• The soft tailfeathers of an ostrich can be used for decorative crafts.ostrich image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
  
  Exotic, elegant ostrich feathers are a symbol of luxury and have been used to adorn headpieces, clothing and jewelry since ancient times. Their size and versatility makes them a common choice for today's high-end craft ideas. With a little imagination, these beautiful plumes can be used for a variety of decorative crafts.
  
  

Masks

• Masks decorated with ostrich feathers are an easy project for Halloween, Mardi Gras or any costume occasion. Decorate an inexpensive plastic eye mask with sequins, glitter, ribbon and rhinestones. Use a glue gun to attach ostrich plumes to the temples to create an elaborate and stylish disguise. Ostrich feather masks do not need to be worn to be appreciated; they can also be crafted specifically for decoration as shelf art.
  
  

Centerpieces

• Ostrich feathers of different colors and sizes can be artfully arranged in a vase to create an impressive centerpiece for receptions or parties. White feathers in a tall crystal vase full of iridescent stones is an elegant option for weddings. Decorate for holiday parties and other events with hand painted vases that depict holiday symbols. Just as with floral arrangements, beads and ribbon can be added to further decorate the centerpieces.
  
  

Lamp

• Ostrich feathers can be added to a lampshade to transform a standard lamp into a fashionable home accessory. Carefully trim ostrich plumes to the desired length and glue them to the bottom edge of a lampshade. Glue a strip of decorative ribbon over the seam where shade and feather meet. Further embellishments can be added to the lampshade and lamp base to coordinate the theme.
  
  

Fan

• An ostrich feather fan can add a decorative touch to wall spaces. Begin with a sheet of heavy cardboard trimmed to the half-circle shape of a fan. Glue ribbon around the perimeter of the fan template. Attach ostrich feathers to the cardboard template using a glue gun. The pointed end of the feather's shaft should be at the flat side of the cardboard and the soft feather can extend past the curved side of the template. Place feathers in a fanned shape to fill the cardboard and use another piece of ribbon to cover the ends.