While walking around the lake, a few weeks ago, I found the feathered remains of a wild turkey. Nothing left but feathers, must have been a fox that killed it. I took the feathers home & sprayed them outside with Lysol & let them dry in the sun. I chose my favorite one & cut the tip like a calligraphy pen. I cut the bottom of the feather so that I could hold it in my right hand. I used a disposable razor to clean up the edges. I dipped the tip into black ink & played around with writing words. With more practice I think I’ll be able to write better (but not a better writer:).
My first Joseph’s Coat Rose bloomed, my very first of the year. The first one is always my favorite & I treat it like a celebrity. You know, photo shoots, different vases, better light…and maybe using my turkey feather to write its name.
2me4art 
That is my favourite colour rose – golden/orange! And how creative of you to make a quill out of a turkey feather – stunning!
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I’ve always wanted to see if I could make one. I found enough that day to make about 20 quills. Thank you so much, Reggie! ~amy
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so creative and clever!
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Thank you, Gail. 🙂 ~amy
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My friend made me a quill pen from a turkey feather. It’s beautiful. Love found feathers. It is always a wonder to me to find them on the ground. Many times a kill. I will clean it up as per your description of using a razor.
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I love found feathers too. I always spray them with lysol though. I worry about the creatures that may linger in them. I have a wonderful collection & I have NO idea what to do with all of them. The razor worked great, but i first cut the feathers with scissors…I hope you show yours too. ~amy
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You are such a sweet romantic! Your photos are gorgeous and your narrations a delight! I enjoy your work very much.
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Thank you, Jan! I’ve never been called a romantic before. I refer to my “narrations” as babbling. Your compliment has put a skip in my step, that is the best gift ever. ~amy
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Stunning rose!!! The feather was waiting to be found by you for the sole purpose of naming your beautiful tricolor rose! There is a reason for everything and in this case mission was accomplished.
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It was wonderful fun playing with that feather. My fingers were black with ink. The rose is a stunner & the bush is so full of future models. Thank you for your cool insight on life. I like that idea. ~amy
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That is so sweet Amy; you and your feather…and the first rose. Feathers are so special. It’s funny but I was in my studio last night, trying to get back in touch with that space. It is not that I am not feeling creative, it is more that Otto, “The Tuxedo Cat”, moved in there and it turned into a cattery for him with a big den on the sofa for him to sleep in! It has got messed up in there whilst he has been so sick. Anyway, getting back to the point. I saw a Jay feather in there and I thought to myself that I should photograph it. You and I always seem to have an empathy for and an appreciation of similar things. Feathers which are found are such a gift.
I totally understand why you would wish to pull out all the stops for your first rose in bloom. It is very like you to want to make it feel welcome and appreciated. And these photos so celebrate the beauty of both the feather and the rose. I am loving the hot orange and black.
Your colours are so very recognisable as your own. Beautiful!-Karen.
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Thank you, Karen. Thank you for understanding me. So few do. Your cat took over your studio? I’m sorry. I hope you can make it your own again. I don’t like when my brain turns off of art. Its like a light goes out & I want nothing to do with creating. Luckily, the gardens growing beautiful flowers & needing my help in growing has kept me in a creative state of mind. I didn’t create anything for almost a year. When I was so sick & in so much pain…the black pain dominated every thought but for me, the spring sun & my healing body seems to have brought back the light & I feel like a kid again. Laying in the grass, dirt in my fingernails…heaven.
The expression, “this too shall pass” means that the good stuff will pass too. So I am holding on the tomboy artist mood with both hands because I know something, sometime will knock me to the ground again. Roller coaster ride, is life. Be well & good luck on regaining your artist self. Thinking of you & wishing you well. ~amy
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