To view
the most current events, please visit the
Strawbale Studio wiki site.
For
your convenience, the following schedule has
been posted.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
HOLIDAY GIFT-MAKING!
Session 1 ~ Wreath Making.
Session 2 ~ Dream Catcher
Session 1: November 7, 2007. 2-5 pm
Wreath Making & Weaving.
Using a grapevine base and locally-collected
natural materials such as bittersweet, white
dogwood berries, and pine boughs, construct and
take home a beautiful natural gift or decoration
for your home. Or make a weaving with materials
from nature. Make 1 or 2 projects to take home.
In this workshop you will also learn Cording
Skills. The ancient technique of twisting
natural fibers into a cord (or string or rope)
which will allow you to make gifts and other
practical things such as bracelets, weavings,
string for wrapping packages, and more.
All materials supplied $14. Limit 15. Sign up
now! Deposit due 1 week in advance.
Session 2: November 7, 2007. 6-8:30 pm
Dream Catcher
In this workshop you will learn about the
history of this traditional craft, and construct
a dream catcher to take home with you so that
you will know how to make more for future gifts!
You will also learn the art of cording so that
you can, if you wish, make your own string!
Supper is provided and all materials
supplied. $22.50 Limit 15. Deposit due 1 week in
advance.
Both Session for $40/ $35 Early Bird Special
(pay in full 2 weeks in advance).
Saturday, November 17, 2007. 12a
5pm
Introduction to the ROCKET STOVE Heated
Bench
In this workshop you will experience the
fired up Rocket Stove Heated Bench and will
help construct a mock up of the main fire
chamber using fire bricks. Then sculpt a model
of a rocket stove bench (or a model of your
choice) to take home. You will learn to identify
soil and make an adobe/cob mix.
$30 or $25 Early Bird Special (pay in full 2
weeks before event). Deposit due 1 week before
event. Some worktrade available. Class limit 15.
Sign up now.
Optional Potluck and overnight.
Sunday, November 18, 2007. 10 am 4
pm
NATURAL EARTH PLASTERING Workshop on the
Rocket Stove
Learn to identify soils for making a basic
earthen plaster as well as how to mix and apply
them. Practice your skills by applying an infill
and finish coat to the Rocket Stove Heated Bench
(above). Make an earthen model to take home.
Includes lunch. $30 or $25 for the Early Bird
Special (pay in full two weeks in advance).
Both days: $50 or $40 Early
Bird Special. Some Worktrade available. Class
limit 15!
November 24, 2007. 6 pm 9 pm
FULL MOON BONFIRE & Potluck
Gather to network about sustainability and
enjoy nature with a bonfire outdoors or the
woodstove in the Strawbale Studio.
6 pm, tour the Strawbale studio and see the
Rocket Stove Heated Bench. 6:30pm Potluck meal ~
bring food to share.
Thursday, December 6, 2007. 6 8:30
pm
Free Natural Building TOUR &
VIDEO EVENING
Join in a potluck, video (the Strawbale
Solution) and conversation about strawbale
construction. Tour the Strawbale Studio, a
beautiful thatched-roof structure made of
strawbales covered with earthen plasters. Check
out our library of books and resources on
natural building and sustainability. RSVP
required 1 week in advance!
December 14, 15 & 16, 2007 ~ 3
Sessions.
Introduction to THATCHING ~ A natural
ROOFING solution
Video Evening, Reed Collection and Tour.
Friday, December 14, 2007. 7 - 9 pm
Session 1: FREE: Thatching Video Evening
This 1 ½ hour video is a delightful
introduction to historical thatching in Europe.
No cost for this evening.
Optional: overnight for those attending
weekend activity.
December 15 & 16. 10a 4 pm
Session 2: Saturday Tour & REED COLLECTION
Session 3: Sunday Tour & REED COLLECTION
Hands-on learning. Learn all about the
procees of collecting reed material to thatch a
roof: how to find & identify good reed plus
techniques to harvest, bundle, transport & store
the reed bundles. Tour the Strawbale Studio an
enchanting strawbale structure, and see its 1500
sq. ft. thatched roof close up and in person!
We will be using Japanese sickles for the
collection process. The reeds gathered will be
used to thatch the roof of a small Kids' Cottage
natural building demonstration building which is
under construction at the Oxford Strawbale
Studio site. Phragmite (reed grass) will be
harvested near Oxford or in St. Clair County
depending on the weather and availability. We
will be collecting both days.
Come for ONE or ALL days. Overnight
accommodations free. Attend one or both days for
a total of $25/person or $20 Early Bird Special.
Deposit due one week in advance. Limit 15. Some
Worktrade available. Sign up now for this unique
opportunity!
December 31, 2007.
NEW YEARS EVE at the STRAWBALE
STUDIO
Enjoy the turning of the
year by the warm glow of the
woodstove in the enchanting
Strawbale Studio. We will have
an outdoor Cosmic Time Line ~
tracking our path back in time
to the beginnings of our
universe story, and indoors you
can try your hand at some
natural crafts if you wish. $20
fundraising donation suggested
to support the ongoing
educational activities provided
through the Strawbale Studio
Natural Building Program.
6:30 pm Potluck. or arrive
later in the evening, bringing
finger food.
9:00 pm Cosmic Timeline.
Explore it as a group ... or
visit it on your own as you
wish.
11:30 pm New Year Ceremony
to acknowledge the passing of
the old, and move into the new
year. Consider your resolutions
for the personal & planetary.
12:00 am Cheer to the New
Year. Overnight accommodations
available. Bring your own
bedding and mattress if
possible. Some beds and cots
available.
Bring
Food to share. BYO
beverage. your friends and
family!
25 person limit. Sign up
now! Please register one week in
advance.
$20 Suggestion Donation
to help sustain educational
activities provided through the
Strawbale Studio Natural
Building Program.
For a tax-deductable
donation, make your check
payable to "SEEDS" with "for the
purposes of the Strawbale Studio
Natural Building Program" in the
memo line. SEEDS, a non-profit
organization is a fiduciary
sponsor. www.ecoseeds.org
Strawbale Studio
OXFORD, Michigan, USA - The
thatched roof Strawbale Studio (SBS)
and its Natural Building Project
seeks to lower the ecological
footprint of building practices
by empowering others to take
part in the construction and
design of structures and
supportive environments that are
ecologically sustainable and
beautiful. SBS has formed a
fiduciary and outreach
partnership with SEEDS to expand
its educational capacity.
Contact Coordinator, Deanne
Bednar at Strawbale Studio.
248.628.1887
ecoartdb@gmail.com
www.strawbalestudio.org .
ENCHANTED EVENING in the STRAWBALE
STUDIO
Schedule this dinner event
for your group.
Gather a group of folks and come enjoy a
lovely meal in the studio by candlelight. Hang
around the woodstove and chat... relax on the
earthen benches... browse natural building
resources...or wander the woods. Together we can
evolve the details of this enchanting evening
event. Contact Deanne.
Click here for information on deposits and pre-payment
