• Butterflies and Moths
• Beetles
• Other Insect Types
• Insect Grouping Art Works
• Recent Arrivals
• Shadowboxes
• Prices, Ordering and Other Information
• Add to guestbook
• Guestbook entries
• Links
• Contact Information
• E-mail

Earrings: 
real, iridescent, tropical green beetles, set in sterling silver prong settings. I hand make each earring myself. The beetles are very hard and durable. This exact same type of beetle was used in European jewelry in the early 1900's. I occasionally see an antique stick pin or pendant, with this type of beetle in it, at an antique shop or show.

Price $72.00 per pair

    I've had a great fascination for butterflies and other exotic insects for most of my life. The insects I use, in the shadowboxes I create, are completely natural in color and are not treated in any way. I designed these pieces as elegant art objects and I make them with fine hardwoods (glass on the front and back). Each one has the enclosed insect's scientific name and country of origin shown on the back. There are many steps entailed in creating them including softening and formally positioning the legs, wings and antennae of each insect. I have a background as an award winning contemporary goldsmith and the detailed, technical handwork that I apply to these pieces is very similar to that which I applied in my jewelry.

    Although the process by which I acquire the insects I offer is complex and costly, none of the species I use are rare or endangered. Some originate from large insect farming projects. One is a government sponsored project in Papua New Guinea, where they have developed a system of planting an abundance of specific insect food plants in large areas of old growth rainforests. This greatly increases the populations of certain insects which are then gathered, thereby providing a economically viable alternative to the cutting down of those forests for their hardwoods, destroying them forever. The balance of the insects I use are gathered by indigenous peoples. This gathering has been done for generations and is done in a mindful manner so that it will not upset the balance and thereby affect the future livelihood of these peoples. The marketing of these, as well as other renewable rainforest resources (rubber, medicinal plants, house plants, orchids, Brazil nuts, vegetable ivory, etc.), is playing an important role in halting the rapid destruction of forests in the tropical world. A purchase of one of my pieces is a real contribution to the efforts to preserve the tropical habitats and help provide for the economy of the indigenous peoples who live in them. Many biologists worldwide support this activity (controlled, "sustainable use") as a way to help reverse the current crisis of rapid and careless destruction of the tropical plant and animal habitats. In recent years a number of major organizations including Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund have become involved in efforts to develop insect farming projects in the tropical world. I am licensed to import insects by the United States Department of the Interior and I abide by the strict laws they have instituted to regulate the importation of all wildlife and protect worldwide endangered species. A percentage of the price of each piece is donated to the Rainforest Action Network the most effective international organizations fighting to save the tropical rainforest habitats.

    I am the original designer and producer of this type of glass and wood insect shadowbox. The many years of exhibiting these insect artworks have spawned imitators here in the US and overseas (for export to the US), however the superior craftsmanship and artistic quality of my work has consistently set it apart, among collectors, stores and galleries. Groups of my pieces can be found in the personal collections across the nation including those of many famous celebrities.

    I have a deep respect for nature and a great concern for the rainforests. I hope people will have a greater appreciation and respect for nature after seeing the astonishing beauty of these insects which I have tried to incorporate in my work with the most reverence and elegance.