Natural hide tanning and leather making was once common knowledge among communities until the early 20th century. With the emergence of chemicals and machines, it is rapidly becoming a forgotten skill. In this City of Coffs Harbour Sustainable Living workshop, participants will learn how to create leather using natural materials rather than chemicals.
Guided by Bushcraft Educator, Ei Yang from the Byron Shire, this workshop will cover several different methods of preservation. Ei will take participants through all the key steps involved in the tanning process. There is a practical component to this workshop that involves working with fish skin and each participant can make a piece of tanned fish leather. Please ensure that you are comfortable working with a raw fish hide. There will be no mammal skins used in this workshop.
Fish skins will be provided for participants to use during the workshop. No equipment or prior knowledge is required. All workshop materials included. This workshop is held at City of Coffs Harbour’s North Coast Regional Botanic Garden.
To learn more about Ei and natural tanning processes, please visit
https://backyardbuckskin.wordpress.com/