bioephemera is art + biology - everything from representations of science in art and literature to the neuroscience of aesthetics. 
Tarantula
Elizabeth Goluch
sterling silver, gold, tourmaline
Canadian artist Elizabeth Goluch's precious metal insects double as treasure-boxes. From her website:
My fascination with nature in general and with insects in particular began while I was a child growing up on a farm in southwestern Ontario.
The work that I do reflects the influence of that environment -- the wildlife and the insects, as well the intricacy, the complexity and the order inherent in nature. I am drawn to the beauty, but also to the danger in nature. I relish the visible, yet can imagine much more; which gives rise to the construction of secret spaces containing their treasures that I create within each piece.
Bumblebee
Elizabeth Goluch
sterling silver, gold
The "treasures" sometimes cleverly pun on the name or associations of the insect - inside the ladybug's abdomen is a burning house; the carpenter ants hold a saw, hammer and nails; the dargonfly (green darner) holds a darning needle.
Dragonfly
Elizabeth Goluch
sterling silver, gold, moonstone, ceramit
Although her silver dragonfly is graceful enough to be elf jewelry - almost too pretty - Goluch doesn't shy away from the nastier species. Earwigs and cockroaches get their turn, and look remarkably yummy in lustrous precious metal.
Praying Mantis
Elizabeth Goluch
sterling silver, copper, gold
Via Planet Fabulon via feuilleton.
Life Science
Comments
You might like this article about Hubert Duprat and his designing jewelry with caddis fly larvae.
Posted by: Rick Quarton | November 22, 2008 5:38 PM
Thanks Rick! I actually blogged about the caddis cases a couple years ago - it's good to see the artist is still at it.
Posted by: Jessica Palmer | November 24, 2008 2:30 PM