Anyone use found feathers in their scrapbooking/crafts?

And if you have, did you sterilize them somehow? My neighbor is going to give me some pheasant feathers from his next hunting trip and I'd like to use them on a LO... but I'm a little weirded out about mites and stuff on them. Id buy some from a craft store but I dont need a package of 20+ for crying out loud!

I even looked in the superstore and didn't find anything. I have seen a few layouts in the gallery with feathers but not sure where they came from. I too would love to get into feathers.

I also saw few lo with feathers & would like to know where to buy them.

Ok....so I did some investigating and found tons on ebay! I just searched scrapbooking feathers.

HTH!

Just a word of caution, I have used found feathers and they fell apart years later. Not sure if store bought feathers are treated with something or not, but the old feathers I picked up all came apart. The one exception was peacock feathers - those stayed together much better (not 100% though).

That said, I do use them on cards and other "short term" crafts that don't need to last years and years.
Chicken & Roosters By Here Kitty

I've used peacock feathers, store-bought feathers, and feathers left over from modifying a set of angel wings.

I found a bag of feathers at Michael's ages ago. I never used them and that darned bag has walked off....

i love using feathers, peacock especially, although I'll use pretty much anything. For feathers I picked up off the ground I just hand washed them, I didn't use soap though. So far they seem to be holding up alright, 2 years later.

• Mrs PaulyD Said:

You can heat them, and it will kill what ever your worried about....and as for them falling apart, they do that because air gets into the stem (for lack of the proper word), so you can dip the end of it in wax, preferably beeswax, and it will seal it so the air doesn't get in. Hope that helps.

HL sells them. I have also picked up quite a few packs from the fly fishing section at Sportsman's Warehouse and Bass Pro Shops.

I have used feathers in my projects,like ATC, cards or altered puzzle pieces but never on Layouts. Also the feathers I have used are always from a store. But I am glad you asked this question,,It's good to know if other feathers can be used.

I have used found turkey feathers in lo's before and I sealed them individually in between sheets of clear contact paper, then cut the contact paper to the size I needed. I don't have pics tho. I did those about 4 years ago and I don't think they will ever come apart. You could also use the xyron sheets that are sticky on just one side- I think it's the one to make stickers with. You might have to experiment to get the correct side of the feather showing. I did test my contact paper with my PH pen and it showed safe.
I was told tho that some wild bird feathers are illegal to possess. Seemed really dumb at the time but I guess there was an issue with poachers or something and I know that Bald Eagle feathers can get you a huge fine because they are endangered. I have used the feathers from blue jay, raven, turkey, and chickadee for scrapping and different crafts, all were found in my yard. I put them into a 200 degree oven for about 1/2 an hour to get rid of any bugs that may have been on them. Never had a bug problem. I do the same with sticks I find and use to make cards.

BTW Bald Eagles are no longer on the endangered list. A true success story, but it is still illegal to possess an eagle or any eagle parts.

I've read that if you microwave found feathers it will kill any bugs.

• Mrs PaulyD Said:

I had the same problem. I needed 1 feather for something I was doing but didn't want to buy a whole bag full bag and was nervous about using one off the ground.
It's strange that I have no problem pulling apart a whole chicken or turkey but get the willies thinking about picking up a feather off the ground. I have seen girls pick up a feather and immediately put it behind their ear. That's just grosses me out.

I found some feathers at J's the other day...they were peacock and came in a package of 2. I haven't found a use for them yet but for some reason I thought I needed them.

I used feathers on some of my cards. Bought a small bag from HL. I am thinking about a thanksgiving project using them too....

I've used feathers on pages as well as mixed media projects. I used Mod Podge or Deco Page to seal them and haven't had any problems. Both dry clear, so they work well. Mod Podge comes in different types, and I prefer the one used for furniture... the label is purple for working with feathers. The beeswax idea is also a great one for the stems of the feathers. As far as mites go, the heat trick is a good one. I wouldn't bother washing them with water, as a lot of birds feathers are somewhat waterproof.