Building a rig to try and walk to/from the hardware store without having to rely on a car in LA is just about the most German thing I’ve ever seen. (And I am here for it.)

I think you are the most un-LA person in LA right now. Walking to a hardware store, building a cart from the parts you buy in the stores, and walking out with 2x4s in the same cart? You’re a genius, and an outlier.

It's only a matter time before we see Laura and Simone building a playhouse and climbing frame for that little girl :)

this is beautiful upbeat performance art about the lack of/poor quality of pedestrian infrastructure in LA. the reused reflector on the hauling skateboard is my favorite part.

At first I wondered how Los Angeles would change Laura but now I wonder how Laura will change all of LA

I love how Laura is documenting her experiences through the small projects she builds. It's like journaling, but with more wood screws.

this reminds me of the time i pushed a 3x4 Kallax shelf on a skateboard 5 km through half the town because the busdrivers wouldn‘t let me use the bus with it 😅

I love how she can turn a seagull into a lesson.. And how determined and unbothered she is by setbacks.

US way of collecting 4 x 2x4"s - buy a large pickup truck, spend most of the day in traffic, plus 5 minutes in the store. Laura's way, spend the same amount of time, make something, and explore the streets of LA with her 2x4"s, seeing the world, and making an adventure of it - bravo Laura!

If you never built another thing, I could watch videos of you collecting materials forever!

This video is about determination indeed, but it misses the joy and fun Laura expresses so abundant in the German videos and which makes these videos really stand out. I experience this last video as a bit sad oder “traurig” in Deutsch, it misses the “spark” and joy and seems more of an endurance challenge. The title is strikingly correct in that respect.

What a determination, including the double walks for all the camera shots!

Loving this new series..... all of us can relate to starting over somewhere.

The helper needs a name, its so small and cute and tried his best. Its a Bert for sure.

'I did what I wanted to do. I wanted to help myself. Who cares if it takes a little longer?' When I'm able to work for myself; without deadlines; without needing to do things to please a client or anyone else; one of the best things about it is expressed in what you said right there. I just need to remind myself of it... or have you do it for me! So, thanks.

Building something IN the shop 🤯 Never thought about that !

I just love old fashioned hardware stores. Simone helping Laura build a shop will be fun to watch.

Jede Woche eine Geschichte. Ist mir egal, wo und was du baust. Ich liebe einfach die Geschichten, die du daraus machst.

Laura, you’re such an inspiration! Thank you! I live in Mexico, in a city that’s made for cars, not for pedestrians but if my city(Monterrey) is difficult, LA is next to impossible! Still you’re making it work with an unflappable and positive energy.

Just glue up a sheet of coarse sand paper on the top of the roller base to increase friction force. And let glue dry ;)

Oh Laura. That pay off at the end of the journey. That is the real meaning of life. That is the real purpose for any journey. Love. Enjoy the process. Celebrate the experience. Thank you for bringing us along.

It may not be fun, but it’s funny. 🤪🤣 Your determination & dedication is inspiring! Actually, it boils down to your great attitude! 🎉 Lets all be more like Laura! 💗😊

I'm not sure if I'm the only one who noticed, but Laura's voice and overall rhythm seemed SO relaxed. 😊 maybe it's the weather, but I'm sure it's also the company. Great video Laura!

Jo!

Loving Laura walking around the dusty parts of LA with thousands of dollars of camera equipment, just waving it all around.

Great video for the urban planners of LA to check out!

A few years ago I moved to Paris, at that time I didn't know the language and I had no idea how to do something as simple as getting a truck to get some material delivered, that's why I decided to do exactly the same you are doing now, helping myself. I needed to make a solid floor for my tiny workshop in the basement of my place, so I went to the nearest hardware store to get some wooden panels, then I hauled them for 4 km with the trolley that the shop borrows. The good news is that I made it, but I had to take the trolley back to the store. It was a very sweaty experience, but I taught myself that sometimes you just need to take action. Wishing you the best and beyond the best Laura 🙌

You are such a gem, Laura, you are so good at everything! Which is not the same as just like, knowing how to do everything right the first time with no struggle, but you are so good at the figuring out, the learning how, the not giving up, and always deriving value from the experience whether or not it goes they way you planned. I can`t thank you enough for sharing your viewpoint with all of us week after week.

I guess it's time for a new episode of crazy bicycle builds 😀

When I was at uni I had to bring loads of artwork back to my apartment at the end of semesters. I had a tiny little dolly, which I extended with hemp twine and a stick. This video made those memories come flooding back

This video made me think more about how to be resourceful that building the shop itself. I admire your resilience in a car centric city. You demonstrate that you do need wheels, but not an oversized vehicules. North America has a long way to go. I include myself in this situation.

That kid is absolutely adorable!

Nearly 20years ago when I moved to Ireland from Poland. I was missing my shed. So I decided to build one. Passing the bridge I spotted an axis in the canal and I got idea to build mobile shed. So I be able to move it with me in case of moving. Which was brilliant as I had only temporary accommodation. Axis turned to be whole car trailer. Happy days. One of those little ones I think they rated for up to 250kg but completely perfect except the hitch receiver was smashed. I anyway had no car. On the way back i noticed Pile of pallets the big ones like from under the plaster boards. About 15 of them. I asked who's they're and some older man with hard Connemara accent said: Whoever firshshsht grab them he owns them. Guess what. Yes I loaded them All on that little trailer. And I swear that was way over a limit of this trailer nearly 3 meters high pile 2.4 by 1.2m pulled them for 8km. But I got materials for my mobile shed. However I changed my mind later on. I got the big bar type umbrella the hanging one. Made the side walls from cheap tramps attached on velcro. Pallets I used for sawhorses, seating bench, platform for sawhorses to make the work table or (beach party table as it turned) even smoker for smoking fish and meat. Crazy times great memories. Good luck.

"It's about the nachos you have, not the ones you didn't get..." Definitely words to live by.

I've been watching your videos for a couple of years now. And I gotta say, this series is my favorite...not only does it speak to me as someone in her senior year of college and embarking on a whole new journey as an artist and designer. But I also sense a deep artistic sensibility as to how you view things and experiences. All in all, LOVE IT

I can’t help but think back to a few years ago there were so many videos coming for of DIY ways to get exercise that were more representative of how people used to live and work, and less gym oriented. This would definitely fit that bill, lol! It’s also making me want to continue to look at my very pedestrian unfriendly neighborhood in a more problem-solving kind of way. Who knew the idea of finding random treasures on the road would be what motivated me!

I love your title, ‘Help Yourself’- and your many other short declarations that express your ethics. Builders/Makers unite around these. This weekend I repeated the mantra ‘Always Do Favors’ as I did a project for a friend.

I love this new direction. Both in terms of starting afresh but also in terms of the personal pay off. Thanks for brining us along. You are amazing Laura xx

The sweetest thing is Laura playing with her girlfriend‘s daughter ❤

This is a perspective on creating that you can't get anywhere else, and I dig it.

I can relate so much with this new series.... excellent last sentence...

L.A. used to have a functional street car and public transit system. One of the few true conspiracy theories involves the buying up of the street car lines by tire and car companies with the goal of killing them off. You, like others, will eventually bend to the will of the car/tire companies and start driving around in L.A. 😞 You are near to one of the hidden gems in L.A.: The Huntington Museum. The grounds are beautiful so it would be a fun place to picnic. You might as well see what decades of monopoly by The Big Four resulted in. I love your channel. Thanks!

2 hours !! I can’t believe I’m up this early! lol 5:15 am here in Texas. Only for Laura !

Laura in Germany: VW Transporter, trucklike vehicle, flatbed vespa etc. Laura in LA: 🤷🚶

This makes me so happy! I build stuff since my teenage years, and without a car, this is the type of adventures I have to have everytime I want to get materials. It always make me feel like I'm not there yet, but to see you, someone I respect so much, do the same makes me so happy :)))

Great new style. I think we are all rooting for you in this new adventure. Cheers to the nachos you get!!! : )

❤❤❤"It's about the nachos you have and not the ones you didn't get." ❤❤❤ More powerful than anything!

the mini skateboard is frikken ADORABLE

Most heartwarming video about a walk in LA ever.

Fabulous! Love the immediate use of the found retro-reflector!

The thing I learned about caster wheels and Southern California is you always need MUCH bigger ones than you think you need if you’re going to travel anywhere outside your workspace with them.

It amazes me to think Laura did not speak in her early videos! They keep getting better all the time.

This was exactly the heads up that I needed!! Thank you for being awesome, real and unapologetic! And for helping this unknown creator through her (when looking closer) non-existing barricade! 🎉🍁🥰

A strip of coarse self adhesive sandpaper on the trolly may have helped, or longer straps that can wrap around a couple of times would be self tightening as you pull along

You´re too cool Laura. Always inspiring and always smiling no matter what you do. I have been watching your videos almost every sunday for quite long now, maybe a year. It´s exciting that there is a new chapter!

If you tie a strap between the dolly and the front strap you could pull the cart along with you instead of that force having to come from the friction of the wood alone. That would probably stop the wheels falling off

Legitimately psyched to see whatever Laura will build with four 2x4s.

I'm happy for more Laura & Simone projects 🎉

I love the people you surround yourself with.

You never know what you can do until you TRY! "Help Yourself" isn't about taking (which is the American version of that phrase... as in: take what you like/need). I like the German slant here: giving help to yourself. Doing for yourself as an act of self help. Another fun video from my favorite builder philosopher.

Super cool to just build in the store then use it to get wood, from the same store!

"[...] it's about the nachos that you have, and not about the ones that you didn't get-" Well said.

The storage box harvest was plentiful this season

👍 Always learning...and doing! An inspiration to many! Thanks! 😊

Thank you for being an inspiration

Hey Laura, I realize you made this video 11 days ago but it was meant for me to see today. With all the hate in the world today its is so refreshing to watch you and your family doing what needs to be done. Feeling and seeing the love you have for each other. You also to remind me to do what I can for to get things done....not only for myself but for those in need....I finished building my bird feeders! Thank You Take Care, Be Safe

Hah! I'm going to be expecting a 1 minute cameo from Simone in every video from now on. :)

The enthusiasm & positivity is contagious! Thank you for spreading the joy!

You're amazing! It's so fun to get more Simone & Laura, but we miss Smudo and Felix!!!

The green boxes aren’t aluminium, but hey.

3,000 miles away, but still giddy Laura is on the same landmass!

"Life is about the nachos that you have... and not about the ones you didn't get." How true! Thanks Laura.

Nice showcasse of loves.....family, friends and fun!

A ratchet strap would let you get it tighter. Also a harness made from an old hiking pack frame to make a tow harness to free your hands.

I am absolutely loving this series. I am going to help a friend set up her new apartment tomorrow. And I am bringing all my tools on in my hiking backpack on a train.

The attitude you have to build is wonderful.❤❤

hey Laura! I have been watching you for a long time, and I love your journey. Thanks so much for what you do! I admire your resilience

As long as you don't forget that Hector is going to be running 3 Honda Civics with spoon engines. And on top of that he just came into Harry's and he ordered 3 T66 turbos, with NOS, and a Motec system exhaust.

Those NRS straps are awesome, I use them for all sorts of things. I’m a kayaker, and they were originally made for trying down kayaks and rigging rafts, but I also use them for transporting lumber, metal, pipe, and holding up or down whatever else I need in the shop (or anywhere else). At the risk of adding to all the other comments telling you how to attach things…. Set the buckle on to of your boards, run the strap under the 2x4 on the skate, back up over the boards, under the 2x4 on the other side, and back the the buckle. You might need to reposition the buckle to get it tight, but doing it this way will withstand highway speeds without the need for grip tape or anything else. Sometimes I wonder how I’d survive without these straps.

That Hardware Store is going to like you!

Love love love.

It'll get done, you're "bound and determined". Nice whimsical beginning,get to learn much by walking, suffering."Cold" mean streets of L.A.We are looking forward to your creations

I carried home a bunch of 4 foot telephone pole sections before, it sucked. But i used a dolly and strapped them to it. They also kept falling off 😅

I’m finding I’m watching these last couple videos multiple times. So dynamic and I love the real feel to them. Beautiful

Thanks for documenting the process that you’re going through.

These videos have been my favorites in a while. I love seeing my city from your perspective.

Building it in the store is kinda a badass move.

Laura, your incredible outlook on the world is persistently ao inspiring to me. Sending love to you on your transition state-side ❤

You have my respect. You show it how it is. You follow through on your ideas staying true to yourself. You get what you wanted done.

❤❤❤So love this series. We all seem to be in a rebooting phase. Mahalo for sharing. 🙏🙂🤙

I can hear it now 'Tante Laura Tante Laura'. As for the trolley - as several people have suggested, add some sandpaper (even just some pva and roadside grit). Keep a look out for skip bins around construction sites, they often toss out useful offcuts of ply and 'two by' lumber. A piece of scrap ply, say 300mm wide by up to 600mm long ( thats 12 x 24 inches) screwed on top of your existing two wheeler would give you somewhere to attach an extra strap or bungee cord to help keep everything together. Also running an extra strap (or rope) from the two wheeler to the towing end would help haul the wheels out of the holes in the sidewalk without everything coming apart. They even make push bikes (with or without batteries) and detachable trailers, you just have to find a decent bike shop.

This is one of my favorite videos on the channel!

It's California, Laura. We invented the car culture for a REASON. Besides Simone has a cool truck, you know?

Simoneeeee!!!! 😍

I'm really liking this series. It's a perfect illustration of starting anything new; new city, new shop, new type of work. Even the simplest tasks take forever because you don't know any of the efficient ways to get something done. There's a period of reinventing everything that you go through. I've moved cities maybe a dozen times, and it's always the same. Eventually, you get up to speed, and you look back at days like this one and marvel at all the things you didn't know then.

3 Hours compared to 5 Hours for the first trip. Making Progress!

So thats Laura, Simone, Xyla Foxlin and BPS space all in LA. Oh what a collab!

Love how you’re combining your projects with the exploration of a new city.

I love this series. Also, little kid hugs are amazing. 🥰

I'd recomend a propper ratchet strap for that 'skateboard transport' because it will grip the wood much tighter than the strap that you pull tight.