Self Sufficient Living, how to get started, what it means

See our Hub Page article on self sufficient living basics on getting started toward self sufficiency.

http://lizstevens.hubpages.com/_1u9mpimfdt8jz/hub/Self-Sufficient-Living-Green-Living-Going-Off-Grid-Sustainable-Living#comment-11984230

Find over 5000 old fashioned products including books on all types of Amish self sustaining living at www.cottagecraftworks.com

Rainwater and Gray Water Collection Systems

Rainwater collection systems are already the way many depend on their water supply.  As our population continues to grow and the water supply levels drop, this may become the way of life for many more.  Gray water collection will likely enter into water conservation in coming years.

Click on the link to my Hub Page article to read more.

http://lizstevens.hubpages.com/_1u9mpimfdt8jz/hub/Water-Conservation-Water-Well-Cisterns-Rain-Water-Holding-Tanks

Be sure to see all of our Heller Aller hand water pumps for a dependable hand pump. They are USA made and have been in business since the 1800s.  We also carry the Aermotor water pumping windmill.  Just like the well pumps they have also been made in the USA for as long.  Click Here to learn more.

Off-Grid Power Plants Cost and Considerations.

http://lizstevens.hubpages.com/_1u9mpimfdt8jz/hub/Off-Grid-Country-Living-Frugal-Lifestyle-Products

Homemade Ice Cream | Maker | Pie Crust | Roller | Crimper | Fry Pie Maker

There’s probably not a more traditional summer treat than a big scoop of homemade ice cream on top of a homemade hot fruit pie.

The good old fashioned ice cream makers are hard to find these days and replacement parts for the old White Mountain freezers are very hard to locate.

Like most things that were once American made ice cream freezers have been economized to the point they are almost a seasonal use item that may last only a few summers.

Whatever happened to the ones that were American made of thick wooden slabs and heavy duty gear boxes that would last a family for at least couple generations?

Well we found them actually still being made deep into the Amish communities.  The Amish love big church and social gatherings out underneath shade trees on a hot summer day.

What better way to cool off than a big dish of homemade ice cream.  Add a few fresh strawberries and you have a treat that will last for the rest of the weekend.

Country Ice Cream Freezers are Amish made and come in sizes from 1 qt all the way up to 20 qt.  The 20 qt size is even available mounted on a wagon complete with a John Deere Hit and Miss motor.

Cottage Craft Works .com is an online general store that specializes in old fashioned country products that are made and used in the Amish communities.

They carry all the Country Freezer models and even carry a 6 and 8 quart model in an electric version that probably won’t be found anywhere else on the Internet.

They also carry all the replacement parts for both White Mountain and Country Freezers.

While visiting the site take a look at The Little Pie Maker.  It’s also an Amish made hand crank machine used in the Amish communities to add a fried fruit pie to go along with that bowl of ice cream.

It’s a commercial grade machine that’s in reach of the home to small commercial kitchen budget.  It will fold and crimp  3-1/2” x 5” pies  as fast as you can make and load the pie dough.

Master Gardeners, who are they and how to become one yourself. No degree required!

In return for their training and certification. Master Gardeners volunteer time back to the community to help others.

If you live close to a large university or county extension office with an active Master Gardener program, have time to volunteer, and want to meet new people, this might be a great educational program for you.

Through local county extension offices affiliated with state universities local community people who love to grow flowers, plants, trees, shrubs, and gardening, and who are willing to volunteer to help others can receive extensive training to achieve the certification of a Master Gardener.

It’s a perfect opportunity to learn a new chapter or life journey while meeting new people without having to enroll into expensive college level courses.

People of all ages and walks of life join these county extension programs to learn about the culture and maintenance of plants that work best in their zones.

It’s a perfect opportunity for the retired or for the youth committed to learning new back to basic skills while giving time to others.

There’s hardly any college level programs available for free or such low cost that gives so much to an individual and to a community.

Some Master Gardener programs may require a token fee of around $50 to cover the cost of books and supplies.

Some programs will also require a small annual fee under $20.

Becoming a Master Gardener, might just give a person a good second career or supplemental income.

Many garden centers and nurseries seek out and hire Master Gardeners to assist and advise customers on plant questions.

As people are becoming more concerned about the safety and increasing cost of vegetables, they are returning back to old fashion gardening skills.

A Master Gardener program helps people get back-to-basics of growing things themselves.

Others are interested in maintaining the perfect yard and balance of seasonal colors through healthy plantings.

From a beginner to a long time gardener it’s at best difficult to keep up with new growing techniques, more tolerable varieties and control of plant diseases.

Master Gardener students receive a university designed curriculum training on all types of plant diseases, beneficial and non-beneficial bugs, planting and plant care.

Classes are usually held on campus or at the extension office. Students might attend class one night per week for up to three months, and then have additional training in the extension office greenhouse and gardens.

They are then required to maintain a certain number of continuing education to maintain their Master Gardener Certification. Depending on the state requirements continuing education hours should be around 10 hours per year.

In return for the training Master Gardeners agree to volunteer a minimum number of hours per year working in the extension office gardens, greenhouse or in the office helping the public with gardening and plant questions. Most states only require as little as 50 hours per year.

People also meet many new lifelong friends who share in similar interest. Besides the extension office experience, they help in the green houses and manicured gardens that greet new visitors seeking information about plantings.

Master Gardeners also participate in annual plant sells, conferences and public events to educate the general public about all aspects of growing.

If you enjoy plants, the outdoors, live close to an active Master Gardener program, and have time to train and then volunteer. You might want to contact your local Master Gardener Coordinator, just Google Search County Extension Office or Master Gardner programs for your area.

You can find all types of old fashioned garden tools, hand push cultivators, carts and wagons at www.cottagecraftworks.com

Amish Kitchen Products | Non-electric | Off-Grid | Kitchen Tools | Gadgets

Cottage Craft Works Country Living General Store will surprise you with an emporium of all types of   Amish kitchen tools and gadgets.

If your looking for simple back-to-basic kitchen counter top appliances and gadgets, this store will intrigue you for hours.  Cottage Craft Works .com has some of the hardest to find non-electric kitchen tools, gadgets and appliances.

From American made pressure cookers, canners, to heavy duty commercial grade hand crank conversion mixers and food processors, Cottage Craft Works has went deep inside the Amish communities to find and bring to the general market items that will satisfy the prepper to vintage kitchen lover cook.

                                                        www.cottagecraftworks.com

The Popular Little Dutch Maid Mixer has been sold around the world.  It's a hand crank mixer that will mix large batches of bread dough and mashed potatoes as well as general mixer uses.  Add the optional slicer and shredder to have a complete hand crank off-grid food processor.

For the Kitchen Aid lovers, an Amish hand crank conversion mixer is also available, or you can have an old mixer converted.

The Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Drainboard is an extremely popular product, read the review and see just how practical and popular this drainboard has become.  Like many of the Amish products at Cottage Craft Works you won't find it any where else on the Internet.

The Little Pie Maker is also a very popular Amish made product.  Since it was first offered home kitchens as well as commercial kitchen owners and caterers have been extremely pleased to finally have a heavy commercial grade pie roller that didn't cost them a fortune.

USA Stoneware Pottery at Cottage Craft Works, provides a large selection of the old fashioned mixing and batter bowls, crocks, and churns.

You will want to spend time looking over the many different kitchen products at Cottage Craft Works .com

Amish Products | Amish Home Products

Everything Amish- this unique online Amish product general store will fascinate you for hours looking through all the old fashioned products made and used in the Amish communities.

Whether you're looking for off-grid non-electric or old fashioned reproduction Amish products for the home you will likely find it at the back-to-basics general store.

Working directly with over 100 Amish shops from across the Midwest, Cottage Craft Works brings you high quality hand crafted Amish products that you may have thought no longer existed.

And if you need something custom made, you will find ready and eager to assist customer service to help you with all your project needs.

From woodworking to stainless steel fabrication Cottage Craft Works has provided custom made products to homes, business, as well as commercial and industrial users.

Product pages are also very custom friendly.  By using drop down boxes at the bottom of the product pages you can select such things, as size, color, woods, and additional features.

You can even build a complete box wagon, add the bows and canvas to make it a covered wagon, or even add a chuck box and order an Amish built authentic chuck wagon.

                                                        www.cottagecraftworks.com

Amish sewing cabinets are a specialty for Cottage Craft Works.  They are the only Amish furniture outfitter that will build custom cabinets with choices of hardwoods, door and drawer fronts, and cabinet configuration for both left and right hand sewers.

The popular stunning reproduction Singer treadle sewing cabinets receive raving reviews.

Exclusive and original products. Many of the products at Cottage Craft Works are exclusive Amish products that you will not find anywhere on the Internet.  From the J & P Coats reproduction Spool Cabinet to The Little Pie Maker, Cottage Craft Works has developed relationships with Amish shops over the past 30 years to make practical heavy duty products.

Its the type of products that once you have them you will wonder how you ever did without them.  The Amish made stainless steel drain boards are another popular item.  These heavy duty kitchen sink drain boards will only enhance a new stainless steel kitchen while providing protection of new granite counter tops and kitchen cabinets.  Extra large drainboard size allows plenty of room for a standard drying rack with space for long kitchen utensils.  Need one built different just click on custom size using the drop down box at the bottom of the page and send them your measurements.

Need a replacement gun stock?  Yes you will find them at Cottage Craft Works as well as one of the largest online selections of hunting and game calls, leather and nylon gun holsters and gun accessories.

The Amish hand carved gun stocks were even featured in the March 2011 issue of Outdoor Life Magazine.

Pie Making Machine | Fry Pie Machine | Baking Equipment

The Little Pie Maker

Now a commercial grade hand crank pie machine priced for the home or small pie shop.  Make up to 200 uniform 3-1/2" X 5" pies and pastries per hour.

Your only limitation will be how fast you can make the dough.  

All rust free construction using only aluminum and stainless parts!

You will only find it at Cottage Craft Works!  

All American Made Product exclusive from our Amish friends!

This USA Amish made pie making wonder machine is commercial grade being used in Amish and non-Amish homes, bakeries, restaurants, pizzerias, cafes and institutions.

Measures 14-1/4’ wide (19-1/4” including handle) X 11” deep X 9” tall.

Priced for home use commercial enough to use in a business.

Ideal for families to go together and make large batches of various meat and fruit pies to freeze for the season.

Start your own Franchise or add to an existing restaurant menu.

Pie maker is also perfect for institutional use as well as church and school fund raising events at fall festivals and sporting events.

It will make all types of fried and baked fruit pies, as well as meat pies.  Simply roll the pie dough out as you would to make a pie, place it on top of the mold, add ingredients and then roll and fold.

Works the best with 1/8" thick flour dough. Dough must be rolled out flat to place on the dies. Having the dough rolled out and cut into 6" rounds will speed up the process. (Not recommended to use with corn flour dough). 

The machine does the folding, crimping, and trimming while it seals the shell making it ready for the deep fryer or oven.  Drops a perfect pie every time into your hand.

Heavy duty construction consisting of a metal powder coated cast aluminum base, stainless steel shafts and screws with food grade polished aluminum molding rollers. There's nothing that will ever rust.

With the rubber feet and its weight, this machine stays in place on any counter top.

Easy to clean and use with very little training or special skills.

A Commercial Style Stainless Steel Sink Drain Board For The Home Size Kitchen Sink

Stainless Steel Drain Board

Many have discovered their new commercial style home Stainless-Steel-kitchen falls short at the kitchen sink when it comes time to clean up all those large stock pots, pans and utensils. The Stainless-Steel-drain-board from Cottage Craft Works .Com provides a great addition to allow those large pots, pans, and utensils to air dry next to the sink without water running all of the counter and on to the floor.

So you have completed your commercial style kitchen, you have the Viking Stove with all the large stock pots and pans but your first encounter with the home sized kitchen sink left you with a mop up of the kitchen counter and the floor. After the first pot was finally maneuvered in the small sink, there was no place to turn it up sided down to air dry, and you still had more to go plus the utensils. What shall you do? Purchase one of those flimsy plastic tray drain boards? It will look terrible on the new granite counter top, and besides they just lay flat and will not drain back into the sink anyway.Consider a heavy-duty- Stainless-Steel-drain-board from Cottage Craft Works. This stainless steel drain board sits next to your sink allowing all the water to quickly drain back into the sink. Measures 20-1/2 x 18-1/4 and slant from 2-1/2 down to the sink, so it even fit over raised rim sinks and still allow water to drain back into the sink. The drain board will Fit either right or left sides, so if you have open area on each side consider buying two!

The drain board is right at home in the new commercial look home kitchen with it's Stainless-Steel-design. weighs 4 lbs.

Cottage Craft Works http://www.cottagecraftworks.com features all types of unique products to solve life's most simple challenges. From home, farm & garden, hunting, sustainable building, to the kitchen. Cottage Craft Works has American made lasting products for those seeking a more self-sufficient sustainable and less complex lifestyle.

Pony Cart Ride On Peddle Toy Kit

Amish made peddle pony cart

Sleigh Kit

Amish Made tricycle and trailers.

Rarely can you still find an old fashioned peddle ride on toy that will last for generations.

At one time a ride on peddle toy was the most popular outdoor toy.

Be it a peddle car, fire engine, or an old fashioned hand car, kids could spend hours as they were also building mussels and core strength.

As time progress the all plastic big wheel shoved the market to a cheaper alternative that often ended up in a landfill.

Absolutely no plastic parts in this peddle cart kit.

The cart kit also includes metal wheels, and ball bearings in the steering and drive shaft.

A Perfect project for a grandparent who loved these type of projects but may only be able to paint and assemble now. There’s no cutting required.

Everything is cut and already glued together, including the seat made of ¾” wood and the horse made of ¾” laminated pine plywood.

Pony cart comes with the two wheel cart hitched to a wooden pony. The peddles not only connect to the drive shaft, but they also connect to the horse legs to simulate the horse trotting along as the child rides.

Pony cart is built in an Amish blacksmith shop and ships already assembled ready for paint, stain or varnish.

Cart is used by Amish children from the ages of 5 up to 11.

The cart and horse measures around 40” long, 24” wide and 18” high.

Surfaces are sanded smooth but may need a final sanding before finishing. Metal hardware will also need to be painted.

Pony cart is sold unfinished so that it can be painted, or stained and varnished to match a child’s image of their favorite pony.

This also means the finish can be hand selected for those who are concerned with what is in the finish.

The pony cart kit is only available online at Cottage Craft Works .com

Cottage Craft Works is a unique online back to basic general store that offers many wood working kits as well as complete finished products.

While 90% of the products come from within the Amish communities, other small American cottage based business products are also featured.

It's the kind of stuff most of us grew up with and remember before plastic ever invaded the market place.

Like the pony cart kit, many of these products will be future family heirlooms.

Build An Heirloom Grandfather Clock Using These Pre-cut Clock Kits.

These pre-cut ready to assemble grandfather clocks will leave a stunning impression and a heirloom legacy.

Kits come complete with all the wood parts, beveled glass and a high quality German made 8-day triple chime movement.

The clock will chime with the three most popular chimes, Westminster, St. Michael and Whittington chimes.

No worry about keeping the household awake at night with an automatic night shut off.

You will need the carpentry and woodworking tools and basic knowledge of glue up the cabinet.

One of the secrets in glue up construction is to have a large assortment of wood working clamps to properly align and apply equal pressure across the glue joints.

The other key to a successful finish is to be sure all the excess glue squeezed from the joints if completely washed off the outside wooden parts.

Once excess glue dries it seals the wood and leaves blotch marks when the stain is applied.

Wood cabinet parts are made in the USA by skilled craftsman. Some minor small trim cutting may be required.

Keeping grandfather clock completely level is critical; the pendulum will not swing correctly to keep the proper time.

If the clock is tilted toward the front or back the pendulum may rub on the case and cause damage. The clock kits include leveling legs.

A locking door keeps helping hands from messing up the chain and weight system.

Two models are available; both have the option of oak or cherry.

The traditional St. Paul and St. John models have carved finial and keystone raised crotch top. The York and Nottingham models formal have tiered bonnet arched tops with raised book match panels.

Complete grandfather clock kits run $2000 in either oak or cherry. These clocks sold completely assembled would cost up to $4000.

Purchase grandfather clock kits at Cottage Craft Works .com

Quilt Patterns | Quilting Patterns | Quilt Designs | Amish Quilts

Amish quilt pattern book

Sample Quilt Instructions

Log Cabin Amish Quilt

Deluxe Custom Amish Sewing Center

Reproduction Singer Sewing Cabinet

Amish Trip Around the Star Quilt Pattern book.

Quilters from across the country flock to Amish quilt stores and shows to see, touch and feel the quality quilts made by the Amish.

Many seek the experience and knowledge of the Amish quilt makers, but are just unable to communicate with this rather standoffish culture.

Quilters, this is your opportunity to obtain a complete A-Z quilt pattern book to make this complex Amish Trip Around the Star Quilt Design.

The Amish design pattern book comes with all cutting templates, layout and sewing instructions to make a 100” x 105” (89” X 105” finished size) quilt.

This is the first pattern of a series of different Amish quilt patterns to be offered by Cottage Craft Works .com.

The cost of the pattern book is $12.50 plus USPS shipping.

The complete five page booklet is designed by an avid Amish quilter, providing a complete material listing, cutting chart, assembly diagrams for each section with step by step instructions to complete this complex quilt design.

Cottage Craft Works .com is an online back to basic store that provides a direct market place for cottage based businesses like the small Amish quilt shops.

With an accumulation of over 5000 high quality products from over 100 Amish and non-Amish small shops, Cottage Craft Works has established a full line old time general store all online.

A large segment of products are geared to the home sewing and quilter enthusiast featuring sewing cabinets, treadle machines and the only company offering Singer treadle reproduction cabinets.

All sewing cabinets are USA Amish crafted and can be customized with different door and drawer fronts, extensions and back drop tables to fit every quilters dream work table.

Completed or Custom Amish quilts can be purchased as well as quilters can have their quilt tops and liners hand stitched together by Amish quilters.