Custom Insects

I’ve always been interested in insects and their strange but fascinating forms! If you are looking for something a little different I can create custom insect pieces in a variety of styles. I make my insects in a few different ways; by sawing out patterns by hand from sheet metal and building up in layers or hand-carving waxes and having them cast. I can also add colour with enamels (depending on the design).

I’ve been making insects now for years and have been drawing them for as long as I can remember! Below are some examples of commissioned works and one-off pieces I’ve made based on bugs.

Custom insects in silver start at around £150 for a two layer insect. I can also make them in base metals (like copper and brass) or other precious metals like gold & platinum (depending on the individual designs). if you are looking for more information on how ordering custom jewellery works the process is similar to that outlined on the ‘bespoke rings’ page of my site. You can also use the form there to get in touch.

Scarab & The Sun Necklace

Silver & enamelled copper necklace with a double chain. Photographed by Silvia Sani on Alkmini.

Carved Beetle Charm.

Pendant carved from was and cast in silver.

Rhinoceros Beetle Brooch

This was commissioned as a gift for a scientist who worked on this species of beetle - so the pressure was on to make it accurate! Hand sawn from sheets of silver and soldered together.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly Necklace

I decided to build the piece up in three layers of oxidised silver & enamelled copper then riveted them together.

Large Stag Beetle Brooch

This was a fun piece! The top layers are made of copper and I drew the patterns in the enamel on by hand before firing in the kiln. The base is oxidised silver.

Silver Grasshopper Brooch

Commissioned piece as a special birthday gift. This bug went all the way to Canada.

Circle of Beetles Brooch

This brooch didn’t start out as a bespoke piece but I wanted to share it here alongside some of my other insect designs. Hand-cut from a single piece of copper and enamelled in white and blue enamel. One of my personal favourites.

Bee Pendant with Keum-Boo

Silver and gold pendant. Keum-Boo is an ancient Korean technique that involves fusing 24ct gold to the surface of fine silver.

Blue Bee Brooch

Silver, Copper & Enamel.

Snail Pins

Okay - technically not an insect but I’ll add these here! Oxidised Silver & shell.

Chain of Beetles Brooch

I made this piece while I was an Artist in Residence at Glasgow School of Art and it featured at the ‘Fresh AiR’ exhibition in Dundee Contemporary Arts and The Lighthouse in Glasgow. Hand sawn from a copper and enamelled.

Butterfly Pins

Samples for Brass and Enamelled Pins commissioned by author V.L. Heathcote to celebrate the launch of her book Believing in Butterfly.