About

Our beaded bugs are handcrafted tactile sculptures, sturdy and touchable, but they are not meant to be toys. Beadlebugs are not recommended for small children unless supervised by an adult.

Unique Beads

Beadlebug designs and colors are constantly evolving, slight variations are to be expected.

Some bugs may not be exactly as pictured due to bead availability and variations in handmade beads. We use what we have on hand, or special-order beads as we need them.

Prices, designs, and order codes are subject to change.

Although we can easily duplicate the color scheme and style of any Beadlebug, some of our creatures include unique art glass beads. If the original bug has been sold, we do our best to find beads to make a close replica.

Care and Handling of your Beadlebug

To pick up a small spider or ant, gently grasp the head and tail between your thumb and forefinger. Dragonflies and scorpions are best held at the base of the tail. Please note-- Beadlebugs are sturdy and take a lot of bending to actually break; however, they quickly lose their shape if you drop them on the floor. Handle with care. If your cat sits on your bug, you should be able to gently reshape it.

A soft paintbrush works well to dust your bug and remove hair. Do not get your bug wet.

Your Beadlebug's feet allow it to cling to a lampshade or other things made of fabric. For a more secure grip, slightly open the foot wires-- one at a time-- insert into fabric and gently press shut. Do not straighten the wire completely as this may cause the beads to fall off. Warning: flattening your bug to try to pin it to your lapel will compromise the integrity of the creature. It may never be the same. Giving it a ride on your knit hat, however, keeps your bug healthy and happy. Take care when removing your bug, one leg at a time and gently, to retain its shape.

Beadlebugs are inspired by and modelled after real bugs. Insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and trilobites (whose closest living relative is the horseshoe crab) are included in the largest branch of the animal kingdom, the arthropods. Learn more about arthropod classification at the Tree of Life project.