This folks is my newest yearling sheep hide, I currently have been having a blast exploring different ways to cure them, I have a hide that was salted, and stretched, that’s it, I have a hide that was just egged and stretched, I have one that was salted, stretched and then egged, and now I am working with ones that are being done in lye and worked. I currently have one being cured using the old fashioned method of oak bark soak..

And I have plans to explore different ways of smoking the hides to finish them off, I am looking forward to comparing the finished product when it comes to the hides, I also had a hide in a lye solution that will in fact be dehaired and turned into leather..

But that means that I currently have five big full size rabbit hides, one med rabbit size, and one youngin rabbit hides, two shearing sheep hides, one small lamb hide, one big lamb hide, one yearling sheep hide and one calf hide plus one massive yearling beef hide to figure out what to do with..

The big beef hide is going to heavy to hang, and Dh has declared that he is unsure he wants it as a rug, as downstairs the critters can get at it, but upstairs we normally close off and battle mice, and he does not want to worry about them nibbling, and I agree, I have spent way to much time and effort for that, but what then to do with it.. I can shear it down to a tight short hide but that will only help with the weight a bit and it takes away from the beauty of the hide itself, its in a full winter coat and its stunning!

The lamb yearling hide well that one I have plans for (its going as a present to someone) the shearing lambs hides, well I think I am going to make a shearing blanket with them, it will take years to finish it, as it takes ten to twelve or sixteen of them depending on the size of the blanket to make it and as I normally only have one or two lambs stillborn or die within the first 48 hours, it will take years before I can finish the blanket, but its a goal to work towards.

The calf hide, I want to make into a covering, so its fate is marked out..

But that leaves rabbit hides and the other sheep hides, and I will have lots more yearling hides, but only the best are going for pelts, the rest are earmarked for leather this year..

I am thinking earmuffs? or wrist warmers with thumb holes, so they would be slip on rabbit hide fingerless guanlets?

The one smaller lamb hide was a training to skin hide and its got a number of knicks and holes in it, its a trim only hide.. but the other bigger one is in very good condition, I am unsure what to make with it..

open to thoughts.. I am more then willing to use them to make interesting things for the horse gear? or clothing items or for decor in the house, or if they turn out well, as gifts.. .