Alum Spotlight: Amanda’s Tiny House Journey
At Hammerstone, we love watching our students take what they learn in class and bring it into their lives in bold and meaningful ways. Amanda, who began taking classes with us in 2024, is one of those students whose story reminds us why this work matters. By mid-2025, she began construction on her very own custom tiny house.
When Amanda talks about her project, her enthusiasm is contagious. She’s finished with framing and is now in the process of installing windows to complete the ‘dry-in’ of the structure. Most of the work has been done by a team of two, Amanda and her dad, and although it has been tiring, she describes it as deeply rewarding to see her long-held dream taking shape.
The build hasn’t come without challenges. From rafters to the roof to the wall sheathing she’s working on now, Amanda admits that things have not always lined up as neatly in real life as they did on her graph paper sketches. She is quick to share that her first reaction in these moments is often frustration. But this is where her partnership with her dad shines. Instead of stepping in and taking over, he works alongside her, brainstorming solutions and reminding her, “It’s up to you. You’re the boss.” With his support and encouragement, Amanda has learned to adapt, problem-solve, and grow her confidence with every setback.
For Amanda, the project has never been about building a perfect house. As she describes it,
“The goal throughout this journey has been to empower myself, build my confidence, prove to myself that I'm capable of big and bold things, and finally have a place I can call my own. It's about the process of becoming.”
Amanda has been sharing her journey on social media, hoping to inspire others who may feel small or powerless to take on the big dreams they have carried for years. At under five feet tall and in her forties, she once believed she would never have a tiny house unless someone else built it for her. That belief shifted when she decided to invest in herself. With a rusty hand-me-down chop saw, Hammerstone’s Tiny House Courses, the support of her dad, encouragement from friends and loved ones, and her own persistence, she began building the home she has dreamed of for 18 years.
Her story is proof that it doesn’t take perfect conditions, expensive tools, or a flawless plan to begin a life-changing project. What it takes is courage, community, and the willingness to start. We are so proud of Amanda and honored to be part of the foundation for her journey.
