Melissa McCrosky wrote:
PAPILLO BUTTERFLY EARRINGS
“As with almost any subject, I have discovered there is a lot more to the world of butterflies than I ever thought. I’ve always liked them, but the first time I saw the brilliant blue flashes of a Morpho in flight, I began to love them. They were still just beautiful bugs though. I have since discovered that not only is their biology fascinating, but there is a whole world of human drama surrounding them. To begin with I’ll start with a little of that drama”.
Sunset Moth Pendant
“It turns out Butterflies have been a valuable commodity for a long time now. Starting with hobbyists out with nets collecting, wealthier collectors began hiring people to find rare specimens, and paying handsomely for exotic imports. This has evolved to the complex and sometimes dark business it is today. When you think about poaching, butterflies are not generally what pops into your head. There is, however, an illegal trade in endangered species”.
“The Queen Alexandria’s Birdwing, the world’s largest butterfly whose wingspan reaches up to a foot, will go for thousands of dollars on the black market. There is also a good side to the butterfly business. In places where deforestation is as rampant as poverty, butterfly farms are giving hope to both local families and those concerned with preserving natural ecosystems”.
BLUE PETAL MORPHO BUTTERFLY NECKLACE
“The form butterfly farms take varies. Some collect the chrysalises from the wild, where and average of 9 out of 10 would fall to predators. They raise them and release some back to the wild to maintain the population. Because this practice takes them out of reach of predators while they emerge (a very vulnerable time) and releases some back to the wild, it results in a net increase in the breeding population. In other cases enclosures are set up. The butterflies are collected and bred within the enclosures. A tract of forest with a healthy population is necessary as new butterflies must be brought in from time to time to keep the captive population’s gene pool wide enough”.
“Not all farms are set up or run well, and I quickly learned who to trust. There are people who make it their lives to help struggling families set up farms by educating them and providing equipment. I go through people like these so I know I’m getting my butterflies from ethical and sustainable farms. For anyone interested, here is a link to a larger farm’s website”. http://www.kipepeo.org/index.php
GRAPHIUM BUTTERFLY PENDANT NECKLACE
“I get to go to work everyday and not only do something creative with the spectacular beauty of the wings, but I can feel good about supporting people who have found a way to support their families and their local ecosystems at the same time. It doesn’t get much better than that”.
SUNSET MOTH EARRINGS
You can see more of Melissa’s beautiful & unique work at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=80469
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Neelam Sharma
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