#naturalmaterials — Public Fediverse posts

#Gardens that Nurture #Culture

Spring 2022

Excerpt: "Growing one’s own food became more appealing and, in some cases, a greater necessity to many in this pandemic era. #NativePeoples have long tended gardens that have provided their communities with #sustainably grown foods, #MedicinalPlants and #NaturalMaterials. Today these much-needed sources of local, healthy foods are also places to cultivate and preserve #CulturalTraditions.

" 'Even some Native cultures—like #foraging cultures—that didn’t historically garden now see it as a helpful use of land and time and money because they can efficiently produce the kinds of foods that people need to stay healthy,' said Elizabeth Hoover. Of #Mohawk and #Mikmaq descent, she is an associate professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California in Berkeley. Researching this trend, she drove 20,000 miles in 2014 to talk with dozens of #AmericanIndian gardeners and food advocates.

"In western North Carolina, David Anderson works as the horticultural operations supervisor at the #JessieOwleDugan #NativePlant and Greenhouse Facility of the Eastern Band of #Cherokee Indians. The complex includes three #greenhouses, 30 raised growing beds, a 3-acre nursery and 5 acres of fields dedicated to producing crops specifically for their seeds. It also has 330 acres of field that can be leased to enrolled tribal members who wish to garden or farm.

"While the facility does generate funds for the tribe, it also preserves culturally important species to get them into the hands of tribal members to plant. It focuses on growing traditional plants, such as #grapes, #elderberry, #WildStrawberries, #blackberries, #huckleberries sochan and #cohosh. In 2021, the greenhouse also grew #hickory saplings, which once mature, can to provide wood that can be used to make stickball sticks, artworks and other traditional projects. 'We serve our community with plants for home, for farmers, and for restoration,' said Anderson."

Read more:
https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/gardens-that-nurture-culture

#SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalFoods #NativeAmericans #CulturalPreservation #GrowYourOwnFood #Resilience #FoodSecurity #HeirloomPlants #SeedSaving

#Gardens that Nurture #Culture

Spring 2022

Excerpt: "Growing one’s own food became more appealing and, in some cases, a greater necessity to many in this pandemic era. #NativePeoples have long tended gardens that have provided their communities with #sustainably grown foods, #MedicinalPlants and #NaturalMaterials. Today these much-needed sources of local, healthy foods are also places to cultivate and preserve #CulturalTraditions.

" 'Even some Native cultures—like #foraging cultures—that didn’t historically garden now see it as a helpful use of land and time and money because they can efficiently produce the kinds of foods that people need to stay healthy,' said Elizabeth Hoover. Of #Mohawk and #Mikmaq descent, she is an associate professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California in Berkeley. Researching this trend, she drove 20,000 miles in 2014 to talk with dozens of #AmericanIndian gardeners and food advocates.

"In western North Carolina, David Anderson works as the horticultural operations supervisor at the #JessieOwleDugan #NativePlant and Greenhouse Facility of the Eastern Band of #Cherokee Indians. The complex includes three #greenhouses, 30 raised growing beds, a 3-acre nursery and 5 acres of fields dedicated to producing crops specifically for their seeds. It also has 330 acres of field that can be leased to enrolled tribal members who wish to garden or farm.

"While the facility does generate funds for the tribe, it also preserves culturally important species to get them into the hands of tribal members to plant. It focuses on growing traditional plants, such as #grapes, #elderberry, #WildStrawberries, #blackberries, #huckleberries sochan and #cohosh. In 2021, the greenhouse also grew #hickory saplings, which once mature, can to provide wood that can be used to make stickball sticks, artworks and other traditional projects. 'We serve our community with plants for home, for farmers, and for restoration,' said Anderson."

Read more:
https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/gardens-that-nurture-culture

#SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalFoods #NativeAmericans #CulturalPreservation #GrowYourOwnFood #Resilience #FoodSecurity #HeirloomPlants #SeedSaving

#Gardens that Nurture #Culture

Spring 2022

Excerpt: "Growing one’s own food became more appealing and, in some cases, a greater necessity to many in this pandemic era. #NativePeoples have long tended gardens that have provided their communities with #sustainably grown foods, #MedicinalPlants and #NaturalMaterials. Today these much-needed sources of local, healthy foods are also places to cultivate and preserve #CulturalTraditions.

" 'Even some Native cultures—like #foraging cultures—that didn’t historically garden now see it as a helpful use of land and time and money because they can efficiently produce the kinds of foods that people need to stay healthy,' said Elizabeth Hoover. Of #Mohawk and #Mikmaq descent, she is an associate professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California in Berkeley. Researching this trend, she drove 20,000 miles in 2014 to talk with dozens of #AmericanIndian gardeners and food advocates.

"In western North Carolina, David Anderson works as the horticultural operations supervisor at the #JessieOwleDugan #NativePlant and Greenhouse Facility of the Eastern Band of #Cherokee Indians. The complex includes three #greenhouses, 30 raised growing beds, a 3-acre nursery and 5 acres of fields dedicated to producing crops specifically for their seeds. It also has 330 acres of field that can be leased to enrolled tribal members who wish to garden or farm.

"While the facility does generate funds for the tribe, it also preserves culturally important species to get them into the hands of tribal members to plant. It focuses on growing traditional plants, such as #grapes, #elderberry, #WildStrawberries, #blackberries, #huckleberries sochan and #cohosh. In 2021, the greenhouse also grew #hickory saplings, which once mature, can to provide wood that can be used to make stickball sticks, artworks and other traditional projects. 'We serve our community with plants for home, for farmers, and for restoration,' said Anderson."

Read more:
https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/gardens-that-nurture-culture

#SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalFoods #NativeAmericans #CulturalPreservation #GrowYourOwnFood #Resilience #FoodSecurity #HeirloomPlants #SeedSaving

#Gardens that Nurture #Culture

Spring 2022

Excerpt: "Growing one’s own food became more appealing and, in some cases, a greater necessity to many in this pandemic era. #NativePeoples have long tended gardens that have provided their communities with #sustainably grown foods, #MedicinalPlants and #NaturalMaterials. Today these much-needed sources of local, healthy foods are also places to cultivate and preserve #CulturalTraditions.

" 'Even some Native cultures—like #foraging cultures—that didn’t historically garden now see it as a helpful use of land and time and money because they can efficiently produce the kinds of foods that people need to stay healthy,' said Elizabeth Hoover. Of #Mohawk and #Mikmaq descent, she is an associate professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California in Berkeley. Researching this trend, she drove 20,000 miles in 2014 to talk with dozens of #AmericanIndian gardeners and food advocates.

"In western North Carolina, David Anderson works as the horticultural operations supervisor at the #JessieOwleDugan #NativePlant and Greenhouse Facility of the Eastern Band of #Cherokee Indians. The complex includes three #greenhouses, 30 raised growing beds, a 3-acre nursery and 5 acres of fields dedicated to producing crops specifically for their seeds. It also has 330 acres of field that can be leased to enrolled tribal members who wish to garden or farm.

"While the facility does generate funds for the tribe, it also preserves culturally important species to get them into the hands of tribal members to plant. It focuses on growing traditional plants, such as #grapes, #elderberry, #WildStrawberries, #blackberries, #huckleberries sochan and #cohosh. In 2021, the greenhouse also grew #hickory saplings, which once mature, can to provide wood that can be used to make stickball sticks, artworks and other traditional projects. 'We serve our community with plants for home, for farmers, and for restoration,' said Anderson."

Read more:
https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/gardens-that-nurture-culture

#SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalFoods #NativeAmericans #CulturalPreservation #GrowYourOwnFood #Resilience #FoodSecurity #HeirloomPlants #SeedSaving

#Gardens that Nurture #Culture

Spring 2022

Excerpt: "Growing one’s own food became more appealing and, in some cases, a greater necessity to many in this pandemic era. #NativePeoples have long tended gardens that have provided their communities with #sustainably grown foods, #MedicinalPlants and #NaturalMaterials. Today these much-needed sources of local, healthy foods are also places to cultivate and preserve #CulturalTraditions.

" 'Even some Native cultures—like #foraging cultures—that didn’t historically garden now see it as a helpful use of land and time and money because they can efficiently produce the kinds of foods that people need to stay healthy,' said Elizabeth Hoover. Of #Mohawk and #Mikmaq descent, she is an associate professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California in Berkeley. Researching this trend, she drove 20,000 miles in 2014 to talk with dozens of #AmericanIndian gardeners and food advocates.

"In western North Carolina, David Anderson works as the horticultural operations supervisor at the #JessieOwleDugan #NativePlant and Greenhouse Facility of the Eastern Band of #Cherokee Indians. The complex includes three #greenhouses, 30 raised growing beds, a 3-acre nursery and 5 acres of fields dedicated to producing crops specifically for their seeds. It also has 330 acres of field that can be leased to enrolled tribal members who wish to garden or farm.

"While the facility does generate funds for the tribe, it also preserves culturally important species to get them into the hands of tribal members to plant. It focuses on growing traditional plants, such as #grapes, #elderberry, #WildStrawberries, #blackberries, #huckleberries sochan and #cohosh. In 2021, the greenhouse also grew #hickory saplings, which once mature, can to provide wood that can be used to make stickball sticks, artworks and other traditional projects. 'We serve our community with plants for home, for farmers, and for restoration,' said Anderson."

Read more:
https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/gardens-that-nurture-culture

#SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalFoods #NativeAmericans #CulturalPreservation #GrowYourOwnFood #Resilience #FoodSecurity #HeirloomPlants #SeedSaving

Bio-metals: Ancient sea worms hold the secret to a strange new class of materials

Perinereis cultrifera carries jaws that blur the boundary between biology and metal. Built from proteins and metal ions,…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Science #bristleworm #crystallinemetals #metalions #NaturalMaterials #Researchers
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/767586/

Bio-metals: Ancient sea worms hold the secret to a strange new class of materials

Perinereis cultrifera carries jaws that blur the boundary between biology and metal. Built from proteins and metal ions,…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Science #bristleworm #crystallinemetals #metalions #NaturalMaterials #Researchers
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/767586/

Bio-metals: Ancient sea worms hold the secret to a strange new class of materials

Perinereis cultrifera carries jaws that blur the boundary between biology and metal. Built from proteins and metal ions,…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Science #bristleworm #crystallinemetals #metalions #NaturalMaterials #Researchers
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/767586/

https://www.europesays.com/ie/562696/ Designers Say These Kitchen Color Trends Are Defining 2026 #AmandaSinistaj #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #ArtsAndDesign #ArtsDesign #Design #Éire #ELLEDecor #Entertainment #FunctionalSpaces #IE #IndoorKitchen #InteriorDesigner #Ireland #JacquelineGoncalves #KitchenColor #NaturalMaterials #OutdoorKitchen #OutdoorKitchens #WhiteKitchens

https://www.europesays.com/uk/1060776/ From Quarry to Countertop: Tracing the Origins of Natural Stone in Architecture #ArchDailyTopic2026TransspeciesArchitecture #Architecture #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #Brazil #Design #Entertainment #Environment #EnvironmentalImpact #Granite #marble #Materials #NaturalMaterials #stone #SustainableArchitecture #SustainableConstruction #Sustentabilidade #UIA2026BarcelonaByVelux #UK #UnitedKingdom

From Quarry to Countertop: Tracing the Origins of Natural Stone in Architecture

Quarry #9: Stage Space + Quarry #10: Live Perf…
#NewsBeep #News #Artsanddesign #ArchDailyTopic2026TransspeciesArchitecture #Architecture #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #AU #Australia #Brazil #Design #Entertainment #Environment #Environmentalimpact #Granite #marble #Materials #naturalmaterials #stone #SustainableArchitecture #sustainableconstruction #Sustentabilidade #UIA2026BarcelonabyVelux
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/770333/

From Quarry to Countertop: Tracing the Origins of Natural Stone in Architecture

Quarry #9: Stage Space + Quarry #10: Live Perf…
#NewsBeep #News #Artsanddesign #ArchDailyTopic2026TransspeciesArchitecture #Architecture #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #AU #Australia #Brazil #Design #Entertainment #Environment #Environmentalimpact #Granite #marble #Materials #naturalmaterials #stone #SustainableArchitecture #sustainableconstruction #Sustentabilidade #UIA2026BarcelonabyVelux
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/770333/

BIOBY doubling down on 2026 Mining and Energy Expo | Local https://www.byteseu.com/2145122/ #construction #crystals #Energy #HeavyIndustry #Materials #mineralogy #Minerals #mining #MiningEngineering #Minnesota #montana #NaturalMaterials #NaturalResources #NorthMetropolitanElectricPowerSupplyCompany #OccupationalSafetyAndHealth #PrimaryIndustries #PrimarySector #ResourceExtraction #Resources #UnitedStates

Landscaping Trends That Are Taking Over 2026 (So Far) https://www.allforgardening.com/1797620/landscaping-trends-that-are-taking-over-2026-so-far/ #ExteriorDesign #features #FrontYards #garden #LandscapeDesign #LandscapingDesigns #NaturalMaterials #OutdoorSpaces #VisualInterest

Landscaping Trends That Are Taking Over 2026 (So Far) https://www.allforgardening.com/1797620/landscaping-trends-that-are-taking-over-2026-so-far/ #ExteriorDesign #features #FrontYards #garden #LandscapeDesign #LandscapingDesigns #NaturalMaterials #OutdoorSpaces #VisualInterest

https://www.alojapan.com/1486426/visionary-architect-kengo-kuma-is-turning-a-former-kyoto-teahouse-into-a-38-million-home/ Visionary Architect Kengo Kuma Is Turning a Former Kyoto Teahouse Into a $38 Million Home #Kamishichiken #KengoKuma #Kyoto #KyotoNews #NaturalMaterials #news #TraditionalJapaneseCraftsmanship #京都 #京都府 Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, known for blending contemporary design with natural materials, light, and traditional Japanese craftsmanship, is converting a traditional former teahouse in Kyoto into an ultra-private residence. Known as the Silen

https://www.alojapan.com/1486426/visionary-architect-kengo-kuma-is-turning-a-former-kyoto-teahouse-into-a-38-million-home/ Visionary Architect Kengo Kuma Is Turning a Former Kyoto Teahouse Into a $38 Million Home #Kamishichiken #KengoKuma #Kyoto #KyotoNews #NaturalMaterials #news #TraditionalJapaneseCraftsmanship #京都 #京都府 Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, known for blending contemporary design with natural materials, light, and traditional Japanese craftsmanship, is converting a traditional former teahouse in Kyoto into an ultra-private residence. Known as the Silen

Provençal-Inspired Gardens Are the Most Romantic Outdoor Trend—Here’s How to Create One https://www.allforgardening.com/1767254/provencal-inspired-gardens-are-the-most-romantic-outdoor-trend-heres-how-to-create-one/ #ClimbingVines #garden #gardening #GravelPathways #NaturalMaterials #OliveAteliers #Provençal #ProvençalGarden #VanTassel

Provençal-Inspired Gardens Are the Most Romantic Outdoor Trend—Here’s How to Create One https://www.allforgardening.com/1767254/provencal-inspired-gardens-are-the-most-romantic-outdoor-trend-heres-how-to-create-one/ #ClimbingVines #garden #gardening #GravelPathways #NaturalMaterials #OliveAteliers #Provençal #ProvençalGarden #VanTassel

#RiverheadNY - Long Island #FleeceAndFiber Fair at #Hallockville #MuseumFarm

May 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Hallockville Museum Farm
6038 Sound Avenue
Riverhead NY

Admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free.

"Hallockville Museum Farm will host its annual Long Island Fleece & Fiber Festival on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inviting visitors to experience the full journey of fiber – from raw fleece to finished textile — at its historic North Fork campus.

"A longtime spring tradition, the festival brings the cycle of fiber to life through live sheep and llama shearing with Long Island Yarn and Farm, #spinning, and #weaving demonstrations, along with a #marketplace featuring more than two dozen regional #FiberArtists and #Artisans.

"A major highlight this year is the appearance of nationally recognized #knitting expert Patty Lyons, who will lead two special sessions focused on practical techniques and problem solving for knitters. Additional hands-on workshops include an introduction to weaving with the #PaumanokWeavers, where participants can create their own scarf; a flat #NeedleFelted farm landscape workshop led by Shamma Murphy; and #BasketWeaving with Barbara Blossey-Chuvalas using #NaturalMaterials such as #silk, #seagrass, and #wool. Advance registration is required for workshops.

"In addition to demonstrations and workshops, visitors can explore a variety of family-friendly activities, including a children’s #craft area, agricultural displays, and opportunities to meet the farm’s animals. Attendees are welcome to bring their #FiberArts projects to work amongst like-minded creators.

" 'The Fleece & Fiber Festival connects people directly to the traditions that shaped life on the #NorthFork,' said Executive Director Heather Johnson. 'It’s a chance to see, touch, and learn skills that were once part of everyday life here and that continue to inspire #makers today.'

"The festival also features live music by the Old Time Jam, local food vendors, and a bake sale hosted by Hallockville Bakers."

FMI:
https://www.eastendbeacon.com/event/long-island-fleece-fiber-fair-at-hallockville-museum-farm/

#SolarPunkSunday #NYEvents #BuildingCommunity #FiberArts #FiberArtists

#RiverheadNY - Long Island #FleeceAndFiber Fair at #Hallockville #MuseumFarm

May 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Hallockville Museum Farm
6038 Sound Avenue
Riverhead NY

Admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free.

"Hallockville Museum Farm will host its annual Long Island Fleece & Fiber Festival on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inviting visitors to experience the full journey of fiber – from raw fleece to finished textile — at its historic North Fork campus.

"A longtime spring tradition, the festival brings the cycle of fiber to life through live sheep and llama shearing with Long Island Yarn and Farm, #spinning, and #weaving demonstrations, along with a #marketplace featuring more than two dozen regional #FiberArtists and #Artisans.

"A major highlight this year is the appearance of nationally recognized #knitting expert Patty Lyons, who will lead two special sessions focused on practical techniques and problem solving for knitters. Additional hands-on workshops include an introduction to weaving with the #PaumanokWeavers, where participants can create their own scarf; a flat #NeedleFelted farm landscape workshop led by Shamma Murphy; and #BasketWeaving with Barbara Blossey-Chuvalas using #NaturalMaterials such as #silk, #seagrass, and #wool. Advance registration is required for workshops.

"In addition to demonstrations and workshops, visitors can explore a variety of family-friendly activities, including a children’s #craft area, agricultural displays, and opportunities to meet the farm’s animals. Attendees are welcome to bring their #FiberArts projects to work amongst like-minded creators.

" 'The Fleece & Fiber Festival connects people directly to the traditions that shaped life on the #NorthFork,' said Executive Director Heather Johnson. 'It’s a chance to see, touch, and learn skills that were once part of everyday life here and that continue to inspire #makers today.'

"The festival also features live music by the Old Time Jam, local food vendors, and a bake sale hosted by Hallockville Bakers."

FMI:
https://www.eastendbeacon.com/event/long-island-fleece-fiber-fair-at-hallockville-museum-farm/

#SolarPunkSunday #NYEvents #BuildingCommunity #FiberArts #FiberArtists

#RiverheadNY - Long Island #FleeceAndFiber Fair at #Hallockville #MuseumFarm

May 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Hallockville Museum Farm
6038 Sound Avenue
Riverhead NY

Admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free.

"Hallockville Museum Farm will host its annual Long Island Fleece & Fiber Festival on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inviting visitors to experience the full journey of fiber – from raw fleece to finished textile — at its historic North Fork campus.

"A longtime spring tradition, the festival brings the cycle of fiber to life through live sheep and llama shearing with Long Island Yarn and Farm, #spinning, and #weaving demonstrations, along with a #marketplace featuring more than two dozen regional #FiberArtists and #Artisans.

"A major highlight this year is the appearance of nationally recognized #knitting expert Patty Lyons, who will lead two special sessions focused on practical techniques and problem solving for knitters. Additional hands-on workshops include an introduction to weaving with the #PaumanokWeavers, where participants can create their own scarf; a flat #NeedleFelted farm landscape workshop led by Shamma Murphy; and #BasketWeaving with Barbara Blossey-Chuvalas using #NaturalMaterials such as #silk, #seagrass, and #wool. Advance registration is required for workshops.

"In addition to demonstrations and workshops, visitors can explore a variety of family-friendly activities, including a children’s #craft area, agricultural displays, and opportunities to meet the farm’s animals. Attendees are welcome to bring their #FiberArts projects to work amongst like-minded creators.

" 'The Fleece & Fiber Festival connects people directly to the traditions that shaped life on the #NorthFork,' said Executive Director Heather Johnson. 'It’s a chance to see, touch, and learn skills that were once part of everyday life here and that continue to inspire #makers today.'

"The festival also features live music by the Old Time Jam, local food vendors, and a bake sale hosted by Hallockville Bakers."

FMI:
https://www.eastendbeacon.com/event/long-island-fleece-fiber-fair-at-hallockville-museum-farm/

#SolarPunkSunday #NYEvents #BuildingCommunity #FiberArts #FiberArtists

#RiverheadNY - Long Island #FleeceAndFiber Fair at #Hallockville #MuseumFarm

May 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Hallockville Museum Farm
6038 Sound Avenue
Riverhead NY

Admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free.

"Hallockville Museum Farm will host its annual Long Island Fleece & Fiber Festival on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inviting visitors to experience the full journey of fiber – from raw fleece to finished textile — at its historic North Fork campus.

"A longtime spring tradition, the festival brings the cycle of fiber to life through live sheep and llama shearing with Long Island Yarn and Farm, #spinning, and #weaving demonstrations, along with a #marketplace featuring more than two dozen regional #FiberArtists and #Artisans.

"A major highlight this year is the appearance of nationally recognized #knitting expert Patty Lyons, who will lead two special sessions focused on practical techniques and problem solving for knitters. Additional hands-on workshops include an introduction to weaving with the #PaumanokWeavers, where participants can create their own scarf; a flat #NeedleFelted farm landscape workshop led by Shamma Murphy; and #BasketWeaving with Barbara Blossey-Chuvalas using #NaturalMaterials such as #silk, #seagrass, and #wool. Advance registration is required for workshops.

"In addition to demonstrations and workshops, visitors can explore a variety of family-friendly activities, including a children’s #craft area, agricultural displays, and opportunities to meet the farm’s animals. Attendees are welcome to bring their #FiberArts projects to work amongst like-minded creators.

" 'The Fleece & Fiber Festival connects people directly to the traditions that shaped life on the #NorthFork,' said Executive Director Heather Johnson. 'It’s a chance to see, touch, and learn skills that were once part of everyday life here and that continue to inspire #makers today.'

"The festival also features live music by the Old Time Jam, local food vendors, and a bake sale hosted by Hallockville Bakers."

FMI:
https://www.eastendbeacon.com/event/long-island-fleece-fiber-fair-at-hallockville-museum-farm/

#SolarPunkSunday #NYEvents #BuildingCommunity #FiberArts #FiberArtists

#RiverheadNY - Long Island #FleeceAndFiber Fair at #Hallockville #MuseumFarm

May 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Hallockville Museum Farm
6038 Sound Avenue
Riverhead NY

Admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free.

"Hallockville Museum Farm will host its annual Long Island Fleece & Fiber Festival on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inviting visitors to experience the full journey of fiber – from raw fleece to finished textile — at its historic North Fork campus.

"A longtime spring tradition, the festival brings the cycle of fiber to life through live sheep and llama shearing with Long Island Yarn and Farm, #spinning, and #weaving demonstrations, along with a #marketplace featuring more than two dozen regional #FiberArtists and #Artisans.

"A major highlight this year is the appearance of nationally recognized #knitting expert Patty Lyons, who will lead two special sessions focused on practical techniques and problem solving for knitters. Additional hands-on workshops include an introduction to weaving with the #PaumanokWeavers, where participants can create their own scarf; a flat #NeedleFelted farm landscape workshop led by Shamma Murphy; and #BasketWeaving with Barbara Blossey-Chuvalas using #NaturalMaterials such as #silk, #seagrass, and #wool. Advance registration is required for workshops.

"In addition to demonstrations and workshops, visitors can explore a variety of family-friendly activities, including a children’s #craft area, agricultural displays, and opportunities to meet the farm’s animals. Attendees are welcome to bring their #FiberArts projects to work amongst like-minded creators.

" 'The Fleece & Fiber Festival connects people directly to the traditions that shaped life on the #NorthFork,' said Executive Director Heather Johnson. 'It’s a chance to see, touch, and learn skills that were once part of everyday life here and that continue to inspire #makers today.'

"The festival also features live music by the Old Time Jam, local food vendors, and a bake sale hosted by Hallockville Bakers."

FMI:
https://www.eastendbeacon.com/event/long-island-fleece-fiber-fair-at-hallockville-museum-farm/

#SolarPunkSunday #NYEvents #BuildingCommunity #FiberArts #FiberArtists

Urban & Nature: Materials For Natural Cit... #Materialspack #Pavement #Urban #Realisticmaterials #Naturalmaterials #Roads #Nature #Pbrmaterials #Realistic #Urbancity #City #Suburban #Urbanenvironment #Concretematerial #Citymaterials #AssetStore

https://u3dn.com/packages/urban-and-nature-materials-for-natural-cities-321670

ORGA Completes Carbon-Negative Biobased Housing Prototype in Marknesse, Netherlands

ORGA architect prefabricated timber scaleable home prototype, 2026. Image © Niek van Engelen / Recollect Films Share Share…
#Netherlands #Nederland #NL #Europe #Europa #EU #AffordableHousing #Architecture #BiobasedMaterials #CarbonNeutral #Decarbonization #Housing #HousingPrototype #NaturalMaterials #Neighborhood #SocialHousing #TimberHouses
https://www.europesays.com/netherlands/8181/

https://www.alojapan.com/1480651/new-hotels-in-japan-the-standout-openings-to-book-in-2026-2/ New hotels in Japan: The standout openings to book in 2026 #AdaptiveReuse #CapellaKyoto #HotelKyoto #ImperialHotel #Japan #Kyoto #KyotoNews #LuxuryBrands #NaturalMaterials #NewHotelOpenings #news #京都 #京都府 Across Japan, new hotel openings are leaning into identity, whether that means heritage buildings in Kyoto, adaptive reuse in Nara or refined wellness stays built around onsen culture. At the same time, global luxury brands are making entrie

https://www.alojapan.com/1480651/new-hotels-in-japan-the-standout-openings-to-book-in-2026-2/ New hotels in Japan: The standout openings to book in 2026 #AdaptiveReuse #CapellaKyoto #HotelKyoto #ImperialHotel #Japan #Kyoto #KyotoNews #LuxuryBrands #NaturalMaterials #NewHotelOpenings #news #京都 #京都府 Across Japan, new hotel openings are leaning into identity, whether that means heritage buildings in Kyoto, adaptive reuse in Nara or refined wellness stays built around onsen culture. At the same time, global luxury brands are making entrie

Finland replaced artificial playground surfaces with natural elements like mud and soil — and the results surprised even researchers

A growing number of educators and researchers are rethinking what children actually need from the spaces where they…
#Finland #FI #Europe #Europa #EU #daycarecenters #ecosystems #Exposure #finland #forestfloor #naturalmaterials #naturalplaygrounds #researchers #soilmicrobes #Suomi #uutiset
https://www.europesays.com/2940559/

Finland replaced artificial playground surfaces with natural elements like mud and soil — and the results surprised even researchers https://www.byteseu.com/1959109/ #DaycareCenters #ecosystems #exposure #Finland #ForestFloor #NaturalMaterials #NaturalPlaygrounds #researchers #SoilMicrobes

Building with Earth: Traditional Knowledge in Contemporary Architecture

Earth by the River Residence / Luigi Rosselli Architects. Image © Piers Haskard Sh…
#NewsBeep #News #Artsanddesign #Adobe #Architecture #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #AU #Australia #Belgium #Design #Earth #EarthConstruction #Ecuador #Entertainment #EnvironmentalDesign #Ghana #LocalDesign #LocalMaterials #naturalmaterials #PassiveDesign #RammedEarth #ResidentialArchitecture #SustainableArchitecture
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/538674/

Building with Earth: Traditional Knowledge in Contemporary Architecture

Earth by the River Residence / Luigi Rosselli Architects. Image © Piers Haskard Sh…
#NewsBeep #News #Artsanddesign #Adobe #Architecture #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #AU #Australia #Belgium #Design #Earth #EarthConstruction #Ecuador #Entertainment #EnvironmentalDesign #Ghana #LocalDesign #LocalMaterials #naturalmaterials #PassiveDesign #RammedEarth #ResidentialArchitecture #SustainableArchitecture
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/538674/

Rammed Earth House by Tuckey Design Studio

With Rammed Earth House, Tuckey Design Studio has positioned itself at the forefront of earth building in the…
#NewsBeep #News #Artsanddesign #Arts #ArtsAndDesign #Circulareconomy #clay #clayworks #Design #Entertainment #house #NaturalMaterials #rammedearth #TuckeyDesignStudio #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wiltshire
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/433549/

It’s a stormy old day in Fanad. Rain and a howling wind.

Monk came to bring some perspective and peace.

These two small pieces are on handmade paper from Bhutan - it’s not easy to use ink on, but I love the result.

#ink #handmade #organicart #naturalmaterials #art

It’s a stormy old day in Fanad. Rain and a howling wind.

Monk came to bring some perspective and peace.

These two small pieces are on handmade paper from Bhutan - it’s not easy to use ink on, but I love the result.

#ink #handmade #organicart #naturalmaterials #art

It’s a stormy old day in Fanad. Rain and a howling wind.

Monk came to bring some perspective and peace.

These two small pieces are on handmade paper from Bhutan - it’s not easy to use ink on, but I love the result.

#ink #handmade #organicart #naturalmaterials #art

It’s a stormy old day in Fanad. Rain and a howling wind.

Monk came to bring some perspective and peace.

These two small pieces are on handmade paper from Bhutan - it’s not easy to use ink on, but I love the result.

#ink #handmade #organicart #naturalmaterials #art

It’s a stormy old day in Fanad. Rain and a howling wind.

Monk came to bring some perspective and peace.

These two small pieces are on handmade paper from Bhutan - it’s not easy to use ink on, but I love the result.

#ink #handmade #organicart #naturalmaterials #art

We sealed up the gaps in our floorboards with #Oakum last year. It's holding up just fine! I also used it on some old windows at work and it's easy to install, then remove, then install again!

Filling Floor Gaps With Oakum: Update 2-1/2 Years Later

March 18, 2024

"Two and a half years ago, I filled the gaps in our original wood floors with oakum. You can read more about that process here [link below].

"This is a niche solution to a common problem with homes built in the 1700s and 1800s with original wood floors and gaps between those floorboards. Our house was built in the 1780s and later added onto in the 1800s.

"It’s time for an update on how that oakum has held up!

"First of all, what is oakum?

"Historically speaking, oakum is a combination of natural fibers like #hemp or #jute and tar or oil that was used to caulk wooden ships to make them watertight.

"Oakum was often repurposed from old ship rigging. '#PickingOakum' was a terrible job where someone had to unwind the #rope fibers so they could be repurposed into #caulking.

"Oakum is still used today for several uses related to plumbing, wooden ship caulking, log home caulking, etc. Today, oakum is manufactured in a factory.

"Brown oakum is made from natural fibers (could be a combination of jute, hemp, and/or burlap), oil, and often bentonite.

"White oakum is made from jute, #Bentonite, and water.

"Bentonite is a clay that expands when it encounters water."

Read more:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2024/03/18/filling-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

How the author did it:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2021/05/10/fill-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalMaterials #SyntheticAlternatives #Insulation #FloorGaps #DIY

We sealed up the gaps in our floorboards with #Oakum last year. It's holding up just fine! I also used it on some old windows at work and it's easy to install, then remove, then install again!

Filling Floor Gaps With Oakum: Update 2-1/2 Years Later

March 18, 2024

"Two and a half years ago, I filled the gaps in our original wood floors with oakum. You can read more about that process here [link below].

"This is a niche solution to a common problem with homes built in the 1700s and 1800s with original wood floors and gaps between those floorboards. Our house was built in the 1780s and later added onto in the 1800s.

"It’s time for an update on how that oakum has held up!

"First of all, what is oakum?

"Historically speaking, oakum is a combination of natural fibers like #hemp or #jute and tar or oil that was used to caulk wooden ships to make them watertight.

"Oakum was often repurposed from old ship rigging. '#PickingOakum' was a terrible job where someone had to unwind the #rope fibers so they could be repurposed into #caulking.

"Oakum is still used today for several uses related to plumbing, wooden ship caulking, log home caulking, etc. Today, oakum is manufactured in a factory.

"Brown oakum is made from natural fibers (could be a combination of jute, hemp, and/or burlap), oil, and often bentonite.

"White oakum is made from jute, #Bentonite, and water.

"Bentonite is a clay that expands when it encounters water."

Read more:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2024/03/18/filling-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

How the author did it:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2021/05/10/fill-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalMaterials #SyntheticAlternatives #Insulation #FloorGaps #DIY

We sealed up the gaps in our floorboards with #Oakum last year. It's holding up just fine! I also used it on some old windows at work and it's easy to install, then remove, then install again!

Filling Floor Gaps With Oakum: Update 2-1/2 Years Later

March 18, 2024

"Two and a half years ago, I filled the gaps in our original wood floors with oakum. You can read more about that process here [link below].

"This is a niche solution to a common problem with homes built in the 1700s and 1800s with original wood floors and gaps between those floorboards. Our house was built in the 1780s and later added onto in the 1800s.

"It’s time for an update on how that oakum has held up!

"First of all, what is oakum?

"Historically speaking, oakum is a combination of natural fibers like #hemp or #jute and tar or oil that was used to caulk wooden ships to make them watertight.

"Oakum was often repurposed from old ship rigging. '#PickingOakum' was a terrible job where someone had to unwind the #rope fibers so they could be repurposed into #caulking.

"Oakum is still used today for several uses related to plumbing, wooden ship caulking, log home caulking, etc. Today, oakum is manufactured in a factory.

"Brown oakum is made from natural fibers (could be a combination of jute, hemp, and/or burlap), oil, and often bentonite.

"White oakum is made from jute, #Bentonite, and water.

"Bentonite is a clay that expands when it encounters water."

Read more:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2024/03/18/filling-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

How the author did it:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2021/05/10/fill-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalMaterials #SyntheticAlternatives #Insulation #FloorGaps #DIY

We sealed up the gaps in our floorboards with #Oakum last year. It's holding up just fine! I also used it on some old windows at work and it's easy to install, then remove, then install again!

Filling Floor Gaps With Oakum: Update 2-1/2 Years Later

March 18, 2024

"Two and a half years ago, I filled the gaps in our original wood floors with oakum. You can read more about that process here [link below].

"This is a niche solution to a common problem with homes built in the 1700s and 1800s with original wood floors and gaps between those floorboards. Our house was built in the 1780s and later added onto in the 1800s.

"It’s time for an update on how that oakum has held up!

"First of all, what is oakum?

"Historically speaking, oakum is a combination of natural fibers like #hemp or #jute and tar or oil that was used to caulk wooden ships to make them watertight.

"Oakum was often repurposed from old ship rigging. '#PickingOakum' was a terrible job where someone had to unwind the #rope fibers so they could be repurposed into #caulking.

"Oakum is still used today for several uses related to plumbing, wooden ship caulking, log home caulking, etc. Today, oakum is manufactured in a factory.

"Brown oakum is made from natural fibers (could be a combination of jute, hemp, and/or burlap), oil, and often bentonite.

"White oakum is made from jute, #Bentonite, and water.

"Bentonite is a clay that expands when it encounters water."

Read more:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2024/03/18/filling-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

How the author did it:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2021/05/10/fill-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalMaterials #SyntheticAlternatives #Insulation #FloorGaps #DIY

We sealed up the gaps in our floorboards with #Oakum last year. It's holding up just fine! I also used it on some old windows at work and it's easy to install, then remove, then install again!

Filling Floor Gaps With Oakum: Update 2-1/2 Years Later

March 18, 2024

"Two and a half years ago, I filled the gaps in our original wood floors with oakum. You can read more about that process here [link below].

"This is a niche solution to a common problem with homes built in the 1700s and 1800s with original wood floors and gaps between those floorboards. Our house was built in the 1780s and later added onto in the 1800s.

"It’s time for an update on how that oakum has held up!

"First of all, what is oakum?

"Historically speaking, oakum is a combination of natural fibers like #hemp or #jute and tar or oil that was used to caulk wooden ships to make them watertight.

"Oakum was often repurposed from old ship rigging. '#PickingOakum' was a terrible job where someone had to unwind the #rope fibers so they could be repurposed into #caulking.

"Oakum is still used today for several uses related to plumbing, wooden ship caulking, log home caulking, etc. Today, oakum is manufactured in a factory.

"Brown oakum is made from natural fibers (could be a combination of jute, hemp, and/or burlap), oil, and often bentonite.

"White oakum is made from jute, #Bentonite, and water.

"Bentonite is a clay that expands when it encounters water."

Read more:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2024/03/18/filling-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

How the author did it:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2021/05/10/fill-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalMaterials #SyntheticAlternatives #Insulation #FloorGaps #DIY

An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

"With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

"When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

"I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

"It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

"I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

"For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

"Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

"Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

"Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

"I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

"I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

"In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

Source:
https://www.timberjay.com/stories/my-carpentry-101-crash-course-and-the-wonders-of-oakum,22030

#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

"With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

"When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

"I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

"It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

"I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

"For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

"Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

"Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

"Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

"I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

"I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

"In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

Source:
https://www.timberjay.com/stories/my-carpentry-101-crash-course-and-the-wonders-of-oakum,22030

#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

"With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

"When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

"I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

"It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

"I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

"For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

"Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

"Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

"Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

"I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

"I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

"In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

Source:
https://www.timberjay.com/stories/my-carpentry-101-crash-course-and-the-wonders-of-oakum,22030

#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

"With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

"When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

"I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

"It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

"I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

"For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

"Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

"Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

"Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

"I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

"I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

"In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

Source:
https://www.timberjay.com/stories/my-carpentry-101-crash-course-and-the-wonders-of-oakum,22030

#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

An inspiring story about working with #Oakum!

My #Carpentry101 crash course, and the wonders of oakum

by Kathleen McQuillan, September 26, 2024

"With the season about to shift to autumn, my mind has been focused on the final steps to restore the exterior of my log house. A project I thought would take one summer is now rounding out the end of its third. And this summer, which I thought would surely be the last, will likely leave some important steps left for next year. My inner voice repeatedly chants, 'Perseverance, dear girl. Perseverance!'

"When I began this journey into the unknown, I decided to leave work on the east wall of the house for last because, in my preliminary assessment, it looked like it would require the most time and attention. Our bitter Minnesota winters and scorching summer heat had definitely taken a toll. Dense forest surrounds my place and is closest on the east side, creating persistent shade and humidity, and poor air circulation, that together contribute to more rotting and insects. Saving the worst until last was a big, big mistake. I learned too late. Never save the hardest stuff for the end. I know that now because, in my current state of project fatigue, facing that east wall is a bit like facing El Capitan.

"I thought I was so smart back in May when I jumped on that string of nice days we had and scraped, scrubbed, and sanded five decades of detritus from that east wall just to ready it for the first coat of penetrating stain that would protect the logs from rot and bugs for many years to come. No one could have predicted that June would produce some of the heaviest rains in centuries, followed by weeks of what meteorologists called 'pop-up showers' that showed up on a nearly daily basis until mid-July.

"It would take many weeks before the now saturated logs would dry thoroughly enough to stain. My frustration with the weather spawned waves of anxiety. Our summers are short, and time was a-wastin’! I knew I’d have to review the priorities on my to-do list and recalibrate the timetable. What I needed to identify was an indoor project until the weather decided to cooperate.

"I found myself completely shifting gears from exterior log work to something indoors. The lightbulb went on. I could start upgrading my 1980s experiment with #solar power. The equipment I’d installed way back then still functioned, but I knew it was losing its zip and was shockingly obsolete. This could be my opportunity. I resumed researching where I’d left off last winter. I determined how much power I would need and how much I could invest in new equipment. I also realized that I would need to construct an area suitable to assure my system could be kept warm in the winter. I decided to design an insulated 'closet' in my three-season addition.

"For that month of sequestration, I created a personalized Intro to Carpentry 101 crash course. Thanks to the generous array of battery-powered saws, drills, bits and blades that my sons had gifted to me at Christmas two years ago and some great YouTube videos I found, I was able to complete my first solo construction project. And now I have power! That rainy weather I’d so lamented had in fact allowed me the experience of learning to read a tape measure right down to the '16ths', and everything else involved. My next #DIY challenge will be wiring my own house.

"Finally, the weather began to cooperate. The logs were drying. But before I could start staining, I would need to insulate and seal the spaces between the logs. In times past, log builders would often turn to whatever materials were on hand whether #moss and #straw, shredded newspaper, or scraps of cotton and #woolen clothing. Today, the 'make-do' materials of our ancestors have been replaced by manufactured products such as fiberglass batts, spray foam, and 'elastometric' caulks, all of which I considered, until I discovered oakum.

"Oakum is made from multiple twisted strands of #jute and #hemp soaked in #PineTar and #bentonite, a compound derived from #VolcanicAsh. It is easily manipulated to fit the varied spaces between the logs and accommodate variations from their knots and other unique features. It acts as a natural deterrent to insects and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity, enhancing its sealing capabilities. It’s been around for centuries with one of its first uses in shipbuilding when skilled maritime craftsmen would salvage worn ropes from ships’ rigging to repurpose as filler for cracks and leaks in their 16th- and 17th-century wooden sailing ships. Later it was used to build the massive networks of pipes that transport drinking and wastewater underneath our major cities. It’s still used for many modern-day plumbing repairs.

"Working with oakum has taken some getting used to. Like so many aspects of my restoration project, it’s been another trial-and-error process, learning what it can and cannot do, requiring my patience and concentration in an almost meditative way. There is an art in how tightly to twist it, so it conforms and fills the nooks and crannies endemic to log buildings. I was able to purchase a vintage shipwright’s cast iron caulking tool that has proven to be perfect for the job. I sometimes muse the by-gone era when Maritimers masterfully employed the skills I’m just learning, ones that allowed for vast ocean crossings. I appreciate attempting a traditional practice that I hope will not be lost.

"I must confess. At times, I’ve questioned my sanity, as may have some of my friends. This endeavor to restore my cabin began in sheer ignorance, and has tested every part of my being — body, mind, and spirit. My biggest fear this year has been that I might 'age out' before it’s complete, something that would be a huge disappointment to me, and a burden left for somebody else.

"I owe my family, friends and community thanks for their patience and support. I’ve turned down many invitations to commit with my truth, 'If it’s a sunny day, I’ll need to work.' Next summer, I’d like things to be different. But this year has shown me, when it comes to time, or the weather, there are no guarantees. Our priorities will sometimes need discernment and adjustment. And everything we choose to do has the power to message something meaningful.

"In many a stressful moment, working with oakum has messaged me this. Take more time when you can. And appreciate the twists and turns."

Source:
https://www.timberjay.com/stories/my-carpentry-101-crash-course-and-the-wonders-of-oakum,22030

#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #BuildYourOwn #NaturalMaterials #LogCabins #Shelter #Building

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