Rabbit Skin Alchemy: Transforming Small Furskins for Craft and Clothing

An introduction workshop using all-natural materials and reclaimed rabbit skins.

The effect of introduced rabbits on the landscape is well documented for their ability to out-compete our local native fauna for food and habitat. Keeping their numbers in control results in many skins going to waste every year.

Rabbits is one of the softest and warmest furs of them all but also with some of the thinnest skins. Hence tanning rabbit skins can be a real skill to master but the benefits are certainly worth it.

Techniques used for tanning rabbit leather are transferable to other furbearing animals. Using animal skins requires a certain patience, attention to detail and determination. So start with a small animal skin to see if leather tanning is for you.

Get the tips and tricks from an experienced leather tanner who is passionate about using the whole beast, to preserve these skills for future generations and to reduce our impact on the environment. Ei Yang is a rewilding and leather tanning instructor.

Enjoy a weekend camping in the bush with other likeminded souls on the journey towards self-sufficiency, nature connection and traditional skills.

Venue: Taloumbi, Mid North Coast NSW

Dates: 11am Saturday 2nd December 2023 - 4pm Sunday 3rd December 2023

We will cover:

Day 1

- Obtaining skins
- Storing skins
- Skin anatomy
- Tanning step: Preparing
- Tanning step: Dressing

Day 2

- Tanning step: Softening
- Tanning step: Smoking
- Tanning step: Cleaning and crafting

Contribution: $275 (+ booking fee) per person for the two days including tuition and materials.

Please bring your own snacks, camping equipment, drinking water, food for the weekend, notebooks and pen

Instagram: @backyardbuckskin