Come learn the basics of using various tannin-rich (i.e. tannic acid) plant materials to do the chemical process to tan and turn raw skins into in easily softened leather. This process is applicable to all sorts of skins but various deer species, sheep, goats and other medium thickness leathers will be the primary focus here. Hair-off/leather will be the focus, but we will discuss hair-on tanning with this method also. I will have deerskins readied at all major stages so that participants will get hands-on experience with the full process, but it takes several days to weeks to complete a skin, and participants will not leave with any finished leather. For participants looking to use this process in the winter months following the class, consider gathering live sumac leaves (Staghorn or Smooth, not poison sumac) and drying and storing them in large quantity for the winter.
Instructions: Notebook and recording devices/camera/phone are welcome. Please dress to be out in the cold much of the day working on skins, and in a heated shop during other parts. Please dress in clothes that can get messy. Work gloves that can get sloppy are recommended.
Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 9-4:30
Ages: 18+ years
Location: Viola, WI
Lunch is included.
Sliding Scale Course Fee Guidelines (not including Materials Fees):
Supporter Level Ticket: $125
Sustainer Level Ticket: $100
Supported Level Ticket: $75
Instructor Bio
Nicholas WazeeGale has been a lifelong student of Nature, traditional culture, and sustainability. He is passionate about Nature observation, living closely with the Earth and natural rhythms, hunting and gathering, craft and handwork, and community. He resides in the Driftless region with his wife and children and has taught for DFS, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, and independently for almost 20 years. He is a certified wilderness guide and is a level 4 Track and Sign certificate holder through TCNA/Cybertracker. He and his wife Kindred earn their livelihood teaching outdoor skills and hand craft, running summer camps, and selling fine handcrafts through their business, WildRoots HandCrafts. [Instagram: @wildroots.handcrafts]