A three-day intensive course with Dr Theresa Emmerich Kamper and assisted by Caroline Ross.
Before the advent of modern tanning agents, humans were turning raw skin into usable leather products using very basic techniques and materials. Learn to produce incredibly soft, strong and durable leather from raw animal skin using one of human kind’s earliest tanning technologies! Utilizing materials readily available in the surrounding environment, walk through the steps of this transformation. Discover the progression of this process from raw skin to beautiful, usable, finished leather.
Stay on-site in one of our historic buildings for an additional fee.
About the workshop
Three day workshop, Saturday-Monday. Please note this course covers a lot of content; Saturday will run 10am-5/6pm, Sunday 9am-8pm, and Monday 9am-4:45pm.
Over 3 full days this course will focus on tanning deer skins with a variety of fat tanning which uses Lecithin and oil* as the dressing agent. Whilst not for the squeamish the end product is worth the work!
The class will cover:
De-fleshing: Removing the meat and fat.
De-graining: Removing the outer grain layer.
Alkalining for ground substance removal.
Dressing: Applying the tanning agents.
Softening and smoking the skins.
Option to camp on-site in one of our historic buildings for an additional fee.
Set in the unique surroundings of Butser Ancient Farm’s historic buildings
In addition to enthusiastic instruction, Theresa will provide comfortable, easy to use tools and detailed handouts covering the tanning process, as well as ethnographic anecdotes and a list of helpful literature for those who wish to further their own knowledge of tanning. Join for a course sure to contain plenty of memorable moments, lots of practical information and, provided that you put in the work **, one that will see you heading home with a beautiful, unique and usable piece of traditionally tanned leather!
* The use of brains or egg yolks as an alternative dressing agent will be covered.
** Please be aware that a reasonable amount of fitness is required for this course. Instruction on good technique and timing with the skins will be provided, but you will need to be able to be on your feet and active for 6 to 8 hours per day.
For more details about staying overnight, please email workshops@butserancientfarm.co.uk
Dr Theresa Emmerich Kamper is a traditional living skills specialist with a PhD in experimental archaeology. She has extensive experience in organic material culture studies, leather artefact analysis, artefact replication, implementation and presentation in both traditional and open-air museum settings. Theresa has been tanning skins using traditional technologies for over 30 years. Learning to tan was a natural offshoot of the attempt to use as much of the animal as possible and had the added bonus of producing a beautiful end product. She includes in her instruction a diverse range of information, from skin morphology to helpful hints in dealing with the numerous and frustrating problems which are often encountered when first learning to tan.
Caroline Ross is an artist and author who makes drawings and paintings from wild and ancient materials, from small illustrations to large murals. She has taught life drawing as well as painting and currently teaches people how to make the materials she uses across Europe and UK. She also teaches her own unique course ‘Found and Ground art materials’. She spends her life outdoors as much as possible, sourcing materials, making her work, and immersing herself in nature.
Included in your ticket
Entrance to the farm, a full 3 days tuition and expertise, all course materials, and a usable piece of traditionally tanned leather if you complete the process during the course. Please bring your own meals. Staying on-site is an additional cost.
This workshop is suitable for ages 18+.
Please wear sensible clothing and footwear for this workshop.
Food is not included in this workshop, please provide your own food for the duration of the course. Sandwiches (subject to availability), hot and cold drinks, and snacks are sold in our gift shop.
If you have any mobility concerns, special requirements, or other questions, please contact admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk for help!