Beetles, Part 2



The last post described the first steps to creating my beetles.  The remaining steps are outlined below.  The sessions in the studio resulted in 60 beetles; they will be enough for about a year.

Wire and bugle beads make good legs.

I use 24 gauge floral wire (i.e.plastic covered wire) and bugle beads for all the legs.  I could certainly use seed beads, but it would take much longer to string them onto the wire and the resulting legs wouldn't look quite right.  Another option is to cover the wire with floss, but again, a huge time factor is involved.  Beads are strung on (ends crimped) with  two seed beads in the center and set aside.

Love those beady eyes!

The eyes are also beads (large seed beads) and are sewn on with upholstery thread.  I used to glue, but now I have a multi-step sewing process for eyes and legs that is quick and easy and I don't have to wait for the glue to set.  Nice.

Preparing to sew on the legs.

After sewing the eyes and wrapping the thread to make a head, a locking stitch is taken below the folded fabric. 

Legs in position.

Each pair of legs (on one wire) is sewn with a locking stitch taken between the seed beads.  When using bugle beads (which have sharp edges of cut glass), it is very important to have seed beads next to your thread; this prevents cutting from the edges of the bead.

Bending to create joints

The legs are bent into realistic positions.  The nice aspect of this technique is that the legs look jointed as a real beetles legs do.

Gluing the pronotum onto the elytra.

I use scraps of leather to simulate the pronotum, the hard covering of the thorax of a beetle.  Leather in complimentary colors is cut into oval shapes and PVA glue is used to attach it to the back of the insect.  Sewing the leather is a possibility, but it would take a long time and require very strong fingers.  Glue also leaves a very clean finish. 

Almost done!




A handfull of beetles, ready for a new home.