Tiny House Blog

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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Cheesecake, Beer, and a Tiny Rolling Home

Lellewynn sent a few pictures and a little more info about the Salt Lake City open house I thought you might enjoy reading. I still need pictures and a story of the Boulder Colorado stop so please if you were there give us an update. Here is the rest of the story… 

So my husband and I went to see the Fencl on Wednesday. I was so excited! We got into Salt Lake at about 1pm and just kind of puttered around the city, looking at stuff, we took some great pictures. Then we wanted beer so we drove all over Murray looking for a place that served beer. We finally found the Cheesecake Factory. Oh my goodness it was wonderful! Everyone needs to experience cheesecake and beer at least once in their lives!

Then we waited. And waited and waited and looked around for other people who were waiting too. Finally we found one person, a photographer named Mark. After that we were attracting tiny house enthusiasts like flies to a really smelly garbage can. I felt like such a nerd because I guess I knew the answers to the questions everybody was asking. I must have had a sign on me that said “tiny house nerd” because I was the go to girl for all the stats about the Fencl and everything else in the tiny house world… To those who were there, I’m glad I could help! Thats ok though because if I was the go to, Mark was the “get stuff done” guy. He wasn’t afraid to call Jay’s office and find out where Jay was (he was supposed to be there at 6).

Anyway, Jay finally arrived at 8:30pm and the poor guy just looked exhausted. I guess he had some truck trouble and had to rent a Uhaul to finish the trip to SLC. He looked like he needed coffee something fierce! As soon as he got out of his truck, the masses converged upon him. He opened the door to the Fencl and about a million miniature humans (kids) stampeded into the house. I like to imagine it was because it looked just like a playhouse and they couldn’t help themselves. I know I could hardly wait to walk inside!

I hung back and waited for most of the people to take their tour so I could get some fairly decent pictures. It was so cool to walk into a space that small and have it feel so big! When I was inside, there were about five other people in there. and we all had room to maneuver.

Then the moment of truth… I introduced myself to Jay and my face, as I thought it would, turned bright red. It happens anytime I meet anybody for the first time. Poor Jay probably thought I was a deranged fan or something! But he was super polite and answered all mine and my husband’s questions.

Somebody suggested that we all get a picture together. Jay was such a good sport! He smiled big and we got our picture.

All in all it was a pretty fun trip, except the driving home part. We didn’t get back until 2am! As we were driving home I asked my husband “Could you live in that house” and he said “Yeah, it’s bigger than I thought!” which is such a step for him because he was so skeptical. Now he’s on board for Project Rolling Freedom for sure!

Jay pulling in...

Jay getting setup

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My hometown of Reno was the first stop in Jay Shafer’s Fencl cross-country tour. I counted about two dozen people who stopped to visit Jay’s newest build, some who were visiting from other Western states.

I was impressed with how many of us could fit into the 120 square foot house. It smelled like freshly cut wood and let in lots of afternoon light and air from the numerous open windows. The great room was a nice place to hang out and chat.

I think what Jay does best with his tiny homes is the space planning. I mentally began to fill the numerous shelves, closets and cubby holes with my own things and kept coming up with spaces to store stuff. I was really impressed with the space below the kitchen sink and the depth of the two great room closets.

The window seating area was my favorite part. It was large enough for a puffy chair and even a small table or bookshelf. The placement of the fireplace was right next to the seating alcove, which I like better than right in the middle of one of the walls the great room. This gives you more wall space for additional seating or a dining table.

Two ladders on each side of the entrance to the kitchen/bathroom area are used to reach the loft. Some people found them a little difficult to maneuver, but they seemed safer and more utilitarian than a moveable ladder.

The loft housed a fairly large bed, more than enough for two people. There is a small cupboard at the foot of the bed. The Fencl loft seems to have more privacy than other tiny house lofts I have seen.

Jay answered numerous construction, space and living questions and was very approachable and gracious. He seemed to enjoy meeting people from all over the area and was impressed with the visitors who had come from long distances.

How much fun would it be to be able to take your house on a tour, to show it off and meet interesting people along the way? It just goes to show that the smaller your house is, the bigger your world becomes.

By Christina Nellemann

The great room, loft and peak of the kitchen

The seating alcove and detail of the loft ladder

View from the loft

View of great room from loft

View of loft

Kitchen sink

Two-burner stove and refrigerator

Kitchen shelves

RV toilet

The shower

Storage area above the alcove and front door

Alcove seating area

Jay and one of the Fencl visitors

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