Calendar - For Natural Building, Natural Arts


2006-2007 Schedule

Natural Building & Natural Arts

Photos

 

 

Schedule for Natural Building

 

& Natural Arts

Photos

 

 

Fall and Winter, 2006-2007

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY at the KENSINGTON METROPARK "KID’S COTTAGE”

 

Project: Volunteers are needed to finish the earthen plasters (and possibly earthen blocks) on the Kensington Metropark "Kid's Cottage", a natural building project. This hybrid structure incorporates solar design, a shallow frost-protected foundation, radiant floor system, strawbale north wall, compressed earth block east and west walls, a timber frame constructed from dead ash trees harvested and milled in the Kensington Metropark, and a thatched roof(reed to be havested in the winter of 2006-7, and thatching to be done this spring).

 

No skills necessary. Bring your own lunch and water. Wear work clothes and bring gloves for warmth. Volunteers will help sift earth, mix, and apply plasters. It is not hard work, and it is fun to be with others in this beautiful setting.

 

 

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY at the KENSINGTON METROPARK "KID’S COTTAGE”

 

Project: Volunteers are needed to finish the earthen plasters (and possibly earthen blocks) on the Kensington Metropark "Kid's Cottage", a natural building project. This hybrid structure incorporates solar design, a shallow frost-protected foundation, radiant floor system, strawbale north wall, compressed earth block east and west walls, a timber frame constructed from dead ash trees harvested and milled in the Kensington Metropark, and a thatched roof(reed to be havested in the winter of 2006-7, and thatching to be done this spring).

 

No skills necessary. Bring your own lunch and water. Wear work clothes and bring gloves for warmth. Volunteers will help sift earth, mix, and apply plasters. It is not hard work, and it is fun to be with others in this beautiful setting.

 

What to Bring: Water, lunch, hat & gloves (to keep warm), warm work clothes.

 

Hours and Dates (updated frequently): Wednesday October 25th, Thursday October 26th, Saturday October 28th. Tuesday October 31st, Wednesday November 1st, Thursday November 2nd. 10 am - 4 pm each day. You must call at least 24 hours in advance (and preferably more) to register to volunteer and leave a phone number where you can be contacted if we need to cancel. Call Deanne at home 248 628 1887 and on the cell phone 248 496 4088. (I don't hear my cell phone when I'm home, and I don't hear my home phone when I'm away.)

 

Directions: Come to the Farm at the north end of the Kensington Metropark located south of Milford, MI (a few miles N of 96 and E of US 23). You will need to buy a day pass, or let them know at the gate that you will be working on the Kid's Cottage and they will likely let you in.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Friday, November 10, 6:30 pm - 9 pm

 

Three Little Pigs Tour. Strawbale Video & Supper

 

Curious about natural building and the Strawbale Studio? Come visit this enchanting thatched-roof structure and learn more about the natural building movement. Also find out about the other activities at the Studio: thatching,model-making, natural paints and plastering. Books/art for sale. Includes a vegetarian supper, a video on Strawbale Construction in the US and Mexico, and a chance to see other natural building and sustainability books and resources.

 

$25 Register & prepay by October 3. $5 “Bring-a-Friend Discount. Register/prepay by November 3. Make checks out to Deanne Bednar and mail to me at PO Box 733, Oxford, MI 48371. 248 628 1887. Call to register and get directions.

 

Location: The Strawbale Studio 1 hour north of Detroit, on beautiful wooded rural land.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Sunday, November 19, 2006 2 pm - 5 pm

 

Introduction to Natural Building & Earthen Model-Making

 

An introduction to natural building includes a tour of the thatched-roof Strawbale Studio and Rocket Stove Heated Bench, a guided meditation on Intuitive Design, and an opportunity to make an earthen mix and sculpt a model of your choice to take home. $30 by Oct. 6, or $35 by Oct 11. “Bring a friend” - 20% Discount. Deanne Bednar PO Box 733, Oxford, MI 48371. 248 628 1887. www.freewebs.com/strawbalestudio

Location: 1 hour north of Detroit on rural land east of Oxford, MI 48370

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Reed Collection for the Thatched Roof on the Kensington Kid’s Cottage

 

In December, January and February we will be harvesting Phragmite reed grass by hand. Location and dates to be determined. Often we have gone to Harson’s Island south of Port Huron. This wonderful outdoor adventure is fun and a great opportunity to be outdoors with others and learn a unique skill. Some days will include a thatching demonstration. We are planning to set up a 9 day period ( two weekends and the weekdays between to be at one location) for those who can join us for one or more days. Sign up or call (248 628 1887) if you may be interested in taking part in reed collecting. Check the website for updates.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Sunday, December 10, Natural Holiday Crafts

 

Remember how people used to make their gifts from local, natural materials? Remember the sweet smell of bees wax, and pine needles? Come enjoy some time to be with nature and natural materials as you make a gift for yourself or others. For adults and children. If you are a parent, enjoy the event with your child, or drop off your child for the following activities.

 

1 - 2:30 pm, Natural Gifts Class: Candle & Candle Holder.

Make your own dipped bees-wax candles and sculpted earthen Candle Stick Holder.

I you wish, you can also use the earthen mix to create a sculpture of your choice. Feel free to go outdoors, collect nature items and combine them with the earthen mix to make an interesting & natural gift.

 

(Bring a snack for the 2:30-3 break if you are staying for both classes. )

 

3 - 4:30 pm, Natural Holiday Cards & Wrapping Paper Class. Make your own Holiday cards and gift cards with stencils and pastels. Easy and beautiful. Bring paper bags to make your own wrapping paper using the same techniques. Learn how to cord and make your own natural string for wrapping.

 

Fee: $15 for each class. Discounts: $25 for both classes, Additional $5 discount for Prepayment by Dec 7. Group discounts & some scholarships available.

 

Registration by Dec 7: Class is limited to 12, so call in your reservation now. Contact Deanne @ (248)628-1887 for questions, registration & directions.

 

Location: Located on beautiful wooded rural land, the day will include a tour of the enchanting "Strawbale Studio" a natural building with a thatched roof and sculptural interior! Learn a little bit about natural building and other sustainable strategies, like worm composting!

 

Teacher: Deanne Bednar, art teach at the Middle School level for 28 years, illustrator of 3 books on natural building, and co-builder of the Strawbale Studioand the Kensington Metropark Kids Cottage.

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

Monday, December 11, Natural Holiday Crafts

 

This is a repeat of the above Dec 10 classes. Come either Sunday or Monday, or both, if you wish to explore the media in more depth.

 

See Dec 10 class for details on registration, etc.

 

1 - 2:30 pm, Natural Gifts Class: Candle & Candle Holder.

Make your own dipped bees-wax candles and sculpted earthen Candle Stick Holder.

I you wish, you can also use the earthen mix to create a sculpture of your choice. Feel free to go outdoors, collect nature items and combine them with the earthen mix to make an interesting & natural gift.

 

(Bring a snack for the 2:30-3 break if you are staying for both classes. )

 

3 - 4:30 pm, Natural Holiday Cards & Wrapping Paper Class. Make your own Holiday cards and gift cards with stencils and pastels. Easy and beautiful. Bring paper bags to make your own wrapping paper using the same techniques. Learn how to cord and make your own natural string for wrapping.

 

 

Photos

 

 

Fall and Winter, 2006-2007

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY at the KENSINGTON METROPARK "KID’S COTTAGE”

 

Project: Volunteers are needed to finish the earthen plasters (and possibly earthen blocks) on the Kensington Metropark "Kid's Cottage", a natural building project. This hybrid structure incorporates solar design, a shallow frost-protected foundation, radiant floor system, strawbale north wall, compressed earth block east and west walls, a timber frame constructed from dead ash trees harvested and milled in the Kensington Metropark, and a thatched roof(reed to be havested in the winter of 2006-7, and thatching to be done this spring).

 

No skills necessary. Bring your own lunch and water. Wear work clothes and bring gloves for warmth. Volunteers will help sift earth, mix, and apply plasters. It is not hard work, and it is fun to be with others in this beautiful setting.

 

What to Bring: Water, lunch, hat & gloves (to keep warm), warm work clothes.

 

Hours and Dates (updated frequently): Wednesday October 25th, Thursday October 26th, Saturday October 28th. Tuesday October 31st, Wednesday November 1st, Thursday November 2nd. 10 am - 4 pm each day. You must call at least 24 hours in advance (and preferably more) to register to volunteer and leave a phone number where you can be contacted if we need to cancel. Call Deanne at home 248 628 1887 and on the cell phone 248 496 4088. (I don't hear my cell phone when I'm home, and I don't hear my home phone when I'm away.)

 

Directions: Come to the Farm at the north end of the Kensington Metropark located south of Milford, MI (a few miles N of 96 and E of US 23). You will need to buy a day pass, or let them know at the gate that you will be working on the Kid's Cottage and they will likely let you in.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 10, 6:30 pm - 9 pm

 

Three Little Pigs Tour. Strawbale Video & Supper

Curious about natural building and the Strawbale Studio? Come visit this enchanting thatched-roof structure and learn more about the natural building movement. Also find out about the other activities at the Studio: thatching,model-making, natural paints and plastering. Books/art for sale. Includes a vegetarian supper, a video on Strawbale Construction in the US and Mexico, and a chance to see other natural building and sustainability books and resources.

 

$25 Register & prepay by October 3. $5 “Bring-a-Friend Discount. Register/prepay by November 3. Make checks out to Deanne Bednar and mail to me at PO Box 733, Oxford, MI 48371. 248 628 1887. Call to register and get directions.

 

Location: The Strawbale Studio 1 hour north of Detroit, on beautiful wooded rural land.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Sunday, November 19, 2006 2 pm - 5 pm

 

Introduction to Natural Building & Earthen Model-Making

An introduction to natural building includes a tour of the thatched-roof Strawbale Studio and Rocket Stove Heated Bench, a guided meditation on Intuitive Design, and an opportunity to make an earthen mix and sculpt a model of your choice to take home. $30 by Oct. 6, or $35 by Oct 11. “Bring a friend” - 20% Discount. Deanne Bednar PO Box 733, Oxford, MI 48371. 248 628 1887. www.freewebs.com/strawbalestudio

Location: 1 hour north of Detroit on rural land east of Oxford, MI 48370

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Reed Collection for the Thatched Roof on the Kensington Kid’s Cottage

In December, January and February we will be harvesting Phragmite reed grass by hand. Location and dates to be determined. Often we have gone to Harson’s Island south of Port Huron. This wonderful outdoor adventure is fun and a great opportunity to be outdoors with others and learn a unique skill. Some days will include a thatching demonstration. We are planning to set up a 9 day period ( two weekends and the weekdays between to be at one location) for those who can join us for one or more days. Sign up or call (248 628 1887) if you may be interested in taking part in reed collecting. Check the website for updates.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Sunday, December 10, Natural Holiday Crafts

 

Remember how people used to make their gifts from local, natural materials? Remember the sweet smell of bees wax, and pine needles? Come enjoy some time to be with nature and natural materials as you make a gift for yourself or others. For adults and children. If you are a parent, enjoy the event with your child, or drop off your child for the following activities.

 

1 - 2:30 pm, Natural Gifts Class: Candle & Candle Holder.

Make your own dipped bees-wax candles and sculpted earthen Candle Stick Holder.

I you wish, you can also use the earthen mix to create a sculpture of your choice. Feel free to go outdoors, collect nature items and combine them with the earthen mix to make an interesting & natural gift.

 

(Bring a snack for the 2:30-3 break if you are staying for both classes. )

 

3 - 4:30 pm, Natural Holiday Cards & Wrapping Paper Class. Make your own Holiday cards and gift cards with stencils and pastels. Easy and beautiful. Bring paper bags to make your own wrapping paper using the same techniques. Learn how to cord and make your own natural string for wrapping.

 

Fee: $15 for each class. Discounts: $25 for both classes, Additional $5 discount for Prepayment by Dec 7. Group discounts & some scholarships available.

 

Registration by Dec 7: Class is limited to 12, so call in your reservation now. Contact Deanne @ (248)628-1887 for questions, registration & directions.

 

Location: Located on beautiful wooded rural land, the day will include a tour of the enchanting "Strawbale Studio" a natural building with a thatched roof and sculptural interior! Learn a little bit about natural building and other sustainable strategies, like worm composting!

 

Teacher: Deanne Bednar, art teach at the Middle School level for 28 years, illustrator of 3 books on natural building, and co-builder of the Strawbale Studioand the Kensington Metropark Kids Cottage.

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

Monday, December 11, Natural Holiday Crafts**

 

This is a repeat of the above Dec 10 classes. Come either Sunday or Monday, or both, if you wish to explore the media in more depth.

 

See Dec 10 class for details on registration, etc.

 

1 - 2:30 pm, Natural Gifts Class: Candle & Candle Holder.

Make your own dipped bees-wax candles and sculpted earthen Candle Stick Holder.

I you wish, you can also use the earthen mix to create a sculpture of your choice. Feel free to go outdoors, collect nature items and combine them with the earthen mix to make an interesting & natural gift.

 

(Bring a snack for the 2:30-3 break if you are staying for both classes. )

 

3 - 4:30 pm, Natural Holiday Cards & Wrapping Paper Class. Make your own Holiday cards and gift cards with stencils and pastels. Easy and beautiful. Bring paper bags to make your own wrapping paper using the same techniques. Learn how to cord and make your own natural string for wrapping.