Are Your Butterfly Wings Real? Here’s the Answer

Answering a Frequently Asked Question

A common question I receive often is about the collection of butterfly wing earrings at Paula McNulty Designs.  Many people want to know “Are your butterfly wings real?  It's a great question and one I love to answer as I really love that you can’t decipher because they are so delicate looking, just like real insect wings.

The answer is no, the wing earrings are not actual butterfly wings, but they are handcrafted to capture the look of light and ethereal wings just like the delicate wings of these majestic insects.

Why not use wings from real butterflies?

In fact, the wings I model my designs upon are not really butterfly wings. I use a printed version of a Cicada wing. Cicadas have beautiful vein patterns in their wings, which create a fascinating design for making wing jewelry.

While Cicadas are abundant in the summertime, their wings can be harvested from molted exoskeletal skins—a process in which Cicadas naturally shed their skin to grow. However, I do not engage in this collection practice myself. In my opinion, the wings of the insect world should remain in nature whether its shed or not, and not in the jewelry we wear. The same applies to real butterfly wings. While undeniably beautiful, using them for jewelry, in my opinion, isn’t always practical or ethical.

The wings I offer in my jewelry collections are designed to honor the elegance of these special insects. Each piece is a close replica that ensures no harm comes to these delicate creatures. By crafting every piece by hand, I can replicate their intricate wing patterns, vibrant colors, and ethereal textures in a way that’s just as enchanting as the real thing.

So Why Do You Call Them Butterfly Wing Earrings?

I call them Butterfly Wing Earrings because that’s how my customers search for and discover my jewelry online. While the designs are inspired by the natural beauty of wings, using this term helps customers find the magical jewelry collections I offer—pieces they may not have considered before or known how to describe when searching.

How Are My Butterfly Wing Earrings Made?

Creating these wings is a meticulous process that combines many steps and attention to detail. Each pair is made using high-quality materials such as transparency film, ink, wire and crystals, giving them a lightweight, realistic appearance. 

For example:

Fairy Grunge Earrings: These earrings showcase golden-brown transparency film wings with hand-painted holographic glitter finish that sparkles beautifully in the light, creating a magical yet earthy aesthetic. Hand-twisted copper wires, adorned with crystals dangle like charms, complementing the design, along with handcrafted copper ear wires for a unique touch.

Pink Butterfly Dangle Earrings: These earrings are a soft subtle pink with shimmering glitter details, and a lightweight design that’s perfect for all-day wear with hand wired crystal swirl charms.

Customization

I also love the fact that because they are a replica I am able to make a variety of colors for my customers.  A custom color order is a great way to match a swatch for a bridesmaid's dress or prom gown.  We can work together to find the perfect color you desire.  To request a custom color order complete a google form here and I will get back to you to further discuss your request.

Because each pair is made to order, no two sets of earrings are exactly alike just like a butterfly or cicada.

What Makes Your Handcrafted Wings So Special?

Handcrafted butterfly wings at Paula McNulty Designs are more than just jewelry—they’re wearable art. All the materials used are crafted with my hands and allows me to create endless options for customization. These wings are durable, light and ethereal and made to be treasured.

By avoiding the use of real wings, my designs celebrate the beauty of butterflies without compromising their well-being. It’s a way to bring a touch of magic to your wardrobe while staying true to values of kindness to nature and sustainability. Since these earrings are made-to-order, I can focus on keeping waste to a minimum.

Bringing the Magic to Life

So, are your butterfly wings real? While they may not come directly from nature, they are crafted to be the most ethereal replica that my customers are loving. Each pair is designed to bring a little bit of fairycore magic into your life, all while remaining cruelty-free.

If you’re enchanted by these one-of-a-kind creations, browse my full collection of butterfly-inspired jewelry here: Butterfly Wing Earrings Collection.