Feathers!

By Axelinn. 12/05/10, 02:35 pm

I want to make a pair of wings, but~ I am a complete n00b when it comes to FEATHERS! So, I have a few questions as I've never really handled them before (except for gluing the party feathers onto cardboard masks for my little sisters birthday 8D).

Mainly, I want to know the pros and cons of real feathers vs. fake feathers when it comes to
handling, appearances, durability, etc.

Also, places for buying feathers. You can get those party feathers at the warehouse/pretty much most places you look, but does anyone know where you can buy real feathers/any feathers really in bulk?

And prices, too. For example, I know spotlight sells real feathers, but they come in (mostly) smaller groups and are rather expensive >_>

Also any other information about feathers would be amazing~ (:

**Guest** Guest

I think you can buy them in bulk on trademe hun~ C:

By Axelinn. 12/05/10, 02:41 pm

Yeah I know, I was looking through it before. Thanks anyway~ (:

By Cassiel. 12/05/10, 02:43 pm

Yarr, I posted a link a while ago. The person who sells turkey feathers in bulk will give you a discount if you buy a LOT.

**Guest** Guest

yeah, what about these: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Crafts/Other/auction-288745693.htm

But idk about how you'd make them black ;3

By Icarus. 12/05/10, 02:46 pm

Uncle bills & $2 shops if you want feathers~~
(depending on how big your wings are and what colour you want them, you should be able to get enough through those stores, just get lots and lots of packets)

and for fake vs. real feathers, it depends on what type of wings they are, so if they're designed to look realistic then real feathers would be best~

feathers can be fragile, but only if they're not really supported. If they're close to the base then they'll be fine, but if they stick out over the base then you'd wanna be careful (and yea feathers tend to fall out from time to time, just use more glue on the base ;)

hope that helps~~

By Axelinn. 12/05/10, 02:49 pm

@Cassiel: Really? I must have missed it D: Ahh, c-could you link me to it? ;A;

@Kiki: Mmm yes, I remember finding that person a while ago when I first started looking for feathers. They're pretty~ *A*

@Icarus: I must say, Uncle Bill's is amazing xD Thank you! That helps me lots~ *jots down*

By RainbowMoonDust. 12/05/10, 02:54 pm

I stumbled across this site a while ago, it might help you, I dunno. :think:

http://www.rainbowfeathers.com/

My only beef with this site is that it is located in America so it will probably be rather pricey, getting bulk feathers shipped from there. On the other hand, they do sell in bulk, the feathers come pre-dyed etc and they seem to have a reasonable variety. I am thinking of looking at ordering from there for my Gwendolyn (Odin Sphere) cosplay.

I'm not sure if this helps you but take a look anyway. nodnod

By Axelinn. 12/05/10, 02:58 pm

@RMD: Aah, thank you for that! I shall have a look through it (:

By Tails. 12/05/10, 07:00 pm

When I made a pair of wings, I ordered 1200 black ones from the $2 Shop. For a big order they asked for a deposit, & what the hell did I need 1200 feathers for haha! Good times. Uncle Bill's might be cheaper though, I can't remember...I do know they sell the exact same brand as the $2 Shop.

As for glue, I used gorilla glue (wood glue). It's super duper strong, & I'm paranoid that stuff will die so I always get the strongest adhesive for cosplay. It's cheap too, about $15 for...600ml? I think. But you shouldn't run out.

Oh & when gluing feathers on, I cut the extended bit of the quill off. It made it easier to glue for me, & if anyone looked up close it looks like the cut off quill is 'in' the the wing, for a more realistic look.

& don't forget to glue the feathers on from the bottom of the wing upwards!! Otherwise it'd be really tricky to get the layering right.

(Also, I prefer fake feathers because they're cheaper, & the idea of using real feathers is like using real fur to me...not my thing.)

Hope this helps! Feathers! Icon_biggrin

By Icarus. 13/05/10, 05:30 am

Tails wrote:: When I made a pair of wings, I ordered 1200 black ones from the $2 Shop. For a big order they asked for a deposit, & what the hell did I need 1200 feathers for haha!

you can do that? We just raiding every store in palmy for Haruka

and the thing about fake feathers and real feathers, what i thought you meant was something like cut out feathers, not artificial fiber ones *facepalm*

By Mischa. 13/05/10, 06:26 am

They have fake feathers???

By Tails. 13/05/10, 07:16 am

@Icarus- Yup you can, it cost me...$60 I think. I had to wait a week for them to get ordered in. Just ask nicely~ Feathers! Icon_smile

By Mischa. 13/05/10, 09:21 am

what are fake feathers made of? I am intrigued! I have a few burlesquey friends and they are feather obsessed

By Kitten Slave. 13/05/10, 09:29 am

They are grown on fake birds!

whee

By Tails. 13/05/10, 09:42 am

Mischa wrote:: what are fake feathers made of? I am intrigued! I have a few burlesquey friends and they are feather obsessed

Not sure, but they feel real. Fake fur & really finely cut plastic...? I can send you one in the mail! Feathers! 179767

By Huntress. 13/05/10, 10:30 am

Tails wrote:: When I made a pair of wings, I ordered 1200 black ones from the $2 Shop. For a big order they asked for a deposit, & what the hell did I need 1200 feathers for haha! Good times. Uncle Bill's might be cheaper though, I can't remember...I do know they sell the exact same brand as the $2 Shop.

LOL... that reminds me of the time I ordered a whole pile of orange rat cord from them for my Leeloo wig (made it myself) and they were like "What do you want all this for? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy a wig?" They thought I was mad. Good times.

By Tails. 13/05/10, 10:33 am

^ Were you the Leeloo in 2008 with the Diva?

By Huntress. 13/05/10, 10:52 am

That was me =)

By Tails. 13/05/10, 10:54 am

Oh awesome! Now I know who you are, I still remember your skit :)

Anyway, feathers!

By Axelinn. 13/05/10, 11:34 am

@Tails; Thank you! That helps me a bunch! <33

By Tails. 13/05/10, 12:09 pm

You're very welcome :) Since we live in the same city, let me know if you need any help!

By collarander. 13/05/10, 03:25 pm

I remember seeing feathers and wings being sold at the OkOk store at Northlands mall in Christchurch. I'm not sure if you have that store where you are, but it's basically the same as those cheap asian stores that sells all kinds of things.
I brought a pack of feathers from there, it was a good price, $2 for about 30-40 white feathers. They also sold wings, though they're small and made for a child size, though I don't know if you'd want bigger wings because they're so much trouble to get through crowds and doors with. They sold them for about $9 I think.
But yeah, I'd really suggest checking those asian stores in your area. They're popping up everywhere now lol.
Oh but I suppose you were asking for real, high quality feathers...then I don't really know sorry.

By RainbowMoonDust. 13/05/10, 03:48 pm

Quote :: I remember seeing feathers and wings being sold at the OkOk store at Northlands mall in Christchurch. I'm not sure if you have that store where you are, but it's basically the same as those cheap asian stores that sells all kinds of things.
I brought a pack of feathers from there, it was a good price, $2 for about 30-40 white feathers. They also sold wings, though they're small and made for a child size, though I don't know if you'd want bigger wings because they're so much trouble to get through crowds and doors with. They sold them for about $9 I think.
But yeah, I'd really suggest checking those asian stores in your area. They're popping up everywhere now lol.
Oh but I suppose you were asking for real, high quality feathers...then I don't really know sorry.

I saw that some of those Asian stores had packets of feathers, including some of the colours I wanted but now they don't seem to have the colours I want anymore. sad

My main problem is that I need coloured feathers, mainly blue, (Same shade as this text) electric blue, purple and black. White and black feathers are easy to find, coloured, not so much. sad

Quote :: Mischa wrote:
what are fake feathers made of? I am intrigued! I have a few burlesquey friends and they are feather obsessed

Not sure, but they feel real. Fake fur & really finely cut plastic...? I can send you one in the mail!

I'm more interested in what they look like, I've seen Gwendolyn cosplayers with fake feathers, they look really good but I am fussy and would rather have real feathers to look more authentic. I might consider fake feathers though. :think:

I am watching this thread with interest.

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