2018 Projects

Happy New Year!!

I hope this finds everyone rested and ready to head into the New Year, clean slate, refreshed and optimistic.

I made most of my resolutions and goal setting lists on the winter solstice, but have already added, subtracted, and tweaked them to fit into my overall plan:  Keep It Simple!

I have two little businesses and too many hobbies for one person so I have to stay organized and on track!  I support myself and need to make every dollar count, as well as my precious time.

My main business is Hood Canal Services which keeps me busy 5 mornings a week. I currently have three commercial cleaning accounts, basically I'm the janitor, plus one wonderful job where I am an off-sight caretaker for a vacation estate.

This is my favorite account because I get to do all the landscape maintenance and oversee other services and repairs.  I'd love to just do this kind of work, but alas times have changed and one must be diverse to stay self employed - so.....

What I'm adding to this business for 2018 is Landscape Design.  I am still in the program, but hope to graduate with a certificate in a few weeks.  

I want to focus on small spaces, natural landscaping and enhancing wildlife habit.  I have no idea how to advertise this or where the new clients will come from, but like everything else I have done, I'll just put it out there and see what happens.

In my Jewelry business I will continue to create large wearable art from metal and other natural materials.  I have been offering these on my website at www.jgray-design.com and they are available at the Fusions Art Gallery in Ocean Shores, WA. 

In 2018 more of the large pieces will only be available at galleries and I am planning to create some smaller more affordable pieces for the website.

I will continue to make handmade jewelry supplies for my other shop:  www.jgdsupplies.com .  This is where I hand dye 100% cotton fabrics and make them into scarves and ribbon.  I also make Mala tassels and offer other jewelry supplies there.

My hobbies are going to get really fun this year as I revisit Photography!  I have some new equipment that I want to experiment with, a film camera and a longer zoom lens.  I will still shoot with the digital as well.

I've been thinking about some black and white landscapes of our area and I might even delve back into people candids.

I've expanded my photography website so that I can offer all of the best images as prints and products.  You can visit there at http://j-gray.pixels.com .

Currently I have a few images there such as this one  from a photo shoot I did for a local gardener two years ago.

 I almost forgot to add that I am working on a new photo book and a new poetry book!  Due out later this year.  I still have the other books, listed on the Publications page here on the blog.

 The hobbies list got expanded, so I'm not sure if I can cover it all, but it includes learning how to make beeswax candles, learn how to do fermenting, and add more gardening space in the yard for vegetables.  

I bet you were wondering if I was going to work on the house this year.  Well yes, I need to install a window in the back bedroom and I'd like to install those insulation panels inside the skirting.  I can probably just afford to do the back end of the mobile first, later this summer, and then do more as funds allow.

I think that's plenty to cover in one year!

Hope you all are making plans that will keep you happy.

Magical Mud Room Makeover

Magical Mudroom Makeover

Ever have a room in your house that you look at for years wondering what to do with it?  My mud room has both baffled and tormented me for nearly six years. It was never finished and isn't even connected to the house, well, only at the roof.  The inner walls are plywood and even they aren't completely finished.  

My inclination was always to have it torn down and have a "real" front porch built - some day.  Well I got tired of waiting as you all know me to do and I decided to just do "something".  So I got out the white wash and painted, and painted, and painted.  Things always look better painted.

My biggest dilemma was the inside of those round windows you all like.  Well on the inside they are just a square piece of glass against a cut out round hole and you could see the glue.  I am not that handy with the jigsaw for an inner piece,  so I decided to just paint the glass!  

BEFORE

First coat on glass

AFTER

So here is the dreaded plywood before the paint (above).

Floor before

Floor before

As well as the floor before.  Now don't gasp at painting the floor - it's just wood, and old crappy looking wood at that - but - look at those interesting diagonal boards...

After

After

Perfect for a white wash!

So here is the finished look with added decor I already had (below).

There are still a few other things I want to do - that you can't see in these photos, but for the most part I am happy with how it turned out, considering what I started with!

Windows and Doors

One of the best things you can do when you adopt your new retro trailer or mobile home is to upgrade those windows!  These old homes are about as warm as a bread box come winter, so this is a priority.

The easiest way is to retro-fit them;  replacing the existing windows with windows of the exact same size.  In this case the previous owner found windows that were a bit smaller but did some creative compensation on trim design for the final look.  I highlighted the design with accent paint.

Ultimately you want double pane vinyl windows, and some that open.

On the inside you can trim them out any way you like.

Doors are important as well.  These can easily be obtained from recycle building supply stores by the way, as can the windows.  Great discounts there, while still getting a quality item.

This is my front entrance door, beautifully simple with a lovely glass design.

It's creative to integrate the old and unique in to your retro style home.  You can stick with the traditional things that fit the time era of your place, or you can just go whimsical and fun, adding whatever you like.

This round window in my front porch / mudroom really adds creativity to my place.  It's not really a window either!  It was a single pane of glass attached to the inside wall.  The porch is not insulated so this concept works fine for a creative look.

My outside door is an old wooden door with the glass still in tact.  I plan to add an antique glass door knob there.

While it is fun to integrate the old and unique, remember to use energy efficient doors and windows where most needed.

I welcome all comments and questions, so feel free to post here!  As always, thanks for stopping by!

Retro Trailer Addition

For those of us who love our retro style trailers and mobile homes, there comes a time when more space is needed!  Fortunately for me, my place already had a terrific addition built on when I bought the place.

This is a 8'x24' addition that is built off one side of the trailer - I call it the back.  The interesting thing here is that the roof line was extended from the roof-over structure, keeping the pitch the same (see photo below).

By the way, a roof-over is a must have with these old places.  When built to code, they are extremely sturdy and last forever.  The beams are cemented in the ground.

This addition allows you to have a wood structure that you can insulate and install upgraded windows and electrical, adding warmth and efficiency.

On the inside you have full creative license to do whatever you want.  In this case of course, the previous owner went for off-white paint and wood trim. 
The section here in the photograph is just the living room portion, 12'x8'.  It's a perfect addition to the existing living room which would be really small without it since it is a single wide mobile.
The other 12'x8' section of the addition is a small room with big windows that I use for the bedroom, very cozy.

This structure is insulated, with drywall and flooring.  I love the many windows which let in so much light!

On the other side a front porch was built, which I call the mud room.  It is actually not attached to the trailer at all, just the beams and roof.  I loved the round window!

This look gives an old trailer a lot of character, besides the extra room!!
I hope this has inspired you with ideas for your own retro trailer.  Please feel free to comment or ask questions.