2010-2011 Schedule ~ Cancelled! boo...

Unfortunately, Shanin, Jane and I, Ali, will not be offering our workshops this winter-spring season. We have been trying to secure a site to host the workshops but we have not been able to find a place that is suitable. It is the end of January as I update this, and it's getting a bit too late into the season.

We hope to offer the workshops again this coming winter. Please email us if you can propose a site or if you are interested in attending a future workshop.

info(a)banyanshelter.com

Thank you for everyone's interest.

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Workshop v.01
The Multi-Purpose-Worm-Bin-Fantastico

When:
TBD

Two-day session on a weekend; usually 9am-5pm both days.

Where:

To be confirmed but we are hoping to use this fine facility again.

John Innes Community Centre
150 Sherbourne Street
Toronto



Costs: Sliding Scale $225-$175

Registration:
There is a limit of 10 paid spots. Two additional people will join us from within the community and/or from local women's organizations/shelters/not-for-profits. Your fees help to support these deserving women.

You will receive a confirmation email with further information.

Its basically a box with a lid that you can put stuff into (storage). Why a box? A few reasons... boxes are useful; the principle is always the same, but the size, shape and style can always change. Building boxes applies very basic and fundamental principles of construction that is transferable to just about any other type of construction project (think about it... a house is just a big box really).

The project is designed to be flexible enough that you can personalize the Fantastico as you see fit. For example, you can keep it simple and put a fitted lid on it and it becomes a side table cube. Or you can add a back rest so it becomes a proper seat. Or you can add casters so its a moveable storage table. You can add a bigger top so its a coffee table. Its all up to you.

The twist for the Fantastico is that it is built so you can put an old bluebin container (or other similar sized container such as 5 gallon buckets) into it, which will then become your WORM BIN. On the second day, Garden Jane will lead a section about vermicomposting (composting your veggie scraps with worms to create nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner). Urban and balcony gardeners working in small spaces often find that they lack attractive storage for their garden and potting supplies or worm composters. The workshop includes worms and the bin to fit into your newly built box. But of course, if people don't want to have the worms, you can use it as an alternative to ikea 'solutions'.

Tools:
Do you need to bring your own tools?

Ideally, yes. But we will have all the tools listed below for everyone to use. Don't feel obligated to buy tools if that proves to be too costly.

If you do decide to purchase some items, do consider these ones:
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection (in-ear or over- ear)
Pencils

Bring/Borrow if you can:
Measuring Tape (imperial or metric or the usual combination... ahhh... so canadian)
Speed Square AND/OR Framing Square
Utility Knife
Hammer
Chisel(s) (one or all three: 1/2", 3/4" ,1")
Hand saw(s) AND/OR Circular saw
Drill OR Impact Driver
Drill Bits and Screw Bits
Clamps
Screw Driver(s) with bits
Cat's Paw AND/OR Prybar AND/OR Nail Puller

Clothing:
- comfortable clothing that you won't mind getting dirty.
- also, lighter coloured clothing shows less sawdust.
- hair ties/clips to keep your hair back (or hat).

Optional:
CSA Approved Safety Boots/Shoes
Dust Mask

If you have questions about the tools, please email us (I know you're dying to know what's a "cat's paw")

Why bring your own tools?

Working with your own tools will help you feel comfortable with them. You’ll be able to take more ownership of and responsibility for those tools. We don’t want someone to be using the shop circular saw and then go home, use her partner's and feel intimidated because it looks different (though we would hope that by then, you will be comfortable with any circular saw, regardless of how it looks). If you have access to tools, you’re more likely to use them... and be comfortable using them. It’s like bike helmets: if you like yours, how it looks, how it feels, you'll use it. But don't feel obligated to buy tools. There will be a section in the workshop about buying tools and what to look for.

Materials:
All wood, fasteners, plastic worm bin, worms are included. There is also a very thorough handout about wood and worms.

If you have furniture or woodscrapes or old small bluebins that you think we can use, please follow this link: donate

Registration:
There is a limit of 10 paid spots. Two additional people will join us from within the community and/or from local women's organizations/shelters/not-for-profits. Your fees help to support these deserving women.

You will receive a confirmation email with further information.

Register Via Paypal, Major Credit Cards or else we can make other arrangements.

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