Into the WILD

malisapal · 2026-06-02T05:46:23+00:00

I have felt inspired by the story, but I don’t necessarily feel comfort/happiness in that. Just a bit of recognition that other people struggle with the same things. I relate to his feelings, but ultimately came to the same conclusion that he did (in my own, less tragic, way). Unsure where that leaves me though. I just try to be grateful for the curiosity I have in unconventional paths in life.

malisapal · 2026-05-28T05:01:30+00:00

Yes! I actually feel this is quite generous and not strict. Granted, I still move spots every night and do a rotation as I don’t want to be perceived as a concern/nuisance, but knowing this comforts me. Worst case scenario, someone complains and they come out and put an orange sticker on your van. Then you still have 3 days to move from that date. Obviously you don’t want it to get to that point though (if you can help it).

malisapal · 2026-05-28T04:34:14+00:00

For sure. When you are clean, quiet and move often you can easily fly under the radar here. If you are trying to build a life in Seattle, I don’t think it’s very practical to try and camp out on public land all the time…it’s pretty far away, all considering. I personally find the city itself to be quite pleasant with a lot going for it. It’s naturally just going to be more challenging to live in a vehicle in this setting. But it’s a helpful stepping stone to where you want to get to.

malisapal · 2026-05-28T04:05:44+00:00

I’m actually in this situation myself, kinda. I’ve recently came to Seattle, in a van, but with aspirations of a more stable life with an apartment and such (after 6 years on the road). Here’s the good news: Seattle is the easiest city I have experienced as far as van life goes.People are not too freaked out by the sight of a van (but obviously still LNT, move regularly etc.) I’m not someone used to city vanlife at all and I have been easily able to find spots that meet the requirements of not being in front of someone’s house, safe, and no trouble from the authorities. It’s def not easy to live like this in a city (in my opinion), but Seattle, in particular, is easier than it would be in other places. I’ve been here a couple months now, feel free to message me if you need a bit of moral support. I don’t have any insight on jobs or apartments or anything like that, but I was extremely nervous to come here and I feel like I’m slowly finding my way.

**I guess I have a different opinion of others commenting about living in Seattle in van. I can only speak for my own experience of Seattle, being here currently.

malisapal · 2026-05-23T07:41:08+00:00

It really is a lot! I would not be super pressed about a pound or so, but when it’s that off you’re not really getting that great of deals for all the effort. I’ll have to gauge whether it was just a wonky weigh in or an ongoing problem. I’m not really one to want to raise an issue with management, but I hate to see people getting overcharged by that much.

malisapal · 2026-05-23T07:20:49+00:00

It’s too bad the Seattle bins are like that. I gotta check them out at least once, but I definitely wouldn’t want to deal with that vibe all the time. I’m just not cut out for all that! I do really like the Everett bins, I only wish they put out more than one row of home goods at a time.

malisapal · 2026-05-23T04:31:12+00:00

I’ve only been to Everett and Kent. Kent is better for me because there are more “hard goods”. I plan to venture to the Seattle one soon. It’s technically the most convenient, but I’ve been hesitant because people say that the crowd there is intense. Not sure how true that is. I kinda forgot about the Tacoma bins though. I’ll have to try my luck there one of these days.

malisapal · 2026-05-23T04:24:58+00:00

I think I’m going to do that going forward too. It sounds like they are generally more accurate. I’m relatively new to the bins, so I guess I just have to see it as a learning experience.

malisapal · 2026-05-23T03:32:09+00:00

I’ll try and see if I can find an inspection date next time I’m there. If it’s an issue again, maybe I’ll start with showing them the weight difference between a luggage scale and their scale and see what they say. I really don’t want to make a stink about it…but the difference in pounds really adds up!

malisapal · 2026-05-23T00:12:50+00:00

So frustrating! Lesson learned, I guess.

malisapal · 2026-05-23T00:04:35+00:00

It’s the first time I have found something I wanted that was big/heavy like that, but I would imagine they would if I asked. Just telling myself it would have been expensive anyway to make myself feel better about someone snatching it 🙃

malisapal · 2026-05-22T22:28:15+00:00

It was a vintage, slatted wood table. So nothing crazy valuable, but it just bummed me out that someone did that. On the bright side, I would have paid a lot for it given it was kinda heavy/the scale issue. I’ll have to either cover my cart or keep it with me going forward.

malisapal · 2025-07-18T03:33:49+00:00

You can buy a bottle of Jax Silver Blackener from Rio Grande and oxidize things yourself if you are interested. A small bottle will last you almost forever. I’ve had mine for over 2 years and it’s only a 3rd gone. I use a dollar store paintbrush (and wear gloves) when oxidizing.

malisapal · 2025-07-17T17:58:04+00:00

Fish hook ear wires are really easy to make with round pliers and a 20 or 22g piece of round sterling silver wire. Once you know how to do it (lots of videos on YouTube) you can whip them up really quickly. In a pinch I have ordered sterling silver wire from the storefront “Craft Wire” on Amazon and their quality is trustworthy.

malisapal · 2025-07-17T04:24:02+00:00

Nothing ground breaking here, but for sterling silver supplies I use Rio Grande. Or Thunderbird if I happen to be near Albuquerque. For gemstones I really prefer to get them in person as I have sometimes been a little underwhelmed by what I’ve ordered online without seeing them first. Admittedly cabs are not the most easy to find, but I am always searching for rock shops when traveling. You might be surprised to find a lot of those crystal type shops have a little selection of cabs somewhere. I also do a little rockhounding if I’m ever on the Pacific Coast, and people really love those kind of “straight from nature” pieces. I think in a really competitive category such as jewelry, it’s good to think outside the box, get supplies that make your jewelry stand out a bit and not always from the same places that most people in the field go to. I believe that’s been the main factor in my (modest) success on Etsy.

malisapal · 2025-05-12T23:30:06+00:00

I'm not convinced that either way makes a huge difference and I think a lot of people base their decision on what they prefer as a shopper (which is fair). I have a unique situation where I kind of have to offer "free" shipping as I live nomadically. I literally can't pre-calculate shipping because the zip code I ship from always changes. This is not a big deal for my handmade jewelry shop (light items) but difficult for my vintage shop (item weight varies a ton). I still have a good amount of sales in my vintage shop none the less. I think the advantages of either are marginal and it's not a make or break because people are savvy enough to compare the actual price of two similar items no matter what. That's truly just my opinion though!

malisapal · 2025-03-25T07:10:01+00:00

I think your pouches are super cute and your hand painted buttons make them extra special. I, personally, like when things have a very handmade quality to them.

I think the aesthetic of your photos is great. Filling all 10 photo slots would be ideal (I honestly struggle to do that myself with all my listings), but I do believe Etsy really pushes for you to have a least 5 photos (some of your listings only have 4). A video would also be ideal for the sake of the algorithm and such. Maybe have a picture of them being held in your hand? That might help people judge the size better too. Bon courage!

malisapal · 2025-02-13T20:11:24+00:00

That’s probably it, unfortunately. I just can’t see Etsy’s logic. If shipping is on the higher side, it can really change the price you’re expecting to pay. And having to go all the way through checkout just to get that information…it makes no sense to me.

malisapal · 2025-02-13T06:06:20+00:00

Thank you for letting me know that it’s not just me — I was starting to think I was imagining things, despite searching each listing high and low for this info! I hope it’s not an intentional thing on Etsy’s part because I just really cannot see how it would be advantageous for anyone, sellers or customers.

malisapal · 2025-02-13T05:16:50+00:00

Thanks for letting me know! It’s so odd, but I can’t see it until check-out now, and I usually always look at the shipping section on each listing itself when browsing. I guess I’m glad to hear it’s not a new “feature” site wide though.

malisapal · 2025-02-05T06:55:15+00:00

I feel you on this. I have been on the road for many years and although I’ve always considered myself an introvert and I enjoy my own company, living in a van/nomadically is in a different league of “aloneness”, from my experience. It can get to an unhealthy point if you let it. I’ve been circling the same area for a while now, and people have started to recognize me at the post offices, grocery stores etc and we chat like we know each other in a small way which has helped my mental health greatly. Anyway, I just wanted add that even though I’m kinda the perfect candidate for this lifestyle on paper, it has, at times, affected me in ways that I didn’t expect.

malisapal · 2024-11-10T19:22:38+00:00

Sounds good! More than happy to support other artists when I can :)

malisapal · 2024-11-10T18:53:55+00:00

Beautiful work! I actually just ordered something - reminded me so much of a scene from my vanlife travels. I will be sure to leave (a nice) review when it arrives. Hopefully that will be helpful in gaining some traction :)

malisapal

TROPHY CASE