Brain Tanning with Mary Elizabeth! (1)

In this three-day class, we will learn every step to transforming a hide to brain-tanned buckskin. Hide tanning is a series of processes that takes up to a few weeks. In this class, we will learn the first few steps as a group with hides brought for demonstration and then work hides that are brought in the state of rawhide so we can all see and experience every step of the processes in 3 days.

Day 1: We have a lesson and observe Mary Elizabeth flesh a hide, create a lye solution for soaking, and wet scrape a hide. Then we will altogether make a brain solution and receive our rawhides to start working. We will learn how to work the brain solution through the rawhide. Leaving the hide to rest for the night

Day 2: We will continue working on the brain solution through hides. And start the stretching process. Stretching can take up to 6 hours.

Day 3: We will finish stretching and then smoke the hides. Having fully complete brain-tanned buckskins by the end of the day.