How to Make Stunning Turkey Feather Crafts and Accessories

The Eastern wild turkey is a beautiful creature, noteworthy for its striking fan and wing feathers. Turkey hunters who successfully bring home a bird might want to save more than just its meat. Turkey feather art can add texture and elegance to any home, plus they are a great talking point to share a passion for hunting and the outdoors with others.

When I tagged my first turkey in May 2015, I saved the entire fan and most of the wing feathers from my 20-pound tom, knowing I wanted to make something with those feathers. My mother-in-law is a calligrapher and she requested that I save most of the wing feathers for quillwork, which I happily did. So I took the 5 wing feathers I had left to make a piece of wall art, using a “dip-dye” method to add some color to the otherwise black-and-white feathers.

There are a lot of variations to how this DIY art project could turn out for you, and the best part is that customization is just as unique as the feathers you’ll use. For me, the coolest feature of the feathers I had is that the tips of 4 of the feathers are flattened, from the tom strutting and rubbing the feathers on the ground. I love how this project turned out – it adds texture and beauty to the wall it is hanging from. This could wind up as a piece of wall art, or a baby’s mobile, or outdoor décor. There are a lot of options to make it your own.

Turkey feathers can make beautiful, natural crafts and accessories Their colors and patterns are gorgeous, and they are easy to find since turkeys shed their feathers regularly With a few simple steps, you can turn turkey feathers into art, jewelry, home decor, and more.

Gathering Materials

To start, you will need to collect turkey feathers. The best feathers to use are the large, colorful ones from a turkey’s tail and wings. Look for feathers that are between 8-12 inches long, undamaged, and have good color. You can find them around farms, in fields, or even purchase them. Other supplies depend on your project, but basic materials include:

Feathers
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks
Jewelry findings like clasps, pins, and eye hooks
Beads, sequins, ribbon
Wire, string, twine
Paint and brushes (acrylic or fabric paint)

Cleaning and Prepping Feathers

Once collected, the feathers need some prep work. Gently wipe away any dirt or debris with a dry cloth or soft brush. Use a hair dryer on a low setting to blow away dust and dander. To sanitize spray lightly with rubbing alcohol and let dry completely. Then steam the feathers using a steamer or iron on the cotton or silk setting to smooth and shape them. The steam will get rid of any remaining odors and pests. Avoid over-steaming, as it can damage or dull the feathers.

Basic Turkey Feather Crafts

There are endless possibilities for turkey feather crafts! Here are some easy, beginner-friendly projects to try:

Turkey Feather Wreaths

Gather at least 25 feathers in coordinating colors
Take a wire wreath form and wrap the base tightly with floral tape
Glue the feather quills onto the wreath in a spiral pattern, layering as desired
Accent with ribbon, pinecones, leaves, or other embellishments
Hang on doors, walls, or use as a table centerpiece

Turkey Feather Bouquets

Select feathers in your preferred colors
Trim quills so they are 1-2 inches long
Group into mini bouquets of 3-5 feathers
Use hot glue to attach a jeweled pin back to the bottom of each bouquet
Pin onto clothing, hats, or hair clips as unique accessories

Turkey Feather Art

Find a canvas, plaque, or piece of wood to use as your base
Arrange feathers into a pattern or design using a reference photo
Glue down the feather quills using hot glue, keeping them as flat as possible
Let dry fully, then coat with a sealant like polyurethane if desired
Hang on the wall or prop on a shelf to display

Turkey Feather Lampshades

Carefully remove existing lampshade and reuse the frame
Starting at the top, glue feathers around the frame using hot glue
Overlap feathers slightly as you work your way around
Mix and match feather sizes and colors for a bold look
Add dangling feather accents if desired
Reattach the frame to the lamp once finished

Making Turkey Feather Jewelry

Turkey feathers also make for striking jewelry pieces. Here are some jewelry projects to try:

Feather Pendants

Select feathers with good coloring and patterns
Cut off the quill, keeping just the feather vane
Add a jewelry bail to the top using pliers
Attach a chain, cord or ribbon to create a necklace

Feather Earrings

Trim two matching feathers into shape
Glue an earring finding to the bottom of each quill
Let dry completely before wearing

Feather Hair Clips

Cut feathers into short, uniform lengths
Glue 3-5 feathers onto the grip of a hair clip
Let dry then clip into your hair for a fun accent

Feather Bangles

Find wide, sturdy feathers and trim to 6 inch lengths
Overlap the ends and glue into a circle
After drying, glue a magnetic jewelry clasp to the ends
Wear on your wrist as a natural, boho bracelet

DIY Turkey Feather Fans

With their stunning colors and array of feathers, turkeys also make excellent decorative fans. Follow these steps

Select feathers that are around 10-12 inches long
Arrange 9-11 feathers together in a half-circle
Bind the quills together tightly with wire or string
Glue a decorative bead, sequins or ribbon over the bindings
Add a bead, button or pendant in the center as an accent
Attach a ribbon or cord at the bottom to hang or hold the fan

Display on a wall or carry it as a stylish prop for your next event or photoshoot. Fans made with extra long 24-28 inch feathers can be worn as dramatic backpieces too.

Tips and Tricks

Store finished feather crafts and accessories in a dry, climate controlled space to prevent damage from moisture or pests.
Turkey feathers can be delicate. Handle them gently during crafting and transportation.
Natural feathers have variation in patterning. Embrace this beauty by grouping differently colored feathers together.
Wire feather stems for extra durability and shaping options.
Look for ethically sourced feathers or use ones found in nature whenever possible.
Draw inspiration from cultures like Native American and African that traditionally use feathers in art and dress.

With some creativity and simple materials, it’s easy to turn humble turkey feathers into stunning art, décor, jewelry and accessories. They make wonderful handmade gifts or Projects to sell. Keep crafting with this natural material and you’ll be amazed at the beauty you can create.

how to make a turkey feather

Apply painter’s tape

Being careful with the feathers, place painter’s tape near the tip where you would like to have the paint applied. I placed my tape straight across the feather about 2-to-3 inches from the tips. If you wanted to try a chevron pattern, stick the tape on the feathers in a v-shape.

Apply paint to the front and back of the feathers

Make sure you are working on a surface you don’t mind getting paint on, such as a drop cloth or newspaper. Dip a clean paintbrush into the paint can so that a manageable amount of paint is on the brush. If you can, avoid getting excess paint on the brush; that helps keep paint only where you want it (the feathers, not the floor!). In clean strokes following the direction of the vanes, apply paint to the feathers on 1 side.

I laid out my feathers and left them lying on the piece of scrap paper I was using to protect the floor from paint. This allowed me a solid surface to paint on and made it go pretty quickly. It took about 2 hours for the first coat of paint to dry on the first side of the feathers.

The first coat of paint was enough coverage for my taste, but if it appears thin or if you want a bolder color, then apply a second coat. Wait for that final coat to dry on the first side of the feather, then flip it over to paint the other side.

This technique helps achieve a “dip-dye” look without the vanes of the feathers getting oversaturated with paint, which can cause them to become ragged looking.

How to make Wild Turkey Fletchings – Easy DIY

FAQ

How to get feathers off a turkey?

Dunk the bird head first into the water, submerging it to where the feathers end on the thighs. Swish the bird in the bath for 10 seconds and remove. Hang the bird from its head and start plucking. Pliers may have to be used for the larger wing feathers.

What are turkey feathers made of?

Feathers are keratin just like wool, but the surface area is much larger because the diameter of the fibers is smaller. As a result, the fiber can absorb more moisture than wool or cellulose fibers. The crystal structure of feather fibers also makes them naturally stable and durable.

Can you own turkey feathers?

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: One of the key reasons why collecting feathers is prohibited in the United States is the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Enacted in 1918, this federal law aims to conserve and protect migratory bird species, their nests, eggs, and feathers.