[Cob] Aspiring Pennsylvania Cobber

[Amanda Peck]

Welcome to the list.  There are or were a couple of people in West Virginia 
on the list.  Haven't heard from them in a while, though.  And I'm not sure 
where in West Virginia either.

People who go to those--expensive sounding--workshops often say that they 
are definitely worth it, especially compared to the price of a home.  I've 
helped other people, and found I learned immense amounts even a) with my 
extensive background in reading and b) without the formal instruction you 
would get in a paid workshop.

And/or, you can start with a small project--bench, wall, or the more exotic 
OVEN.

Most of my experience involves chinking a log cabin (needs to be redone, a 
lot of it fell out! at a guess, there was more wood shrinkage than my log 
cabin expert had thought there would be), and a floor for the same building. 
  Not much, and not much to tell me how a building will stand up.  I wish we 
had gotten to the oven this past summer.

...........
Steve Koch wrote:

I live in Pennsylvania and am looking for information and or a  volunteer
situation where I could effectively learn the basics of building with  cob,
cordwood, etc. as well as plaster mixes based on the Northeast  climate. I 
am
looking to design and build some sort of hybrid two family  structure within 
the
next two years. I want to celebrate a mix of  alternative building 
practices.
Areas I am most concerned with are; foundation  alternatives and insulative
choices. I would like to stick to as close to  a 100% natural approach as
possible. Thanks for any help or information you  can afford me.