Learn how to make Buckskin (traditional tanning)

The tanning of animal skins is a skill that has been practised by humans since the Stone Age. It was a revolutionary step in the development of technology and shaped human culture profoundly. When our ancestors learnt how to wrap skin around their feet to protect them from sharp stones and thorns, they were able to walk faster. When they discovered that their food could be carried in animal skin bags, they could walk further. Remarkably, when they began to cover their bodies with hides to protect them from the elements, it enabled them to withstand the colder seasons more comfortably. Eventually they learnt to treat and preserve hides, which resulted in intricate animal hide clothing, pouches, cordage, cloaks, even material to build their huts with. 

We will be focusing on making buckskin, which is Brain tanning or Fat tanning. We will take you through the process of transforming raw deer hide into beautiful buckskin.

Over this weekend course, you will learn:

• skinning methods/tips

• fleshing

• membraning 

• graining

• softening

• smoking and preserving

• Modern tools and Primitive tools

• basics of sewing buckskin 

We will provide the tools and equipment.

The skins we provide have been salvaged from an abbattoir where they would have otherwise turned into landfill (waste product) 

Learning how to tan hides is not only a phenomenal ancestral living skill to learn but also an incredibly sustainable practise which gives new meaning to the skin. 

At the end of the weekend you will have learnt how to tan naturally using fats and smoke and will leave with your own tanned buckskin. You can apply this fat tanning method when tanning fur on skins as well.

NOTE: this skill is physically demanding and we will be active all of saturday and sunday, Feel free to message me if you are unsure :)

This course will be limited to 8 participants only with 2 people between one hide (welcome to bring your own hide)

We will provide dinner on friday and saturday night with local grown veggies and wild game.

Expect to finish up late on sunday! (roughly around 6pm)

Locations: Private bush block in the Wollombi region (backing onto the Watagans) BYO camp set up tents, swags or van, or book air bnb nearby. Facilities: Outdoor kitchen setup for communal use, small fridge and freezer space to store brekkie and lunch foods. this is a remote property with no phone reception but we do have access to wifi in case of emergancies. 

Donation: $480

Payment plans available, get in touch. 

Facilitators:

Eva Angophora & Will Bettison co-creators of Wild Beings have been tanning traditionally since 2019 and have explored various methods of Brain Tanning & Veg Tanning. Having made multiple items from their tanned leather such as: hats, knife sheaths, belts, buckskin pouches & bags. Their passion & curiosity is deep for this ancestral skill. They have experience tanning a variety of animals from australian marsupials roo, possum & wallaby to feral animals including deer & fox. Every skin they tan has something to teach them and they are thrilled to share this valuable life skill with the wider community. They believe Tanning Skins Traditionally is a revolutionary skill to learn in this modern age, enabling us to create regenerative practises with what is otherwise known as "waste products" and gain a practical skillset that allows us to craft our own useful belongings from leather we have made ourselves.