Our Back-to-Basics Projects

Twigs about ⅓" to ½" in diameter and about 1½" long work well.  Once lit, it's important to feed it fuel on a regular basis. We find maybe three twigs or so per minute is optimal. It might need a little experience to get the "feel" for the right rate. The stove is quite insensitive to the type of wood used. We've fed it oak, cedar and yaupon twigs, scraps from woodwork, etc. Whichever fuel is used, it must be dry. After a while, it'll be necessary to empty the ash.

While there are no tannins, yaupon tea does contain caffeine.

straight edge (any sufficiently stiff ruler will do)

A very simple DIY woodworking project, this "magic" wand is easy to make, easy to carry and entertains to no end.  It requires maybe a couple of hours total effort to make (excluding drying times). Some practice is needed to get the illusion down pat, but it's worth the effort when watching people try to figure out how it works!  It makes for a great gift or present too.

How to make soap from scratch with this easy cold process recipe.  The goal of this tutorial is minimalist: few ingredients and little hardware.  We have used soap made this way now for quite some time.  For those who regard it as important, the soap is vegetarian, vegan even! The result - known also as Castile soap - produces a smooth creamy lather (typical of olive oil based soap) - and is great at the job for which soap is intended.  The ingredients shown in the video result in an approximate lye discount of 5%. Included in the video is a decidedly non-minimalist frill: the optional addition of a scented essential oil (here we use eucalyptus oil).  If the oil is not used, the soap smells of, well, not much.  With the oil, it has a very pleasant aroma. Using the plastic wrap as a lining makes removal of the soap from the box much easier.  It more or less drops out and the plastic wrap is peeled away without difficulty.  Without the wrap, cutting the soap out of the box is quite cumbersome and some force is needed to extract it.  However, in the minimalist spirit, the plastic wrap was not used in this video. For those who might emulate us: do not modify the recipe without first learning the essentials of soap making.  If an error is made, the soap might end up being caustic - dangerous even.  On that note: lye is a component in this recipe.  Lye is very caustic and can be dangerous if misused.  Wear the appropriate safety goggles, mask and gloves before any attempt at making soap.  If you choose to emulate us, you do so at your own risk.

How to make candles at home from scratch with lard or vegetable shortening, glass jars and yarn - without wax!  Making jar candles is easy.  They're low cost, odorless, long burning and perfect for emergency or blackout.  With patterned jars, they cast an attractive light.  The use of vegetable shortening such as Crisco makes the candles vegetarian/vegan. If burning for a long time, a layer of molten fat might develop on the surface near the wick.  When extinguishing, check that the wick is vertical as the fat resets.  This makes it easier to relight.  Also, maintain the wick as one would with a regular candle.  Trim it if there is an accumulation of charred thread.

Make fire starters at home from simple household material - egg cartons and vegetable shortening.  No paraffin wax and no molds.  These homemade fire starters are very quick and easy to make, cheap and very effective - much more convenient than newspaper or dry leaves.  It's a great way to recycle old cardboard egg cartons, too.  While not necessary, paper, other bits of cardboard, wood shavings, etc. can be used as filling if available. Note: these can be a little greasy when the weather is warm.  They're best stored in a container in a cool place.