Braintanning Workshops
We take pride in the quality of our workshop, from the instruction to the food, and we try to keep them reasonably priced so that anyone can attend. All materials and meals are included in the tuition, and frequently students are welcome to camp on location.
We take our job as teachers very seriously, and so we guarantee that you will learn what you came to us for - or your money back. We mean it!
Most of our workshops are hosted by other wilderness schools or private individuals. The prices posted on this page are the base tuition for that type of workshop. In many cases, the cost of a particular workshop will vary due to travel distance and other considerations. Final costs are posted with each workshop on our Calendar page.
To view a schedule of upcoming workshops, check out our Calendar!
Wet-Scrape Method
This 3-day workshop is designed to guide the beginner or novice through the process of wet-scrape braintanning from start to finish and show you that anyone can do it, anywhere! Participants will gain hands-on experience in the wetscrape method of braintanning and leave with their very own buckskin.
All workshops have a limited attendance. Registration usually closes at least two weeks prior to the workshop, at which time a non-refundable deposit is due.
Base Tuition: $175
Using the Whole Animal
This is a dynamic workshop, lasting anywhere from four to six days. A totally hands-on workshop that will go through the the full process of using an entire animal. Topics covered will include:
- Skinning & Butchering
- Braintanning, Rawhide, and other uses for skin
- Drying & smoking meat, Rendering fat, and other primitive cooking methods
- Processing and using sinew for various projects
- Removing and working with antlers and hoofs
- Preparing bones for, and making of, bone tools
- Using the internal organs
All of this and much, MUCH, more will be covered during this intensive workshop.
Materials and supplies are included, and as always you can stay on-site and meals will be provided.
All workshops have a limited attendance. Registration usually closes at least two weeks prior to the workshop, at which time a non-refundable deposit is due.
Base Tuition: $400-650 (Depending on length)
"Hide-in-a-Day"
The knowledge of how to turn an animal skin into brain tanned buckskin in a single day can be extremely valuable for those practicing primitive skills and wilderness survival.
This class is designed to teach the student a much faster variation of the wet-scrape process, one that can be accomplished in a single day, from skin to buckskin. It is a simpler, yet much more labor intensive process, and the class is recommended for those who have already got a hide or two "under their belt".
All workshops have a limited attendance. Registration usually closes at least two weeks prior to the workshop, at which time a non-refundable deposit is due.
Base Tuition: $100
Primitive Hide Tanning
In this two-day workshop we will work together as a group to take a hide through the entire process, using only nature's tools that we will make ourselves. No metal or plastic, only bone, stone, and wood. Though not a must, its recommended you have some experience working with hides before attempting this, as this workshop focuses on the making and use of these natural tools, and not on the finer details of brain tanning.
All workshops have a limited attendance. Registration usually closes at least two weeks prior to the workshop, at which time a non-refundable deposit is due.
Base Tuition: $165
Making and Working with Rawhide
This is a one day workshop that will teach you how to make and use one of the most useful materials made from skins - Rawhide. Lashings, containers, rattles, drums and even book covers and parchment (and of course - dog treats), Rawhide does it all. We'll start with a fresh hide and take it through the necessary steps. Then we'll get our hands on already prepared rawhide and make some simple projects that will teach the basic principles or working with this versatile material.
All workshops have a limited attendance. Registration usually closes at least two weeks prior to the workshop, at which time a non-refundable deposit is due.
Base Tuition: $135
Working with Buckskin
This two-day workshop will teach you the fundamentals of working with brain tanned buckskin. Offering the flexibility of cloth and the durability of leather, Buckskin is an excellent material for making an endless variety of items, from simple pouches to elaborate clothing. But to work with it effectively you need to understand it and "obey its rules". We will cover how to prepare buckskin for work, how to lay and cut patterns, designing your project, sewing techniques, and even some primitive methods. So if you're planning on using genuine buckskin for a project and dont know where to begin, this is the workshop for you. You do not have to have any buckskin on hand to take this class!
All workshops have a limited attendance. Registration usually closes at least two weeks prior to the workshop, at which time a non-refundable deposit is due.
Base Tuition: $175
Making Moccasins
A one day workshop where you will make your very own pair of custom fit moccasins from simple patterns such as the center-seam or side seam. Experience in sewing is helpful, but not necessary.
All workshops have a limited attendance. Registration usually closes at least two weeks prior to the workshop, at which time a non-refundable deposit is due.
Base Tuition: $85*
*Tuition includes all meals, sewing supplies, and commercia leather. If you'd like to make your moccasins out of buckskin, you can pre-order from us for the class.
Beading on Buckskin
A one day workshop. You will learn how to use different techniques of beading to create different arrangements, from simple rosettes to lazy-stitch and loom beading. Professional bead workers know that there is nothing like brain tanned buckskin when it comes to easy beading, and beautiful results. You create your very own beading projects on geuine buckskin and learn how to apply them to larger items like moccasins or clothing.
All workshops have a limited attendance. Registration usually closes at least two weeks prior to the workshop, at which time a non-refundable deposit is due.
Tuition: $85
Want to register for a workshop? Have any questions? Do you want to set one up in your area (many dates available)?
