Best Handmade Paper Butterfly Designs
WELCOME TO HERMOSA MARIPOSA
About The Art
Each Hermosa Mariposa creation is a handcrafted paper butterfly, moth, or dragonfly sculpture designed for collectors, educators, and nature enthusiasts who value both beauty and scientific authenticity.
These artistically crafted paper specimens are modeled after real insects and carefully constructed to reflect accurate wing shape, coloration, and patterning. Specialty art papers are selected for durability and structure, then finished with water-based inks that are sealed to achieve a natural, lifelike appearance. Both the dorsal (upper) and ventral (underside) wing patterns are faithfully represented, allowing each piece to be viewed and studied from every angle.
Every specimen is individually hand-cut, shaped, and sculpted using a specialized forming process that gives the wings realistic dimension and presence. No two pieces are exactly alike—subtle variations in color, size, and form naturally occur, just as they do in living butterflies. Each creation carries its own unique character, making it a true one-of-a-kind collectible.
Designed with versatility in mind, these handcrafted paper butterflies may be displayed in their presentation box or adapted for creative use. Each piece can be mounted using a discreet pin, magnet, glue dot, or floral wire (included), allowing placement in display cases, shadowboxes, wall décor, floral arrangements, weddings, educational settings, children’s rooms, hairstyles, or as a meaningful gift accent.
Every paper specimen is housed in a crystal-clear display box measuring 7" × 7" × 1". The presentation includes a photographic reference of the insect’s native habitat, along with the scientific name and geographic origin printed on the back label—making each piece both a work of art and an educational reference.
The Hermosa Mariposa collection highlights the diversity and composition of butterflies, moths, and dragonflies from around the world. Specimens are created as true to scale as possible, with wingspans ranging from approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) to 12 inches (30 cm), depending on the species represented.
These handcrafted paper insects are not intended to replace nature, but to honor it—preserving the beauty of remarkable species through art, education, and thoughtful craftsmanship.
All About Hermosa Mariposa
The Home Of The Finest Hand Crafted Paper Butterflies
In a time of growing environmental change, butterflies remind us of the beauty the Earth so generously offers. May these handcrafted butterflies inspire reflection, appreciation, and a deeper sense of care for the world we share.
— Gary L. Thompson
Hermosa Mariposa was created from a lifelong love of butterflies and a deep respect for the natural world.
As a child, Gary L. Thompson was fascinated by butterflies from around the globe. He was an active member of an entomology 4-H club, where his curiosity and appreciation for these remarkable creatures took root. Butterflies were more than specimens—they represented wonder, diversity, and the quiet beauty of nature, lessons that stayed with him as the years passed.
Gary’s artistic journey began in 1976 as a watercolor artist and continued through decades of exploration across many forms of art. Throughout that time, his love for butterflies never faded. What did grow, however, was concern. As habitats changed and species became endangered—or disappeared entirely—the idea of preserving beauty without causing harm became increasingly important.
Hermosa Mariposa was born from that purpose: to recreate the elegance, color, and spirit of butterflies through handcrafted art rather than collecting living specimens. Each paper butterfly is carefully shaped and assembled as a tribute—an artistic preservation meant to honor life instead of taking it.
These creations are not meant to replace nature, but to serve as reminders. They reflect what is delicate, fleeting, and worth protecting, carrying forward a legacy of appreciation, awareness, and respect for the natural world for future generations.