About Us!
Butterfly designs USA
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It all began back in the 1960's
A Fascination With Insects!
When I was a very young, I would ride my bike to the local pet store. I spent most of my free time cleaning out the cages and sweeping the floors for free. My entire goal in doing this was so that I could play with the monkeys and the insects that the owner offered for sale there. I could just stare for hours at the massive insect collection that the owner had behind the counter. In fact I was so fascinated with them and that experience that I now realize it really did shape my future.
Later, when I was a little older I would ride that bike for hours to get to a nearby nature center. Once there I would turn over rocks to hunt for beetles, or scour the brush and trees searching for pupae. I would bring my loot home and rear them so that they could be released. I did keep a few for a new collection of my own.
After many years of practice and failure...
Butterfly Designs began in 1992
Having personally collected insects all my life, I quickly learned that poorly made mass produced frames are not a good way to preserve insects. I learned that the frames had to be sealed to prevent pest infestation and that imported frames for the local hobby store just didn’t work. I decided to design my own shadow box frames where I could build the glass face into the frame (I added UV Blocking glass in 2010 when it first became available). I also created a back that could easily be sealed. My goal was to create an insect display that would prevent fading and sufficiently preserve the specimens for a lifetime!
This new designed proved to be a hit and so Butterfly Designs got it’s start in 1992. I started out as a small maker of butterfly and insect displays for resale in Zoo’s and Museums. We then quickly grew to include gift shops all over the U.S. We began offering our framed displays at wholesale gift markets all over the country where we were awarded Best of show In Atlanta, this was the largest gift show in the country. We also won awards in Denver as well as in San Francisco. Our goal at that time was to try to raise the awareness of the need for conservation and preservation of native insect habitats worldwide. We knew that butterflies and insects played a crucial role in the environment and that without them everything else could collapse!
How do you get those bugs now?
Ethically Sourced, Sustainably Made!
We offer a large variety of insects that come from farms, aviaries, co-ops, breeders, collectors, traders and private individuals from around the world. Ultimately all of the insects that we offer are sustainably sourced via only ethical means. In most cases, our insects are raised on conservation farms, in small aviaries or through co-ops. This regulated practice allows local people a means to make an income from their native surrounding habitat. This also offers an incentive to keeping that habitat in its natural state. In some cases even allowing for replanting with native host plants intended to support a particular species. This means that the end effect on the native and insect populations is positive as opposed to the alternative loss of habitat caused by destruction and/or pesticides. All of the suppliers that we work with have the licenses and certificates required to operate according to the regulations of the Fish and Wildlife Service as well as the locale in which their specimens come from. Our main focus is to promote the sustainable management and preservation of animal species worldwide. We do not offer, trade or sell any species that are endangered or threatened.
Sustainability in design and production.
How About Our Frames?
We Build all of our own Frames Right here in South Dakota!
Every component of that frame is produced in the USA and assembled here in South Dakota.
- The lumber that we use is North American SFI Certified, sustainably produced.
- The Tru Vue glass is sustainably made in Chicago.
- The backing paper is made in Niles Michigan using 100% Hydro-Electric power for zero emissions.
- Even The metal hanger on the back is produced in the US.
