I’ve always loved the look of specimen type art within a curated collection, but a part of me thought it was also a little creepy to have framed dead things on my wall. Even if you’re not creeped out, artwork made with once-live butterflies can run you a few hundred dollars.

I compromised with myself the other day after seeing some faux butterflies in my local craft store and decided to make my own butterfly ‘specimen’ art.

With a gluegun and a steady hand, this pretty and nature inspired art can be customized in so many ways.  Keep reading for more details on the making of this piece.

and don’t forget – the West Elm GIVE-A-WAY ends tonight at midnight!

Materials:

• Shadow box $6 (mine was actually a 13×13 ‘T-shirt’ display from Michael’s)
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Ruler
• Faux Butterflies $8 (near the faux fruit at Michael’s)
• White cardstock $1

After gluing the white cardstock to the frame backing, I measured out the exact middle of the frame backing and made a small pencil mark (that could later be erased).  I laid out all of the butterflies to determine position and spacing first. Then, I glued each butterfly down individually using a big heap of glue, and holding it in place until it dried (otherwise it will tip to the side).

After gluing down each butterfly, I put my frame back together and it was as easy as that!

Let me know if you try this – I’d love to see what you guys come up with!

Have a SUPER Monday!