Scientific Specimens Project
I will preface this project with the fact that “no bugs were harmed in the making of this project.” I swore I would never be one of those crafters who used anything and everything in their art. To me, finding a way to knit your old underwear into an area rug is just going too far. However, when I found this bug on the sidewalk during one of my walks, I was fascinated by the iridescent green color. It was dead and just lying there, but I still found it gross and cool at the same time. I didn’t have anything to scoop him up, so I just left him there on the pavement and kept walking. I was just about to turn around and head back when I saw a few pieces of paper on the ground — perfect bug-scooping material. I scooped up the bug quickly and brought him back to the office to see what I could do with him. The basis for this project is the beautiful green bug (I named him Fred). He has been preserved in resin so that he can be enjoyed for years to come.
Also, if you’re still squeamish about the bug, this project can also be accomplished with test tube vials of flowers, dried leaves, seeds, or other non-bug elements.
Scientific Specimens Project Directions:
First, place bug in corked vial and fill with resin. Resin should be mixed according to the package’s instructions and allowed to cure for 24 hours. The bug may try to float to the top. If this happens, insert a pin into the underside of the cork and cap the vial. The small pin will keep the bug in place.
Insert a Tim Holtz Memo Clip into the top of the cork and attach a tag that says “Specimen A.”
For the second vial, fill with leaves or sticks and cap with cork. Wrap a small strip of book text around the top and tie with twine.
For the third vial, take a piece of book text and fold it to fit inside the vial. Wrap the middle of the vial with a length of twine.
Whitewash a piece of Artist Paper or old ledger paper and trim to the size of an old wooden desk organizer. Attach to the back of the box.
I will preface this project with the fact that “no bugs were harmed in the making of this project.” I swore I would never be one of those crafters who used anything and everything in their art. To me, finding a way to knit your old underwear into an area rug is just going too far. However, when I found this bug on the sidewalk during one of my walks, I was fascinated by the iridescent green color. It was dead and just lying there, but I still found it gross and cool at the same time. I didn’t have anything to scoop him up, so I just left him there on the pavement and kept walking. I was just about to turn around and head back when I saw a few pieces of paper on the ground — perfect bug-scooping material. I scooped up the bug quickly and brought him back to the office to see what I could do with him. The basis for this project is the beautiful green bug (I named him Fred). He has been preserved in resin so that he can be enjoyed for years to come.
Also, if you’re still squeamish about the bug, this project can also be accomplished with test tube vials of flowers, dried leaves, seeds, or other non-bug elements.
Scientific Specimens Project Directions:
First, place bug in corked vial and fill with resin. Resin should be mixed according to the package’s instructions and allowed to cure for 24 hours. The bug may try to float to the top. If this happens, insert a pin into the underside of the cork and cap the vial. The small pin will keep the bug in place.
Insert a Tim Holtz Memo Clip into the top of the cork and attach a tag that says “Specimen A.”
For the second vial, fill with leaves or sticks and cap with cork. Wrap a small strip of book text around the top and tie with twine.
For the third vial, take a piece of book text and fold it to fit inside the vial. Wrap the middle of the vial with a length of twine.
Whitewash a piece of Artist Paper or old ledger paper and trim to the size of an old wooden desk organizer. Attach to the back of the box.