Project #3: Butterfly Reframe

These Simplify Your Summer projects are about creativity and discovery. On this project, I discovered that I DO NOT have nerves of steel. Repeat: DO NOT.  Steady hands? Fugghedaboutit! But, more on that later…

Piece of cake, right?

For this project, I had some framed butterflies that I’d purchased at the flea market forever ago. Yes, they actually do sell something other than dragon-shaped incense holders at the flea market. Anyway, after years of moving, falling on the floor, and being exposed to humidity in the bathroom, the frame was pretty much falling apart. The frame was a weird size, so replacing it would have been too costly. So, I decided that I would transfer the butterflies into a shadowbox frame.

For my frame, I purchased a ready-made 3/4″ deep shadowbox. The frame came with a swanky black velvet backing and, had I been framing a sweet belt buckle or cigarette butt, I may have used it. But, I wanted the backing to be a little bit more delicate, so I purchased a fabric quarter instead.

Supplies: Frame, fabric, double-stick tape, hot glue, nerves of steel. Knew I forgot something.

To cover the backing, I just cut the fabric a little bit larger than the backing and mounted the fabric using double-stick tape. I wrapped the excess around the back of the backing and taped it down. Since nobody’s going to see the back, I decided it didn’t need to be neat. That’s how I roll, Martha.

You'll need a steady hand and a stiff resolve to complete this project.

Here’s where the game of Operation comes in. You know, the kid’s game Operation? Well, this was like the game Operation but without all the riotous laughter and buzzing. The first butterfly I picked up immediately lost its wing. I decided it was time to bring out the big guns–specifically, the hot glue gun. I used a small dot of glue to reattach the wing (and the other wing after it also fell off). The butterflies were so delicate, just trying to remove the spider web of glue string threatened to destroy them. Fingers shaking, I used a small dot of hot glue to attach each butterfly to the fabric backing (not archival or removable, I know).

I put it all together and got it up on the wall. Finally, I could breathe again. And viola, beauty! Nature! Insects!

Looking purty in the newly painted master bath.

The total cost of the project for the frame and fabric was about $12. Cost of nerves of steel–priceless.

Until next time, happy glue gunning!