How to Make Dreamcatcher Feathers
Native Americans use dreamcatchers to protect a sleeping person from bad dreams. Feathers are an integral part of the design and are usually hung from the center or bottom half of the frame of the dream catcher. Their function is to help the good dreams drop down onto the sleeping person underneath. Bad dreams will get caught in the net and burn in the sun. Make your own dreamcatcher feathers with only a few items such as paper and wire.
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Things You'll Need
- Craft paper
- Scissors
- Pencil
- White craft glue
- 20-gauge wire
- Wire cutters
- Masking tape
Instructions
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1
Cut a 6 x 3 inch piece of craft paper with scissors. Fold the paper in half, lengthwise.
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2
Draw a half-feather shape along the length of the paper. Use as much of the width of the paper as possible. One end of the shape should be more tapered and the other end more rounded to make a realistic feather shape.
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3
Cut along this drawn line. This forms the basic shape of the feather. Keep the feather shape folded in half.
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4
Cut small incisions in the folded paper from the raw edge toward the fold. Leave a 1/4-inch gap at the centerfold of the feather shape that is uncut. Cut these incisions at a slight angle and as close together as possible for the most feather-like effect.
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5
Cut a 2 x 1 inch piece of craft paper. Roll the paper into a thin tube. One end should be slightly thinner than the other. Glue the paper to hold it in place.
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6
Cut a 6-inch piece of wire with wire cutters. Tuck 1/2 inch of the wire into the smaller end of the paper roll. Glue this wire in place.
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7
Unfold the cut paper feather shape. The tip of the folded "V" shape should be facing down.
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8
Glue the wire along the middle of the feather. Place two to three small pieces of masking tape over the wire to hold it in place while the glue dries. Leave the feather to dry.
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9
Turn the paper feather over so that the wire faces down. Use your thumb and first finger to pinch slightly along the length of the wire to give more of a quill shape to the middle vein of the feather. Bend the wire into a slight curve to give the feather a more realistic look.
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10
Repeat this process to make as many feathers as desired.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Alter the size of the feather shapes to make bigger or smaller feathers.
