It's a Tiny World

Welcome to my tiny life, and my second tiny house, “Just B Tiny 2.0”. Tiny B is my nickname. I've always been fascinated with tiny things, like collecting tiny rocks, shells and charms as a kid.

My former career was in the special events industry where my nickname, "The Tchotchke Queen" came from creating small promotional product giveaways.

In 2008, I started the tiny company, Just B, selling artisan crafts and fine art with my former partner.

When I got my first tiny house in 2016, it only seemed fit to name it “Just B Tiny”.

What led me to living in a tiny house full time?

Hardship. The kind of challenges life delivers to us on our journey. Mine, was finding myself homeless, after a series of losses, which begun when my partner and I lost our business and homestead in Northern, California in 2010. This caused my partner and myself to move to the Southeastern region to rebuild our lives. Until my father passed, devastating my small family and leaving my mother, 81 years old, alone in Las Vegas in 2015. The strain of being estranged across country took a toll on my 14 year relationship, which crashed into a temporary separation, leaving me stranded without a place to live and no money. In the Spring of 2016, out of desperation, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to raise funds for a road trip.  To get me from Atlanta to Las Vegas to help my family.

Tiny House Book

My life exploded when discovering the book, “Tiny Houses Built with Recycled Materials” by Ryan Mitchell, author of Tiny House Living. From there, I started researching tiny house contractors. Most companies had a wait list of a year out and, I didn’t have that kind of time. I interviewed Nathan Light Watson of Tiny SMART House out of Albany, Oregon and he expressed compassion for my dilemma, and together, we chose each other. His crew built my first tiny 20’ L x 8-1/2' W x 13’-1/2' tall tiny house on wheels. I  went from homeless to a tiny house within just six months. In November of 2016, I began the tiny life in a Las Vegas RV park to help mom.

...on the road...

East to West Coast

Back when I was on the road, crossing nine states and traveling 2,800 miles in a truck with two cats, compromised eye sight (being unable to drive at night), and suffering from debilitating health conditions causing chronic pain; I arrived at my destination. The place I secured to stay at fell through, and I found myself homeless again.

Simultaneously, family loss continued with my daughter caretaking her father (my first husband of 14 years), and guiding him through the last stages of his life.

Homeless - It Can Happen...

It did. Next six months were spent on the road again, homeless and having been taken in by family and friends throughout the Western region. I added another 3,600 miles until I discovered tiny houses while staying at a friends the Summer of 2016 in Northern California.

That summer, I lost a beloved pet of 8 years. I’d had enough loss. Finally, I could see a way to have a roof over my head, and place I could call home. It was time to build. I started designing a tiny house.

Welcome Reunions

Along the journey, crossing ten states, 6,400 plus miles, I found joy reuniting with family and friends; and how Americans helped my cats and me with their compassion and kindness. I appreciated how great this country is of diversity and landscape. How strangers opened their hearts to help a single woman, 56 years old with her pets searching for a new home.

Homeless - It Can Happen Again!

And, it did. After successfully living in my original tiny house for over a year in the Las Vegas RV Park, I moved it to a Northern California RV Park. Residing there for 13 months for work, until I was surrounded by wild fires in 2018. Fortunately, I was on wheels! My builder needed to do some work on my water tanks, so I planned on having it towed while following it, and filming to his shop in Albany, Oregon. Only, the tiny house didn't make it. It crashed on Interstate  5 and was totaled!!

Just B abundant only downsized...

Having led an abundant and successful lifestyle as an event planner and industry leader, I learned how resilient and resourceful I could be in overcoming problems and homelessness yet again. Traveling across country shedding belongings, spending time and money hauling and storing it, and still in the downsizing process when my tiny crashed. I know what’s important to me, and it’s not my stuff. But, it's nice to have a roof over one's head again!

Rebuild!

By now, I had faced so much loss . . . I don't think I blinked an eyelash when my tiny crashed. Yes, it was stressful. Yes, I was with out my computer and belongings for a long time. But, my contractor recommended me to Tiny Tranquility Park in Waldport, Oregon in which I arrived October of 2018, and became known as "The women who arrived without her tiny house!" I was put in one of the park's nightly rentals where my cat, Matsu and I stayed, while we rebuilt a tiny house called Just B Tiny 2.0. 

Downsizing

Living full time in a 20' foot and now in 2.0's 24' trailer in 200 plus square feet, and still shedding clutter is a huge undertaking. Especially when downsizing and re-organizing belongings originally from my partner and our  4,100-sq. ft. foundation home; we lost in the crash of 2008. With an overabundance of life long collections and family heirlooms; it is an emotional process in learning to let go. But with patience and taking one day at a time, along with one project at a time; the result is truly gratifying.

Symbol of Hope

My “Just B Tiny” homes are a symbol of hope, labor of love, inspiration of creativity, and commitment to living sustainably. This lifestyle allows for green living by using cost effective, energy efficient appliances, leaving a small imprint in the community. My builder took what we could salvage from my original tiny house that crashed, and have reincorporated items into 2.0.

Tiny B - The Journalist & Photographer

Journaling tiny house life is rewarding and educational. By writing about adventures and sharing design ideas; I hope to inspire others who are thinking of going tiny, in the process of a build or living the mobile life.

Sharing & Inspiration

By following fellow tiny house owners and companies, I learn inspiring tips of the trade, and get to experience their adventures through social media, which provides an interactive platform for the tiny house movement. Tiny houses should be legal. I am a member of the Tiny Home Industry Association (THIA) and through my writings, I continue to advocate for the industry. We have made great progress!

The Tiny Life

I feel like I’ve been searching my whole life to live the tiny life. By traveling every year for summer vacations, my parents instilled a wanderlust in me. My former partner and I loved traveling, hiking and camping. Sometimes, in my case, you must take what life delivers you, learn your lessons, keep your head up, and make a tiny house out of it!

Just B Grateful...

I am thankful for all the diverse chapters of my not so tiny life. After going through the process of building two tiny houses, and being known to love all things tiny, it’s now become a passion to share it, as an alternative lifestyle; that allows mobility, freedom and happiness in living a simpler life.

So, there it is, Tiny B's not so tiny story of survival. And, now, I'm reconnected with my former partner and family. I live within visiting distance of my daughter's family. The past was horrifically tough on me, but an important part of my journey and growth. It got me to where I am today. Never give up hope. If I can survive it so, can you!

By following my Instagram posts @justbtinyhouse, you can scroll down and follow both my builds from design sketches to wall frames going up. Thank you to my followers who help support my spirit and soul. 

If I can help you on your journey of going tiny, just ask! 

Love
~Tiny B ♥

Appreciate what got you here.

Just B Grateful

Quotes and Words of Wisdom

Tiny House:
“Just B Tiny” house is a symbol of hope, labor of love, inspiration of creativity and commitment to living sustainably.

Nickname:
Tiny B, passionate about tiny things.

Insights from living tiny:
Lifestyle explores the emotional challenge of "what to keep" and "how to" efficiently downsize. Allows for green living, is cost-effective, and energy efficient, leaving a tiny imprint in the community.

Lessons learned:
In my original tiny house. Not choosing four more feet of trailer for more office, entertainment area and closet space. My closet was tiny at: 18” x 18” x 18”.

In 2.0, my dream came true and I got that four more feet of space, and not one but two closets!

Wish List in 2016:
Create and custom build a utility garden shed on the back of the tiny house. Replace fiber glass door with a custom wood door with a stained-glass window. Find a tiny house community in 2019.

Guess what? I got my wish 2 months early, in October of 2018 when I landed in Tiny Tranquility Park (Legal RV Park & Tiny House Village) and had 2.0 built. And, I got an exterior shed for propane, a cat litterbox, and a hickory wood door (smile).

Cons:
Having to cram and live amongst clutter in a small space with lifelong collections but, as the decluttering unfolds, it leaves a colorful space surrounded by souvenirs that are most valuable, and easily accessible.

Pros:
Low monthly expenses with lower rent and utility bills. Getting to pack up tiny house and move it to another location. Enjoying how freeing up one’s life of stuff, allows more time for family, friends and outdoor excursions.

Truly living a lifestyle that makes Tiny B happy!