If you are interested the dyeing of the pheasant feathers goes as follows:

The feather is washed, then dyed in a mixture of 7 parts golden yellow Rit (#42), 1 part Cocoa Brown Rit (#20), 1 part tan Rit (#16). After drying the non-web portion of the feather is marked with an orange SUPRA Hi-Liter. The tip half of the fibers are then marked with an orange HI IMPACT (Sanford's) marker. The fiber tips are marked with a "Super Hot Red" Pantone marker; the extreme tip ends just touched with a brown "Sharpie" marker. As a final touch the fiber from the web to the red marked area is covered by a "Skilcraft" yellow hi-lighter. The ink carrier for this pen partially dissolves the other ink, adding a two-tone thin orange band just above the red.

When this feather is wet and the tip curved by an eyelash tool, or similar appliance, some of the ink may appear to come off on the rubber anvil. This is some of the ink dissolved by the yellow hi-lighter and does not hurt the appearance of the final feather. If too much yellow is used the other inks will not set properly and may have to be remarked. Safest way to handle the dyed feather is to let the ink dry before handling; and not to use excessive moisture prior to setting the tip curve.

To dye the small (or larger) golden pheasant crest feathers use a bath of 112 Carmel (#47), 1/2 Rust (#17) Rit.

- John Pike