Unique Gifts for Bird Lovers from QuillnAros

In my shop I have 11 different notecards for bird and feather lovers~as a matter of fact let's just say, nature lovers. I have used my hand marbled feathers as the image on the front of the cards and have added quotes that are appealing to nature lovers. The inside of the notecards are blank so that you can express whatever you want.

I have hand embossed matching envelopes for each card. These are truely unique gifts. Each card is $3.00. I have a special price of 13.00 for a five card set. You can mix and match or go with the cards I have pictured in my listing for the five card set. https://www.etsy.com/shop/QuillnAros

The Week from Hell~Let's Fly!

Artistic Renderings on Etsy~Fab Feather Earrings with My Hand Marbled Feathers!

Diana has been buying feathers from me since the beginning (of time, or of my time). She created these beautiful feather earrings using both the Cockatoo and African Grey Feathers. She has a wonderful shop on Etsy called Artistic Renderings and she is so supportive of other artists and of what they are doing.

QuillnAros~Japanese and Western Handmade Paper~Two Philosophies, One Epiphany

You are looking at a collaboration between two very different personalities, me and my hubby.
I love this piece because of what I learned by having him participate in a craft I had been doing for years. By making paper with him, I realized that everyone has a different perception about beauty and the end result. I remember chiding my husband that his sheet of paper was a piece of crap (of course I didn't use those words exactly) and he needed to practice. In the end~even though he was a beginner at making paper~the piece of Japanese paper he connected to my piece of Western paper was a reflection of his idea of beauty~different than mine obviously. I learned an important lesson. There are many ways to create~but an important element to my originality is experimentation, acceptance of someone elses' perceptions and keeping an open mind when what you are doing travels to left field. I learned that left field can be a fascinating alternative to a well traveled route.

The yellow ochre sheet is the Western paper, there are two sheets of  Japanese
paper couched on top of the Western paper. Not only the melding of very different personalities, but
also the melding of different perceptions of beauty  

QuillnAros~New Listings ~ Vintage Metal Buttons and Hand Marbled Feathers

I have been listing my vintage metal buttons in my QuillnAros shop. I have always enjoyed sorting them and just looking at them, but I haven't used them for anything. Years ago, it was possible to buy a cigar box of these wonderful buttons without breaking the bank! Check out my shop at http://www.QuillnAros.etsy.com , and I have been listing, from employees #1, #2, and #3, natural parrot feathers along with my hand marbled feathers.

 

Naturally Molted Feathers at QuillnAros

Soon to be listed in QuillnAros. Naturally molted Scarlet and Blue and Gold parrot feathers.
The Scarlet Macaw tail feathers run from 9" to 13" and the Blue and Gold feathers are wing feathers~these particular ones are 8". All are voluptuous and colorful. The large tail feathers will probably sell for $10 a piece. So stop by and check these out!

From Rio~Scarlet Macaw

From Sumo~Blue and Gold Macaw

Paper Marbling Technique Used on Parrot Feathers

Marbling feathers came first.  Marbling paper came second. I first figured out how to marble cockatoo and African Grey parrot feathers and then I decided to use my extra sheets of Western handmade paper to clear the tray, and go on to the next choice of color. Big surprise though, I also love marbling paper. The fun part is that I also enjoy using it as wrapping paper when I send out my feathers.

Paper Marbling Technique Used on Parrot Feathers

I have been making paper for many years, Japanese and Western. The difference is that one is made with a flexible "su" and the other is made with a rigid mould. In the next few months I will have access to my printing press and I shall be creating, with my antique typefaces, wood type, just gorgeous gorgeous cards and such. Illustrating with letterpress and typography is my very first love. I meticulously went to "going out of business" auctions on Printer's Row in Manhattan. Sometimes it would be one drawer of type, sometimes three drawers of type, and that is where I bought my Vandercook Proof Press (I couldn't fit that purchase in a cab) for $225.00.

The Drawing Balcony of QuillnAros~Owls Happen, Raptors Happen, Bats Happen

My second floor studio is actually what I call a shelf, others may think it should be called a loft~ (hay!)  and if you ever feel like jumping you will land on top of a giant bird cage on the first floor and probably get your ass bit by a Blue and Gold macaw.

Recently I had a window replaced and now I can see the backyard garden.  More light available! This is a very small area where I have bookcases with all my "how-to"or "IDIOT, do it this way!" books, my plant books, raptor books, bat books and on the railing all my cactus and other plants that most people don't want to be in the same vicinity with.  It is a magical little place where there is room for my pedestal table, bentwood bar stool, my 70's swing chair and all my drawing and painting utensils.