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.
This weekend workshop begins at 10am 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.
Details:
This class will cover the wet-scrape method of making suede with hickory bark - instead of brain tanning methods we've taught in the past. 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. (This class does not cover hunting animals. Hunting classes are offered on a case by case basis, during open season to licensed hunters ages 15 and older by Eustace. To learn more about that, please leave a message at (828) 265-2267).
Event Details
Date/Time: 9am Friday May 1 - 4pm Sunday May 3, 2020
Available Spaces: limited to 8 adults (no unchaperoned minors)
Cost: $475 online or discounted by postal mail: $450 (hot meals & overnight 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(link is external)
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
How To Register:
Option 1: Pay $475 online w/ credit cardTop of Form
Option 2: Pay $450 w/ check or money order by Postal Mail - print and enclose these forms to:
Turtle Island Preserve
Attn. Hide Tanning Weekend
2683 Little Laurel Road
Boone, NC 28607
After You've Registered:
What to Bring on overnight stays
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.
Important Liability Waiver - Read before entering property: Please be aware that Turtle Island Preserve is NOT LIABLE for your safety, health or any impairment of it. Enter at your own risk. Your presence represents your acknowledgement that you accept full liability for any damage to your person or property. This applies to everyone on the property or associated with Turtle Island Preserve programs.