Often late at night I go shopping. One of my hang outs is ETSY. You probably already know all about ETSY. I just discovered this mecca about a year ago. Since then I have purchased, handmade pillows, crayon aprons, photographs, art, jewelry, vintage glass and most recently butterflies. Lovely colorful, delicate museum quality butterflies from Bug Under Glass.

Kevin the curator and owner of Bug Under Glass is not just your typical ETSY store owner. In just a few short emails I quickly learned that Kevin has a passion for insects. He’s not just into the conservation of these critters but he supports and volunteers to teach children about the wonderful world of bugs (ants too).

from his Bio:

Biologist Kevin Clarke’s professional insect career started over 8 years ago when he moved to South Africa for work on an arthropod study. What made this trip extra special was that just 11 months prior to his flight he was a stock market analyst sitting in a cubicle wondering how he could become more involved with his true passion – insects. Then, a fortuitous meeting with an entomologist at a bar turned into ten eye-opening months of casual volunteering in the entomology department at the California Academy of Sciences surrounded by 14 million insects. This was when he knew the insects were the answer to his calling.  read more here

The butterflies you see here are green, meaning they are raised in a conservation farm versus being plucked from the wild. The butterflies are sealed and treated with no chemicals AND are still archive quality.

You may have seen one of Kevin’s displays in Pottery Barn or West Elm catalog? His bugs have also been featured in Decor8 and Apartment Therapy.

They can be used so many different ways.

Hang them on the wall

on  a shelf

on a mantle

Gorgeous aren’t they?

I did a little research on these little critters before I made my first purchase and what I liked about Bug Under Glass was that they not only featured museum quality bugs they mounted them in museum quality displays. When I decided I just could not decide on one I began to save the images off his website and then print them so I could do a mock layout. This helped me decide on color and quantity I needed.

I had two areas that I wanted to add butterflies. The first was in my master bath. I have a butterfly print that was lonely.

I found two that I loved but then there was this one… a moth…. ohh the agony of choosing

so I ended up with more than two… (shocker I know)

My package arrived within a few days

and each butterfly (although technically the last one above is a moth)

arrived in gift boxes with a nice hand written thank you note from Kevin.

the detail is amazing but check out the back of each critter

all of the information about the butterfly!

I ended up with 3  in my office I just couldn’t bear to put them in my bathroom

I just love the way they blend in with all the colors!

and you know what… a few weeks later Bugs Under Glass

released a new series and I got this one

this one of the Blue Morpho is larger 9×9 shadow box. I have mine sitting on a picture ledge.

and I will be ordering more.. I have my eye on the map series too.

he also has dioramas how funny is this?

and soon will launch a jewelry line!

Bug Under Glass is sponsoring our next GIVEAWAY

of this beautiful butterfly from the B.U.G collection

Giveaway details:

Remember the MORE you do the MORE chances you have to win! – but if your old school then just a comment will do!

1. Visit the Bug Under Glass ETSY store or the BUG website, let us know (via comment) which bug you like. (1 entry)
2. Tweet this exactly as is  “FREE butterfly from #ETSY @bugunderglass ~ Check out the #giveaway @modchik http://wp.me/pRQUM-gp” (1 entry)
3. Subscribe to the daily emails or RSS feed for The Modchik (1 entry)
4. Follow @modchik or @BugUnderGlass on Twitter (1 entry)
5. Click the new “LIKE” button for the Modchik on Facebook or Bug Under Glass on Facebook (1 entry)

Winner will be chosen via random.org – Contest ends Sunday 4/25 12pm PST – winner announced Monday morning!

Good Luck and may the strongest bug lover win!

disclosure: I love these butterflies, found them myself and was in no way compensated for telling you about them. The only butterfly provided was the winning prize item from Bug Under Glass at my request.