How to Preserve and De-Flesh Skins for Tanning

Have you ever wondered how past peoples preserved skins for future use? Starting with a raw deer skin, this class will cover how to preserve a skin as well as the first stage of skin preparation for tanning. Over 2- to 3-hours this workshop will introduce you to the 3 basic methods of skin preservation and to the first stage of the tanning process, de-fleshing. After a demonstration of the technique, you’ll have the opportunity to try de-fleshing a deer skin using both modern and prehistoric tools. There will be two different tanning beam set ups for you to experience. This will arm you with the knowledge to preserve the skins you acquire until you are ready to tackle the next stages in the tanning process!

There will, of course, be ample time for questions! This course is meant to be hands-on; however, you are welcome to come just for the information and not physically participate.