Hide Tanning Workshop
March 26-28,2021
This workshop is a powerful challenge. Attempting the very physical act of transforming raw animal skin into useful leather is an ambitious undertaking! We provide nutritious meals, cozy lodging, a welcoming campus, knowledgeable and skilled staff, good tools and high quality materials. You provide the elbow grease, effort and labor. With focus, determination and dedication it is possible to walk away with a finished hide. We will do everything in our power to help you succeed. As we are all students, at different learning levels, based on diversity of skill sets, age, past experience, exposure and physical prowess, each participant will have a unique experience.
The workshop begins at 9am on Friday and ends at 4pm on Sunday. The entire time is required. White tail deer hides will be provided for each participant from tagged deer harvested and taken to a meat processor. They are hides that would otherwise be discarded. Our intention is to honor the sacred parts of each animal and use them to their highest purpose.
We will flesh and grain each hide on a beam, rather than in a frame with a sharp blade. Dry scraping in a frame is another valuable (often superior) method of brain-tanning, but takes too long to complete in a 3-day workshop. The hides provided in this class will already be off the deer and quick-fleshed and occasionally soaked in a basic solution ahead of time to help the hair slip. All finished hides will be bare. Hair-on methods are not covered in this class.
Details:
Date/Time: March 26-28, 2021
Available Spaces: limited to 10 adults (no unchaperoned minors)
Cost: $375 online, $360 by postal mail (hot meals & rustic lodging included)
Cancellations: non-refundable deposit (1/2 of total) is retained for all cancellations
Road Conditions: 1.5 miles off-road gravel - watch the VIDEO
Location: 8 miles east of Boone, NC - Base Camp at Turtle Island Preserve is just 2 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway - Bamboo Gap Exit
Schedule: Participants arrive at 9am on Friday to get oriented and settled in, 3 hot meals a day are served between sessions, class wraps up by 5pm on Sunday. The entire time is required to complete project.
Register and Pay:
Payment Options:
$475
Single Registration
Or receive an additional discount of $15 off by sending your registration form and payment of $450 with a check or money order in the postal mail to: Turtle Island Preserve 2683 Little Laurel Rd. Boone, NC 28607
$900
Couples Discount
When two people sign up at the same time, we’ll give you $50 off. Use the convenient “Add to Cart” button to make your payment and email your registration form to: mail@turtleislandpreserve.com
After you register, plan your stay:
Attention All Camp Visitors - Please Note:
WARNING: Under North Carolina Law, There Is No Liability For An Injury To Or Death Of A Participant In An Agritourism Activity Conducted At This Agritourism Location If Such Injury Or Death Results From The Inherent Risks Of The Agritourism Activity. Inherent Risks Of Agritourism Activities Include, Among Others, Risks Of Injury Inherent To Land, Equipment, And Animals, As Well As The Potential For You To Act In A Negligent Manner That May Contribute To Your Injury Or Death. You Are Assuming The Risk Of Participating In This Agritourism Activity.
WARNING: Under North Carolina Law, A Farm Animal Activity Sponsor Or Farm Animal Professional Is Not Liable For An Injury To Or The Death Of A Participant In Farm Animal Activities Resulting Exclusively From The Inherent Risks Of Farm Animal Activities. Chapter 99E Of The North Carolina General Statutes.