Burlesque Ostrich Fans?

aliceBheartless started this discussion · 6/29/2012

Hi Ladies! I am looking for online shops where I can buy some ostrich feather fans with bamboo staves. I have checked ebay and a little on etsy, but fans are spendy! While I am just getting them to pay around with fan dancing burlesque style, I would like them to be nice enough to perform with, should I ever get to that stage... because based on the prices, I won't be buying another set any time soon. I am thinking maybe about 4.5 foot fans. I know there have to be places on line to check these out, and I have found a few, but especially on Etsy, these fans can be soooo expensive. I can probably only do $300 total and complete maximum on the set all together with shipping. Thats kind of pushing it. It might just be my reality, that I cannot afford them, but I thought I would check on here first! :) Thought about trying to make them myself, but by the time I have bought everything I need and shipped it here, I might as well have someone who knows what they are doing do it.

27 replies

Webmaster · 6/29/2012
I just have to say that I saw the title of this thread and the first thing that came to my mind were people who enjoyed ostriches performing burlesque. Just had to share.
aliceBheartless · 6/29/2012
Bahahaha! Now that you mention it... :) Puts me in mind of a good comedy piece.
FreeTheSun · 6/29/2012
Smokinangel and I made some mostly based off this tutorial: http://dangerousdelilahburlesque.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-make-feather-fans.html We debated getting staves and making ones that open and fold but based on my research the majority of people would just glue their folding ones open anyway. Plus we figured it was just for us to play with and combine with pole (which we had yet to do), so it didn't matter too much. If you wanted a folding one you might like one of these: http://fancyfeather.com/feather-fans They aren't bamboo staves but more in your price range and still pretty and functional.
dangerousdelilahburlesque.blogspot.comHow to Make Feather FansI love fan dancing, but I don't love the cost of the stunning, amazing, fluffy cloud-like, ostrich fans. So I decided to make some myself. T...Fancy FeatherBulk Feathers For Sale Online USA | Fancy FeatherSpecialists In All Feather Types Including Bulk Ostrich Feathers, Peacock and Pheasant Feathers, Ostrich Feather Boas and Fans, and more. Shop now!
aliceBheartless · 6/29/2012
Thanks so much for the info! I keep thinking I want to just make my own, but then I get carried away with the feathers, because buying fans feather by feather is not cheap when you aren't wholesale pricing them. Plus shipping to Hawaii is always insane.
aliceBheartless · 6/29/2012
O yeah, also wanting the fans to be able to open and close, because I want to be able to incorporate that into the dancing. Maybe thats silly though, I am most definitely an amateur when it comes to fan dancing.
nymphdancer · 6/30/2012
the girl at fancy feather rocks! I have a beautiful set of fans from her. I got the economy double layer and they are very very nice. Bamboo staves suck because they break easily, so unless you are prepared to repair them a lot then I wouldn't suggest them.
aliceBheartless · 6/30/2012
Cool! Thanks for that info. I did contact fancy feather and I think I might go through her. Is there a reason people like bamboo staves so much? Is it just a visual thing? I have tried both and acrylic are lighter but the staves are bigger. Hmmm. I am still waiting on pricing. I think I might have to let go of the peacock accents, they are driving the price up, but I love them!
nymphdancer · 6/30/2012
most of the people I know have acrylic staves. you can always add peacock feathers later ;0
Milena Stoyanova · 7/2/2012
I've recently made some research on feathers, and found the following websites: http://www.feather.com.au (from Australia) http://www.thefeatherfactory.co.uk/ (from UK) http://www.thefeathershop.com/ (from US), recommended by Jo Weldon, the Burlesque Diva
MsBKitty · 7/2/2012
Hi Corby, Your right fans are expensive! Karol Helms costume in the Fashion Exhibition used some beautiful black ostrich fans with bamboo shafts. They were 18 x 34, which was a great size. Here is the video so that you can see them on stage. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3girbW_xorA Originally we wanted to do the 24x48" fans, but they were a little too big to manuver. http://badkittyexoticwear.com/shop/featherfans-c-39_153.html
Schtoffen · 7/2/2012
I can't believe they cost so much... do what I do... get some parafin and a pair of fire fans for £60... great fun!! :D
aliceBheartless · 7/2/2012
I love that video of Karol :) My concern with the 18x34 fans is that they would be too small for me for a classic burlesque strip-tease style number. While those fans looked great with Karol's number, I am, relative to Karol, a giant. I have been playing around with a set of fans that is acrylic staved and about 30x54, as well as a bamboo staved set about the same size. They definitely require a lot of hand strength, but once I get it, I think I am going to like that larger size. It will however, definitely take some getting used to, thats for sure!
MsBKitty · 7/2/2012
Corby... good point, she is a lil peanut, but an adorable peanut at that. 30x54... WOW! Please make sure to share the video on that routine. I think those are the same size that Christina Aug. used in the movie Burlesque. xoxo
aliceBheartless · 7/2/2012
hehehe well, it might be a few months... years? in the making. I am the type of person to get started on something like this... and then fall off for a bit when things get crazy (I am making a pretty long distance move at the end of the summer). But I hope to create something that could be performed. I currently do not have an event/show to create for, so... this is just something I want as a hobby, because I think fan dance is so beautiful and mesmerizing. And i still want to see that movie! I know its not reviewed well, but... its Burlesque! :)
MsBKitty · 7/2/2012
Doing it for yourself is the best! You dont need a competition or show to create this beautiful piece of art that is currently wrapped up in your head! And yes, the movie did get terrible reviews but i was caught up in all the costumes, glitter and fans! So for me it was amazing! Good luck girl!
aliceBheartless · 7/2/2012
Thanks! I, too, am easily distracted by shiny things. :) For me, sometimes costuming is the only reason to see a movie, and its well worth it!
nymphdancer · 7/2/2012
btw the fans in her I'm a good girl number were made by fancyfeather :) and pretty much anyone compared to Karol is an Amazon!!! I really want a set of fancy feathers triple layer ultra fans but decided my first pair would get very beat up with praticing and larger fans are harder to use so started with fancy feathers economy double layer and LOVE them. Although I'm going to add crystals to them for sparkle. But the feathers are so soft and naturally glossy they are just beautiful! they cost me just under 200 for the set. if you go here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.209883092468355.43013.100003399975634&type=3&l=e342c3f92d the black fans are mine :) the other fans are some that Foxy made herself very pretty, they are mounted on cardboard and do not open or close.
facebook.comFacebook
aliceBheartless · 7/2/2012
That link doesn't work for me. I think maybe because of privacy settings? Not sure. Yes I think I might just end up getting fans on the slightly cheaper side, because investing a lot is silly at this point, and get some kind of embellishments. Most likely some sparkle and peacock feathers. Right now, I am just waiting to hear back from some inquiries to different sites to shop the prices. To me, its important that I like them, because its really part of the mystique, but also important that I don't feel bad spending the money on them. I cant wait for the fans!
FreeTheSun · 7/2/2012
We ended up getting our feathers from here cause even with shipping they were the cheapest without having to order tons: http://www.ebay.com/sch/Crafts-/14339/i.html?nma=true&item=270894692937+&si=PdHxDzYdjvVbdS3P76Gigv0LN9w%253D&viewitem=&_ssn=norm1083 We mades 4 fans (2 each) so got 50 big feathers and 50 little ones cause we did a two tone layer. We went with the B grade and some were a little funky but most were quite nice. We had extra left over to make a sort of facinator/headband thing to match. The fans themselves worked out to be about 25 inches or so across. I'll see if I have a photo I can upload to my profile. But they don't close so not what you (Corby) want, but if you decide to make your own with your own staves, then the link above might be a good place to buy.
aliceBheartless · 7/2/2012
Thanks for the info! Always on the hunt to find affordable feathers and costuming, etc.
Lauren Red · 7/3/2012
In the UK www.Talulahblue.com does very good fans. Not sure how they match up price wise but the quality of her fans is top notch as she dances with them herself. In terms of cheap costume bits, a good tip is to rip necklaces and old jewellery for chains, pearls and beads and keep an eye out on market stalls for embellishments on sale. There was this trend for necklaces made out of fabric too so i bought loads and now they make up most of my costumes!
nymphdancer · 7/3/2012
weird that the link wouldn't show up as it is the public link at the bottom of the page...FB can be so quirky!
aliceBheartless · 7/3/2012
I know! I never know the ins and outs of facebook. Drives me crazy sometimes. I totally agree on the fans, I kind of want the best I can get, but after working with the fans I have been able to borrow, think its going to be easier with a step back, to slightly smaller, and lots lighter. Its really a hand workout!
aliceBheartless · 7/5/2012
Yay! I am working with Cindy at FancyFeather.com to create some fans, which I will most likely add to once I get them, so that I can bedazzle them the way I really really want to! I am very excited for these fans :) Thanks everyone for your info and ideas.
Piaketz · 7/5/2012
That would be so hot on the trapole. 🌸

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