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(Wikipedia's example of a cob house)

Want to build to last hundreds of years with the dirt already on your land? One way might be by cob. Here's an upcoming seminar that may make a good start:

Cob Garden Wall Workshop
October 24-26, 2008
Leander, TX

$250 - early tuition (paid in full by Sept 30)
$300 - full tuition (paid after Sept 30)
$100 - non-refundable deposit reserves you a space (remainder due by Oct 24)

This workshop will offer hands on training in the construction of an outdoor cob garden wall. The workshop will be held in the backyard of a suburban home in Leander, Texas.

This workshop project will break up a large, open backyard into smaller, inviting spaces; creating a garden space and retreat for the homeowner to enjoy. The cob wall will incorporate two large arches, a planting trellis, and other decorative elements. We feel like this is a great opportunity to teach participants basic cob building elements that they can employ in beautifying their own outdoor spaces.

The workshop will cover foundation construction, cob mixing, wall building, window/trellis incorporation, and roofing. Each day will be a combination of hands on building and discussions. Individuals of all physical abilities and building experience are welcome. Participants should leave this workshop with the confidence and experience needed to take on their own outdoor cob project and the support of a network of likeminded folks.

Each participant will be provided with space to camp and served a vegetarian lunch each day of the workshop.

Instructor:
Sara Schmidt-left her environmental engineering career in 2005 to complete an apprenticeship with Cob Cottage Company; additional training with House Alive and Cobworks; employed as a natural builder since 2006.

Workshop Hostess:
Kathy Rinard-recently completed a 7 day cob cabin building workshop and went right home and began a cob project of her own. Kathy is looking to create a more inviting and functional backyard.

Mail workshop tuition/deposit to:
Sara Schmidt
P.O. Box 835
Fraser, CO 80442

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at:
sara_schmidt96@yahoo.com
512-422-3517

And, if you're already a cob expert, please submit a couple dozen Instructables about it for the benefit of the rest of us!

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