This is Ashley again this feathery Friday, with the third installment in Trending Feathers. Today we are going to look at all of the amazing ways you can make your own feathers! Don’t forget, at the end of this DIY Feather Round-Up, there is a chance to enter for a great give-away!
When I first started looking at handmade feathers, I was amazed at the sheer artistry that goes into some of them. And I thought, there is seriously no way I can do this. But, the more I looked, the more I realized that for all of the artistry that goes into feathers (paper and real), that they are essentially quite basic. And then I thought, I can do basic.
As a simple shape, a feather is really just a somewhat curvy, kinda long and skinny type shape. As having pattern, it really just looks like there are lots of fine downward pointing lines running the length of the center spine. Basically: long + chevrons = feather. Then whatever else you want to add in is just details. A pointy bit at the bottom for the quill, maybe some texture up the sides for the notches that gives each feather its unique shape.
Paper Feathers
(Sources: Water color feathers by Geninn’s Art Blog; painted feathers by the Handmade Home; 3 different paper feathers by Lintsi; and deli paper feathers by Balzer Design).
Starting at the top left corner above, the water color feathers above are so realistic! I love the combination of the precise painting and the delicate fringe. The bold chunky coloured veins on the painted feather is a fun and modern treatment. The Handmade Home made these out of foam, but you could easily replicate the look above using raw chipboard, cardboard, or even kraft cardstock. I love the texture Linti adds to her paper feathers with some gentle crumpling and other simple but impressive distressing techniques. In the bottom right corner we will finish up with that fun fringed feather made from deli paper.
Be sure to check out the blogs above for helpful DIY instructions, and visit my Feather Board at Pinterest for more paper feather ideas!
Real Feathers
(Sources: gilded feathers at Mom’s Crafty Space; glitter feathers at The Nester; stamped feathers at Organize and Decorate Everything).
There are so many amazing version of gilded feathers out there, but the ones shown above I find especially amazing. I love the way Mom’s Crafty Space combined silver and gold, and mixed up the patterning. This is definitely one feather I need to try! Gilded feathers are such a fast and easy to way to dress up *anything*. What’s not to love here? There’s glitter — GOLD glitter — and feathers! It’s like a perfect, pretty storm. And although I have yet to try it, I am totally in love with stamping on feathers. How great would a title stamped on a feather be? I can totally see using these in decor, on cards, maybe even on wedding or Christmas gifts as part of the wrapping!
Other Kinds of Feathers
(Sources: Baker’s twine feathers by Blue Sky Confections; duct tape feathers by Brit+Co.)
What a brilliant use this is for all of that colourful baker’s twine or embroidery floss I know we all have too much of! I love the added gold chevron detail Blue Sky Confections added to her twine feathers. I love neon and I love feathers, so I am sure it is no surprise to you that I seriously love these neon green duct tape feathers by Brit+Co. Yes, that’s right…they are duct tape…actually neon green duct tape, to be precise. And before you raid the fix-it box in your basement for some duct tape to try making these bright beauties with, think about checking out the craft or hardware store for some super fun patterned duct tape.
I hope that one of these fine feathery ideas has struck you full of inspiration, and you’re dying to get crafty and DIY some feathers!
If you are looking for more inspiration or ideas, take a look through my Pinterest Feather board, where I’ve been collecting feather ideas to share with you all.
Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a wonderful package of feather goodies supplied by some wonderful companies! Give-away will be on February 28th. Leave a comment on each installment of my Trending Feathers article for another entry for a chance to win! Give-away open to US residents only.
PLUS:
Give-away prizes provided generously by: Jenni Bowlin Studio; Cocoa Daisy; Creatiate; Fall In Love Gems; handmade feathers by Ashley Calder and the Things That Shine, and A Flair For Buttons.
Tune in Friday for my fourth and final feathery installment in this trending series!
Want to stay up-to-date on all the latest scrapbook news?
About Ashley Calder
Love the feathers people made.
Your Pinterest page is great! So many ideas. Love the watercolor ones.
These are wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win!
beautiful feathers! I just bought some Heidi Swapp color shine mist in Tinsel, I think I’ll try misting some feathers today. Thanks for the inspiration!
what a great series! thanks!
Hi, lovely feather stuff here – and thanks for featuring my paper feathers! Just one thing: the link below the pictures in the text from my name (Lintsi) is wrong, it goes to the plastic feathers: “I love the texture Lintsi adds to her paper feathers with some gentle crumpling and other simple but impressive distressing techniques.” Thanks!
What a great share. You have converted me
I didn’t like feathers but now I want to try them. thanks for a chance to win. off to check your Pinterest.
I LOVE Feathers – yours are beautiful! thanks for sharing and for the chance to win some feathery stuff!!
Wow! Who knew gold glittery feathers could be so pretty!
I love feathers-and handmade are my favorite!!
Really great ideas, thank you. Have you seen the ones Alisa Burke makes (they’re quite fantastic!)?
Wow! I love all these feathers. The natural ones are gorgeous as are the homemade ones. So much fun.
My daughter used peacock feathers in her wedding decor. I have been thinking of trying my hand at making feathers, today is the day. Thanks, Ashley for these great ideas on feathers.
OOOOO, I like the idea of altering real feathers!
Thanks again for another chance to win! These ate wonderful examples of homemade feathers!!!
Love all the great ideas on making and altering feathers. Thanks for the chance to win beautiful products.
I am always on the lookout for things to do with old book pages, so thank you for the d iy feather idea!!!
Beautiful work and great ideas. Thank you for the spark of creativity!
I love all these beautiful feathers, and can’t wait to get to my craft room to try my hand at making some!
All of these feathers are wonderful & some are downright amazing.
I love love love your feathers! I have been “feather obsessed” for a while now but never never thought of trying a DIY feather. I did carve a feather stamp but that’s as far as I went Thank you so much for all these great ideas to make my own. I hope I succeed.
I’ve been enjoying your feather series Ashly
Thanks Ashley! I am loving all these handmade feathers! It is awesome to have all this feather inspiration in one spot. Still drooling over that give away…thanks for a chance to win!!
Never would have thought to make so many different kinds of feathers!
I’ve really enjoyed the feather trend articles. Love seeing all the different possibilities.
Stamping on feathers? I am loving the feather trend. Thanks for the give away!
Very innovative!
I like the idea of stamping on feathers. Will have to give that a try!
Wow!! Thanks for the amazing inspiration!!
Wow, I am totally inspired to actually try making some watercolored feathers myself. Thanks for the great series!
I’m really loving this feather trend! I can’t wait for the Jenni Bowlin products. I am going to try to make some myself while I anxiously wait for these to come out!
You have some great ideas in this post. Stamping on feathers? Would never have thought that one up on my own.
Have been fascinated with feathers most of my life. Never thought to make my own! Have used feathers in scrapbooking and crafting with our grandkids. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I loved seeing all the different feathers, and the idea of stamping on them is amazing…I will have to give that a try.
Look at all those amazing feathers! I really thought that some of them were real when they weren’t. I’m really impressed!
Love the feathers!
I’m so loving the feather trend!!!
I love anything “natural” and think feathers are a fresh twist! I would love to be your winner!
I just found this article and had noticed the feather trend in card making…. in fact, I checked out the rub-on feather images this week at my local stamp store. Thank you for the compiling and sharing the various ways to make faux feathers…. AND…Thank you for offering the chance to win the prize package!
Love this trend
Lovely feathers! Thank you for these articles.
Love that ombre paper feather!! And the green duc tape on…too creative!!
Loving all the feathers. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love those feathers you showcased. I think I might even be able to make some..and stamping on them? Would totally love doing that! Thanks for the idea