Mudgirls Manifesto

The Mudgirls is an all-women's natural building collective that formed in 2007 in coastal British Columbia. Founded on the principle of self-empowerment, they champion the use of natural, local, and salvaged materials, human-scaled DIY solutions, inclusiveness, support for mothers, care for children, and fun. They build things and offer workshops that empower people to take back the right to provide themselves with shelter. The Mudgirls have collaborated with over 50 clients and more than 600 workshop participants from all over the world, forging alliances and honing the skills to build homes. Find out more at mudgirls.ca.

Acknowledgments
Introduction

PART I: A HISTORY WRITTEN IN MUD
Chapter 1: Our Ways of Building


Guiding Principle: We mostly work with unprocessed natural and recycled materials to create and decorate beautiful and healthy structures that are earth friendly.
Guiding Principle: We believe this work is so important that we cannot wait until we are all experts. No matter the level of experience, we value each individual for their contribution and abilities and believe strongly in skill-building on the worksite.

We Went for It: Creating the World We Wanted to Live In
The Measuring Tape: Skill-Building as a Priority. A Non-intimidating Approach to Building
Fast, Cheap and Out of Control: Permits = Limits
Messages from Mud: It's Not About How Much You Know, But How Much You Believe in What You're Doing
Case Studies: Ray and Soozie's Place; Measure Twice, Think Three Times, Cut Once, Because Chainsaws Are Forever

Chapter 2: Women's Work

Guiding Principle: We are a women's collective and seek to empower ourselves with employment and the skills to build homes.

No Boys Allowed: Why We Chose (and Still Choose) An All-woman Crew
We Play With Dollies: Work Smarter Not Harder
Our Heroines: Other Women that Are Rockin' the Natural Building World and Shattering the Status Quo: Athena Steen, Liz Johndrow, and Becky Bee
We Love Dudes: And Dudes Love Us
Case Studies: Chris's Contribution; Set the Men Free; No, Really, She's Doing It; Contribution from Todd Turik (One Man Among Many Women)

Chapter 3: Rethinking Work

Guiding Principle: We are a collective that is human friendly: we recreate our concepts of work to prioritize respect and care for our hearts, our bodies, and our children while we work together. We create a work environment that nurtures us.

Large and in Charge: The Empowerment Inherent in Working for Oneself
It's Our Worksite, and We'll Cry If We Want To: Allowing Space for Emotions, Needs, and Limitations on the Worksite
Bigger Isn't Always Better: Dealing with the Expectations of of Conventional "Efficiency" Versus the Efficiencies Long-term Learning, Safety, Skill-sharing, and Community-building
Baby, I Like It Raw: Maintaining the Connection with Raw Materials and Raw Power
Case Studies: Ode to the Old: Hand Tools and Handy Elders
Soul Food: Nurturing Our Bodies
Recipies: Smoked Tofu Potato Salad; Bethany's Rice Pudding; Coconut Curried Lentils; Energy Balls

Chapter 4: Caring for the Children

Guiding Principle: All our events are child and parentfriendly with quality childcare always provided.

Our Kids Are Your Kids: A Better Model for the Greater Good
Take Your Child to Work Day, Every Day: Why Mandatory, Built-in Childcare Makes Sense, and Why It's Not Always Perfect
The Children of the Revolution: Children as Active Members of the Community
Case Studies: How the Inner Child Schooled the Adult Attitude: Youth Facilitation as a Non-parent; That One Time I Almost Lost My Kids and My Mind, and the Silly Play That Saved Us All; Life After Motherhood; Participant/Mother Contribution

Chapter 5: Rethinking "Business"

Guiding Principle: We seek to do our business in a non-capitalist spirit. We keep the cost of natural building affordable by keeping our wages low, offering our workshops for barter, building for low-income people as much as we can.

Ménage à Trois: The Breakdown of Our Workshop Structure
How Much Is Too Much?: The Quest to Practice Sustainable Idealism
Who Needs Money When There's Mud Everywhere?: A Low Income Plus Resourcefulness Equals Creative Power
Client-friends and Friend-clients: Keeping a Healthy Building Relationship Without Contracts
Case Studies: Molly's House; Trade Ya a Small House for a Website?

Chapter 6: Who's the Boss?

Guiding Principle: We are structured non-hierarchically. Each member is equally valued and has equal say in decision-making. Guiding Principle: We use the teachings of Compassionate Communication to create a peaceful, mutually respectful, and revolutionarily harmonious group process.

The Internal Workings of The Mudgirls: How We Make Decisions
Don't Tell Me What to Do
Mycorrhiza: A Symbiosis Inspired by Nature Keeps the Collective Rollin'
Case Studies: The Voice of Dissent, and How We Hate to Love It; A Model of Our (Ideal) Steps to Resolve Conflict

Chapter 7: Building a Revolution

Guiding Principle: We work together to create this collective as we go, nurturing the creative and inventive and courageously open to the process of transformation.

Build It and They Will Come: The Search for Other Ways of Living
Don't Muddy the Waters: Trying to Live by Example
Case Studies: Our Collective's Babies: Mudmob in Australia and The Good Earth Builders

PART II: THANKS TIPS! (PRACTICAL BUILDING MATTERS)
Chapter 8: Materials and Tools

Clay Sourcing Tips
How to Test Your Clay
Sand, Sand, and Sand
Fiber
Lumber
Mud Tools
Woodworking Tools
What Trowel to Use and Why

Chapter 9: Recipes


Clay Paint Recipes That Work
Paint #1
Paint #2
Pigment
Adhesion Coats
Lime Water, Lime Wash
Starch Paste (Wheat Paste)
Plasters
Manure Plaster
Clay Plaster
Lime Plaster

Chapter 10: Tips to Success (We Screwed Up and Learned Stuff)

Dry Stack Rock Foundation Tips
Dry Stack Rock Foundations for Straw Bale Walls
How to Fix Cracks
Why Cob Walls Fall
Wall Systems Pros and Cons
Build Your House in Ten Steps!

Endnotes
Index
About the Author
A Note about the Publisher