Deer Skin Tanning Workshop

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

This class will focus on tanning Deer Skin with a variation of fat tanning using lecithin as the dressing agent. Whilst not for the squeamish, the end product is worth the work! The class will cover desalinating preserved skins, de-fleshing, de-hairing, de-graining, and softening the skins, as well as smoking them so they can be easily washed.

In addition to enthusiastic instruction, I provide comfortable, easy-to-use tools and detailed handouts covering the tanning process, as well…

* Using brains or egg yolks as an alternative dressing agents 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 must be discussed with me before booking the course.

Additional Information:

Payment: Pay in full or use PayPal's Pay Later function to split the cost into three or four interest-free payments.

Duration: 3 days (Friday 10:00 am - Sunday 4:00 pm)

Prerequisites: None

Venue: Our farm, Edenvale Forest Farm  https://edenvaleforestfarm.com.au/, is set in an idyllic valley with unspoilt beauty amongst the Bellthorpe Ranges, an easy drive from Brisbane and Sunshine Coast. It’s a 240-acre working organic farm with Charolais cattle, Toggenberg and Saanen goats, horses, hens, and bees.

Please note: We strictly have a no-drug, smoking, and alcohol policy. As our farm is an organic working farm, we request you not to smoke or drink whilst on the premises.

Nestled at the foothills of the stunning Bellthorpe Range, Stanmore offers the perfect location for our upcoming workshop. This peaceful and scenic area, 90 kilometers north of Brisbane, is an idyllic retreat surrounded by nature. The Stanley River flows through Stanmore, marking its northern boundary, while the majestic Bellthorpe State Forest occupies the northern section. This tranquil venue offers panoramic views nestled within a private wilderness oasis.

Stanmore is tucked away from the hustle and bustle, offering a serene atmosphere, yet it’s conveniently located within an hour's drive from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Location:

Edenvale Forest Farm is ideally located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland - 1 hour from Brisbane airport, 50 mins to Caloundra, 15 mins to Woodford, and 35 mins to Maleny.

Our farm is located 15 kilometres from Woodford. The nearest airports are Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, which are a convenient one-hour drive away. 

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

Accommodation:

A range of accommodation options is available in the surrounding areas. Choose from charming camping spots like Woodford Showgrounds or Bushywood at Woodfords SkiLake, under the stars, comfortable motels, or cozy Airbnbs in Maleny, Stanmore, Woodford, Peachester, and Bellthorpe. Explore the local trails, take in the fresh mountain air, and immerse yourself in the beauty of this remarkable region. We look forward to welcoming you to Stanmore this October for an unforgettable experience!

Included: All course materials, coffee, and tea.

Not included: Off-site Accommodation and food.

A bit about me:

I'm an avid practitioner of traditional living skills and primitive technology of all kinds. My interest came in part from growing up in the Rocky Mountains in the USA, where backpacking, hunting, and fishing are deeply rooted in the culture. This passion led me to the academic field of Experimental Archaeology, where I earned a PhD from the University of Exeter in the UK.

My work has been featured in both documentaries and popular TV shows, including Alone Season 8 and Surviving the Stone Age. I've been tanning skins using traditional methods for over 30 years. Learning to tan was a natural offshoot of my desire to use as much of an animal as possible, and it had the added bonus of producing a beautiful end product.

In my instruction, I share a wide range of information—from the intricate details of skin morphology to helpful tips for dealing with the numerous and frustrating problems that are often encountered when you're first learning to tan.