Clay plaster workshop

On Saturday we took time off of working on the greenhouse to attend a workshop on clay/earthen plasters.  The workshop was on a wooded country site and was hosted by an experienced straw bale/cob builder in her 60's.  Over the half day we were there, we learned to chop straw with a string trimmer, mix and sift clay, make clay slip, mix plaster with our feet and apply clay plaster to a straw bale wall.  Along the way we met some wonderful and like minded people from around the region, some of whom we already knew.  It was a wonderful morning away followed by an afternoon catching up on house chores (laundry doesn't do itself, in case you were wondering). 

The crew! 

Shredding straw with a string trimmer - dusty work!

Wetting the wall before applying plaster

Mixing plaster by foot