microwave.

Did I mention that I sewed the curtains myself as the original curtains were sun rotted to the point of disintegrating? I like this material because it is machine washable and allows the light in while creating privacy.

Yet another configuration with the main bed/eating area. The left shows the setup for twin beds on the main floor.

Last but not least, the bunk beds at the back. The bottom bunk can flip up and be used as a large storage space accessible from the outside. Great for multiple bikes for family outings!

Okay. Now that the commercial is over, I have a serious question for you all. As you are aware, I put pegboard inserts in the cupboard doors so that I could make use of them for display. Back in RV mode, I find the light wood grain of the pegboard to be very aesthetically pleasing. Only one of these photos was taken with the lights on. The RV would have looked very dark with the original panels if I tried to do that before.

Not only that, the pegboard makes for great ventilation. Fruits and veggies could be stored in a cool dark place with air circulation. Dirty laundry wouldn't sit and stagnate only to knock you off your feet when the door is opened. Would the pegboard be a deal breaker or a bonus for you if you were wanting to buy this RV?

written by Lori, TCL owner, who is happy to get the RV sale ready yet frustrated because the shuttle bus is being held up in insurance limbo and I can't bring it home to work on it.

So. I Did A Thing . . .

 After two years of using my recreational vehicle as a mobile store, I am retiring it in favour of a vehicle better suited to non-recreational use.

Did I enjoy having all the comforts of home with me while travelling from market to market? Absolutely! Is that going to keep me from discarding it in favour of a vehicle with way more usable space? Absolutely not! And when that vehicle makes it impossible for the physically challenged customers to have an excuse for not coming in? You know I’m switching vehicles!

So the vehicle in question is a newer shuttle bus complete with a wheelchair lift, so not only is it wheelchair friendly but it will also make it much easier to do indoor shows again - if that ever happens - because moving displays will be so much easier than trying to squeeze through a 21” doorway. And even though the motorhome had more storage space inside and out, the bus has more accessible storage and allows customers to shop the entire stock of yarn instead of just what is on display- every single week! Can you tell I’m all in to make this version of The Crafty Lady not just survive but thrive?

In case you’re an English major critiquing my excessive use of exclamation points, I’m EXCITED! That’s the emotion they were designed to convey and, darn it, I’m gonna use ‘em!

The flip side of this amazing news is that I now have a motorhome to sell. It won’t be back into rv mode until after Thanksgiving but I will post pictures here and various other places (like Kijiji) if you or anyone you know is interested.

Now back to the business of the week. I am stuffing the pop up store with as much of my acrylic yarns as the bins will hold and the upper cabinets will be filled with next week’s offerings just so the ‘not Lacombe and Red Deer’ markets can still get one last chance to purchase them. They will include my Berroco yarns and merino roving.

You will also notice some white boxes and some blue boxes in the final photo. These contain ball winders and swifts. Can you say Christmas presents?

Written by Lori, excited TCL owner, who is going to be working very hard, along with her 87/88 year old mother because she insists she needs the workout, to bring you a brand new pop up store next season!!!!!!

Mom gets two ages for this because she’ll have a birthday while we’re working on this. ;)