How We Make Our Real Framed Butterflies

Our first look at a new butterfly.

At this point the butterflies wings are folded and very dry.  Before the butterflies wings can be positioned, their bodies must be injected with a solution of glycerin and water and set aside for a few minutes until enough of the solution has softened the wings so they can be moved into their natural position without tearing or breaking the wing from the body. Some butterflies and moths, such as those in the Birdwing family and Owl butterflies, have larger bodies and very strong wing muscles and therefore must be injected multiple times before the wings can be safely moved.. Another method we sometimes use, especially for smaller butterflies whose bodies are difficult to inject, is to grasp the body of the butterfly with insect tweezers and dip them in warm water. After either method is successful, the butterfly is then ready to be placed on a spreading board.

Butterflies drying on setting boards.

When the butterfly is moist enough, a stainless steel pin is inserted from the top of the butterfly, through the thorax, so that it extends about a 1/4 inch out from the bottom of the butterflies body. It is then pinned into the deep center channel of the spreading board to hold it in position. Insect tweezers are used to slowly move the forewings up and the hindwings downward. This is a very slow process and requires the hands of a surgeon to accomplish successfully. One twitch or jerk and the butterfly wings tear or seperate from the body and cannot be used. Once the wings are placed correctly, streatchy rubber-band-like strips are pulled from one side of the setting board to the other and pinned across the butterfly to lightly press against the wings. Then specially sized pieces of glass are laid over the wings to keep them in perfect position. Additional pins are used to position the butterflies antenna in a natural fashion. The butterflies must then be stored in a dry place for a day or two untill fully dried and the wings can retain their shape without the pins and glass..

Butterfly wall.

When the butterflies are set they are carefully removed from the board and pinned to the wall to await being mounted in frames.  This is an amazing site...to see a wall full of bright colorful butterflies. From this "Butterfly Wall" we select butterflies that combine to make stunning collections or single frames.  Selecting which butterflies to include in a frame is the fun part of the process. It might seem like an easy task because every butterfly has a beauty of its own, but size color and density can make or break a frame. After we have selected the butterflies to put in a frame, we arrange them in a pattern that we think will look beautiful. It doesn't always work. Most times, butteflies need to be re-arranged, taken out, or substituted untill we exclaim "That's It". I call it the "Pop Factor". No frame passes the design stage untill it "Pops". We make some standard collections and we are always making new unique combinations that we have never made before.  We can also make custom combinations that you have designed using our Custom Frames page.  Upon request, we can also insert a message into the frame to create a presonalized gift.

Wood wedges in frame..

Strapped frame.

Special "Museum Quality" glue is used to attach the butterflies to the glass that has been specifically cut for the fine wood frame. While the glue is setting, small wood wedges are used to keep the butterflies level and in position. After the glue sets and permanently attaches the butterfly to the glass the wood wedges are removed.  The butterflies and glass are then inspected and cleaned.  The top glass is slid into the frame and the top wood piece is fitted.  Once an exact fit is verified the top frame piece is removed. We then apply wood glue to the frame and fit the top piece back in.  A rachet strap is then wrapped around the frame and tigntly latched.  The strap is fitted with metal brackets on each corner that ensure the frame corners fit squarely together.  The glue is then given time to set. When the strap is removed you have a framed butterfly that will bring beauty and wonder to your home for years to come.