Lei Designs that are complicated with too many pattern changes in a lei humu papa, a feather hatband whether feather pattern or a different specie of bird often becomes too busy for the eye to take it all in.
I have done Koena lei, the lei looks like a random mix of feathers. However a pattern to place the same shape or color then repeating that pattern gives cohesiveness and consistency.

Favorite mixed specie are pheasant and peacock, guinea hen and peacock, peacock green mixed with the body contour feather of blue are always a winner. For those who follow my work, green back feathers and red and yellow feathers from the golden pheasant are by far my favorite. Blue pheasant with very sparse peacock and golden also works very well.

When placing pauku, bands, stripes and accent be sure that those feathers are not part of the row. To explain further - we are doing 3 feathers per row, row after row to build and move along the length - but want to add peacock green in. Go back 2 rows and place green (or pauku) right on top of that row.

The sides of the lei will now have the same width and look as the rest of the lei.

You are welcome to email for further discussion on creating accents and pauku of feather lei hulu and lei hulu papa through email

Lei Key which side is up? Hawaiian Feather Lei Hulu Artist Lei Tool

Carnation Blossom Feather Lei by Maui Feather Lei Small

The Bishops Lei

Teaching feather art has been an amazing journey. I meet people from all over the world, from every walk of life, from every color and color in between too. Feathers speak to people, art speaks to people, the pain staking detail of every feather and every stitch appeals to many.

I rarely meet someone who wants to glue feathers or design a project that  It twill take 15 minutes....

Many Haumana may be crafty, some are very artsy but the ones that will succeed are only the ones that can commit and complete.

There is satisfaction and pleasure in doing a task that few can, there is accomplishment in completing a task that few can.It takes a person who can dream in colors and textures yet walk the complete path.

The idea of commitment scare some. "What if I never finish? What if I get bored? What if's are many" As a Professional teacher my 'What if's" are. What if you never start? What if you never finish? What if you get bored?  Basically, we all think 'what if'', would not it be more productive to think   "What if I actually made it" " What if I can make time for myself to commit to a project?"

If you cant commit 40 -50 hours to a project, "What if we choose a smaller project?" "What if we break it up into 4 sittings at 3 hours each? "What if we enlist family members to help cut feathers?"

I will tell you a story.

The Bishop was going to receive a 6 foot long feather lei designed and financed by a current feather lei student named Kit (pictured). There was absolutely no way that he could do this by himself in 3 months time. We asked the members of the Church to help on this 'Community Project' to gift their Bishop.  Over the next few weeks many people from Congregation came in to work on the lei and prepping the feathers.

One day this woman came in and said "I am here to work on the lei and want the other members to know I was here to work on the lei, but I am not able to do that kind of tedious work. I would like you to please excuse me from this task." (gasp! everyone in the room was speechless,) Here was my response, "I can't lie for you.... to your congregation and your Bishop, so - lets try to work on the lei together and if you are not able to - then, yes I will say you came in and tried." 4 Hours later she was still going, she did a huge part of the lei, she enjoyed the company of the other lei Artists, and got to meet new friends and old friends as she came for 5 days in a row. She proudly told everyone she participated 100%, how difficult it was for her, how she had to carve out precious time, how far she had to drive........

They finished half of the 6 foot the lei - the remaining 3 feet was done by a Professional Feather Artist  who is so humble and not of that Congregation, she does not want anyone to know she did the entire other half by herself in a weekend. Actually, I don't think anyone other than myself and KM know the whole story.

Please visit the shop when you are in Maui to see meet of the talented Artists of Hawaii making a difference not only here but in the World.  malama pono

 

Excited to announce my Hawaiian Feather Lei are now  on Beautiful Blank 5x7 Greeting Cards available September 2018. They will be available to purchase at the store and on Etsy  Amazon

Etsy listing is sold out again. Please email me directly if you cant wait for store to replenish.

Feather art in general

 Feather art remains strong. There is something about the connection to nature and the recycling of feathers to art that fascinates artists. As a feather lei artist every feather type form every species is used or in our case sewn or tied differently to create the projects. The Art of Hawaiian Featherwork as an apprentice or student is years long, most of my haumana (student) have been with me over 9 years, and they are no where near becoming a teacher. Too many variations and not enough time in a day....

Mariannevasquez.com is now featured on the handmadeonmaui.com
site, as an accomplished Artists she has work at the Shops in Wailea at Gottling Home Store and the Andaz Hotel

visit her on instagram mariannevasquez5