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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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September 24, 2015

Feather Pheasant Bundle Knock-Off

There is nowhere quite as important to a teenage girl as the mall. Not only is it the place to see and be seen, but it’s also where all of one’s fashion dreams can come true. In my day, Wet Seal was THE store. I just knew that if I could get my clothes there then any awkwardness I was facing in those tenuous years would instantly fade away.

Pottery Barn Pheasant Feather Bundle Knock-Off atthepicketfence.com

I would walk through the door and I would be overwhelmed by the utter stylishness of it all. From stirrup pants to acid washed jeans with zippered ankles and cut off sweatshirts. It was all I could do to stay focused.

Cue my mom.

My mom knew that Wet Seal prices didn’t always match our families budget. And looking back, I realize what a wonderful job she did of allowing me my fashion dreams while also encouraging frugality. We would look through all of the racks and pick out a few things I liked and then head out of the store empty handed. You see, she wanted me to do some price comparisons. To see if, by chance, I could find something similar at a lesser price. More often than not, I would find something I liked even more elsewhere at a price we were all comfortable with. And while I didn’t always appreciate it at the time and I’m sure there was quite a bit of eye rolling involved on my part, now I see what a gift she gave me.

Because now when I see something I like at Pottery Barn that costs $149, I know that I can do better than that!

How to Make a Feather Pheasant Bundle

Supplies: Round container, burlap, twine, glue gun, faux feathers, sticks

feather arrangement supplies

Instructions: Wrap container with burlap securing in place with hot glue. Surround with twigs and secure in place with hot glue. Wrap a piece of twine on the top and on the bottom. Put feathers inside container.

sticks around vase with twine atthepicketfence.com

I know it doesn’t look exactly like the original version. Feathers are expensive at the craft store and to keep this a thrifty craft I had to use fewer of them.

faux feathers

But, just like my teenage pursuit of the perfect outfit at the mall, I find that I often prefer my own creation to the one that anyone could go buy.

Feather pheasant bundle atthepicketfence.com

It’s one-of-a-kind, unique and even though as teenagers (and let’s be honest even as grown women!) we want to fit in, the reality is that it’s so much better to just do YOU.

Pottery Barn Pheasant Feather Bundle Knock-Off atthepicketfence.com

My Wet Seal days are over. And while I’d like to say that the fashions of my teenage years are over too, apparently acid wash, stirrup pants and jeans with zippers at the ankle are all back in again. They’re calling it ‘retro’ which frankly I find incredibly insulting. 😉

But while that season of my life as passed, the lessons I learned during those years shopping at the mall with my mom have stayed with me and now I can pass them on to my own daughter while she rolls her eyes at me.

I guess it’s that whole circle of life thing and all. 😉

I’m so thrilled to be sharing my thrifty craft today with you as part of the Fall Ideas Tour!

fall ideas tour

 

Every day this week there has been loads and loads of ideas and inspiration to help you get in the spirit of the season!

Monday

fall mantels

Postcards from the Ridge | All Things Heart and Home

Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer | Domestically Speaking

Prodigal Pieces | Housepitality Designs

Mad In Crafts | My Creative Days

Tuesday

fall tablescapes

Refresh Restyle | 2 Bees in a Pod

Fox Hollow Cottage | Artsy Chicks Rule

Our Southern Home | Restoration Redoux

Savvy Southern Style | Atta Girl Says

Wednesday

fall wreaths

H2OBungalow | Cottage at the Crossroads

Today’s Creative Life | Dukes and Duchesses

Hunt & Host | The Interior Frugalista

Sweet Pea | Petticoat Junktion

Thursday

fall craft ideas

At the Picket Fence |Town and Country Living

Cupcakes and Crinoline

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | So Much Better With Age

Art is Beauty | AKA Design

 Thank you so much for meeting me at the fence today,

Vanessa signature

34 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, DIY, Good Ideas Tagged With: Autumn, fall, fall crafts, fall decor, fall Decorating

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    September 24, 2015 at 5:30 AM

    Simple and pretty and great texture. I was shocked at the plastic pumpkins prices at PB! Not sure who pays that for them except someone who doesn’t know you can get them super cheap elsewhere.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:23 PM

      I know! I was shocked at some of the prices for plastic pumpkins this year too Kim!

      Reply
  2. Lindsay Eidahl says

    September 24, 2015 at 5:43 AM

    This is such a great piece. I am always looking to add height to a tablescape or decor and this is perfect for fall!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:22 PM

      Thanks Lindsay!

      Reply
  3. Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says

    September 24, 2015 at 6:25 AM

    So pretty. And I love your story. I have expensive taste but have always been SUPER thrifty! So I figure out a way to do it, or buy it, cheap! 😉
    xo
    Nancy

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:22 PM

      Thank you Nancy!

      Reply
  4. Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says

    September 24, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    Oh my gosh. I just love this…The yellow in those feathers just makes it PERFECTION!
    Love it!
    Hugs,
    Karin

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:22 PM

      Thank you so much Karin!

      Reply
  5. Sandy says

    September 24, 2015 at 6:55 AM

    Your mom taught you well! Love this idea! Oh, I remember the days of browsing the wet seal! Your story is another good one.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:22 PM

      Thanks Sandy!

      Reply
  6. Paula@SweetPea says

    September 24, 2015 at 7:31 AM

    I actually like your version better than the Pottery Barn one! I’ve noticed a few of my students wearing acid washed jeans but I’ve yet to see stirrup pants. I think I’ll pass on those trends the second time around!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:22 PM

      Thank you Paula!

      Reply
  7. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    September 24, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    I just love how you can tell a story and you’ve just given me some inspiration for my mantel! A local person raises peacocks and I’m hoping I can get some FREE feathers! Pinning and sharing your fabulous creation!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:21 PM

      Thank you so much Jane!

      Reply
  8. Pamela says

    September 24, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    .love your craft. Looks great! Your story was great too. I loved the wet seal also,but I did the same thing go look there and then see if I could find something close it. Don’t think I want to wear stirrup pants against wore them when I was 5 one in my lifetime is fine.☺️
    Be blessed

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:21 PM

      I agree Pamela! I think stirrup pants should stay gone forever! 😉

      Reply
  9. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says

    September 24, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    From a fellow Wet Seal gal… I love your knock-off! Beautifully done!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:21 PM

      Thanks Maryann!

      Reply
  10. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    September 24, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    So pretty! I actually like your version better. I was looking for feathers in the craft store the other day but didn’t buy any because I was shocked at the sticker price! I’ve resorted to picking up feathers off the ground!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:21 PM

      Thank you Jennifer!

      Reply
  11. christy @ Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says

    September 24, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    Simple, but so elegant! I remember one year my sister and I each snuck open a Christmas present when my Mom was out. Each of our boxes contained a pair of stirrup paints and a huge plaid shirt (were they even in then?). We tried them on and were parading around the house in our new outfits lol. Luckily we got everything wrapped back just so before our Mom came home, but I always think of that when I hear “stirrup pants” LOL!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:20 PM

      LOL Christy!! What a memory!!

      Reply
  12. Kim @ Hunt & Host says

    September 24, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    The centerpiece is beautiful…but the message is even better 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:19 PM

      Thank you so much Kim!

      Reply
  13. kristin says

    September 24, 2015 at 10:40 AM

    Oh…I love this idea, so festive and pretty! Hope you have a great day! xo

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:19 PM

      Thanks girl!

      Reply
  14. Marie@The Interior Frugalista.com says

    September 24, 2015 at 11:26 AM

    Oh my, that looks like something you’d spend BIG $$$ on. I love this idea – so gorgeous for Fall, or anytime for that matter. In fact, it may have inspired me for my daughter’s wedding next summer. She’s having an outdoor wedding and her theme is Peacock feathers! Pinning this to a few boards.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:19 PM

      Oh thank you so much Marie!!

      Reply
  15. Shannon says

    September 24, 2015 at 4:08 PM

    Feathers and fall.
    Such a beautiful combo!!
    Love the texture and this would look cute anywhere 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:19 PM

      Thanks friend!

      Reply
  16. Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says

    September 24, 2015 at 5:05 PM

    Your centerpiece is incredibly beautiful! We too appreciate making-it-for-less and you have proven that it can be just as stunning!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 24, 2015 at 7:18 PM

      Thank you so much ladies!

      Reply
  17. Robin says

    September 25, 2015 at 3:49 AM

    Beautiful my friends…thanks for the inspiration xo

    Reply
  18. Sondra says

    September 28, 2015 at 11:41 PM

    Girl, I am blown away by your awesomeness! This is SO much better than the PB version. It looks great and it’s lovingly made by YOU! Honestly, the way I feel about handmade items is that they will become heirlooms. And how can it get better than that? Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

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