Things to Keep in Mind When Ordering Ostrich Feather Centerpieces

If you are reading this article then you have probably been dazzled by an ostrich feather centerpiece that you have either seen at some tradeshow or online. They are truly beautiful and if you do a little research before ordering them, they will most likely be one of the most talked about decorations at your event. Here are some things to keep in mind that most people don't know.
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<br>1. Ostrich feathers are not always in supply - Demand for ostrich leather in the European market has caused a shortage in the ostrich feather market. Unfortunately, the birds are being killed at a young age at this moment in time. Unlike the demand for ostrich feathers, which doesn't harm the ostriches in any way, ostrich farmers are slaughtering the birds when they are young because they can make a lot of money off of them. The best ostrich feathers come from older birds. If you want ostrich feathers for your event, you will need to order them ahead of time. Most of the time, all the vendors are out of feathers at the same time and it can take weeks before they get them back in. It is best to order them two months or more before your event.
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<br>2. Not all ostrich feathers are created equal – I am not going to call out any names, but not all vendors are honest when advertising their feathers. Many times a vendor will show you a picture of ostrich plumes and then sell you ostrich drabs. There is a big difference between plumes and drabs. Drabs are not all that bad if you get them from the right vendor. However, they are much shorter and nowhere near as full as the plumes. Drabs are much more affordable than the plumes. If you are on a tight budget the drabs may be just the thing for you. But, if you can afford it, I recommend getting the plumes. They look much better and are quite stunning.
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<br>3. What to do if you can't afford the plumes – Don't fret if you can't fork over the money to get the plumes. Here is what you do. Go ahead and order the drabs, but get an extra pound of feathers for every dozen centerpieces that you order. This will help give your centerpieces a much fuller look. No, they won't quite equal the ostrich plumes, but they will look much nicer with the extra feathers. You will be surprised what an extra pound will do for them. Just keep in mind that the drabs sell out faster than the plumes because they are more affordable. Drabs are much harder to find in stock than the plumes are.
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<br>4. Don't be afraid to add some color – White feathers are very pretty and white is often the safest color to go with. However, white isn't your only option. The most dazzling pieces that I have seen mix two or three colors together. The Mardi Gras feather mixture of purple, green, and yellow is becoming very popular. Sweet sixteen parties are mixing light pink, dark pink, and even hot pink. Don't be afraid to be creative. Ostrich feathers come in a huge selection of colors. Just keep in mind to order a head of time. Colored feathers are more likely to be out of stock than white ones. Many times the vendor has to send them off to be dyed before they can ship them to you. As always, order ahead of time.
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<br>About the Author: Kimberly Andrews is a writer for <a href="http://www.eventswholesale.com" rel="nofollow">Wholesale Event Solutions</a>, a company offering discount event planning supplies including <a href="http://www.eventswholesale.com/Ostrich-Feather-Centerpieces.htm" rel="nofollow">feather centerpieces</a>, <a href="http://www.eventswholesale.com/-strse-805/6-%22Mardi-Gras%22-Centerpieces/Detail.bok" rel="nofollow">Mardi Gras centerpieces</a>, and <a href="http://www.eventswholesale.com/Vases/Eiffel-Tower-Vases.htm" rel="nofollow">eiffel tower vases</a>.
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