Is anyone using beaded curtains to separate the driving area from the living quarters? I think these would work well during the day when I don't want to use my privacy curtains. When I close my privacy blinds it is pitch dark! <br /><br />I like the natural light of the sun and beaded curtains " I think" would give me privacy and still allow some sun light in.<br /><br />I have been looking online and most are for a door way and would have to be cut (length wise). Plus you would need two of em to span the with of the van. So I wonder how hard it could be to make some? Anyone done this?
Beaded Curtains
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josephusminimus
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It wouldn't be hard, but it would be time consuming and probably wouldn't save much money. bead looms, I think they're called, are out there to make it comparatively easy. But somewhere online I've seen bead curtains fairly cheap. Can't recall where, but I must have been looking for something else and came across it.<br /><br />I'd thought of bead curtains a while back for a similar use but had a bamboo shade curtain rolled up horizontal I decided to cut the bamboo strips from and pierce the ends to be hung vertical. Cheapest route for me.
Thanks Jack, I figured if I could make them for around the same cost as buying them it would be worth it. I wouldn't have to modifi "two" and I could customize it to my liking. Most of the one's I see online are kind of gimmicky.
Lifemagician
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If you're going to do it yourself, I suggest that you thread the beads on fishing line, or similar. You won't want it to break the first time one strand gets caught in something.<br /><br />I also use <em>second use sunlight</em>..... solar lights sit on the dash all day, light up the van at night.<br /><br />Lifey
I was looking and I guess they make a special hemp rope for this purpose. Great Idea about the solar lights. Currently I use battery powered lanterns fed by rechargeable battery's recharged from my deep cycle starting battery. I use a 40 watt solar panel to recharge the starting battery.
OK... After doing some more research, it looks like it would cost around 75$ or so to make a custom curtain and that would be a plain one. Using these................<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Round-Wood-Be...354455957&sr=8-61&keywords=beads+wood<br /><br />I could paint each bead differently which would be very unique but VERY time consuming! Maybe a future project for when I am laid off.<br /><br />The wheels got to turning again and now I'm thinking a light colored sheer curtain would accomplish the same thing. This would allow me to "for instance" change clothes with out totally closing everything up and using the lamps.<br /><br />I would leave this curtain up all the time and it will hopefully conceal the back while allowing light in (day time). This would also work good for those early morning and late nights when entering and exiting the van. I am not ashamed of the van I just like to keep a low profile.
The beads might be kind of noisy when you're driving. 
, but sheers are a good idea. Check this site and watch the little video. <a href="http://livinginmycar.com/blog/my-rig/">http://livinginmycar.com/blog/my-rig/</a>
, but sheers are a good idea. Check this site and watch the little video. <a href="http://livinginmycar.com/blog/my-rig/">http://livinginmycar.com/blog/my-rig/</a>
No , not my RV but the blog is interesting. The woman who owned the RV doesn't fulltime any more. She bought it and drove to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska as a personal challenge and healing journey.
Yeah , Local 5 out Pittsburgh. I was really mad when I got hurt because I'd just finished my apprenticeship and had started making real money! I'm so grateful for the help that we've received from the union over the years since my accident. Things would have been tough without that.
<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" /> Local 915 here, Nice to meet you sister! This trade definitely lends itself to this type of lifestyle. <br /><br />Hopefully our paths will cross on the road, would love to meet you and your husband to here about your adventures. Take care.
I actually had to check to make sure I didn't misspell the title <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Well I went and bought some curtains today and put them up. I am pretty happy with them they do exactly what I thought they would. <br /><br />Why is my van starting to feel like Genie's bottle <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" />
Not too happy after a week with sheer curtains. They are great as far as letting light in and obstructing prying eyes, but...from the outside looking in they scream VAN DWELLER! <br /><br />I think it's my color choice. Tan is very visible from the outside looking in. I think I may have to try the black one's and hopefully they will be less noticeable and still let enough light in.<br /><br />The other negative about these are you have to tie them up when travelling with the windows down (hassle).
VanLifeCrisis
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Yeah, I considered the curtain divider but in the end, i think a bulkhead divider is in order. The loss of stealth is going to be too great with curtains. Safer too in event of an accident (debri).<br /><br /><br />Maybe a skylight in the top of the van? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">
DG: I will say that this is only a problem during the day. At night my blackout curtains with the black side facing towards the cab are almost indistinguishable from the outside. You would have to be very nosy to notice.<br /><br />I am finding as I spend more and more time out in public that "most" people really don't pay that much attention, unless something stands out. <br /><br />I totally agree with you that the bulk head divider would be the ultimate answer. But with a conversion van may look somewhat out of place.
Ok, went today and bought some sheer curtains in black. These are the ticket! When looking into the windshield or the passenger/driver windows it just looks dark/black in the back. I was concerned not enough light would filter through but it's enough.
katiejohnson
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josephusminimus said:
I want to try bamboo beaded curtains too... But I know bamboo curtains are a little bit expensive to buy...
GoingMobile
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I remember riding in vans with beaded curtains in the 70s. Mostly tied in towards the walls as accidents spilling beads all over happened other wise. Better buy some incense if you decide to go that way. Maybe a Ravi Shankar album as well.
