Ella is a Harpist, artist and singer/songwriter in the Bay Area who lived in 120 sq feet with 2 people and a big floppy dog for over 5 years. Ella was an early blogger in the tiny house movement, and was an early inspiration for me while I was building my own house.
“The tiny house was the only way I was going to be able to do anything with my music. So really, the tiny house is responsible for my greater happiness and career now, which is pretty much full time music”. – Ella Dawn Jenkins
One of the things I loved about Ella's blog and online presence was that she was so honest about documenting and owning up to the mistakes she made along the way. Her site was a huge benefit to early tiny house builders.
Ella lived in her tiny house first alone, and then with a boyfriend, during which time she started aquiring and then designing harps. Ella also makes clothes. Both hobbies that are not all that compatible with tiny house living.
Last year, Ella announced that she had bought a small home and would no longer be living full time in her tiny house. In this conversation, we talk about:
- What attracted you to the tiny house movement?
- What were some of the biggest construction mistakes you made along the way?
- What did you learn from becoming a Tumbleweed workshop leader?
- How many harps did you keep in your tiny house at one time?
- How did the tiny house shape your music career?
- Why aren’t you living in your tiny house any more?
- What’s with the tiny aluminum travel harp you play?
Links:
- EllaHarp on Spotify
- EllaHarp.com
- Little Yellow Door (Ella's tiny house)