Any uses for feathers?

possum · Post: # 70616Post **possum** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:24 am

We have hens, ducks ans peacocks, so we get a lot of feathers around the place, mostly small, but picket up a peahen tail feather today. Of course when the peacock starts to lose his tail there will be more arty things i can do, but any ideas on what to use feathers for, it seems a shame to let them go to waste.

Bonniegirl · Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:29 am

Do what my neighbour does, she goes to the marae and uses the feathers to make cloaks.

If that doesn't appeal, ring them anyway and I bet the ladies making cloaks would come round and pick them all up for you.

I've had 2 ladies come and fill carrier bags full of them.

possum · Post: # 70624Post **possum** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:55 am

that is not a bad suggestion, i am quite happy to go and pick them up as i see them as they tend not to be all in one place as the wind blows them about, but once i have a decent amount i might do just that, though i have to confess to no knowing how active the local marae is, i have yet to see a local maori, there isn't a big population here.

Millymollymandy · Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:06 am

I guess you could compost them but wouldn't it be too time consuming picking them all up? Parts of my garden look like it has snowed

as the ducks seem to shed all the time - they're forever preening themselves.

possum · Post: # 70697Post **possum** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:07 pm

well eventually they will compost down wherever they are, so in one respect they wont be wasted, i was really wondering what crafts are possible

mrsflibble · Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:48 am

put a few in tiny bags and sell for an extortionate profit on ebay.
so called "crafters" "scrapbookers" and "card makers" will snap them up.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NATURAL-FEATHERS- ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/exotic-bird-feath ... dZViewItem

possum · Post: # 70728Post **possum** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:12 am

not a bad idea,

circlecross · Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:03 pm

I was about to say my MIL will take them as she needs a feather cloak for a panto, then I saw where you were...

anyone else with feathers going to waste however...

Eigon · Post: # 71013Post **Eigon** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:23 pm

Stuffing cushions? It's traditional, for the downy underfeathers at least.

mrsflibble · Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:33 pm

you can still buy special anti-seepage material for making feather pillows from one of my local haberdashers. if the material has too low a thread count the feathers can work their way out, so use a heavy material if you can't get the proper anti-feather stuff... or use 2-3 layers.

heavy calico should be ok.

frozenthunderbolt · Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:46 am

yep big peacock feathers will sell on trademe.

can use wingfeathers to make flights for arrows or as quills for caligraphy.
a bunch tied togeather make a hilarious cat toy.

Feathers burned on a ship are said to make for a safe journy as the smell scares away water demons - once you have smelt them then you are likely to aggree!