Ethical Fish Leather Tanning

Ever attempted to or wondered how to make your own leather? Couldn’t get around the ethical dilemma of using animal skins? Come along and learn the basics of traditional tanning using waste fish skins that would otherwise end up as landfill, and transform them into an all-natural versatile textile. No prior knowledge necessary and the recipe works on other animal hides. And yes, fish leather is a real thing!

**Some traditional tanning tools and books will be available to purchase on the day depending on stock (so bring some cash in case)

Trainer Bio:

Josh McLean learnt the skills of fish leather tanning in Lapland, Sweden based on master tanner Lotta Rahme’s work. While travelling Josh had the privilege of learning firsthand from Lotta at her tannery in Sigtuna, and is now operating his own small business here in Australia out of the Yarra Valley called The Bush Tannery. The knowledge of traditional tanning and leather-crafting has been handed down from various indigenous groups across the planet with a strong common message and one that Josh fully embraces: craft beautiful textiles that celebrate life, not destroy it.

*photo credit Chris Wong

What you will learn

• Traditional tanning methods
• Hands-on participation

What you will get

• Instructions
• Take home your own fish leather project