Uses of Feathers in Crafts

The Many Uses of Craft Feathers in Various Arts & Crafts Projects

Feathers have been and always will be an important source material for many of our arts and crafts projects.  Their use harks back to the early days of primitive man who considered feathers as a readily available and colorful medium, and that he used it to craft his art pieces and fashion accessories.  Today, craft feathers continue to play a leading role in the creation of new and traditional art and craft items; it remains to be so accessible and safe that it can be used by anyone, be it the littlest toddler to the old folk who makes things using the material to pass their time.  Feathers are also versatile and can be applied to a vast area of creative and artistic design.  This article presents some of the arts and craft projects that require the use of this adaptable material.

Craft feathers can be added to heighten the appeal of collages.  This project is a staple of kids art and crafts education; through them, kids can learn the importance of keeping tabs of everyday life and of any exceptional event that happens within it.  The feathers singular feel and texture lends visual appeal and dimension to the collection of pictures, quotes, images, postcards and other similar mediums that make up the project.  To permanently stick the feathers to the collage, affix them on top of the collage by brushing them on twice with two coats of sealing paste that is used in arts classes.  After brushing them in, leave them in room temperature to let the paste settle and dry.

You can use feathers to apply ink to pieces of paper to make imprints of them.  In this project, you will use a rubber stamp pad for the job.  Take off the cover of the ink pad and then carefully put down the feather on top of the pad.  Once the pad saturates the feather with its cover, apply the colored feather onto pieces of paper.  Take off the used feather and let the print dry completely before proceeding to another feather and color.  You can also use this technique to embellish blank fashion and clothing productsbut not before you substitute fabric paint for the ink pad!  This way, you can make products that have a distinctly feel that is yours and yours alone.

Also, you can employ craft feathers like stripped coque tail feathers to create so-called feather fascinators, which are traditional hats that are made of and designed with feathers.  The fascinators are usually worn on one side of your head.  Use a hot glue gun to stick unique, varied feathers to the chosen side of the headband.  Once the glued-in feathers dry and set down completely, paste on more flowers and other items to the headband to hide the rather large stems of the plumes that were first used on it.  These other items can be anything from buttons, fake flowers, gems, and anything that suits your fancy.

Photo Credit : Trinkets in Bloom

Perhaps the best application for craft feathers is their use in feather-made ornamental centerpieces.  To make one, you should put in many layers and inches of glass rocks, potpourri, and marbles inside the base of a tall vase; these will ensure that the flowers will stay in place.  Then, put in large-sized feathers like peacock and ostrich plumes within the vase and place them in accordingly.  Other novel and natural items can be used such as tree branches, branches, and twigs for an unsurpassed display.  The vase that is so decorated with craft feathers can become ornamental centerpieces that are meant for display during winter dinner receptions and weddings.