How to Find Emu Feathers for Craft Projects

Feathers have been a popular addition to various craft projects throughout the years. Emu feathers with their unique double plume from a single shaft have found a niche in this marketplace, as well. Versatile emu feathers have been used for ornaments, fly fishing lures, boas, fans, jewelry, hats, handbags and even additions to evening gowns. Incorporating emu feathers into your project starts with finding the right feathers to suit your particular needs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine what types of feathers you will need to complete your project. Simple projects for children don't require much in the way of shape, size and quality of the feathers you choose. On the high end, however, items like designer evening gowns or handbags demand a much higher quality of feather to complete the project. You will also want to decide whether the shorter body feathers will work or if you need the longer tail feathers for your project.

2. Decide what quantity of emu feathers is required. If you are using the feathers for a small jewelry project, then a small number of the shorter body feathers are all you will need. But, if you are designing a large number of fans or incorporating them into a one-of-a-kind evening gown or hat, then you will need a large quantity of feathers, many of which will be the double-plumed tail feathers, to find the perfect feather you need to design the piece.

3. Buy an emu feather sampler. Some emu farmers that sell emu feathers will offer a sampler of different types of feathers so you can examine the feathers and determine which type or types would be best for your project.

4. Visit a local emu farmer. Here you will not only have a chance to see the unusual birds from Down Under, you may also be able to examine feathers they have for sale and see the distinct differences between the body and tail feathers.

5. Look at other emu feather craft projects. You can find many of these online and sometimes at craft fairs. If you are looking for children's projects, talk to teachers who have completed these with their classes and learn how they found the feathers for their projects. For larger, high-end projects, you will have to find established artisans in the industry to learn where they purchased their feathers.

6. Contact the American Emu Association. This is a good resource to find emu farmers around the nation who might have feathers for sale to fit your needs. Their website provides information for state organizations who may be able to help you locally and a "where to buy" directory to find people who sell emu feathers directly to the public.

7. Join the Emu Farming Information Group on Yahoo!. You can join this group free of charge and potentially make contact with those in the emu industry who have feathers for sale or who can point you in the right direction to the items you need. Once membership has been approved by the group owner, you can submit a post requesting information about emu feathers.

Tips & Warnings

• Emu feathers are easy to dye any color you might need for project, which makes them a good craft item to work with.
• “Craft feathers" tend to include feathers that are not double-plumed and may not be perfect for every project. For larger projects that require the double-plumed feathers, purchase only the tail feathers. This could include making imitation quill pens with children.
• Emu feathers are coated in an oily substance, which is natural to emus. When purchasing feathers, be sure to find out if the feathers are straight from the bird, or if they have been cleaned. If they have not been cleaned, then you will need to do this prior to using them in your craft project.
• Beware of companies who sell imitation feathers. If you want the genuine article, then you don't want synthetic products that may not have the same texture or consistency of the real deal.

Resources

• Buy an Emu Feather Sampler
• Simple craft projects with emu feathers
• American Emu Association
• Emu Farming Information Group on Yahoo!
• Subscribe to Emu Today.

[catdancingranch]

on 1/9/2008 I never even knew there was a market for emu feathers! I have to tell my emu-raising neighbor about this. Thanks for the great links & emu resources.