How to prepare small feathers for craft projects?

[gritsar]

The title says it all. I need to know how to clean and prepare small feathers for use in a few craft projects. I refuse to buy feathers when I have two coops full of molting birds. So how do I get the feathers looking their best?

TIA

 

[easttxchick]

I sent you a link on FB.

 

[KristyHall]

well on the powwow trail much of our regalia has lots of feathers. (watch a video of a mens traditional dancer, men's fancy dance, and strait dancers and you'll see exactly what I mean)

So here is how I was taught to preserve and care of feathers

lay them out in a space where they can be spread out like a bath tub. spray from a distance, with lysol, lots of lysol. the lysol will drive off or kill mites, ad disinfect the feathers. leave them there for 24 hours then put them in plastic baggies or bundle them with a string and hang them

After painting on a feather try spraying from a distance with hair spray. it will help keep the paint from flaking off. do not touch the feathers until dry or they will clump or separate.

for jewelry or hanging them you can do several methods

you can use a needle to penetrate the shaft then then pull a string, sinew, or fishing line through and wrap it several times before tieing off and adding a touch of glue to secure it


you can tie the thread on and slide a pony bead (or appropriately sized bead) on over the thread and feather to secure it.

there are also metal findings, clasp like things you can buy at hobby stores that you crimp onto the feather with the thread to hang it. This is great for smaller feathers and delicate decorations or jewelry.

it is possible to set feathers in resin or laminate them but I have not figured out how to do it without messing up the feather structure in the process

 

[AhBee01]

easttxchick, an you post the link on here? Please!

 

[gritsar]

Thanks Sheila

 

[easttxchick]

http://www.ehow.com/how_6605005_preserve-feathers-crafts.html