(1/2) you can make traditional tanning solution at home! mix one yellow part of egg, 1dl of olive or rapeseed oil and a tbspn of dish soap. that's enough for a big pelt but it's harder to make smaller amounts with a reasonable mixing ratio. you'll first need to de-salt the skin by washing it, then dry the hair side completely and leave the flesh side a bit moist. then apply the skinning solution on the flesh side (make sure it doesn't get on the fur). then wait until it's a bit moist again.
(2/2) Then stretch the skin until it gets a white web sort of pattern all over on the flesh side. Be careful, squirrels rip easily! You can use a spoon or smth like that to help the skin stretch. When the web stays on even when you let go, leave the skin to dry. If you wish to soften the pelt, wait two weeks so the skin gets air to react with the oils, then soak the pelt in soap water until wet and repeat, but now you don't only stretch, you also rub with hands and spoon and table corners.
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Super-helpful! Thank you!
I feel much more comfortable using the premade stuff for my first few attempts at tanning, but this is definitely something I’ll have to try down the line! But I just have to share this for other people...
