tiny house workshop

2 Comments Posted on Community, community resilience, sustainable lifestyle design, tiny house jamboree, tiny house workshop, Tinyunopoly

Meditations on the 1st National Tiny House Jamboree

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Meditations on the 1st National Tiny House Jamboree 

I had been looking forward to speaking at the 1st National Tiny House Jamboree in Colorado Springs for months. After driving for three days straight over 2200 miles from Northern New England, it’s a bit ironic that my car, which has not had a repair issue or breakdown during the ten years I have owned it, died 25 miles from the Jamboree sight in rush hour traffic at 92 degrees.

HondaBill

 

I overcame so much to build my Silver Bullet Tiny House, this was just a blip on my radar. Six hours and $782. worth of repairs later, I had a new alternator, battery and wire connections replaced in my oldie, but goodie, 2004 Honda Element EX.

 

 

I arrived at the Mining Museum grounds and saw all sorts of vendors and builders driving in their tiny houses and sprucing them up for the coming attendees. Tiny houses seem to be getting larger. When I got my trailer two years ago, 18 feet was considered large. As I toured these, I discovered most of them were 24 feet or larger and 13,000 lbs. plus. And yet, so beautiful, gorgeous, well planned and designed and such great ideas and sustainable concepts.

THJ

After touring some of the tiny houses privately, I set out for the campground in time to set up my tent and get over to the Jamboree VIP party to meet the tiny house luminaries whose blogs I have followed and commented upon, whose books and DVD’s I’ve read and recommended to my workshop attendees and whose tiny house journeys I have admired for years. I was elated to put faces and such warm hugs and conversations to the names and images I have enjoyed in the online tiny house tribe.

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Best of all, I got to see my mentor and tiny house rock star, Derek “Deek” Diedricksen, speak on the 1st day. His speech was so awesome; inspiring, humorous, informative – he set the tone for the entire weekend of magical happenings and connections.

Deek

 

As I returned to the campground every evening, I met folks from Europe, Canada and all over the USA. There were tiny DIY micro-shelters built on one axel trailer rigs as well as two large tiny houses on double axle trailers. A little camping tiny house tribe of our own with wild fire-dancing parties at night and discussions into the wee hours of the morning.

DblRainbow

As I looked up at the twinkling stars in the deep blue Colorado sky, my heart raced with the excitement of the coming weekend’s National Tiny House Jamboree speaker’s, activities and 40+ tiny houses to tour and experience.

I spoke on Sunday to a crowd of tiny house enthusiast’s about my tiny house journey. I also announced my new board game “Tinyunopoly” which will fund tiny house construction for the homeless. Here’s a picture of the 1st draft I made while waiting for my car repairs. (I was a financial consultant to the Parker Family Trust for many years). Money is not in this game, only barter shares and the gift economy. The properties are tiny house villages, the “railroads” are renewables: wind/water harvesting, solar, biomass/ethanol and people powered. No “going to jail” in this version, instead you go to sustainability pillar camp. And the four piles of cards you draw from require all kinds of fun interactions between yourself and your fellow players involving tiny house tips and tricks and sustainable concepts.

If you would like to contribute feedback and help me finish the game, just let me know at taospirit@mac.com.

Tinunopoly

By the end of this incredible weekend those tiny house enthusiasts’ eyes were full of twinkling tiny house stars!

And on my way back to New England I saw my first tiny houses on the road!

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I hope they’ll have Tiny House Jamboree 2 next year!

If micro-housing or the tiny house movement interests you, consider:

  1. Joining a local tiny house meet-up group and networking with your tiny house enthusiast neighbors.
  2. Attend a tiny house workshop near you. Get some hands-on experience and network with other tiny house enthusiasts.
  3. Next time you take a trip or vacation, consider renting a different tiny house every few days and learn what features you like and/or dislike.

Links you may enjoy:

See the Tiny House Jamboree Drone video encapsulating the event in 50 seconds here.

Deek’s upcoming Tiny House Summer Camp here.

4 Comments Posted on Living the sustainable tiny life, The Silver Bullet Book, tiny house jamboree, tiny house workshop

Join us at Deek’s Vermont Tiny House Summer Camp 3!

I will be speaking at Derek “Deek” Diedricksen’s Vermont Tiny House Summer Camp, along with other tiny house luminaries!

I had the opportunity to be a speaker at the Tiny House Jamboree which exceeded its expected attendance of 10,000 – it went viral and 40,000 tiny house enthusiasts came. My blog entry about that experience is coming soon.
Deek’s speech was inspiring and amazing – he set the tone for this unique tiny house community event. He is included in my book, “Living the Sustainable Tiny Life”, just published, and available online here.
So, mark your calendars for the weekend of September 18-20, 2015. Register as soon as you can, they get sold out quickly! For link to register, click here. 
tiny house summer camp 3 final flyer smaller
2 Comments Posted on Silver Bullet Social, tiny house journey, tiny house workshop

8th Tiny House Workshop/Tour

Our 8th Workshop!       Class # 208 The Tiny House Journey  –  Newbury, MA.
Saturday,  7/18/2015, 12 – 4 PM  $75. ***  Sign up now, before it sells out!!!
SBInterior
Meet a local tiny house designer/builder and learn more about her tiny house journey and the tiny house movement. Tour the Silver Bullet Tiny House on wheels (NOW COMPLETED) and discover all its reclaimed, recycled, non-toxic, sustainable and net-zero waste building materials and systems. How to transition into a sustainable lifestyle will be discussed with practical tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint quickly.
Limited to 10 attendees.
Comments from former attendees:
“If your longing to live the tiny life I highly recommend attending Vera’s workshop as a first step. Not only will you get to see, touch, and feel an actual tiny house but Vera will share with you her story, her experiences, and knowledge gained by extensive research and trial and error. I left her workshop with a bigger appreciation for the Tiny house way of life and for the movement as a whole. I now have a better understanding of the social, economic, environmental, and cultural effects this intentional way of living supports and impacts. 
So inspired to start my THOW journey real soon! ” Sophie T.
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“This Woman is the genuine article, my friends. Vera Struck is an inspiration to me, as well as a good friend. She is vastly knowledgeable, passionate, articulate and funny. I have been a presenter with Vera @ three different Tiny workshops, and she never ceases to amaze me.” Kari, Yurt Girl
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“I also really enjoyed all the sustainability information that you shared with us. We are definitely starting to see a trend in people who we talk to: those who are environmentally conscious, and those who are financially conscious. I love that your nonprofit strives to show people that they can have both.” Megan M.
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“I definitely learned a lot about how tiny houses are constructed, and providing us with some of the building materials you used was incredibly useful. The game we played at the end of the tour also really helped put everything into perspective – it was definitely a great learning process when we wrote down the top 5 things we should consider before building a tiny house.” Jay W.
______________________________________________________________
“I greatly appreciate your willingness to open up your home and heart to us and share with us your values as well as your challenges.” Mika IW.

Trailer modification, design process, framing, sheathing, downsizing transitions, insulation and energy systems will be covered. Includes light refreshments, building samples and 30 minute Q&A session. Bring your sense of humor!!

To Register click PayPal button below and we will email you instructions and directions.

Buy Now Button with Credit Cards
Author Elizabeth Rose’s article on Vera’s tiny house in the Newburyport Daily News, click here.
 ***All proceeds go to support sustainability education at www.terrabluteams.org.
There are two fully paid scholarships to this workshop available to those in need. To apply, please email taospirit@mac.com with a paragraph about your need and reason for attending. Include contact information & phone. Applications processed within 24 hours.
1 Comment Posted on community resilience, Events, sustainable housing, sustainable lifestyle design, tiny house talk, tiny house workshop

Celebrate Earth Day with Us-Coming Events!!!

Screen Shot 2015-03-26 at 11.36.47 AMPicture courtesy of Oregon Earth-day

Mark Your Earth Day Calendars!!!

At several Earth Day Festivals,  April 15 – 25th, we will be demonstrating “College Dorm Sustainability Hacks” and speaking about the net-zero sustainable Silver Bullet Tiny House Exhibit designed and built by our Founder, Vera Struck, as an education module for a “tiny sustainable lifestyle”, at the following Earth Day Festivals, Sustainability Events, and tiny house workshops.

APRIL 16th, THURSDAY,  11AM – 2:30PM  

BU Medical Campus, Talbot Green 

http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-you-can-do/events/bumc-earth-day-festival/

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APRIL 22nd, WEDNESDAY,  11AM-2:30PM      

Boston University Main Campus, GSU Plaza

http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-you-can-do/events/earth-day-festival/

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APRIL 25th, SATURDAY 10AM – 4PM

Annual Amherst Sustainability Festival, Amherst Town Common

https://www.amherstma.gov/683/Sustainability-Festival-Information

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MAY 1st-3rd, Friday/Saturday/Sunday

Silver Bullet Tiny House Builder and sustainability lifestyle designer, Vera Struck, author of the soon to be released “Living the Sustainable Tiny Life”, will also be speaking at Deek’s next workshop in Connecticut May 1-3. Sign up now before he is sold out!

http://www.relaxshacks.blogspot.com/2015/01/relaxshackscom-may-2015-tiny-house.html

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Leave a comment Posted on tiny house enthusiasts, tiny house tours, tiny house workshop

New Workshop – The Tiny House Journey- Sunday 3/29

New Workshop!  
Class # 205 The Tiny House Journey  –  Newbury, MA.
Sunday,  3/29/2015, 12 – 4 PM  $75. ***  Openings still available, sign up now!!!
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Meet a local tiny house designer/builder and learn more about the tiny house movement. Limited to 10 attendees.

Tour the Silver Bullet Tiny House on wheels and discover all its reclaimed, recycled, non-toxic, sustainable and net-zero waste building materials and systems. How to transition into a sustainable lifestyle will be discussed with practical tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint quickly.

Comments from attendees:
“I also really enjoyed all the sustainability information that you shared with us. We are definitely starting to see a trend in people who we talk to: those who are environmentally conscious, and those who are financially conscious. I love that your nonprofit strives to show people that they can have both.” Megan M.
 _____________________________________________________________
“I definitely learned a lot about how tiny houses are constructed, and providing us with some of the building materials you used was incredibly useful. The game we played at the end of the tour also really helped put everything into perspective – it was definitely a great learning process when we wrote down the top 5 things we should consider before building a tiny house.” Jay W.
______________________________________________________________
“The seminar and tour we had with you was by far the most valuable experience I’ve had from my  design class this year.” Devyn D.
______________________________________________________________
“I greatly appreciate your willingness to open up your home and heart to us and share with us your values as well as your challenges.” Mika IW.

Trailer modification, design process, framing, sheathing, insulation and energy systems will be covered. Includes light refreshments, building samples and 30 minute Q&A session. Bring your sense of humor!!

Register by clicking on PayPal button below and we will email you instructions and directions.

Buy Now Button with Credit Cards
Elizabeth Rose author’s article on Vera’s tiny house in the Newburyport Daily News, click here.
 ***All proceeds go to support sustainability education at www.terrabluteams.org.
There are two fully paid scholarships to this workshop available to those in need. To apply, please email taospirit@mac.com with a paragraph about your need and reason for attending. Include contact information & phone. Applications processed within 24 hours.
Leave a comment Posted on tiny house enthusiasts, tiny house tours, tiny house workshop

Winter Workshops for Sustainable Tiny Life Enthusiasts

Sold Out 1.17

 

Class # 205 The Tiny House Journey, SUN. 3/29/2015, 12-4PM $75.
Meet a local tiny house builder, learn more about the tiny house movement and network with tiny house enthusiasts at a 4-Hour intimate workshop (Limited to 10 attendees).
Tour the Silver Bullet Tiny House on wheels and earn the top ten important considerations before you begin planning your build. Learn how to transition into a sustainable lifestyle and decrease your carbon footprint.
Trailer modifications, framing, sheathing, insulation, energy and water systems and design process will be covered. Includes light refreshments, tiny house workbook, building material samples, and 30 minute Q & A session.
Register by clicking on PayPal button below and we will email you instructions and directions.
Buy Now Button
 Any questions, just reply in comments.
Leave a comment Posted on Events, reclaimed building materials, reclamation art, Silver Bullet Social, tiny house community, tiny house workshop

2nd Silver Bullet Tiny House Sustainable Swap Social!

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(Photograph Credit: Cynthia Staats)


Silver Bullet Tiny House Sustainable Swap Social Weekend

SOLD OUT

July 19 – July 20, Newbury, Ma., Saturday 9AM – Sunday 6PM

Greetings!

You are invited to participate in a tiny house social opportunity with artists, artisans, tiny house enthusiasts and builders, a local organic chef, local organic wines, and 12 other participants.

 

2 Comments Posted on Biomimicry, tiny house walls, tiny house workshop

A Tiny House that Breathes?

Three years ago I was thinking about my future tiny house envelope and chose to incorporate biomimicry as much as I could. This traveling educational exhibit, traditionally designed, to educate others on sustainable lifestyles and building retrofits, rehabs and/or repurposed construction can still incorporate biomimetics in its product choices. My next tiny house will be far more organic in design, with eco-skins, almost imperceptible from its natural surroundings. But I digress.

Nature’s design as inspiration is not new (Sacred Geometry, Golden Mean, etc.). Biomimicry, Cradle to Cradle or LCA (life cycle analysis) concepts are basic inspiration for Smart Sustainable Design.

Deciding on a vented breathing roof and rain screened walls delayed my build a bit and it was well worth it. I began installing Benjamin Obdyke’s product, Homeslicker rainscreen in late Spring during a workshop I held for tiny house enthusiast’s, video below.

My siding applications were done in sections around the house over the summer.*

Later Rainscreen

Note in the middle picture that 3 inches of screen was folded around the edges to allow drainage but discourage insect infestation. More about how to install Homeslicker here.

Homeslicker is a nylon mesh matrix that comes in a 40″ x 46′ roll and has little vertical channels that direct rain flow down the walls surface. It is very easy to install (I’m not a builder) and provides about a 1/8″- 1/4″ air layer, when compressed, between my Zip panels and my metal or wood siding.

Homeslicker will protect your wall assembly from rot and mold, allow moisture to escape, a thermal break, and prevents damage from surfactants between your vapor and siding. A great solution for tiny housers!

*Check out a similar ventilated underlayment, CedarBreather, I installed on my roof here.

Article in Green Builder Media about the Silver Bullet:

http://www.greenbuildermedia.com/tiny-houses/underlayments-protect-tiny-house-from-excess-moisture

1 Comment Posted on reclaimed building materials, reclaimed furniture, tiny house workshop

Basic Construction Worktable

Most of our workshop attendees are unfamiliar with construction power tools and basic skills. Although I had started the Silver Bullet without a worktable; I accumulated a few leftover scraps from house painters, some roadside plywood and reclaimed 2 x 4’s and chose this simple design:

workbench

 

This project uses the mitre saw, circular saw, regular and compact power drill drivers to assemble the simplistic worktable seen here. It took a few volunteers less than an hour to assemble the pre-painted reclaimed lumber pieces I cut a few hours beforehand.

The mitre saw was installed and we were onto the next demo!

Installing the last window for the Silver Bullet!