The story of 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 few butterflies still found abundantly in our local gardens here in Cape Town. Near to this tree is our swimming pool and the pool's brick edging seems to be the favourite choice for grown caterpillars to transform into chrysalises. Needless to say, countless creatures have been rescued from certain death in the water of the swimming pool when they eventually emerged. They would be gently lifted from the water and placed in a sunny spot to revive and dry out.
One of the butterflies was already dead before I could get to save it. I was sad at its brief life, but I dried it and had a closer look. I saw the perfect symmetry of its minute coloured scales on its wings, the delicate network of the veins and the fine-tipped antennae. I was left in awe of this tiny, magnificent creature! I was so inspired by this, I tried to create my own interpretation of this butterfly. I worked many late nights, filling many bins with rejects, until at last, a vague resemblance of the Acrea Butterfly emerged . Soon other designs followed. some faithful to nature, and many others entirely from my own imagination.
Our Church had a bazaar that year and I decided to send along some little Butterfly Brooches as my contribution to a stall table. The brooches were greeted with wonderful enthusiasm and the orders started pouring in. Silkwing Butterflies was in full flight!
Copyright C 2007 - Silkwing Butterflies. All rights reserved.
Creator of Silkwing Butterflies
