Sheepskin Bark-Tanning Course (Feb. 9th- March 9th 2025)

Once upon a time, before the dawn of the plastic industry and chemical tanning, bark tanning (or veg tanning) was a thriving industry. This ancient art has been around since at least the bronze age, and showing up in different cultures around the world. Bark tanning is a process that uses the tannins in tree bark (or other high tannic plants) to create leather without the use of toxic chemicals. You are now invited to learn this ancient process from the shepherd and tanner of Withywindle Valley Farm, Carissa Miller. 
 
This course will consist of three in person classes over the course of five weeks on the Withywindle Valley Farm in Nisqually Valley. By the end of the program you will walk away with your own mimosa bark-tanned sheepskin and the knowledge to tan your own hides. Each part of the process will be hands on and the class size will be small (4 people) to allow plenty of time for questions and an intimate experience. 
 
Our classes will be on February 9th, March 2nd, and March 9th. Each class will be approximately 3-4 hours long and start at noon each Sunday. Please check in with Carissa if you have any specific accessibility needs and we will do our best to accommodate. All materials and sheepskins will be provided, all you need to do is show up and learn! Be ready to get your hands dirty and use some muscle!