Tan Everything! 

Fish, Fur and Deer Skins

Choose from: Fish & Fur (3 days- $330) , Deer Skin (3 days- $320), or Tan Everything (5 days- $550)

Registration is the same for all options! Just pay the $100 deposit and leave a note saying which option you'd like to take :)

Before the advent of modern tanning agents, humans were turning raw skin into usable leather products using very basic techniques and materials. Come learn to produce incredibly soft, strong and durable leather from raw animal skin using humankind’s earliest tanning technologies! We will utilise materials readily available in the surrounding environment as we walk through the steps of this transformation. You will learn the progression of this process from raw skin to beautiful, usable, finished leather or fur!

This course will focus on tanning hair off Deer skins, Fox furs and Fish skins over the course of 5 (very) full days! We will tan the Deer and Fox skins with a variety of fat tanning which uses Lecithin and oil* as the dressing agent. We will switch it up a bit with the fish skins and vegetable tan them using bark.

Whilst not for the squeamish the end product is worth the work!

The class will cover removing the meat and fat from the inner skin surface (flesh side), removing the outer grain layer (for the deer skins) and scales (for the fish), applying the tanning agents, then softening the skins. The final day will cover smoking the Fox and Deer skins to increase their washability.

In addition to enthusiastic instruction, I provide comfortable, easy to use tools and detailed handouts covering the tanning process, as well as ethnographic anecdotes and a list of helpful literature for those who wish to further their own knowledge of tanning!

Please join me for a course sure to contain plenty of memorable moments, lots of practical information and, provided you put in the work **, one that will see you heading home with 3 uniquely beautiful, traditionally tanned skins!

* The use of brains or egg yolks as an alternative dressing agent will be covered.

** Please be aware that a reasonable amount of fitness is required for this course. I will provide instruction on good technique and timing with the skins, but you will need to be able to be on your feet and active for 6 to 8 hours per day.

Any serious injuries need to be discussed with me prior to attending the course please!

Additional Information:

COST: Fish & Fur (3 days- $330) , Deer Skin (3 days- $320), or Tan Everything (5 days- $550) 

*****  $100 deposit required for registration ******

The remaining course fee Fish & Fur ($230) , Deer Skin ($220), or Tan Everything ($450) is due on the first day of the course. 

You may pay via Paypal, Check, Bank Transfer or Cash is happily accepted!

Cancelation policy: Deposit refunded up to 4 weeks before the course start date. After this the deposit is forfeit.

Duration: 

1:   Tan Everything! -  5 days (Wed 8th May 10:00 am - Sunday 12th May ± 5:00 pm)

2:  Fish & Fur - 3 days (Wed 8th May 10am - Fri 10th May ± 5:00 pm)

3:  Deer Skin - 3 days (Fri 10th May 10am - Sun 12th May ± 5:00 pm)

Group size: Min 6 - Max 12

Prerequisites: None

Venue:

Nestled in a small valley, west of Allentown, the property is over 10 acres of woods and fields. A large stone farm house and original rustic settlers cabin sit alongside a spring fed creek, which feeds down to a small marsh. There is plenty of room for campsites where one can relax and enjoy nature.

Hotels or BnB's are also available in nearby towns if you prefer!

Catering: This course is self catered. I am many things but a good cook is not one of them!

Included: All course materials, coffee/tea

Not included: off site Accomodation, Breakfast