We've all seen them in the windows at the mall. Pairs of feather earrings lined up one after another- identical and frankly cheap. They are mass produced and that means the manufacturer received a large bulk of feathers to produce the feather jewelry. So what exactly does that mean for the conscious shopper?
Often the answer is that the feathers were either plucked from the animals while they were still alive and fully capable of experiencing pain, or they are a bi-product of the slaughter industry, plucked from dead birds sent to slaughter. The problem with the former is obvious. None of us would enjoy having our hair pulled out strand by strand. The latter goes a little deeper.
Birds who are raised to be slaughtered are more often than not kept in extremely cramped and unsanitary living conditions. They are pumped full of hormones and sometimes are victims of the cruel act of beak clipping. Well, what is beak clipping?
Beak Clipping is the practice of literally clipping off the tip of a bird's beak in order to keep the birds from pecking each other out of frustration and agitation. The frustration typically stems from being so horribly cramped that they cannot move. Beak Clipping inhibits their ability to eat comfortably and is an extremely cruel practice.
The takeaway is this: Even if the birds had already passed away when their feathers were harvested, they had to endure an extremely horrible life in order to fulfill their ultimate purpose: to die.
Supporting the use of cruelty free feathers is a great way to feel good about what you are wearing. In this time on Earth many of us want to reduce our carbon footprint and be more eco friendly. There’s no reason to go over to the mall and buy a pair of feather earrings other than to save a few dollars.
The popular feathers used in large chains come from the same breeds of animals, are just as lovely and no animals were hurt in the process. Occasionally you will find yourself in a situation where you will pay a little more for a pair of earrings, but this is often because you are purchasing a one of a kind piece.
Cruelty free company Water And Earth is an excellent source of cruelty free feather earrings and feather extensions. The online store offers easy to use feather extension kits and beautiful one of a kind feather earrings all of which are 100% cruelty free.
To view the selection of cruelty free feather earrings visit:http://www.waterandearthcollective.com/
To view the selection of cruelty free feather extensions visit:
http://www.waterandearthcollective.com/
To shop online visit:
http://www.etsy.com/
Feel good, do good, look good. The world is yours. How will you live your time on Earth?
