Welcome to Feathers at  

At Beads and Bling we pride ourselves on not only offering you a wide selection of craft making materials but also being able to advise you on how to care for those items!  Our feathers are sourced from the best suppliers in the world.  To complement this we offer you advice on how to care for those feathers and what to use them for!

About Feathers:

Birds have them! But who knew there were so many different kinds that had so many purposes. Below is a list of types of feathers:

	Down feather
	Semi-plume feather
	Tail feather
	Contour feather
	Flight feather
	Plumage feather

All feathers are mainly composed of a specific protein called keratin. Keratin contains sulfur & is very fibrous. There are 2 main types of feathers; contour, and down.
Contour feathers are those found on wings, tails and backs. Their stiffness comes from interlocking hooklets that project from the quill. Down feathers don't have these interconnecting hooklets, so they are softer & fluffier.

While feathers may seem to be waterproof, it is only the secretions from certain glands on live birds that keep the feathers coated with oils. If this oil is removed by washing, dust collection, etc, the feathers begin to lose their suppleness & deteriorate.

Many things can damage feathers; insects such as moths, lice and some beetles, or a buildup of dust (especially when this is followed by or accompanied by high humidity so that moisture begins to cling to the dust), or too much exposure to light (which saps the color right out of feathers), or over-handling. Feathers survive the longest in temperatures of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with a humidity level below 50 to 55%, and out of glaring light.

Although we all like to look at our feather collection, or feathered items, it is always best to keep them in a neutrally pH (pH of 7) box. Most wooden and cardboard boxes are too acidic (pH of 6 or less). Keep your feathers safe from dust, moisture, bright light, and insects and you will have a beautiful collection that can be enjoyed for many decades.

Techniques:

Cleaning Feathers

How do you clean feathers so that they aren't harmed by the process? Feathers are so delicate and fragile, especially once they are taken from the live birds, that ANY cleaning may damage them. While down feathers do tolerate washing/cleaning quite well, ornamental/contour feathers do NOT! The best thing is to check your feathers frequently for dust & insects and if you find either, use a soft, soft baby brush, (the natural-bristled kind is best) or a large natural-bristled artist's brush, and, supporting the feather gently from behind, follow the natural direction of the plumage to softly brush away dust, or to dislodge insects. NEVER brush against the natural grain or growth of a feather. Support the feather at all times directly behind the area you are cleaning (wear soft cotton gloves when handling feathers), taking care not to break the quill with too much pressure.

Gentle puffs from a baby nasal/ear syringe will dislodge dust that has not yet embedded in the oils of a feather, but remember - GENTLY. Too much huffing and puffing will begin to dry out the remains of the oils. While some feathers may tolerate a soapy cleaning, the rule of thumb is DON'T DO IT!

Dyeing feathers

Often you won't find an exact feather colour match to your outfit.  When this happens the alternative option is to dye the feather to the colour you need.  The most common dye to used is known as an 'acid' dye (the dye becomes acidic when you add vinegar during the dying process). 

Its a messy process so be sure to cover the surfaces of your workspace before you begin! Also make sure you wear rubber gloves for the dyeing process to protect you and your skin!

For pale or light colours simply add some dye to boiling water to dissolve.  If you need a deeper colour however you will need to add vinegar to the mixture and boil.  Remember to start with a small amount of dye - the process of dyeing is very quick but sometimes the feathers will have a natural grease so you will need to move the feathers around the dye for a few minutes to help the colour to take.  As the feathers become limp when wet you will need to use a hairdyer (on a cool setting) to bring them back to their former glory! 

To intensify the colour you will need to heat the liquid.  Use an old pan for this and add a dash of vinegar to the dye to make the colour more intense.   It should only take a few minutes to dye the feathers - simply add them to the dye and stir them around.  The longer you leave them in the mixture - the deeper the colour will become.  You should put them onto a dry cloth or paper towel when they are finished (so that the excess dye can drain off).

Again dry them using a hair dryer on a cool setting until fluffy! 

JACQUARD DYES

We are delighted to announce that we have a full range of Jacquard Acid Dyes in stock. 

GALLERY OF DESIGNS FROM OUR CLASSES!

FEATHER FASCINATOR CLASS