Tiny House Blog

Austin was only 15 when he started building his tiny house. According to Jay Shafer he is the youngest person he is aware of who is proving that anyone can build a tiny home if they choose to. Austin has completed building the Tumbleweed Fencl and he is scheduling an Open House for October 6th in Santa Rosa.

Austin has been very active and has shared his knowledge at several of Tumbleweed’s workshops. He is now 17 and a senior at the local high school.

The event is open to the public and is happening Saturday October 6th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Santa Rosa, California.

You will need to get the address from Tumbleweed at this link as his privacy is important and we do not wish to publish it online.

Watch a video clip of Austin on “Extreme RV” below.

Guest Post by Ella Jenkins

I’m Ella, a 23 year old musician and artist just out of college and I’m in the process of building my very own Tumbleweed Fencl. I’ve been in love with tiny houses from the moment it came to my attention they existed in 2010, and I’ve been saving my money ever since. Finally, last September, I bought a trailer and my step-dad and I began the grand construction!

I have never built a thing in my life, but with my Dad’s endless tools, know-how, and lectures I’ve taken in so much and the two of us have muddled our way through. It’s amazing what you can learn when you’re passionate!

Photo Credits: Ella Jenkins

We have just gotten the roof on and are now working on putting up cedar siding. I hope to be done around May and find somewhere beautiful to set myself down. This way I can pursue what I love without the worry of financially debilitating rent. Continue Reading »

Austin Hay from Santa Rosa, California is making the news these days. About a month ago he was featured in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. His latest forage into the public eye is a faircompanies.com video by Kirsten Dirksen. Which after just two days has had over 136,000 views.

I had the opportunity to meet Austin a couple of months ago at one of Jay Shafer’s Tumbleweed Open Houses. Austin really impressed me with his knowledge of the tiny house movement and his willingness to share his experience that he has learned as he builds his own tiny house. He is in the process of building a Fencl, Jay Shafer’s most popular plan. He was sharing his business card and visiting with everyone. Be sure and visit Austin’s website at MiniHouseBuilder.com.

Kirsten Dirsken uses her talent to show off Austin’s work and knowledge in her latest video.

Tumbleweed is looking for a place to host their Fencl as a vacation rental.

This might be for the summer only, or could turn into a long term opportunity. You must have a place in the continental US that would be a desirable vacation spot. In addition, electricity must be readily available. The house needs its own 20 amp circuit. Also, a sewer hook up must be present and a water source within a few feet. Basically, the house needs RV hookups. Because it is a vacation rental, you don’t want to deal with cleaning of any tanks. Tumbleweed is looking for a place with a sewer hookup.

If you have a place to host and rent the Fencl you can get all the details at the Tumbleweed Blog.

I just received an update from Tumbleweed about a new video they have put together on the construction of the Fencl plus a few changes in prices and a special sale on their best selling plans the Fencl. Sale Over!

Tumbleweed is allowing several blogs to get the word out first before they advertise the sale on the Tumbleweed website. Below is the new video and Jay Shafer did an excellent job as it really give you the feel of what is involved in the construction of a Tumbleweed home.

Tumbleweed is also adjusting the pricing and here is why. “Tumbleweed is lowering prices because we will no longer be including consultations and workshops with the plans. Those will be sold separately.”

Here is the new pricing:

• XS-House Plans $399
• Epu, Weebee, Tarleton, Lusby $859
• Fencl $859,

If you have been thinking of purchasing the Fencl plans starting now and before March 1, 2010 is the time to get them at this lower Sale Price. Click here to view more details

Continue Reading »

Matt from Omaha took some great photos of Jay’s Fencl stop in Omaha, Nebraska today. Here is what he had to say about the open house.

A pretty good crowd turned out, I couldn’t really guess how many, but I was impressed. Jay sold a lot of copies of the Small House Book, so remember to bring some cash if you want one. I had to go find an ATM. I heard a lot of people comment that the house was larger than they thought, and I talked to a few people who were quite familiar with the small house movement and with Jay’s houses.

If you missed getting Jay’s book you can get it here. Steve was sending a new shipment to him and I know he did not have them at the beginning of the tour. The next two stops are in Iowa than on to Chicago.

Jay is moving on to Iowa tomorrow so stay tuned for more tour pictures, thank you Matt for these and folks please keep them coming. Thank you!

Matt and the Fencl

Visitor Checking Out the Fencl

Visitors inside the Fencl

This is another Matt who sent us photos

Jay explaining the Fencl - Thanks Matt!

Jay and Fencl on the Road Again!

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