for

       Contact me at:

Phone:     021-5593367

Fax:          021-5593367

Cell:          082- 3786588

Email:       silkwing@telkomsa.net

Website:  www.silkwing.org

The story of the Silkwing Butterflies all started quite by accident and I had no idea that my interpretation of butterflies would result in the birth of this business.

In our garden, is a large wild peach tree, which also happens to be one of the host plants for the caterpillar of the Common Garden Acrea Butterfly. These attractive butterflies are one of the last few butterflies found abundantly in our local gardens here in Cape town.

Nearby to this tree is our pool, the brick edging of which, happens to be a favourite place for the grown caterpillars to crawl to in order to transform into the chrysalis and from which the butterfly later emerges. I think this is all so needless, as inevitably, the butterfly emerges , stretches it's wings and promptly lands into the water. Countless creatures have been rescued from certain death in this manner.

They would be gently lifted from the water and placed in a sunny spot to revive and dry out, to continue their "butterfly business". One creature was dead before I could rescue it, and I was so sad at the futility of it's brief existence.

I gently dried it, and looked closer at the magnificence of it's creation. The perfect symmetry of it's minute coloured scales, the delicate network of the veins and the fine tipped antennae were so perfect , which left me in awe of such a wonderful creature. I was inspired to make my interpretation of this creature, and worked many late nights, filling many dustbins with rejects and failures, till a vague semblance of the Acrea was born. Soon other designs followed, some faithful to nature and others entirely figments of my own imagination.

Our Church had a Bazaar that year, and I sent along some little brooches as my contribution. These were seized with such enthusiasm and the orders started pouring in. - "Silkwing Butterflies" was in full flight.

Last Updated 22 October 2008 14:42