THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE
The Butterfly House theme came to me as I was sorting through old photographs. Around 15 years ago, along with my partner Ian, I visited a butterfly house, which was an annual event at New York’s Natural history museum. I have toured several since, but the photographs I found recently reminded me that the materials that are used to re-create the habit for these ephemeral creatures are very similar to those in the Woodland Wreath, including sticks, bark, moss and leaves, as well as live plants. Add in a dehydrated version of the fruit on which the butterflies feed and you begin to capture the spirit of a butterfly house. You then need the butterflies …
With their delicate structure and vivid colours the butterflies in my photographs brought to mind a store we visited on several occasions when in New York - a Japanese bookstore, just across from Rockafeller Plaza. They stocked a lovely range of papers and art materials and we had purchased several packs of authentic Japanese origami paper. On our return I put them away safely and they had never even been opened. Now was the time.
It all came together, practically in the blink on an eye and The Butterfly House concept was born - a fusion of Dormouse Wood, New York City and Japanese style.
FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION
It’s great to come up with an idea. It is then probably a bigger challenge to drag that idea out of your brain and into reality. Ideally, one that speaks to others. In this case I am aiming to catch people’s attention and inspire them to create. I want people to build on the concept. To make things they love. To have fun. To share. Plus (because it is important to be both honest and practical) I want to show why it’s worth choosing materials from Dormouse Wood.
I started with the butterflies. I knew they would be made of paper and that most would be origami paper. However, I wanted a softer look than origami techniques tend to give (and I’m not that good at origami). I therefore decided on a fairly simple approach which allows for many variations on the butterfly theme - colours, textures, shapes and patterns - and has a three dimensional feel BUT only requires three things. Paper, scissors and glue.
If you decide to make something using The Butterfly House concept you should make the butterflies in whatever way you want. Using whatever materials you like best. Below is a video which shows what I did. At the top of the page are links to three ways I used my butterflies to bring The Butterfly House to life.
A video showing how I make ‘The Butterfly House’ butterflies
A few other ideas
What about:
A box picture frame to grace a wall. Fill it with glowing butterflies in any style you like, all perched on delicate sticks, preserved leaves and whatever tiny woodland treasures take your fancy.
Re-creating an entire mini-tree complete with butterflies. As the base, choose a larger stick or small branch with features that appeal to you (perhaps consider some intricate ivy wood). Pick something that will stand propped gently against a wall (with a bit of help if needed) and get creating. Before you add your decorations think about whether to twine in some warm coloured white fairy lights to give a subtle glow (I like the copper wire style, with tiny LEDs).
A honeysuckle vine garland, again wound around with gentle fairy lights and maybe fresh ivy. Exchange your butterflies for starlight sprinkled night moths, plus whatever natural embellishments catch your eye. Dab with the tiniest amount of bronze or pearlised power for a sheen and complete the effect with a sickle moon.
An oversize butterfly (as big and intricate as you like) perched on a special piece of wood or bark. Think Alice in Wonderland combined with the Victorian naturalists and explorers.