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 to build up in layers, hand-carving waxes, or engraving my drawings onto the surface of metal.

My Degree Show collection when I graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2013 was all inspired by beetles, so I’ve been making insects now for years and drawing them for as long as I can remember! Below are a few highlights of commissioned works and one-off pieces I’ve made based on bugs over the years.

The Insect Quaich (2024)

This was a special gift I made for my Dad, who is a biologist and had a big impact on my love of bugs! The fly is one he works with (Drosophila Melanogaster) and the Emperor moth is of my Mum’s favourites. I sketched out the bugs and had them laser engraved onto silver to form the handles, the bowl of the Quaich has a subtle plannished finish on the outside and a small foot so it stands up by itself.

Insect Signet Rings (2021-Present)

I have loved making these signet rings with insect motifs. Like the quaich, I sketched each design before having them laser engraved onto the surface. Custom Bee & Thistle Signet in Platinum with a diamond / Custom chunky Butterfly signet in Silver / Bee Signet in Silver

Linked Beetle Brooches (2015-2016)

One of my favourite pieces from my degree show was a circle of Stag Beetles, that I hand cut from a single piece of copper and enamelled. This was the starting point for a series of linked insects I created in 2011 when I was an Artist in Residence at Glasgow School of Art. Circle of Beetles #4, and Chain of Beetles #1 were particular favourites. Sawing out the intricate patterns by hand took time, but lead to subtle differences in the pattern I felt I would lose by getting them machine cut. I enamelled these in many layers and drew the patterns into the surface.

Scarab & The Sun (2019)

Pendant made in silver and enamelled copper. Photographed by Silvia Sani on Alkmini.

Custom Creatures

Various custom creatures I have made over the years.