Make Your Own Cob Bench From The Earth!
Cob is one of the first materials that people used to build with. 
Cob construction was used for thousands of years in and around England. Many things that were built in the 1400's with cob still stand today. 
In fact, the word "cob" comes from an old English word that means "rounded mass." 
If built correctly, cob structures can stand for hundreds of years.
Because of cob's strength, beauty, versatility, and the joy one can get from working with it,  cob is still is used today to build an array of structures such as benches and even entire homes. 

However, most of us just take a quick trip to Target and get whatever we need in minutes. 
Can you imagine making everything you own?
If you really want to experience what it would be like you must try to make your own cob bench...we did!

STEP #1
Make a base for the bench.The base should be a few inches off the ground.
You can use bricks or rocks... just make sure it is level.

STEP #2    
 Dig and collect clay from the ground.
Sift through the dirt to take out all of the rocks.

STEP #3
Time to make the cob...mix the clay with straw and sand.
 20% straw, 20% sand, 80% clay

STEP #4 
 Make hand size balls out of your mixture.
Place all the cob balls on top of the base.

STEP #5
Take a stick and poke holes in the cob. Let the layer dry over night...but cover it with a tarp.
The next day your bench will be ready for a new layer.
Build the bench as high as you would like...any shape that you like

Here are some completed examples of handmade cob benches:

Posted by Julia