Pigskin

my girlfriend was in an apprenticeship for a short time when her mentor died last year. She has been out of it for quite some time due to the fact that her mentor was her bestfriend and almost like her big brother and has not wanted anyone else to teach her the trade. Lately she has been showing interest to get back into it, but still very reluctant to have anyone else teach her. So I thought I would take it upon my self to get her pigskin to practice on, but my question is where do I get it? Can I get it from the butcher? If so, what needs to be done to it to prep it? Does it need to be dried out? She is very adament about having pigskin. Any help on the subject would be greatly greatly appreciated as this is a surprise for her because I want her to get back to doing something she loves. Jeff

You can get it in any supermarket like Shaws or Stop & Shop. Usually Pig shoulder has a lot of skin left. I get mine in BJ's Wholesale, they got bigger pieces. Just cut off the skin from the meat, & wash it with soap & wipe with paper towel to help get rid off the grease & you're good to go!... Forget the fake skin, they suck!!! You're like tattooing on a rubber.

Can I just go to the meat department and just ask for the skin? How does it need to be stored?

Go to a butcher and ask him for some scrap.Youl probably get it for free.If all else fails get some pig feet, its not a huge surface area but u generally get like 6x6 inches of workable space per foot/hoof/thing.I get each foot for like 3 bucks at my local butcher.