Hide Tanning Workshop:
From Fresh Hides to Supple Leather
Learn the ancient art of turning fresh animal hides into soft leather. This alchemical process teaches us deep gratitude for our animal allies and the skilled craftspeople who are our ancestors. We will take time throughout the day to give thanks to the animals who have surrendered their skins for our workshop (all wild or lovingly raised). Maggie Ranen is an experienced tanner and skilled instructor, and she will make our learning collaborative and fun. This two-day workshop will give you the knowledge and skills to tan your own hides at home for years to come.
Here's some more information about the class:
- What: In this weekend class, Maggie will teach us all the skills of natural brain tanning, covering both buckskin and hair-on processes, working on demonstration hides to learn each skill (which may include deer, goats, sheep, ground hog and fox). You will leave this class with all the skills you need to tan hides at home!
- Who: This class is open to all genders.
- When: October 5-6, 2019. Class runs from 10am-5pm each day.
- Where: Hunter's Hollow in Worcester, VT (Directions Here)
- Cost: $295 per person
- Meals: Two hot lunches are provided
- Lodging: Free camping is available on-site, bring your own tent and sleeping bag
- What to bring: Work clothes that can get dirty and stinky, warm layers, rain layers, sturdy footwear, water bottle, snacks. Bring songs to sing and stories to share while we work the hides together. You are welcome to bring your own hides to work on as well: roadkill is an excellent source (you can freeze the raw hides until the workshop). You will probably not be able to finish a completely raw hide over the course of the weekend, but you can get it started and learn the other steps on the prepared demonstration hides.
How do I register? Fill out the Registration Form and submit online payment here.
About the Instructor:
Maggie Ranen is passionate about wilderness skills and nature connection. She is deeply driven by her commitment to being an active community member and strives to live in harmony with the land and the beings that dwell in it. Maggie is experienced with hide tanning methods from buckskin to hair-on pelts.
About the Instructor:
Maggie Ranen was first introduced to hide tanning when she went on a wilderness immersion trip as a high schooler where they stretched a hide dry, smoked it and made shoes. She fell in love with the process and since then she has been on a hide tanning journey... searching out tanners, learning from mentors, reading books, skinning animals, stretching hides and teaching. She is currently an instructor at Leapfrog Programs in Western MA, where she offers classes on transforming deer skin into buckskin. She is passionate about this skill that connects to land, each other and our ancestors, no matter where they were from.
Maggie Ranen was first introduced to hide tanning when she went on a wilderness immersion trip as a high schooler where they stretched a hide dry, smoked it and made shoes. She fell in love with the process and since then she has been on a hide tanning journey... searching out tanners, learning from mentors, reading books, skinning animals, stretching hides and teaching. She is currently an instructor at Leapfrog Programs in Western MA, where she offers classes on transforming deer skin into buckskin. She is passionate about this skill that connects to land, each other and our ancestors, no matter where they were from.
