Guest Blog: Indie is the new Green by Jessica Gonacha – Yurts!

by guest contributor Jessica Gonacha

This post is going to be a little different than usual. I’m assuming that the majority of you who read this blog are:
a) creative and passionate people.
b) artists/crafters of some kind and probably trying to create a business or sustain/grow your business.
c) you work extremely hard at what you do, pretty much every day of the week.
d) sometimes you just want less work and more play (you’re trying to find balance)!

I assume this only because I am all of these things, and I am currently in a period where I feel the need to add some more fun and inspiration to my life. Just like when we were kids and we made forts out of couch cushions and blankets, made a closet into a secret hideaway or created a backyard cave dwelling in a dilapidated bike shed.

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Well, I saw these photos of a grown-up-made fort on Dear Ada the other day and it got me thinking. Why can’t I have a secret hideaway NOW? As a big person? Can’t I create a place that I could go to be alone (or bring a creative friend!) and feel the magic of being a kid again, in my own secret world?

So, this is a long-winded introduction to my topic for this fine Monday: Yurts.

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Photo from the Yurts flickr group by udo.

What in the world is a yurt, you may ask? Well, the word ‘yurt’ is a Turkic word meaning ‘dwelling place,’ and it is typically a circular wooden lattice structure covered with felt and sometimes canvas. Yurts in the western world are often made of different materials, but are used for generally the same purpose:  semi-permanent dwelling places.

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Photo by bolotbootur from the Yurt Living Flickr pool.

I would love to have a yurt in the backyard, decorated in vibrant colors on the inside, that is my own special place to go when I need to recharge my creative spirit and tune into my playful side. Wouldn’t it be fun to play Monopoly with the love of your life in a yurt? Or have a camp-out, just because?

Here are some links for information on how to build your own yurt (remember to use as many found and recycled materials as possible!)

The Little Yurt

Mongolian Cloud Houses: How to Make a Yurt and Live Comfortably

Sustainable Build websit

As well as some inspiring images of yurts:

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John Brown’s inspirational & eco-friendly yurt, complete with solar panels.

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Yurt in China, from Kate James’ flickr photostream.

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Yurt in Asheville, NC, from Chris Montmeny’s flickr photostream.

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Yurt in Kirghizstan from the Yurts flickr group by Doc Kozzak.

GREEN CHALLENGE: Build a mini yurt! Here is an inspiring idea to get you started: Yurt Building for Everyone.
Get creative (use recycled materials!), and post your creations to the Indie is the New Green flickr group. Have fun!

About the contributor: Jessica Gonacha is an artist from Atlanta, Georgia who is endlessly creating. Her work includes paintings, drawings, illustrations, and paper goods and is vibrant, colorful, and charming. Her work can be found on her site, in her Etsy shop and in the Indie Fixx Shop. You can also read more about Jessica and her work on her blog.

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