Saturday & Sunday, March 7 & 8 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Big Oak Canyon – Silverado Canyon
Optional Overnight Camping Available
Cost: $400 | Ages 16+ Recommended
This hands-on weekend class offers an opportunity to learn the traditional craft of brain tanning a sheep hide, transforming a raw hide into a soft, supple, fur-on sheepskin using time-honored, natural methods. Taught by James Horvath, bringing years of experience in ancestral tanning practices, the class is rooted in practical skill, observation, and respect for the material.
Participants will work through each stage of the process together, including hide selection, skinning considerations, fleshing, membrane removal, grain work, and softening. We’ll explore why brains, or eggs, have long been used as an effective and intuitive tanning solution, and how oils interact with the fibers of the hide. Throughout the weekend, there will be space for questions, discussion, and learning to respond to what the hide is asking for at each step.
Participants will use traditional tools and techniques such as scraping beams, fleshing knives, lacing frames, and hand softening. Instruction will include safety, tool care, and guidance for navigating common challenges like stiffness, holes, uneven penetration, and brushing out the wool. The work is physical and rhythmic, inviting patience and presence rather than force.
In addition to the primary focus on sheepskin, James will share broader context around ancestral tanning methods, including bark tanning, vegetable tanning, salt and alum tanning, dry scrape versus wet scrape approaches, smoking, buckskin, and fur-on pelts. Examples of different animal hides and finished pieces will be available for comparison and learning.
No prior experience is necessary. This class is best suited for participants who are generally physically active and comfortable standing, bending, and using their arms and shoulders for repetitive motion. While tanning does not require significant strength, it may not be suitable for those with chronic back or shoulder pain.
Participants will leave with a finished, soft, sheep hide, tanned with their own hands, along with a printed step-by-step guide and the foundational knowledge to continue exploring this ancestral skill at home if they choose. All tools are provided during the class, with the option to purchase tools afterward, though this is not required.
This class is an invitation to slow down, work with your hands, and connect with a practical skill that has supported human life for thousands of years.
Meet the Instructor
James Horvath is a nature mentor with 16 years of learning and practicing ancestral arts and primitive skills. He teaches both children and adults at skills gatherings across the Western United States, bringing a calm, patient presence and a hands-on, story-rich approach to learning. James specializes in the traditional tanning of animal hides, guiding students through every step while honoring the old ways and the animals themselves.
Rooted in curiosity and respect for the land, James helps people reconnect with the skills of their ancestors—tanning, carving, cordage, fire, and more—so they can build confidence, resilience, and a deeper sense of place. His classes blend practical technique with cultural context and mentorship, creating experiences that are as empowering as they are memorable.
The hides for this class are from a friend of James’ flock that roam the hills for weed abatement and Adobo-style cooking events.
HOW TO REGISTER
For more information and to register for the class, please reach out to James:
805.801.1008 | [email protected]