I had the opportunity to take an Earthen Plaster Workshop yesterday at the Pearson Community Garden in Montford taught by Doug Sharkey. The object of the workshop was a repair job on the Cob Oven at the site. The surface was cracking and some pieces were falling off. We mixed a batch of sand and clay to fill in the cracks and repair the lost chunks. Then mixed another formula of earthen plaster to resurface the whole thing.. clay, sand, straw and wheat paste. While we worked, we talked about the process of building and using a cob oven as well as cob construction in general.
The Pearson Community Garden has several examples of Cob Building. The Oven is surrounded by a structure made of cob. It is a beautiful curving shelter with a tin roof. Here are some photos...
The "window" included a glass bottle worked into the opening. The possibilities are endless for incorporating interesting objects! I am so intrigued by the curves that are not only possible, but easy in this building form.
The other cob structure at the Pearson Community Gardens is the home for the composting toilet. A most beautiful building incorporating all sorts of cool elements. It also has a living roof and the curving walls that just really capture my imagination!
It was a fabulous first taste for me and I am totally bitten by the cob bug! I look forward to learing more and building my own oven... Fresh bread anyone?
The "window" included a glass bottle worked into the opening. The possibilities are endless for incorporating interesting objects! I am so intrigued by the curves that are not only possible, but easy in this building form.The other cob structure at the Pearson Community Gardens is the home for the composting toilet. A most beautiful building incorporating all sorts of cool elements. It also has a living roof and the curving walls that just really capture my imagination!
It was a fabulous first taste for me and I am totally bitten by the cob bug! I look forward to learing more and building my own oven... Fresh bread anyone?
6 comments:
That must have been really fun. a good learning experience. I love fresh bread!
ohhh lucky you!!! i'm totally in 'love' with cob building, but never had the opportunity to do it... enjoyed reading about your experience!!
I love garden art and the way you have shown it, it is my biggest passion.
We are hoping to build an earthen oven in our garden one of these years. Have a great book about it but going to a workshop would be even better! Thanks for sharing these great pics - makes me want to get started on ours even more. Bread, pizza, casseroles...YUM!
Hi, I have cross-posted your recent story to the MountainXpress Forums, on a thread about WNC Cob Construction.
Here is the link:
http://www.mountainx.com/forums/viewthread/2177/
Feel free to come by and add to the conversation! Great website, too, by the way!
Great to see your garden art.
It is exceptionally good.
Well done
Aanee
Dublin Flowers
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