Deek’s Four Day “Tiny House Summer Camp” Building Workshop In Vermont- July 6-9
Hey All,
For those who haven’t heard (many, as we haven’t talked/posted on it much), I’m hosting another Relaxshacks.com Tiny House Building Workshop this year, something we’re dubbing “Tiny House Summer Camp,” and for good reason….
Last year’s sold out workshop went very well, and we had great feedback, so we decided to try a FOUR DAY workshop this time, with camping sites and lodging, and MANY guest speakers and demonstrators. I initially only wanted one guest presenter, perhaps two, but this tiny-house-athon has almost become a small living convention of sorts. Well, a convention where we’re only letting in fifteen attendees!
The aim is to keep it small, hands-on, fun, and eclectic. We want you to not only learn about the ins and outs of small space design and construction, but also to actually build a tiny cabin in the woods together. You’ll have the chance to see and stay in a small off-grid log cabin (one Kent featured as a “tiny house in a landscape” last year), my own Vermont Cabin (as seen in both Lloyd Kahn and Mimi Zeiger’s new tiny housing books), The U.B. 30 Treehouse, and we’ll take a field trip or two to The Pine Crest Cabins in Barton, Vermont, a local mom and pop sawmill, and “Uncle Bob’s Place” to check out some thrift-built tiny structures, and more….
Tiny Homes Finding Fans in the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Tiny Homes Press Release
“Honey, I Shrunk the House – by 1,377 Percent”
A local Seattle-area family has just built a new home that’s only 159 square feet. They’re part of a national movement toward smaller, more sustainable housing that is taking root in the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle, WA, February 16, 2012 — This week, thousands will converge in Century Link Field for the Seattle Home Show (February 18-26, 2012) to browse the latest trends in building the American dream. However, they’ll likely miss one of the fastest-growing trends: living in tiny homes that are sustainable, flexible, and often mobile.
To learn more about tiny homes, you need to venture a few blocks north to a gathering of fewer than 100 people: the Tumbleweed Tiny House Workshop held the same time (February 25-26, 2012) at the Pioneer Square Courtyard Marriott.
Photo Credit Seattle Tiny Homes
One Seattle-area resident planning to be there is Sharon Read, with a tiny home in tow. She’s just built a new home that is only 159 square feet – 1,377% less than her family’s current dwelling. With classic Craftsman styling, beautiful cedar siding, and lots of windows to let in light, the tiny home has a kitchen, a “great” room, an office, a bathroom with a tub/shower, and even a washer and dryer. The home also features two sleeping lofts that have room for two queen size beds and storage.
The home’s foundation? A sturdy 22-foot steel trailer, meaning the home is portable and can be positioned anywhere.
While Read and her family hope to live in the tiny house as much as possible, the home is also the show model for Seattle Tiny Homes, a company Read founded to build high-quality, custom tiny homes – both portable and stationary – that can be used as primary residences, vacation homes, guest cottages, auxiliary housing for elderly relatives or college students, or an office or studio.
Read and Seattle Tiny Homes are part of a growing movement of tiny home advocates that is spreading across North America – and taking root in the Pacific Northwest. Spearheaded by Jay Shafer, called the guru of the tiny homes and author of The Small House Book (learn more at www.tumbleweedhouses.com), the movement touts the freedom and flexibility that tiny homes offer – plus the “green” advantage of a greatly reduced environmental impact.
The public is welcome at the Tumbleweed Tiny House Seminar. To register, visit www.tumbleweedhouses.com/workshops/seattle/. Classes will be taught by Dee Williams, a tiny house pioneer and co-owner of Portland Alternative Dwellings (learn more at www.portlandalternativedwellings.com).
Photo Credit Tumbleweeed Tiny Houses
Read’s new tiny home – all 159 square feet – will be on display and open for viewing during the seminar. For exact times and location, contact Sharon Read of Seattle Tiny Homes at:
(425) 445-3675
sharon@seattletinyhomes.com
www.seattletinyhomes.com
Ella’s Tiny House Story
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 »
Tumbleweed Giveaways and Holiday Sale
Tumbleweed Tiny House Company is expanding their reach via Twitter and Facebook and to encourage you to follow them via one of these methods they are having a giveaway of some of their books and posters every couple of hours till the end of November. To be included in the drawings you need to like them on Facebook and comment when they ask you to or on Twitter they want you to re-tweet certain information to your followers. Here are the links if you want a chance to win: Facebook and Twitter.
Tumbleweed is also having a Holiday Sale and in my opinion the best deal is the workshops. Tumbleweeed is giving 40% off of the usual price and that is a bargain in my humble opinion. Click here to go to the Workshop page and than click on the workshop you would like to attend, the discout is given on that page.
Tumbleweed is also offering 40% off of certain books and plans and if you click on the graphics below you will be taken to the sales page for that item. The sale ends November 30 so if you have been waiting to buy one of these items, now is the time to do it.
Buy a Tiny Bit of History
Steven over at Tiny House Listings notified me that he was in contact with someone who has Jay Shafer of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company original Tumbleweed home and that it is now listed for sale on his site. According to the owner this is the actual Tumbleweed house that started it all. Jay Shafer built this house and lived in it when he lived in Iowa and is Tumbleweed house number one.
Since then it has been a crafting shop and guest house on the new owners property in Boston. It is in excellent condition and you can get the complete details at Tiny House Listings. This is your chance to own a piece of history.
World’s Tiniest Hotel
by Elaine Walker
Calling all tiny house fans!
Would you like the opportunity to stay overnight in a tiny house before plunging into building your own?
My Story
Indulgent Restraint was born of my fascination with tiny houses and a desire to live in one. A few years ago while living in New England, I fell in love with the Lusby design by Jay Shafer of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. I wanted to nestle the tiny house in a Thoreau-like setting, among tall pines near a pond. My kids were grown and I was ready to downsize. So I put our big house on the market, bought land, purchased the tiny house plans and hired a professional home builder to start work on the Lusby. But it was 2008 and the start of the housing crisis. The big house wasn’t selling, so I couldn’t hang on to the lake front land; my plans would have to change.
After some twists and turns, I sold the lot, rented out my big house, and moved myself, two dogs, three cats and tiny house to California. I lived in the tiny house on rented farm land in the delta along the Sacramento River. It was a wonderful adventure!
But I really wanted to be closer to San Francisco and have enough room to host guests. So when my big house in New Hampshire finally found a buyer, I was able to make another move. I bought a 96 year old, two bedroom house in Vallejo and brought the tiny house to its backyard. I’d love to open it up for other tiny house fans!
http://www.indiegogo.com/Worlds-Tiniest-Hotel
To view more photos go here: http://indulgentrestraint.com/
