Hello Gentlefolk, I’m Carmen Shenk, artist, entrepreneur, and communicator.

I’m a seminary student, and as I learn and explore, I report on the learning. It is my intention to wrestle in the style of Jacob… to question in the style of the woman at the well (whose name we are not told) and to do so with as much authenticity as I dare, and hopefully… to dare a great deal. I am determined to become brave, shameless, and powerful of voice, and I invite you into this conversation!

My Story

My Austrian and I exited the rat race in the fall of 2014. We bought a tiny house and began a healing journey that would lead us to purposeful simplicity and contentment. Little did we know that this brave (or crazy) choice would teach us so many life lessons and make room in our lives for things that really came to matter. These experiences led to my first book, Kitchen Simplicity, and traveling the country speaking at Tiny House and Simple Living events, and contributing to various Tiny House publications. When Covid-19 threw a monkey wrench in that, I turned my attention to creating classes to help other folks make the transition to the order, contentment, and confidence of simplicity. Here are three:

Kitchen Simplicity provides a road map for going tiny, embracing simplicity, and eating well, even when your kitchen is small. My simple living philosophy demonstrates how simplicity can be a liberating choice, not a hardship. I’ll help you move past the marketing-fed privation mentality to a place of purposeful simplicity. This helpful, inspiring, and earth-friendly book will empower you to savor your tiny space, build intimate connections with friends, family, and guests, as you revel in your tiny haven-home. Learn more…