ClayB Report post Posted July 21, 2006 Here are some of the leather feathers that I have made. I learned to do the eagle feathers off of one of Robb Barr's videos. I really like doing these when I am feeling like doing something with leather and don't have a lot of time. They also make nice gifts. I seem to give them away as fast as I make them. Clay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
techniques Report post Posted January 31, 2010 Dear ClayB, very good work. And the painting looks excellent. I guess everybody wants them. Greetings Gisela Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatheroo Report post Posted January 31, 2010 wow, now there's something else i want to do!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted January 31, 2010 Thanks Gisela. I haven't made any in awhile, I should do that one of these days. Caroline, I know you can do these. It only takes a couple stamping tools, a scalpel and a hairing knife. I can give you directions on how to make a simple hairing knife. They are easy to make. I bet you could do some really cool effects on the feathers with an airbrush. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Storm Report post Posted February 1, 2010 Beautiful work Clay! Very nice stuff!!!! Storm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted February 1, 2010 Good looking feathers Clay, very lifelike! Now I know what to do with the scraps in my evergrowing scrapbin. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted February 1, 2010 Good looking feathers Clay, very lifelike! Now I know what to do with the scraps in my evergrowing scrapbin. Tom Tom......you'll probably make enough Black Feathers for a Flock of Ravens. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CitizenKate Report post Posted February 1, 2010 I don't know how I missed this earlier - do you guys realize this was originally posted almost 3-1/2 years ago? But you know... I bet those would make great hat ornaments. Kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted February 2, 2010 I saw some of Jim Linell's carved feathers when I visited Tandy Leather Factory here in the UK a few months back - I had no idea how nice something like this could look in real life. I'm going to have to find some time to make one - or maybe two... Nice job Clay - even if it was years ago! Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted February 2, 2010 Do you color the back side to ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted February 2, 2010 I saw some of Jim Linell's carved feathers when I visited Tandy Leather Factory here in the UK a few months back - I had no idea how nice something like this could look in real life. I'm going to have to find some time to make one - or maybe two... Nice job Clay - even if it was years ago! Ray Ray, the leather Feathers makes nice earrings, Val would love them....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted February 2, 2010 Tom......you'll probably make enough Black Feathers for a Flock of Ravens. Off course haha, would be fun to try sme colouring on feathers though. I have birds books to study the subject. We'll see, the wishlist is long. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted February 2, 2010 Thanks Ray and Tom and Storm! Dirtclod, yes, I do color the backside on the ones I do. There are a couple tutorials on here about making feathers. Jim Linnell did one and Randahl also did one. Maybe this weekend I can find time to make one up quick and show how I do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted February 2, 2010 Thanks Clay. After i wrote the question i though well that's a stupid question. The maker can do both sides if they want or just the front side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimKleffner Report post Posted February 3, 2010 Clay Nice work .... as a matter of fact....... OUTSTANDING !!!!! Happy tooling Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted February 3, 2010 Dirtclod, It wasn't a stupid question. When I do feathers that are completly cut out, I like to paint the back just to make them look more finished. The back isn't going to look as good as the front. It's kind of fun to see people's faces when the realize the feathers are made out of leather. Thanks Tim! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted February 7, 2010 Here's a quick demo on how I learned to make feathers. Start by tracing an outline of a feather onto a piece of cased leather. With a swivel knife, cut the center vein on the feather, gradually lessen the depth of the cut as you near the tip of the feather. With the angle lined bevelers B193 and 194 or 202L and 202R or similar tool, bevel the center vein of the feather. I used the same beveler all the way to the point of the vein because it's going to be cut out anyway. By using the angle lined beveler, you get an idea of what angle the small serrations in the feather need to go. They also make it so you dont have to cut the serrations right up to the center vein. Next we start to cut in the serrations in the feather using the multi blade knife. Starting at the tip of the feather makes it a little easier to keep the lines going at the right angle than starting at the base (at least for me). Be careful not to cross over cuts here at the tip. You can see that I didn't do very well at that on this one. Continue making serrations all the way to the base of the feather. Try and keep the angles of the cuts even. Do the same on the other side of the feather. Use a scalpel to start cutting the feather loose from the leather. Hold the scalpel at an angle so you can slice the leather very thin at the edges. You want to cut all the way through the leather. If there is a ridge on the back of the leather where you cut it loose, carefully skive it off with the scalpel. The thinner the better. Some feather have "fluff" at the base. To make this, use the scalpel to carefully slice several of the individual serrations all the way through to separate them. I like my feathers to look "weathered". To do this I slice a couple of the serrations on the feather all the way through. These can then be shaped. To do the shaping I brush on an acrylic sealer. I like X-1 but unfortunately it's not available anymore. Other acrylic sealers like Block Out should work similarly. As the sealer is drying, twist and shape the edges of the feather however you like. Once the sealer has dried, the feather should remain in shape. Now it's ready to paint however you like. If you are going to dye the feather instead of painting, I think you would have to do the dying before the sealer is added and the shaping is done. Dye most likely isn't going to soak through the sealer. These really are quick and easy to make and are a great way to use up scraps of leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatheroo Report post Posted February 7, 2010 thanks for doing this clay, it is much appreciated. cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted February 7, 2010 You're welcome Caroline. If you decide to do feathers on a mask, you could do them a couple different ways. You could make several feathers and attach them, or you could leave them all attached to the mask, just cutting the edges loose as you carve individual feathers. I think just cutting the edges loose would probably be easier and work better. If you decide to go that way and need any help just let me know. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zookeper Report post Posted February 11, 2010 i've never seen leather feathers before, that is great! thanks for sharing, i will try this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
