I wanted to use some real feathers on our girl, so I went searching in my backyard -- but everything was too big or too grey... And the craft stores had the same problem of selling feathers that were too big or too fake looking since they dye many of them bright colors.
So I headed off to Bass Pro Shops where I had remembered that they carried lots and lots of beautiful feathers in a separate section of the store completely dedicated to fly-tying for fishing. Well, my friends, what a gold mine of stitching supplies that place is... Because the scale of the fish lures is fairly small, many of the threads, feathers and embellishments are equally small in scale and perfect for embroidery! Move over fishermen!
Actually their work station looks a bit like ours...
But they end up making those beautiful little lures with sparkly threads and feathers to attract the fish.
It attracted more than fish let me tell you -- I think it would be fun to tie fish flies. "Tracy tried to tie twenty-five tiny fish flies" Say that ten times fast! OK, I'm getting distracted...
Anyway, I came home with an interesting combination of materials to play with -- many of which will end up on my bead journal piece.
And, while in New York with Allie, I was very lucky to find these tiny stamens at Tinsel Trading to go inside my cherry blossoms.
Boy, time flies when you're having fun...Fun flies when it's tying time...Have a fun time tying flies...
OK, enough of me already. Happy Bird-Day, my fine-feathered friends!
I can't wait to see her. I'm all a twitter with excitement.
ReplyDeleteCA
Very exciting! Can't wait to see the result either.
ReplyDeleteTheir is a fishermen shop between my home and my office. I should stop and see what they have to offer...
Yep you had a ton of fun looking for components!
ReplyDeleteIf you go back to Bass, check out those little shiny things that look like tiny tiny spoon bowls. They keep their shine and make WONDERFUL jewelry components, especially at the end of earrings or fringe. Sorry I can't think of what they are called.
Oh oh OH! This little bird is going to be spectacular! I can't wait to see her all put together...
ReplyDeleteOoooooooooooooh! Yes, indeed! You remind me that once there was a fly shop in Ballard (Seattle) and that I scouted it out 20 years ago for feathers... still have some of them too! Ha! But now, I'm agreein' with you that the threads and woolies, etc. would also be a find (and a relatively cheap thrill)... Guess I'll have to check on line. Whoooo-hoo... move over fishermen... Here we come! Can't wait to see your finished piece. Love, Robin
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea to look for supplies at the fishing store. You're right, the scale is perfect for embroidery.
ReplyDeleteI love those stamens. Those were a special find too.
Who'd've thunk it? And to think there was a shop like that right down from where I used to work...gone now unfortunately. I'll be anxious to see Bird Lady back in one piece!
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh! When I was in Colorado at Christmas, I spent quite a bit of time with my oldest son who is into tying flies and drooling over his box of goodies! He uses lots of wonderful silk threads as well as the gorgeous textured threads!
ReplyDeleteWhat's that kind-of wooly stuff that comes in the box of different colours? Can you tell us next post?
ReplyDeleteAny stuffing gets covered over.. so I'm intrigued
Glad you couldn't pass up the irredescent/peacock feathers! I put mine in the odd vase here and there with other plainer feathers, blu-tacked a bunch to the side of a book shelf where the sun catches them, have some poking from the top of a handmade mask, and use them for bookmarks, and er ....
Looking forward to seeing the bird!
You actually found pre-made bird's feet! I didn't know such a thing existed!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking in how to handmake them for awhile, and have a couple of options (tell me if you're interested) for when I do my bird on my sampler
I'm longing to see what she looks like.
ReplyDeleteAnother good place for supplies are trade shops for florists. They do all kinds of bits and pieces.
Looking forward to seeing her fully fledged.
I had a real hummer of a bird day too! I posted pix though, of my birds....but yours will be worth the wait, I know.
ReplyDeleteI recall now, someone mentioning fisherman shops for goodies, online too. Oh...it was threads...they had great prices, because they weren't "quilt" shops.
Only you would think to check out Bass Pro for materials. You leave no stone unturned, that's for sure! Ironically I just passed a fly fishing store yesterday that I never knew was there. I cannot wait to see this piece completed. I have no doubt it is going to be breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteYou work is wonderful, but I had to laugh.... seems boys lke sparkly stuff too!
ReplyDeleteBlessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and I'm enjoying reading. When I find a new blog I usually read every entry from beginning to end (my quiet and lunch time) before commenting.
When I saw this post I just had to comment. I used to give the guys at work, pieces of my Kreinik threads so they could tie fish flies at lunch! Kreinik makes a line of thread just for the fishermen!
By the way, I'm located in central Maryland so I'm pretty sure I know which Bass Pro Shop you visited. :-)
I'll comment again once I read all of your entries. :-)
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
What a great idea!! And such great stuff you found!!
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