Monarch Butterfly Hatching

I spent my childhood summers catching insects, frogs, turtles, salamanders, toads, minnows, and the occasional snake.  I still have some of that curious little explorer in me, so when I found a tiny monarch catapillar a few weeks ago I was delighted at the idea of watching the amazing metamorphosis happen before my eyes.

I was a diligent caretaker, bringing fresh milkweed leaves to my growing caterpillar every day.  

The payoff happened on the morning when I woke to find the chrysalis about to break open.  I took it outside, and this is what I saw...

 

Here I transferred it to a flower in my front yard.

I caught it's first flight...

 

 and its first landing...

Monarch Fairy

This little butterfly fairy has fluttered in to remind you to smile and have a bright day.

She is one of a kind, a mixed media art doll made from a primitive doll form, polymer clay, beads, a glass turquoise scarab, wire, feathers, and the wings are glazed paper.

I started this doll as a studio cleaning project. I would clean for a while, then take a break and add something new to her that I uncovered during my cleaning. She truly helped me get clean and organized. Maybe she will do the same for you!

Monarch doll is 9" tall (feathers to toe)and 5" wide.
She is in my Etsy shop.