Hi, I'm Simon!

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I am a lifelong angler and hunter/gatherer and I started The Feather Craftsman after taking a short fly tying course a few years back. Whilst I enjoyed the intricacies of making flies, I saw scope for unique, hand crafted jewellery too. This creative outlet really gained momentum during the pandemic when I rapidly moved into devising my own patterns and designs for earrings and hat pins.

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I have always enjoyed creative thinking, problem solving and making use of the resources around me, particularly recycling, upcycling and ethically sourcing.​

I take pride that I use many recycled and reclaimed items within my feather accessories to ensure environmental and ethical accountability where I can. These include:

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• Feathers sourced from pest control operations in the New Zealand

• Feathers sourced from former fly tyers

• Feathers sourced from road kill/by-catch in pest control operations in NZ

• Feathers sourced from aviculturalists in NZ whose birds naturally moult

• Feathers from my own unsuccessful creations

• Piano wire that was going to the dump

• Stainless steel ear hooks that were not suitable but that I reform to suit my purpose

• Bullet casings from my own and friends pest control operations and a shooting range

• Coins I collect from my metal detecting hobby

• Leather and suede offcuts from other creators

• Recycled sterling silver wire 

 

I'm sure this list will only get longer as time goes on.

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Each design is crafted taking into account the feathers condition, natural colours, shapes and patterns; after which they are meticulously hand tied, by me, into wearable art. I aim to craft desirable, real feather accessories which make an impression and make the wearer feel special no matter the occasion.

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Everything I make is created in my small studio in Lake Hawea, New Zealand. With years of experimentation, perfecting my process and designs, I have most recently been implementing new techniques, expanding my designs beyond earrings, to quality hat pins, lapel pins and brooches. These have been purchased for weddings (both for the bridal party and to wear as a guest), special events such as birthdays and award shows, as souvenirs showcasing New Zealand and as gifts for those 'hard to please' or those that 'have everything'.

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With my partner Jodi's help, we now regularly sell at local markets and events, have had a pop up shop, have a website and social media pages and sell internationally with many happy customers in at least New Zealand, Australia, UK, Netherlands, Japan, USA, China, Hong Kong, Canada, New Caledonia, Taiwan, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, South America and more.

 

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Thank you for supporting our small business - we are really overwhelmed with the support!

 

Simon