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The Tiny House Fund

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If you're reading this: Welcome! Your curiosity is most appreciated. :)

My name is Lis Boriss.  I'm an artist (mostly comics/illustration with the very early dipping-ones-toe-into making art instruction/inspirational videos for YouTube).  I currently live in Michigan, where I am currently living with (and thanks to the kindness of) a friend of mine whom I've known since high school and her husband, also a friend, though more recent.  

A bit of background before I go into the fundraising specifics, as it will help to explain why I'm looking to Go Tiny:   about 4 1/2 years ago, my boyfriend - whom I had been dating for over 8 years at that point, had been living with for 7, and considered myself essentially married to in all but God and Government - decided he was done with me, broke up with me suddenly, and gave me barely 2 weeks to move all of my things out of the apartment we had shared.  He had already promised the apartment's 2nd bedroom I'd been using as an art studio to a friend of his 3 weeks prior to breaking up with me, giving me no ability to negotiate or delay.  I had to be out; out of his life, and - it turns out, more crucially - out of my home. 

I spent the next 2 years or so bouncing from one temporary situation to another.  First a guest room at my father's house, then renting from a friend of my stepmother's until she decided not to renew her own lease, then to my mom's.  I spent a year in Brooklyn with a new boyfriend, but the cost of living and isolation of having to drive 45 minutes in NYC traffic to get anywhere, I jumped at the opportunity to join my fiend Lauren who was moving to Michigan.  She was starting a new job in August, but her salary wasn't set to kick in for a month, so her husband stayed behind to continue to work.  I offered to join her to keep her company, and have been in the area ever since (due to a combination of another break-up and simply falling for the area).  They purchased a house, and I am now staying with them in one of the house's 3 bedrooms.

So that brings me to now: I have just completed my 6th move in 4 years, and because of this instability it's been very difficult to regain some semblance of stability in my life.  I am living by the kindness and hospitality of friends, both of whom I love, but I know I can't stay here forever.  I want to continue my career as an artist, but I know that income can be unpredictable and sporadic.  I am absolutely not against getting a job, but between the desire to still have enough time and energy to not have to give up on my art, AND the overall job market in this area, I have my doubts that I will be able to find something that will allow me anything more than a hand-to-mouth living situation in a cheap apartment somewhere.   And even that in itself is unpredictable; you can be fired at a moment's notice for something completely out of your control.    

I want - no, I NEED - a living situation that I own.  I don't want to rent.  I don't want to borrow.  And I don't want something that can be taken away from me.    I want a home that will be mine, completely and utterly, that I create myself, that is build by and for me, and that is flexible enough that it can move with me if I choose, or be where I need it.    Something that, even if I "settle down" and have what is considered to be a normal house someday, I know I will always have My House as a back-up, for emergencies, or even just as an addition for guests or get-aways.   For me, Tiny Houses are security.

In addition to that, I see them as a way to connect with my friends, my family, and with this country (and beyond maybe!).  I come from a large family on my mother's side, with relatives from Massachusetts to California to South Carolina.  I also travel a lot and go to conventions for work and thus have friends all over as well.  A tiny house can, if I choose, be picked up and moved anywhere I can drive to.  Job opportunity in New Jersey? I'm there.  Want to spend a month in a national park out west? Sounds great.  Is there a family emergency where someone needs assistance and housekeeping?  Happy to.   USA elects a crazy person President, everyone goes bananas, and Canada is looking extra nice? Hahaha joking, but hey, I have that option.  And my house comes too.   The art that I do, I can do from literally anywhere as long as I can access the internet and get to a post office.  I am not nailed down to any one location because of marriage or children.   The tiny house doesn't HAVE to be mobile mobile either; but because it can be, it means if I need to move, I don't have to search for a new home.  Just a place to park. 

I have been researching Tiny Houses for well over a year now, and already attended a Tumbleweed workshop and gotten their DVD to learn all the Tiny House specific building requirements and techniques.  I have a place to build, and have access to both general "labor" help, plus I have Lauren's father, who renovated (and in some cases, partially rebuilt) Lauren's childhood home pretty much by himself over the course of 10 years, that I can go to for questions and assistance.  My area has a huge market for used items & antiques, and there's even a Habitat for Humanity rebuilding store within a 10 minute drive (on top of the big-box hardware stores).

My hope has always been that I would be able to find a way to pay for and build my Tiny House myself.  And I still do.  But I wanted to put up this GoFundMe drive more as a way to allow my friends and family a place to, if they so chose, contribute to and support this project.  I know it's not a conventional idea, wanting to live in a Tiny House on wheels.  I know it's going to seem odd to some of you, or even that I've lost my mind.  But if you've read this far, I hope I've at least helped to explain why I want to do this, and given you an idea of how much thought and research I've put into it (I couldn't list ALL my research here; it'd take way too long!)   If you have any questions you want to ask me, please ask. :)

My intention is to use 100% of any money raised by this campaign to fund purchasing the building materials for my house, any necessary plans, and if necessary hire professionals to do tricky things I'm not able to do (electrical, etc).  I will also be putting aside my own money, which may or may not be reflected in the goal, but I'll post updates with every dollar I spend, including campaign money.  If by some miracle I end up with extra GoFundMe money left over, I will find a charity to donate it to.

As I build my house I intend to document the entire process through video, photos, blogs, and - something I haven't seen anyone doing yet - comic strips!  Maybe if I get enough content in the end I'll put a book together that people can buy; if so, I'll definitely provide a free PDF to anyone who's contributed to this campaign.   But that'll be a bit father in the future, and only happen IF I can get my house built.

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to read my long-winded ramblings!  I truly am passionate about creating my own tiny house, and honestly think it is the best fit for me, my personality, and the type of life I want to live.   If you agree and want to help me bring about this new chapter in my life, consider contributing to my fund.  Every dollar helps, and EVERY DOLLAR is appreciated more than you could ever know. <3

I will leave you with a list of links in case you want to learn more about Tiny Houses & get a better idea of what I'm getting myself into.

http://tinyhouseswoon.com/ - Lots and LOTS of pictures of Tiny Houses of all shapes and styles
http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/ - The leading Tiny House design & construction company in the US (possibly the world), and where I've gotten the majority of my construction information
http://www.lilypadplanet.com/ - One of my favorite tiny houses I've seen.  I'm hoping to use a two-loft floorplan very similar to this one.
http://msgypsysoul.com/ - Another lovely two-loft tiny house with a slightly different floor plan.
https://www.youtube.com/user/tinyhousegj - A YouTube channel run by Jenna and Guillaume, with videos showcasing tours of various tiny houses, as well as their experiences traveling, living, and working in their own tiny house.   I met Jenna at the Tiny House workshop I attended and she said she's "functionally retired" at 26 thanks to her tiny house.  Yes, please!

Organizer

Lis Boriss
Organizer
Lansing, MI

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