I'm doing a 30th birthday cake for a client and she wants to have feathers in her cupcakes but I can't figure a way to do this that doesn't interfere with the frosting. I'm going nuts looking for a solution but coming up with nothing? Does anyone have any suggestions please?

Make them from wafer paper or fondant.
Wafer paper is easier if you can find it.

Maybe you could poke them into tiny styrofoam ball halves. Glue the flat part of the ball onto wax or freezer paper cut 1/8 or 1/4 inch larger than the ball and place them on top of the frosted cupcakes with a dab of frosting. Pipe a small border over the paper edge if it looks like you should hide it.

Yes, get wafer paper, cut into a large almondish shape, cut slits and steam over hot water. I saw it in ACD and it looks like real feathers! I can't remember if they were adhered to wire or not. I think they were. I think you fold the almond shape down the center and use gum glue to attach the wire to the wafer paper.

What kind of feathers are they? Cause feathers arent exactly on the list of food safe products...

What I would do is this, and charge an arm and a leg for btw, Make yourself cupcake sleeves out of some nice paper, either solid colored or patterned. Glue your feathers to the sleeve instead of poking them into the cupcake or creating a styrofoam mess. That way the feathers arent actually touching the cupcakes. This could be done nicely with a feather boa which all you have to do is cut into the proper lengths.

As I'm not a fan of non-edibles garnishing my edibles, I would either figure out how to make edible feathers or use the feathers in some fashion to decorate the servingware

I would maybe make a small ball shaped with a piece of fondant and stick the feathers into the ball of fondant.You can shape it so the ball looks more half round or more decorative but that is an idea.

I agree with the don't mix non edibles (especially feathers) with edibles but even though I have tried on two occasions to gently disuade her from the feather idea she still has her head set on them. I tried to incorporate them else where but she still wants them on the cupcakes. your ideas are fab guys thank you very ,uch for your suggestions!!!!