🚌 Love on Wheels (Part 2): The Road and the Reckoning
The road after the build — full of hope, uncertainty, and raw beauty
After the build came the open road — and with it, a different kind of work.
I thought once the bus was finished, everything would fall into place. I’d be free. I’d be living the dream.
And in some ways, I was — waking up to sunrises in new places, meeting kindred spirits, creating art out of raw moments.
But freedom has a weight, too.
The sanctuary I built, even when it felt like a beautiful trap
Being alone with your dreams means being alone with your doubts.
There were moments of magic — quiet morning coffees parked beneath trees, selling my work to strangers who became friends, finding the strength to keep going even when everything felt uncertain.
And there were moments that broke me.
One of the hard days. These happened more than I imagined.
Flat tires. Blown fuses. Lonely nights in strange towns.
Times I didn’t know where I’d park next or how I’d make enough to get to the next event.
Times I questioned everything — my choices, my worth, my path.
I’d stare at the walls I built with my own hands and wonder if I had built a beautiful trap instead of a sanctuary.
But each time I fell apart, something — some grace — would come through.
A sale when I needed it most.
A message from someone saying my work had touched them.
A song on the radio that felt like it was written just for me.
I met people who felt like pieces of home.
And I saw parts of myself I didn’t know existed — the fierce parts, the soft parts, the parts that refused to give up.
Living on the road demanded everything: trust, resilience, creativity, and an ability to keep choosing myself
It wasn’t all beautiful. But it was real. And it was mine.
This chapter taught me that the road doesn’t always lead where you think it will.
But if you listen — really listen — it will lead you exactly where you need to go.
Love on wheels part 1
Building the Dream
When I first got the bus, it felt like I was finally taking hold of my wildest dream. Freedom. Creativity. A home I built with my own hands. I was ready — or at least I thought I was.
What I didn’t realize was just how much this bus would test me.
I reached out to family and friends, hopeful. So many people in my circle had the skills I lacked — carpentry, wiring, plumbing — and I truly believed I’d have a tribe of helpers beside me. But life has its own pace. People have their own struggles. Slowly, the offers of help faded, not out of neglect but out of the reality that everyone is just trying to stay afloat.
And so, most of the time, it was just me. Me and the overwhelming task of converting a hollow shell into a home.
I spent countless hours researching, building, breaking things, rebuilding. There were moments I sat in the half-finished shell of that bus and cried, wondering if I had made a mistake. Wondering if I had taken on more than I could handle.
But there was one constant. My uncle.
He let me park the bus at his shop. He let me use his tools. And more than that, he showed up — when he could, and in ways that truly mattered. We built together. Sometimes it was little things — a cabinet door, a custom bracket, a solution to a problem I couldn’t crack. But it was also long talks, shared meals, moments of laughter in the middle of sawdust and sweat.
Those days with him are some of my most treasured memories. Not because of what we built, but because of who we were in those moments. Two people making something out of nothing. Side by side. He believed in me when I was tired. He saw the vision, and he quietly held space for me to chase it.
He is one of my favorite people on this planet. And I love him with all my heart.
The bus isn’t perfect. It’s held together by blood, sweat, a little glitter, and a whole lot of grit. But it’s mine. And more than that, it’s a reflection of all the love, heartbreak, solitude, and stubborn determination that made it real.
This bus is my art. My story. My sanctuary. And it all began with a vision — and the willingness to keep going when the road got rough.
Welcome to the windows journal
Sweet souls,
I’m so happy you’re here.
This space has been on my heart for a while, and I’m finally bringing it to life. Welcome to the Windows Journal—a place where I’ll be sharing the heart behind the art, glimpses into my studio, stories from my journey, and the little moments of beauty and inspiration that keep me creating.
If you’re new here, I’m Angela—artist, dreamer, builder of tiny spaces and big ideas. For the past few years, I’ve lived and created out of a converted school bus. I built the bus in 2020, in the thick of the pandemic, when I realized it was now or never. I’d been saving up to buy an RV to pursue my love of traveling—and more about that is coming soon. I spent four years living in that bus and setting up my jewelry booth at festivals and markets across the state. (Yes, more stories from the road coming too!)
Fast forward to 2025: I’ve just opened my first-ever boutique—Windows Into The Formless—a quaint, cozy space in Largo, Florida. Though it’s small and not quite in my dream location, it still feels like a huge step. It’s a space that’s mine, and it truly feels like the beginning of something special and deeply fulfilling. I’ve always dreamed of having a store of my own, and walking into it now fills me with pride. It’s a glimpse into my mind and heart—a calm, happy place filled with one-of-a-kind jewelry, crystals, handmade treasures, and beautiful energy. I aim to always keep it full of things that uplift and inspire.
My work is deeply inspired by nature, transformation, and spirit. I love working with butterfly wings, crystals, feathers, flowers, and natural materials that remind us of our own divine beauty. Every piece I create is made with intention and joy—and the hope that it speaks to something deep within you. Over the years, I’ve been blessed with some truly magical moments: customers sharing how a piece found them just when they needed it, how it symbolized something emotional or life-changing, how it carried meaning and healing. I believe every piece I make is destined for someone I haven’t met yet—and the moment it finds its home? That’s the most beautiful part of it all.
That’s why I create. It’s magic.
In this journal, you’ll find:
Behind-the-scenes moments from my boutique and bus life
New collection reveals + the inspiration behind them
Thoughts on creativity, simplicity, and soulful living
The stories behind special pieces and materials
My process, dreams, materials I’m exploring, and more
This is more than a blog—it’s a window into the why behind what I do.
Thank you for being here. Whether you’re just passing through or have followed my journey for a while, please know: you are deeply appreciated. I hope this space feels like a deep breath, a spark of creativity, and a quiet reminder that you are not alone.
With love + light,
Angela
