Hi, I'm Simon!
I started The Feather Craftsman as a creative outlet during Covid, after taking a short fly tying course. Whilst I enjoyed tying flies for fishing, it seemed like such a shame that the beautiful colours, patterns and shapes were soaked in water and eaten by a fish rather than being out on show for all to see. Therefore, I rapidly moved into devising my own patterns and designs for earrings.
I have always enjoyed creative thinking, solving problems and making use of the resources around me. I am a lifelong angler and hunter/gatherer.
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
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Feathers sourced from former fly tyers
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Feathers sourced from road kill/by catch in pest control operations in NZ
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Feathers sourced from aviarists in NZ whose birds naturally moult
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Feathers from my own unsuccessful creations
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Piano wire that was going to the dump
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Stainless steel ear hooks that were not suitable but that I reform to suit my purpose
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Bullet casings from my own and friends pest control operations and a shooting range
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Coins I collect from my metal detecting hobby
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Leather and suede offcuts from other creators
I'm sure this list will only get longer as time goes on.
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.
Everything is created in my small studio in Lake Hawea, New Zealand and with a lot of experimentation I have most recently been creating different techniques to expand my designs beyond earrings to quality lapel pins, tie pins and hat pins.
With my partner Jodi's help, we now regularly sell at local markets and shows, 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, Canada, New Caledonia, Taiwan, Germany and more.
Thank you for supporting our small business - we are really overwhelmed with the support!
Simon and Jodi.
Free NZ shipping for orders over $100
Free hand delivery around Wanaka and Queenstown