How to Make Decorative Feather Ornaments

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In: Crafts, Seasonal Crafts
Bowl of feather ornaments with acorn garland

How to Make Decorative Feather Ornaments

Do you enjoy making your own holiday and seasonal decor?  I find so much pleasure in using natural materials to make things for my home.  My latest craft is natural feather ornaments.  What I like about these feather ornaments is that they can be used as part of your autumn decor.  You can also hang them on your Christmas tree when the time is right.

Shelves with a tureen containing feather ornaments and other which containers.

My husband is a hunter and so the feathers that I am using for this craft have come from one of his hunting trips.  You could also use chicken feathers after a molt or you could purchase feathers from your local craft store or online.  This craft is pretty simple and all that is needed are the styrofoam balls, feathers, screw eyes, glue, and a little patience.

Related:  Tips for Gathering Natural Materials for Your Autumn Decor

A feather ornament sitting on a rusty spring.

Supply List…

  • Styrofoam balls
  • Various feathers
  • Craft glue
  • Screw Eyes
  • toothpicks or small paint brush
  • Ribbon or twine for hanging

Supplies needed for making feather ornaments.

How to make Feather Ornaments…

Step 1

Sort the feathers into piles of the same size and color.  This will make it easier to create rows or patterns.  Longer feathers will also need to be trimmed into shorter lengths.  Most of my feathers needed to be trimmed a bit to make them a consistent size or to get rid of the fluffy part of the feather.

Assorted feather piles to use in making a feather ornament.

Step 2

Glue one screw eye onto each styrofoam ball.  Allow to dry.

Styrofoam ball with glued in screw eye holder.

Step 3

Determine the feather pattern you want to use.  Start at the bottom of the ball and begin gluing on the first row of feathers.  Place a layer of glue on the ball and use a toothpick to spread it around.  Then carefully attach the feathers.  Complete one circle of feathers around the ball. Then add the second row, positioning the feathers to cover the ends of the first row.  Continue to glue on feather rows until you reach the top of the styrofoam ball.  Cover the ends of the top feathers with one last row of feather tips to hide the ends.  (Note:  After trial and error I would not recommend the Gorilla Glue for gluing on the feathers.  Use a thinner craft or school glue such as Elmers because it spreads easier and won’t dry in thick blobs.)

First row of feathers glued to styrofoam ball.

Step 4

You can spray your feather balls with a coating or two of a polyurethane finish such as Krylon.  This will protect the feathers and keep them looking attractive over time.

Bowl of feather ornaments with ribbon for hanging.

Step 5

Give the feather ball at least a day to completely dry.  Attach a ribbon or twine through the screw eye and hang your ornament.  You could also place the balls in a bowl with some evergreens for display.

Feather ornaments hanging on a tree.

These feather ornaments give a rustic look to your holiday decor.  When you’re finished, you might have some leftover feathers.  Here are some other ideas for using feathers in your home.

Feather-Craft Ideas…

  • Make a feather Christmas tree
  • Use the feathers in a feather bouquet
  • Cover a picture frame with feathers and then insert a picture of birds
  • Make a wreath out of the feathers
  • Frame individual feathers
  • Create a feather garland
  • Use feathers as a contrast in dried floral arrangements

Feather ornaments in a vintage soup tureen.

Feathers, whether found or store-bought, offer a great source of decor for your home.  So ask your favorite hunter for a pelt to use or check out the supplies available at craft stores and online.  The natural beauty of feathers will shine in your home.