brain tanning deer hides
February 17-19, 2023
Blairsville, GA
Includes hide, access to tools, brain solution, two nights of camping* on site, and the cost of the training.
Adults – $350
Class Overview
Most of our ancestors wore buckskins on a daily basis, whether they were working class or part of the elite class. Buckskins were as common as blue jeans are in modern times. Societies from all over the world made and wore buckskins, including Africa, Asia, Russia, South America and North America. Buckskin clothing will outlast any material you can buy in stores today, and will probably outlast you and can be passed down to the next generation!
Come and connect with your ancestors by learning this ancient skill! Our class is a 3 day class which takes you through the entire process of transforming deer skins into buckskins that are velvety soft, supple, light and strong! You’ll go home with the buckskin you make during the class.
We teach the wet scrape method and you’ll learn these steps:
Fleshing
Bucking
Graining
Rinsing
Membraning
Neutralizing
Wringing
Braining
Softening
Smoking
The class fee is $350. Deadline to sign up and pay is February 10th, 2023 to ensure that we have enough time to properly prepare the hides for students.
We provide the hides, fleshing beams, scraping knives and brain solution for tanning the hides.
Required Items:
- waterproof apron or you can use a trashbag instead
- long arm gloves
- shoes and clothes that can get dirty (muck boots are helpful)
- cold weather clothing
- camping chair
- headlamp
Event Location
Blairsville, GA 30512
Exact address will be mailed out prior to the event.
There are a few tent camping spots available behind my barn and there are also trees suitable for hammock hangers. Please send us an email if you plan to tent camp due to the limited number of suitable campsites available. A fridge, microwave and coffee maker are also available for use and there is a portable toilet as well.
Additional lodging options:
There is full hookup camping available 30 minutes away at Vogel State Park
Best Western Milton Inn
Comfort Inn
Creekside Mountain Cottage
Suggested Gear
Refund Policy
Refunds will only be issued as a credit towards another class and will be good for up to one year from the date of the originally purchased class. Credit for classes cannot be used toward gear or mechandise purchases.
Your Instructor
MELONIE STANGER
Melonie discovered hide tanning in 2017 and has been enjoying sharing her passion with others ever since. She’s taught classes on tanning as well as on making items with buckskin and is working on make a buckskin wardrobe.