Strawbale Studio 2014 Year in Review

  Strawbale Studio 2014 Year in Review
   
2014   DATES MONTHLY ACTIVITIES                 #

Held Monthly

Held MONTLY

  

1st FRIDAY Volunteer Day & TOUR

 

FULL MOON Potluck & Bonfire

 

 

 
Attended Monthly Permaculture Meetup Oakland Co. & Networking  
   
INTERNSHIP & WORKTRADE  
Jan 5 – Feb 5

 

 WINTER INTERNSHIP

 

Jimez Whitehead, Zack Ja, Kirstin Pope,  Scott Van Sice & Ben Suydam were the 5 wonderful intern that came together for a month to create a learning and living community.  Their studies included the 4 January workshops listed below in the Workshop section !
May –Oct, 2014 Internship & Woofing opportunities

Ruthie Lane,  MI. Chelsea Emery, MI. Justin Holmes, NY.  Craig.Deitz,WI  Shahaiya Young,  Thomas Wilkinson, AL  Serious Volunteers: Micah Linquist, Beatrice Baker, Justin Poppo, Collin Goetz & Kelly, Kerry Gados, Catherine Bristol
Tours & Counseltations throught the year.
Jan    
CLASSES & VOLUNTEER DAYS Instructor  
January 11 ROUND POLE Framing Workshop – Jan 19th Mark Angelini
January 18 REED COLLECTION & THATCHING DEMO Deanne Bednar
January 25 FIRE & HEAT !  ROCKET STOVE Workshop Deanne Bednar
February 2 EARTH PLASTER & SCULPTING Deanne Bednar
April 19 MUSHROOM GROWING Workshop. Paul Angelini
April 26-29 Rochester EARTH DAY FESTIVAL – exhibit table, Earth Oven Demo & strawbale climbing pyramid. 80 sign in’s.  100’s visit the exhibit area. DB  & many volunteers: Dawn, Ruthie , Jared++
May 5 Volunteer Day and Tour Deanne Bednar
May 14 Oakland Co. Permaculture Meetup held at Strawbale Pipeline Remediation Design
May 17 FORAGED BRUNCH Deanne Bednar `12
May 17 LIVING ROOF Workshop Deanne Bednar
May 24  FIRE & HEAT ~ ROCKET STOVE Workshop Deanne Bednar
June 7 THATCHING – An Introduction.  Deanne Bednar
June 8 LTU Lawrence Tech Institute, Architect Class Tour Deanne Bednar
June 21 CREEKFEST – Strawbale Studio exhibit table Deanne Bednar, & volunteers
June 23 TOUR of Buildings &Grounds Deanne Bednar
July 12 VOLUNTEERS Day Deanne Bednar  
July 19 – 31  2 Week BUILDING INTENSIVE

The Strawbale Sauna Addition & Cob Wall

 Deanne Bednar, Chris McClellan,
July 28 Oakland University Permaculture Class Students of Fay Hanson & Jared Bogdonov-Hanna
Aug 15-16, 2014 Dani  Slaugback Permaculture Class Dani and Deanne co-teach
August 12-13 Wisdom Camp Detroit youth.  Super Hero Training Academy . Instructors   Michael Mallon , Kelly Sunflower,
August 23 HAND-PAPER MAKING & Berry Inks Class Instructor, Dana Driscoll
August 29 VOLUNTEER Weekend : Cob & Earth Plaster Deanne Bednar
Sept 5 & 7

Sept 8

Sept 13 & 14

Sept 20 & 21

and into October.

 VOLUNTEER Days ~ Sauna Addition / Cob Wall

Folks helped with the earth plasters over strawbales, and mixed and applied cob to the Cob Garden Wall.
Sept 9 EARTH PLASTER & Cob Class
Sept 16 Presentation to GREENING OF DETROIT FARM
with Wez Ligon, Almont (Hay Bale Gardening)		 Deanne Bednar (Rocket Stove & Compost Furnace)
September 25 Detroit Waldorf  School 3rd Grade Class. This picture shows a few of the sweet students from this class.  They eagerly sifted, mixed and applied earth plasters and cob to the Hobbit Sauna.  Several adults and teacher attended. Instructor, Deanne Bednar
October 2 Oakland Community College. Alternative Energies Class.  Instructor Dr. Debra Rowe
October 8 – 14 COMPOST FURNACE Construction

A  20 x 15 x 7 ft compost pile was constructed this fall. Contained by hay bales, the 60 yards of fresh wood chips, sawdust & horse manure are creating heat as they decompose. This 120 degree hot water circulates through the pile and into pipes in the Strawbale Studio floor & benches.
October 8 Oakland County Permaculture Meetup  

The meetup gathered at 6:30p at the Strawbale Studio for a at SBS with canning demonstration by Dana Driscoll, tour. followed by a Potluck, and tour of the natural buildings at the Strawbale Studio land.
October 20 & 21 1st GRADERS from Detroit VISIT Strawbale Studio to learn about “soil”. Teacher Alex Moore, University Preparatory Science & Math Elementary School organized this fieldtrip for 80 students from this public, charter, magnet school in Detroit.  Teachers and adults supervised.
Oct. 24 – 26 Bioneers Detroit Strawbale Studio EXHIBIT.
Nov 8 & 9 ROCKET STOVE & FIRE Workshop
November 15 Strawbale Studio CELEBRATION PARTY !

This event celebrated the sustainability activities of 2014 at the Strawbale Studio and in our larger regional community !

Greenfire Band donated their musical performance for the evening, entertaining all with enchanting live music as several 8 year old guests danced a jig (until their bedtime departure). Folks also donated money toward the Composting Furnace, whose heat was first measured …at 140 degrees, on a cold 20 degree night in mid November.
December 7

December 13 December 14 

 CANDLE –MAKING & Holiday Gifts Class  

 

Settle in, relax and enjoy the aroma and rhythm of Candle dipping ~ with wax made by local bees. Natural materials will also be available for you to make earthen candle-holders and decorated match boxes.
Totals affected:

 

 

 

 Intern ~ 11, Classes ~ 360,  Exhibits ~ many 100’s.  Potlucks ~ 275.  Website ~ 7825 visitors in 2014.  Listserve monthly post ~  2000.
 

 

  PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
March 15 – April 5, 2014 Natural Building Network Gathering at COB COTTAGE COMPANY , Coquille, Oregon & other networking stops in Eugene & Portland, OR. Networking TRIP with Natural Building Team Members, Chris McClellan and Christina Keegan
 
  Portland Natural Builder Sukita.
  Eugene Ecovillage,
  Earth oven / Rocket Stove house & Sun Ray Kelly Treehouse.
April 2014 N. E. Natural Builders Network Gathering, at an Earthship home in NY State.  Midwest Contingency: Deanne Bednar, Micah Lindquist
from Strawbale Studio, Chris McClellan & Georgie Builder from Cleveland.
April 2014 Strawbale Construction  5-day Workshop with Andrew Morrison of strawbale.com.  Rhode Island. Attended by Deanne Bednar, Micah Lindquist. Coordinated by Chris McClellan
 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan 5 – Feb 5, 2014 Jimez Whitehead Detroit urbangypsysoapdetroit@gmail.com 248 805 6323 soap, retrofit,
Jan 5 – Feb 5, 2014 Zack Ja Avon, NJ zotherone91@gmail.com 732615 7076 cob co.
Jan 5 – Feb 5, 2014 Kirstin Pope Brooklyn, MI kirstin.pope@gmail.com (330) 234-8355 document thatch, food, cook
Jan 5 – Feb 5, 2014 Scott Van Sice + Ann Arbor – might co-pay scottvansice@gmail.com 517.442.7339 performance arts, tree cutting.
Jan 5 – Feb 5, 2014 Ben Suydam, Adrian Mi ben@stilphotography.com 517-442-2295 photography 3434 Bent Oak Hwy Adrian Mi, 49221
Jan 11 – 14, 2014 Krystal Case Fulton, IL kdsbk5@gmail.com 563.639.3746 1 week Winternship  Redoing cement block house with rocket st. greenhouse (3). Acroyoga 16540 Waller Rd. Fulton, IL 61252 . Thatching $40pp
Jan 3 – Dec 3 Jessica Tess 3 hr /week Internship Organizational, Website, Publicity jtess.aiki@gmail.com
(810) 813-1034		 (810) 813-1034
March 4 – 15, 2014 Dawn Holtz VT Buddhist Retreat, Pontiac MI 1 week Internship  help with house, schedule for 2014, catsitting.
April 6 – May 19, 2014 Dawn Holtz VT Buddhist Retreat, Pontiac MI i5 weeks unpaid staff, infrastructure, repair, membership, non-profit.
April 15 – 30 Ruthie Lane
Antioch College, Rochester, MI part time built earth oven at her parents
 Part time
May 1 – May 30, 2014 Ruthie Lane Antioch & Rochester, MI full time. Bench, plaster, round pole trellis rueliz.lane@gmail.com (248) 420-4201
June 1 – June 30 Ruthie Lane Antioch & Rochester, MI Half time.  Thatched cap for Spiral Chamber. chelseakaye89@gmail.com 810.623.3203
May 1 – May 30, 2014 Chelsea Emery full time worktrader Michigan, farming
May 14 – May 30, 2014 Justin Holmes full time intern Film, renaissance, many skills
July 4 – Aug 4, 2014 Craig Deitz July 4 – Aug 4, 2014 Timber frame, book, WI class. 29 year old engineer from Madison, Wisconsin, $750 dietzcraig@gmail.com 402 274 9208
October 2 – 15, 2014 Shihaiya Young & Thomas Wilkenson wwoof Compost furnace
shihiayah.young@gmail.com 312 780 9243 or 501 416 9610
Aarmar20seas@gmail.com, Aaman20@gmail.com, Aamar2O@gmail.com
312 780 9243 or 501 416 9610

 

 

RECORDED BY NANA FERDNANCE

Also LINk to the blog winternship 2015.

Winternship 2015 Schedule and Activities

 

 

  • Jan 5, Monday: Orientation Day,
    • How to look for and harvest a Maple Tree for Round Pole Frames
      • Axe vs. hand saw
    • Natural Building Video “Mud, Hands, A House”
      • Different cob techniques
    • Jan 6, Tuesday:
      • Chopping more Maple Trees
      • Wood Pole Latching techniques
        • Practice with Clove Hitch, Japanese Square, and Knots
      • Jan 7, Wednesday:
        • Class time and Designing Round Pole Frames
        • Constructed the Round Pole Frames
      • Jan 9, Friday:
        • Rocket Wood Stove introduction,
        • Accurate measurements of the Round Pole Frames
        • Whittling needles for Thatching
        • Draw Shaving trees and making mallets and leggats
        • Latching Purlins to Round Pole Frames
      • Jan 10, Saturday:
        • Lesson on the American Reed plant and Thatching
        • Rocket Stove maintenance
        • Hands-on Thatching
        • British and Dutch Thatching Movie
      • Jan 11, Sunday:
        • Jim MacDonald talk-Stress Relief using Herbs
          • Harvesting and splitting wood
        • Jan 12, Monday
          • Natalie’s Departure
        • Jan 13, Tuesday:
          • Chopping and Harvesting Wood
          • Composting class at Strawbale Studios (Humane compost, pet compost, vegetable compost and compost furnace)
        • Jan 14, Wednesday:
          • Harvesting sawdust
          • Reed Harvesting
          • Permaculture Meeting
        • Jan 16, Friday:
          • Cleaning and Moving Round Pole Frame outside
          • Chopped and Split wood for wood stove
          • Cleaned the Red Shed for the Round Pole Workshop
          • Halfing
        • Jan 17, Saturday:
          • Round Pole Workshop:
            • Round Pole Overview,
            • Mallet-making
            • Round Pole harvesting
            • Tour of Strawbale Property for guests
            • Jim Law Video on Round Pole Framing
          • Jan 18, Sunday:
            • Round Pole Workshop:
              • Notching Lap joints basic principles
              • Making a A-frame with lap joints
            • Jan 20, Tuesday:
              • Improvement/goals Class,
              • Reed Collecting/Thatching Woodshed
              • Blogging for Strawbale Studios
              • Fermenting class
            • Jan 21, Wednesday:
              • Reed Collecting/Thatching Woodshed
              • Soil Testing Class
              • Alone in the Wilderness video
            • Jan 23, Friday:
              • Reed Collecting/Thatching Woodshed
              • Site Considerations and Foundation Class
              • Fixing compost furnace
              • Dean’s Tiny House presentation
            • Jan 24, Saturday:
              • Rocket Stove Workshop:
                • Thermal Mass and Insulation Class,
                • Making cob bricks and earth mortar
                • Construct Kid’s Cottage Rocket Stove
                • Building Code video
              • Jan 25, Sunday:
                • Rocket Stove Workshop:
                  • Start Rocket Stove in the Red Shed
                  • Cook Barley in Hay Box Cooker
                  • Skype Call with Christopher McClellan
                  • Make a model Rocket Stove with cob bricks
                • Jan 27, Tuesday:
                  • Reed Collecting/Thatching Woodshed
                  • Harvesting Sawdust and Soil
                  • Lighting the model Rocket Stoves
                • Jan 28, Wednesday:
                  • Cleaning house
                  • Reed Collecting/Thatching Woodshed
                  • Earth Plaster/Strawbale Introduction
                • Jan 30, Friday:
                  • Tempeh class with Kerry
                  • Worm Composting
                  • Harry’s Departure
                  • Thatching and Preparing for Earth Plaster Workshop
                • Jan 31, Saturday:
                  • Earth Plaster Workshop
                    • Making starch paste and adhesion coat
                    • Defrosting soil and sand for cob
                    • Applying cob to practice board/Burnishing leather hard cob
                    • Adding adhesion coat to walls for earth plastering tomorrow
                  • Feb 1, Sunday:
                    • Earth Plaster Workshop
                      • Made cob/earth plaster
                      • Burnishing practice cob
                      • Applying/Sculpting earth plaster to walls
                    • Feb 2, Monday:
                      • Dean’s Departure
                      • Reed Collecting/Thatching Woodshed
                    • Feb 3, Tuesday:
                      • Thatching Woodshed
                      • Preparing for the Full Moon Potluck
                    • Feb 4, Wednesday:
                      • Adam, Brett and Trevor’s Departure
                      • Cleaning from Earth Plaster Workshop
                      • Thatching Woodshed
                    • Feb 5, Thursday:
                      • Final Touches on Woodshed
                    • Feb 6, Friday
                      • Making egg paint
                      • Jenny and Nana’s Departure
  • Fun Activities (Especially on Mondays and Thursdays)
    • Dave Derenda’s farm-sheep, goat, and chickens
    • Yoga and Kirtan
    • Chopping/Splitting endless Wood
      • Holzhauser technique
    • Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Meeting
    • Endless Wetland adventures
      • Runs to the Wetland
      • Bird Watching at the Wetlands
      • Full Moon Potluck wetland adventure
    • Bird, wolves and black squirrel watching
    • Endless Whittling (Spoons, knives, spatulas, and chop sticks)
      • Burning Bowls with Dean
    • Chaga and Hickory Bark harvesting/tea making
    • Climbing Trees with Dean
    • Ceramic clay buttons and soup bowls
    • Figure drawing and Japanese Ink painting
    • Lady Grace and the Winterns jams and drum circles
    • Making a saw horse
    • Guitar and piano playing
    • Ceramic class with Jenny
    • Delicious Food!-griots, rolled oats, hummus!, chard, bok choy, kale with stems, squash and lentils soup, Brownies!!, stuffed avocadoes, organic lamb, beef and chicken, baked bread, fennel seed bread, acorns, sourdough flatbread with flaxseed and acorns, bean and tofu burgers, tomato soups, curry soups, Kale pancakes, flan, banana ice cream, oyster mushrooms, barley and Endless Wild Fermenting (Water Kefir, injera, Sauerkraut and TEMPEH!!)
    • Endless Dance parties!!!!
      • Red Shed Dance party
      • Earth Plaster Dance party
      • Random dance parties!!
    • Women’s New Moon gathering (hosted by Robin)
    • Greg’s permaculture farm tour
    • Whittling Class with Mark Angelini
    • Cording
    • Chocolate parties
    • Contact and Mafia games
    • Full Moon Potluck with Doug
    • Making egg paints

 

 

 

 

EACH YEAR:

Gratitude: funders, connectors, staff, volunteers & supporters, mentors

New things on site and improvements

Courses/ Learning .  Strawbale Andrew Morrison, wood carving and round pole with mark angelini.

Consultation occurs on a regular basis as individuals ask questions about their potential or upcoming projects.

Building projects off-site

Collaborations

Community Outreach & Tours.

Staff. Mark angelini, round pole, wood carving.  Kerry Gados, tempe. Claudia, quickbooks for sbs.

post ~  2000.

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