Still trying to decide if this paper craft is cuter than, happy as, or crazy as (a June bug). Either way, I’m ready to release this swarm of June bugs into my living room. The bright colored insects will serve as tree ornaments celebrating the holiday known as summer.
Did you know?
- Real June bugs emerge from the soil at the end of spring or the beginning of the summer and are famous for bumping into porch lights and sneaking into houses. “(A June bug) Often tries to sneak into houses, either by flying right in when the door is open, or by hitching a ride on somebody’s clothes like a little ninja. Harmless to humans and cannot bite. Despite their name, they can come out as early as May.”URBAN DICTIONARY
- June bugs are related to scarabs from ancient Egyptian iconography. TERMINIX FACT
- June bugs have a spiritual side. They show how to balance and remain grounded. METAPHYSICALSCIENCES2012 Learn more about their SPIRITUAL MEANING
Supplies
- Download June Bug Template
- Chenille Stems/Pipe Cleaners
- Colored Construction or Cardstock Paper
- Markers, Posca Paint Pens, Yarn, or Paint
- Mod Podge
- Colored Tissue Paper
- Googly Eyes
- Glue
- Scotch Tape
- Scissors
Directions
- Print templates.
- Either trace bug pieces and leaves onto colored paper using transfer paper or pinch template and paper together and trim.
- Gently curl wings using a writing element with a curved exterior – like a marker. Hold the element like a wand, place it under a wing with your thumb on top of the wing and gently pull from the inside to the outside of the wing. Repeat for each wing.
- Decorate bug pieces as you choose. Some ideas: paint ombre gradients, draw tangle patterns with markers, layer colored tissue paper with Mod Podge, glue yarn in swirly patterns. Stuck? I got a lot of inspiration from my Pinterest collection of beautiful bug art: bug_inspiration
- Attach layers using scotch tape or glue. Layering formula for each bug is shown at the bottom of templates.
- Attach googly eyes. The moth doesn’t have room on its head for the eyes, but they can be glued to the wings!
- Cut and bend chenille stems to match the legs and antennae shown on each template. Tape in place on the back/undecorated side of the bugs.
- Fold leaves as shown on the bottom of each template. Veins can be added by drawing and applying gentle pressure on the back with a dull pencil.
Once your paper June bugs are ready to swarm, you can strategically place them in houseplants, decorate a year-round holiday tree, give them to friends named, “June,” or use them to decorate the fridge door!