Using bird feathers for inlay?

[decibel]

The LOML and I both enjoy watching our bird feeders in the backyard. From time to time we can get a few feathers that hopefully just fell off and aren't the remains of a bird a bit too slow :no:

Anyway I would really like to use one as in inlay on a end table or box or something but didn't know the best way to do so and what steps I'd need to take to preserve the feather?

 

[ehpoole]

You'll need a fairly thick coat to cover the feather, maybe something like an epoxy finish?

As far as preserving a feather, they are pretty much self-preserving. A feather is made of the same material as your fingernails and hair (keratin), its pretty durable stuff. About the only tougher natural material is chitin (the primary component of an insect exoskeleton).