Sheepskin Hide Tanning Intensive
April 19-23, 2027 | North Saanich, Vancouver Island, BC
A 5-day hide tanning immersion
Learn four methods of tanning sheepskins
Make 3 leather textiles to take home
Level up your hide tanning practice
In this course you will:
Learn to tan sheepskins naturally at a Vancouver Island tannery
Learn the methodology behind alum-tawing, smoke-tanning, and bark-tanning
Make 2 woolly sheepskin rugs
Make 1 soft cloth (hair-off) leather
The 5 days conclude with a group meal from our farm and a graduation ritual.
No prior hide tanning experience needed.
For current tanners, we have an additional (surprise!) challenge for you to deepen your tanning practice even more.
Investment: $744 CAD
Payable in 1 or 3 payments. Contact us for longer payment plans.
Hide Tanning is a Land-Based skill
It’s also an embodiment practice.
Mara Cur and Mark Santamaria are your co-facilitators for this hide tanning course - affectionately known as a hide camp - where you’ll receive a fresh + prepared hides from us and turn it into natural, sustainable leather yourself.
Even as a beginner, you’ll be the one to make it happen. You’ll leave hide camp with your own sheepskin rug, the knowledge to tan more hides, and unique lessons that three days of ancient movement + hard work brought to you.
The Details
📍 Location: North Saanich, W̱SÁNEĆ Peninsula, BC
📅 Dates: April 19-23, 2027
⏰ Schedule: 10am–5pm each day
💰 Investment: $744 CAD
⛺ Camping available book your spot here
All our hides are ethically sourced + re-routed from waste streams to co-create a resilient fibreshed.
All materials, tools, and equipment are provided.
$10 of your course investment goes toward the W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust to support Indigenous land-back. This donation is made during thier annual holiday fundraising drive.
What You’ll Gain from this hide tanning course:
✔️ Transform a local farm-raised sheep hide into a plush + functional, leather sheepskin rug
✔️ Learn the time-honoured, land-based skill of hide tanning
✔️ Build physical strength + endurance
✔️ Leave with a finished sheepskin - made ethically by your hands
Words from our hide tanning students
“I tried tanning on my own and never understood it. After coming to one of the hide courses, I understand the process, and what went wrong with my previous attempts.”
Dallas
“Mara’s gentle guidance made me feel at home in hide camp.”
Tahlia
“I tanned my first hide with Fern + Roe. I didn’t know how much depth there would be in the course, beyond just the hide tanning itself. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a serious retreat/getaway.”
Skylar
FAQs
-
Anneth Farm in North Saanich, BC can be reach by:
Ferry
BC Ferries, Tsawassen to Swartz Bay
Mill Bay ferry, Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay
BlackBall ferry, Port Angeles to Victoria
Clipper ferry, Seattle to Victoria
Plane
Commercial jet to YYJ
Float plane to Patricia Bay or downtown Victoria (Inner Harbour)
-
We are 35 minutes north of Victoria, BC
-
Yes, we welcome everyone to camp at Anneth Farm. It is $24/night.
In addition, we have indoor accommodations available that change by season. For this course, you are welcome to book a private Farmhouse room for $150/night. Email us to enquire.
-
11am to 4:00pm
Transform a Sheep Hide into Sheepskin Leather
With everyday ingredients
With simple equipment
And learn how close you already are
to the natural world, within and around you
