I’ve had a pre-occupation with butterflies of late. In fact it began a long time ago when I designed myself a monogram combining my initials into a symbol that resembled a butterfly. That was when I was around fifteen or sixteen.

My mum had had a monogram and taught me when I was young to combine letters into each other. Weirdly what happens is that the letters stop looking like letters and become something different.

It’s a useful practice for logo designers but for a young magician it left an indelible impression in my imagination when my monogram evovled into a butterfly.

Years later I discover many effects using butterflies and I’m drawn toward anything that might feed that curiosity.

My partner was looking for things that my mum might like doing to combat the winter blues and discovered a course on how to make an automaton butterfly.

Since she’s seen me obsess about paper butterflies she thought I might like it. I did! I travelled 300 miles to meet an automaton maker who showed a group of us how to build these charming little butterflies that flap their wings when you turn a beaded handle.

They’re such a delight to make I’m looking forward to making some more with my mum and the kids.

Written by Kristien Harris