Towering timber frames and hot pizza pie… oh my! (Sorry, that was a weak attempt at poetry.) But hopefully it paints a colorful picture of our upcoming natural building courses this year in 2014. Our full schedule is up, and we’ve added a Timber Frame Workshop and Cob Oven Workshop to our offerings. Both of these classes are in our new and beautiful location of Berea, Kentucky. Specifically, these two workshops are being hosted at the Clear Creek Festival grounds, home to an incredible arts & music festival and a developing off-grid homestead.

Perhaps you’ll join us this summer in raising an old school timber frame pavilion? Or building an outdoor oven with cob?

Timber Framing in 2014

Over the summer solstice weekend, we’ll be raising a small timber frame pavilion with traditional joinery (no nails or screws here!) during our 4 day Timber Frame Workshop. This workshop is a great opportunity for folks with limited carpentry or timber framing experience who want to increase their skills with hand tools to create beautiful timber structures.

We’ll use some of the same techniques our ancestors have employed for generations to build barns, outbuildings, and long-lived homes. Best of all, you don’t need any previous experience to come learn the joys of timber framing. The all-inclusive Timber Frame Workshop takes place from June 18-21.

Build Your Own Cob Oven (and eat pizza…)

Our 2 day Cob Oven Workshop will set you on the path to building your own inexpensive outdoor oven. We’ll build an oven from the ground up and demonstrate cob building essentials, and then celebrate with a big ol’ homemade pizza party on the final evening.

If you’re curious about how you can make your own oven with natural materials, check this one out. It will be a wonderful mix of mud and food (but not at the same time.) The workshop takes place July 18-19, and all meals are included.