rooted in food system symbiosis

i pick up these hides directly from local butchers

The sheep are all from small-scale farmers nearby to me (clackamas, multnomah area). 

all of these sheepskins were headed to rot in the dump!

as a product of industrialization and the introduction of chrome-tanned hides, as well as the popularization of plastic textiles and overseas enslaved labor, hide tanning/leather making is no longer a common community artisan role. 

there aren't enough hide tanners to keep up with the amount of hides being produced in our foodways/meat production.

earth-friendly tanning

commercial sheepskins are tanned with chrome and formaldehyde, contributing to the degradation and instability of waterways and ecosystems.

i use mimosa tree bark, salt, egg yolks, olive oil, soap, and many many hours of work.