Classes

Learn the Craft

Welcome to Bones & Hide classes — hands-on, in-person experiences held in North London, Ontario where you leave with something you made yourself, start to finish. No experience is needed for any of my classes. Just show up ready to learn and get your hands dirty!

All classes require a 50% non-refundable deposit to hold your spot. See the cancellation policy at the bottom of this page. To inquire about booking, click the "Inquire About This Class" button on your class of interest and I'll be in touch with available dates!

📅 Dates Available

Looking to book? Here are the upcoming scheduled and open dates. Open dates are flexible — contact me to request your preferred class and time. Not seeing a date that works? Reach out anyway — I'm always open to requests!

🗓️ Scheduled Classes (Set Dates)

On smaller screens, swipe or scroll right across the table to see spots remaining →

🌙 Weeknight Classes (Thursdays 6:00pm – 10:00pm)

Weeknight classes run 4 hours and are suited for No-Mess Squirrel, Raccoon Skinning, Muskrat, Beaver, or other classes completable in that time. Contact me to request your preferred class!

• November: Thursdays Nov. 26
• December: Thursdays Dec. 3, 10, 17

📖 Open Dates — Request Your Class

Open dates require a minimum of 2 people to book. Contact me to request your preferred class and time — availability is 10:00am to 6:00pm (end time) on these days.

• Sun. Nov. 15
• Sun. Dec. 6
• Sat. Dec. 19

📩 Don't see a date that works? Reach out anyway — I'm always open to requests, including classes I don't even advertise yet! Contact me here →

🦴✨ Into the Wild: 2027 Open Dates

The calendar is open — and so are the possibilities. These dates are available for any class of your choice. Once someone books, that date becomes a scheduled class with set times and spots. Open dates require a minimum of 2 people to book. Contact me to lock in your class, time, and creature!

📩 Want to claim a date? Reach out here → and we'll make it happen!

❄️ January 2027

🐾 February 2027

🌿 March 2027

📩 Ready to claim a 2027 date? Contact me here → — once you book, that date becomes your class!

How to Book

Ready to book? Send me the date you'd like, your preferred class, and how many people are joining you. Open dates require a minimum of 2 participants. I'll confirm availability and arrange your 50% deposit to secure your spots.

🐿️ Full Squirrel Taxidermy – Borax Mount

$250/person | Weekends only | 10:00am – 6:00pm (7 hours of instruction, with a 40-minute lunch break)

A full day of hands-on taxidermy from start to finish. We skin, flesh, wash, prep and mount your squirrel — and you take it home the same day. This is the real deal! Also get an arm workout in the process.

Physical demands & support: This full-day class includes skinning and fleshing, which are physically demanding even with a small mammal. Fleshing requires repeated pushing with substantial pressure on the fleshing tool, using your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders. Expect periods of standing and bending over your work; back soreness and muscle fatigue are common. If you have wrist pain, carpal tunnel symptoms, back discomfort or another physical limitation, you may need my help with some steps. You do not need to rule yourself out. Please let me know when inquiring or booking what you may need help with so we can discuss support and I can plan the class timing. During class, let me know if you need a break or assistance rather than pushing through pain.

Add-ons:

• Squirrel skull cleaning & whitening – $30
• Squirrel bone/body cleaning – $20
• Custom velvet-lined display box (your choice of fabric colour) – $10

→ Inquire About This Class

🐿️ No-Mess Squirrel Mount

$280/person | Evenings or weekends | 2-hour block

Want to skip the skinning and jump straight into mounting? This class is for you. We cover the pre-prepared skin with borax, mount it to a form and pin it — you take it home the same day. Typical time slots are evenings 6–8pm or 8–10pm. Weekend availability varies.

Currently No Add-ons:

→ Inquire About This Class

🦝 Raccoon Skinning Class

$175/person | Weekends 10am–2pm or Weeknights 6pm–10pm (4 hours)

We skin, flesh, wash and salt your raccoon hide together. I then take the hide through my full tanning process — you'll receive your finished tanned hide back within 3–4 weeks. Bone returns take 5–8 weeks.

Physical demands & support: Skinning and fleshing a raccoon is hands-on physical work, not a light crafting session. Fleshing requires repeated pushing with substantial pressure on the fleshing tool, using your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders. Expect periods of standing and bending over your work; back soreness and muscle fatigue are common. Larger mammals require even more pressure and effort. If you have wrist pain, carpal tunnel symptoms, back discomfort or another physical limitation, you may need my help with some steps. You do not need to rule yourself out. Please let me know when inquiring or booking what you may need help with so we can discuss support and I can plan the class timing. During class, let me know if you need a break or assistance rather than pushing through pain.

Add-ons:

• Raccoon skull cleaning & whitening – $30
• Full raccoon bone/body return – $40
• Raccoon feet preservation – $30 (includes all four)
• Custom velvet-lined skull display box (your choice of fabric) – $15

→ Inquire About This Class

🦦 Muskrat Skinning Class

$175/person | Weekends 10am–2pm or Weeknights 6pm–10pm (4 hours)

We skin, flesh, wash and salt your muskrat hide together. I then take the hide through my full tanning process — you'll receive your finished tanned hide back within 3–4 weeks. Bone returns take 5–8 weeks.

Physical demands & support: A muskrat may be small, but skinning and fleshing still involves significant physical work. Fleshing requires repeated pushing with substantial pressure on the fleshing tool, using your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders. Expect periods of standing and bending over your work; back soreness and muscle fatigue are common. If you have wrist pain, carpal tunnel symptoms, back discomfort or another physical limitation, you may need my help with some steps. You do not need to rule yourself out. Please let me know when inquiring or booking what you may need help with so we can discuss support and I can plan the class timing. During class, let me know if you need a break or assistance rather than pushing through pain.

Add-ons:

• Muskrat skull cleaning & whitening – $30
• Full muskrat bone/body return – $30
• Custom velvet-lined skull display box (your choice of fabric) – $15
• Muskrat feet preservation – $30 (includes all 4)

→ Inquire About This Class

🦫 Beaver Skinning Class

$220/person | Weekends 10am–2pm or Weeknights 6pm–10pm (4 hours)

We skin, flesh, wash and salt your beaver hide together. I then take the hide through my full tanning process — you'll receive your finished tanned hide back within 3–4 weeks. Bone returns take 5–8 weeks.

Physical demands & support: Be prepared for substantial physical work. As a larger mammal, a beaver requires even more pushing pressure and effort during fleshing than smaller specimens. You will repeatedly push firmly on the fleshing tool, using your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders. Expect periods of standing and bending over your work; back soreness and muscle fatigue are common. If you have wrist pain, carpal tunnel symptoms, back discomfort or another physical limitation, you may need my help with some steps. You do not need to rule yourself out. Please let me know when inquiring or booking what you may need help with so we can discuss support and I can plan the class timing. During class, let me know if you need a break or assistance rather than pushing through pain.

Add-ons:

• Beaver skull cleaning & whitening – $50
• Full beaver bone/body return – $50
• Custom velvet-lined box for bones (approx.) – $50 (12"Wx16"Lx6"H)
• Custom velvet-lined box for skull only – $15
• Beaver feet preservation – $30 (includes all 4)
• Beaver tail tanned - $50 (provided back in two pieces, ready for crafting)

→ Inquire About This Class

🦝 Raccoon Carpet / Wall Mount

$400/person | Weeknights 6–10pm or weekends based on availability | ~3–4 hours

A unique and creative mount perfect for celebrating any season or holiday! Together we will:

• Work on taxidermying the face of the raccoon together — I guide you through every step
• Learn the clay work around the eyes and proper pin placement for a natural, lifelike finish
• Choose your ruffle fabric from my seasonal collection (Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and more) to frame around the neck
• Cinch the fabric with a simple sewing stitch — super easy, no sewing experience needed!
• Glue everything into place for a finished, display-ready piece

Everything is provided and you take your mount home the same day.

→ Inquire About This Class

🏆 Full Mount Classes

Based on specimen availability | Max 2 students | Pricing varies

These classes are determined by specimen availability and must be requested in advance. Students receive a tanned hide, all supplies, and leave with a finished mount the same day. Available species include:

• Raccoon – $500/person
• Rat – $230/person
• Opossum – $650/person
• Muskrat – $600/person
• Beaver – $700/person
• Coyote – $1,000/person (Two-Part Class: Class 1, Skinning/Class 2, Mounting)

  Physical demands & support for the coyote skinning session: Skinning and fleshing a large mammal involves substantial physical work, with even more pushing pressure and effort than smaller specimens. Fleshing requires repeated firm pushing on the fleshing tool, using your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders. Expect periods of standing and bending over your work; back soreness and muscle fatigue are common. If you have wrist pain, carpal tunnel symptoms, back discomfort or another physical limitation, you may need my help with some steps. You do not need to rule yourself out. Please let me know when inquiring or booking what you may need help with so we can discuss support and I can plan the class timing. During class, let me know if you need a break or assistance rather than pushing through pain.

• Other species available upon request

→ Inquire About This Class

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need any experience?
A: Not at all! All classes are designed for complete beginners. Just show up ready to learn.

Q: Is it suitable for kids?
A: Participants under 16 must have a legal guardian or parent present for the entire duration of the class. No exceptions.

Q: What should I wear?
A: Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. For any skinning classes, rubber boots are highly recommended.

Q: What's provided?
A: All tools, supplies, and specimens are included. Just bring yourself!

Q: Can I bring a friend?
A: Absolutely — classes are a great experience to share! Just make sure they book their own spot.

Q: What do I do with my finished piece?
A: For mounting classes, you take your finished piece home the same day — display-ready and ready to show off! For skinning classes, you'll prep your hide to the salting stage during class. Then we take it through the full tanning process, and you'll receive your finished hide back in 3–6 weeks, depending on whether you've added any bone add-ons.

Q: What if I need to cancel?
A: See our cancellation policy below for full details.

Physical Considerations

Skinning classes are physically demanding, especially the fleshing stage. Removing tissue from the hide requires repetitive hand and arm movements and substantial pushing pressure on the fleshing tool. This uses your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders, and larger mammals require even more pressure and effort.

Expect periods of standing and bending over your work. Back soreness and muscle fatigue are common, and existing wrist, shoulder, arm or back discomfort may make some steps more difficult. Wear comfortable, supportive footwear, take breaks as needed, and let me know if you need help rather than pushing through pain.

Physical limitations do not mean you need to rule yourself out of a class. If you have sore wrists, carpal tunnel symptoms, back pain or another concern, you may need my help with some of the more demanding steps. Please contact me when inquiring or booking and tell me which tasks you think you may need help with. Advance notice lets us discuss support and gives me time to plan the pace, assistance and class timing. You do not need to share a diagnosis; knowing what you may need help with is what matters.

If you are unsure whether this type of physical activity is suitable for you, consider speaking with your healthcare provider before attending. My goal is to help you learn and participate, not to have you push past your limits.

Cancellation & Deposit Policy

• A 50% deposit is required on all classes to hold your spot.
• All deposits are non-refundable, except in the event that Bones & Hide cancels the class.
• Reschedule requests made more than 48 hours before the class are subject to a $50 rescheduling fee.
• Reschedule requests made within 48 hours of the class are subject to a $75 fee due to specimen loss.
• Spots may be transferred to another person provided they complete the required form.

Have questions? Get in touch — I'm happy to help you find the right class for you.

Past Classes & Student Creations

A glimpse inside classes at Bones & Hide Preservation: hands-on learning, work in progress, and creations made by students.

The photos below include taxidermy work in progress and preservation class activities.

What Our Students Are Saying

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