1) Emperor moth caterpillar – Saturnia pavonia
2) Common wasp – Vespula Vulgaris
3) Common house fly – Musca domestica
4) Earthworm – Ocypus olens
While working on last week’s rustic twig and wire bowl craft project, I had the idea of creating decorative ‘bugs’ to enhance your fruit bowl. Originally, I wanted to make them from the left-over twigs, but in the end opted for pencils (to be precise 2 pencils) and a handful of paper-clips. And although primarily designed for the fruit bowl, these bugs would also make great table decorations, especially for Halloween parties (although, I guess, I’m missing the spider).
I’ve included a detailed tutorial on how to make your own bugs below. Have fun and if you have any questions just leave me a comment.
Please note: I was asked about the glue I used. Well, I used a two-part epoxy adhesive called ‘Araldite’. It comes with two tubes, you mix equal amounts, and when it dries it is very strong – the other good thing, is that it’s ‘thick’ and it can be dabbed between the segments to create a thick seal/spacer.
Includes:
1) Collectable instructions – they are useful and they look good
344 downloads so far, thanks everyone!
I thought I’d stick with the pencil theme and bring your attention to the amazing pencil tip sculptures of Dalton Ghetti.
Oh, holy wow, I found this bug post first and then the rest of your site and my brain is all tingly. I make (and should have been finished with by now) a beaded spider every day for a year on my blog, and I have a “Bead Bugs” book publishing on December 5, so I’m crazy about handmade bug projects like this. I’m definitely going to post about this on my Facebook page. I love the way you think!
Thanks Amy, I love your ‘Fourth dimension spider‘- good luck with the book, I look forward to checking it out on Amazon. All the best. Scott
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Hi!
Wow I am totally blown away by the whole project! Your drawings are super helpful and not to mention amazing! When I first looked at the wasp I thought it was real..amazing! Just a quick question; when you go to put the wire in to connect the body segments, what to do about the pencil lead?
Thanks again; all the best from Canada
~ Rachal
Hi Rachal, Thanks for the great comment. I think that was covered in Step 4 – you need to drill the lead out, which I have to admit gets a bit messy, but it’s worth it in the end! Scott
I’m so happy I stumbled here, you make beautiful things. Just wanted to tell you I enjoyed your website, and now I’m subscribing
Thank you Gabrielle!
Scott, these are fantastic! Love your creativity! We’ve linked to you here: http://growlittleseeds.blogspot.com/2011/07/week-1-god-made-bugs.html
Thanks Heather, I’m glad you liked my ‘bugs’! All the best. Scott:-)
Unbelievable!!! If you aren’t talented, then no one on the planet is. I think the things on your site are the neatest I have seen in my 66 years. I have got to try and make one of these bugs. Thanks so much for the directions.
Lots of Great Inspiration! You are very talented.
Thanks for sharing… This is great!!!
~Kim
Scott you are amazing. That you take the time to answer so many of the comments is also amazing.
It’s a pleasure – and thanks for the comment.
Una imaginacion increible. Me encanta la gente como tu.
Felicidades.
Claudia
Greetings from Malaysia Scott, I really like your work! I hope you don’t mind that I featured you on a website called Venusbuzz.com and my own blog. Here are the links:
http://venusbuzz.com/articles_view.php?id=2591
http://adlinewrites.blogspot.com/2010/10/bloke-blog-what-i-made-venusbuzzcom.html
Hi Malaysia! Thanks so much for the comment – and of course, I’m really happy about you featuring my website. All the best Scott
Dude,
This is such a cool web site. Really love your cartoons and sketches. You are one talented bloke. My twins love arts and craft and will be using your guides for arts and craft projects to do with them. Thanks for sharing your ideas. God bless you. Akbar
Thanks Akbar, I hope your twins enjoy my projects. All the best Scott
Wow – i’m completely blown away by your creativity! Seriously, your tutorials are so amazing i think i just need to frame & hang some!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Daniela – you are very generous! Scott
I haven’t checked out your site for a while but have now caught up. Can I take some credit for a possible genetic link? Very proud to have such a creative genius as a son!! Mother x
SUCH A COOL SITE!
like it!
xxx from Vienna, Austria
Susi
Hello Suzi and hello Vienna – it’s fantastic having visitors from the continent. Thank you. Scott
wow, love the insects, your blog is brilliant, so alive! I’ve never seen anything like it! your illustrations are amazing!!
Thank you, it’s great to know people like my illustrations, I never really planned for them to play a big part in my blog – it’s all a bit of a lucky accident. Scott
Thank you for the comment and the shout-out on Facebook. The instructions take quite a while to draw – so it’s great to hear from people that they like them! Scott
Oh how perfect and inspiring! I’m planning a lesson about bugs with my arts-and-music early education classes, and your bugs will make a wonderful decoration. With my older students, I’ll craft some if they like
Greetings from Germany
Anke
Hi Anke and hi Germany! Thanks for the comment and I hope your students like my ‘bugs’! Scott
I love these! Just the thing to keep my son busy! Quick question and maybe this just shows my complete lack of knowledge but what is that glue that you’re mixing? And is it just dabbed to use as spacers?
Hi Coralie, The glue I used is called ‘Araldite‘, it’s a two-part epoxy adhesive (not sure if it is only a UK brand). It comes with two tubes, you mix equal amounts, and when it dries it is very strong – the other good thing, is that it’s ‘thick’ and it can be dabbed between the segments to create a thick seal/spacer. Is that helpful? Scott
just found your page and am now subscribing to it.
it is fabulous and gives me many ideas
thanks
Thank you for subscribing, and thanks for the comment. Scott
Cool!
Just found your site on Craftzine and I love it! My 11 year old daughter has been thinking about starting her own blog and your background totally has her inspired. Also, I love your instructions! I know how long it takes to just take pictures and type up the instructions, so I’m blown away by the effort at drawing it all out. Very cool!
Hi Wendy. I’m over the moon to think that in someway I have inspired others to ‘make and create’. I’ve worked in the creative industry all my life, but the things I made as a kid, and the things I make with my kids, are the things I cherish most. Pass my best wishes and encouragement on to your daughter. Scott
WOW…I just promote 2 of your crafts on my FACEBOOk. You are AWESOME scott. I will be making these fabulous insects. Thanks so much! Love your illustrative tutorials~~~!
Thank you for the comment and the shout-out on Facebook. The instructions take quite a while to draw – so it’s great to hear from people that they like them! Scott:-)
Hi Judy it sounds like you were one of those fun grand parents, I was lucky to have one of those as well. I also remember having endless fun playing in my parent’s double garage – but I don’t know where it all went wrong, my workshop is currently my dining room (I think we ran out of room in England)! Thank you for your comment and please come say hello again. Scott
Great Bugs!!! You are so clever! Thank you for sharing. Frances
It’s a pleasure. Thanks for your comment. Scott
Those are awesome. I wish I had the patience and the steady hand to make some.
Everything I ever have to paint, I end up throwing away. My hands shake too much. I love that your directions are as cool to look at as the finished product.
Thanks Lisa. Yes, I can’t remember when I last tried to paint this level of detail – my hand just about had cramp in it by the time I finished, I could hardly hold the brush! And I’m really pleased you like the hand drawn instructions – they take as long to do as the craft, so it’s nice to hear that they are appreciated. Scott
Wow, those are so creative! It’s amazing how much details you got into those little guys! Thanks so much for this, I’ll be linking.
Hi Rachel. Yes, a little more detail than I was planning, I just about got eye-strain painting them! It would be lovely to be linked to from your great site. Thank you Scott
Your bugs are so much creepy fun! My fav is the wasp in the jam. Too amazing. As usual, I’m mesmerized by your illustrated instructions. Thanks for the great share Scott!
Thank you Cathe. It’s great to have you visit – I love your vintage flip book animation as well. Scott