Comments on: Adorned Blue Jay Feathers

By: Marlies

Marlies — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:49:03 +0000

I too have found out about using feathers. I do Native- inspired beadwork and jewelry along with doing dreamcatchers. I can no longer use the feathers I would pick up and now have to purchase my feathers also. The fines are not worth it!! $10,000/7 years in jail or you get to prove your innocence!! Thankfully, I found out before getting caught and had to remove all my dreamcatchers from stock until I can get store-bought feathers.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 14:33:06 +0000

Thank you for taking the time to share this info, J Liz, and educating all of us. I’m no longer thinking of selling or keeping the feathers that I see lying in my yard.

By: J Liz

J Liz — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 12:15:16 +0000

To clarify a little more about the feathers in the USA anyway, it is illegal to use or possess any feathers or any part of any protected species, which of course also includes threatened and endangered species. The few species that were not protected were the introduced (non-indigenous species), like the Starling and English Sparrow. Pheasants were also an introduced species, but they have also become a game species. Peacocks are usually for the delight/novelty of the owners. The last two species I would check your local Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife. The safest bet for using feathers is go to a store where they sell fly-tying supplies. They’ll have a lot of feathers from a fairly good selection of species. I used to rehabilitate wildlife and even despite the licensing we were still not allowed to keep the feathers. You have to apply for a special federal permit and the only considered acceptable reason for posessing them would be for purely scientific/research/educational. Commercial use is highly illegal. They consider it trafficking and are cracking down on it world-wide.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:25:14 +0000

From what I’m seeing, it is illegal to use feathers in products to sell. Oops! I didn’t know that. I feed birds and try to take care of them, but I can see where you wouldn’t want to encourage others to harm them for profit. I’m going to backtrack on this, and not use or sell the feathers. How many other jewellery artists don’t know this, I’m wondering?

By: Tamara

Tamara — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 13:06:31 +0000

I’ll do some research on that for Canada, thanks!

By: bneill

bneill — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 04:38:06 +0000

I hate to be a party pooper but I would not sell these publicly. You might want to check your states fish game and wildlife resources laws. In my state it is against the law to have in your possession any feathers from migratory song birds. They will confiscate everything. They are beautiful though! The laws were made to prevent people from killing wildlife to obtain their feathers for commercial use.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:01:33 +0000

Hi Lorriah! I’ve made a bit of jewellery with peacock feathers (not from my own yard :)), and it is beautiful! Definitely pursue that. The feathers are gorgeous combined with turquoises, greens, and blues.

By: Lorriah Waite

Lorriah Waite — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:28:06 +0000

Beautiful! I was just thinking if making jewelry with peacock feathers as I’m doing a peacock feather Christmas tree.
Thank You
Lorriah

By: Tamara

Tamara — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 22:38:23 +0000

Hi Pat! Thank you! Absolutely, use the idea. It struck me as a really neat idea for a wedding. I’m sure you must have some really neat colourful birds in Fiji!!

Start sending the basket around now! 🙂

By: Pat Fraser

Pat Fraser — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:19:02 +0000

Bula Tamara! Wow these are stunning – very creative – I love the idea of having them as hair dangles – my daughter is getting married mid next year -would you mind if I tried something similar for her big day?? Not exactly same as yours – but just the concept/idea?? (We don’t have your type of birds here in Fiji!lol)

By: Tamara

Tamara — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:24:53 +0000

Thank you, Rena! 🙂 I like your comment about the dewdrops or raindrops – I hadn’t thought of it in that way. It’s like the water is intensifying the colour of the feather where it sits.

It is a different style for feather jewellery, but I had to take it to that place before I felt a full connection to the pieces, and felt I had taken them to their and my full potential.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 02:25:20 +0000

Stunning earrings, Tamara! And very different from most feather jewelry I see.

The jewels make me think of dewdrops or raindrops, and the silver lace is a lovely touch with the color of the feathers.

Also, I like your plan for passing around a basket for anyone who hasn’t donated a feather lately – LOL! 🙂

By: Tamara

Tamara — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 01:54:32 +0000

I have a friend who is an artist (a painter), and she bought a pair of these earrings from me a few weeks ago at a jewellery party I had. She has a short asymmetrical hairstyle, and they look really cool with that type of look.