THE BOOK OF QUESTIONS

A collection of answers to the things you may wonder before bringing a little piece of naturally history home.

Q. HOW ARE YOUR SPECIMENS SOURCED?

A. At Evil Eye Curiosities, sustainability is at the heart of what I do.

I never harm or kill living creatures for the purpose of creating art. My specimens are sourced through a variety of sustainable and responsible routes, including:

  • Natural or found deaths

  • Captive-bred specimens

  • Vintage entomology

  • Pest-control by-products

  • Responsible specialist suppliers

I avoid describing my sources, or my work simply as “ethically sourced”, as the meaning of ethical can vary from person to person. Instead, I aim to be transparent about where my specimens come from and how they have been aquired.

If you would like to know the history of source of a particular specimen there are usually details within each listing, however do feel free to get in touch. I will always be happy to provide any information that I have.

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Q: WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR ANIMAL PARTS & BONES?

A: I source my bones and other animal parts from a variety of sustainable sources including, very similar to how my insect specimens are sourced, including:

  • Natural or found deaths

  • Captive-bred specimens

  • Vintage taxidermy

  • Pest-control by-products

  • By-products of the meat trade

I avoid describing my sources, or my work simply as “ethically sourced”, as the meaning of ethical can vary from person to person. Instead, I aim to be transparent about where my specimens come from and how they have been aquired.

If you would like to know the history of source of a particular specimen there are usually details within each listing, however do feel free to get in touch. I will always be happy to provide any information that I have.

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Q: ARE THE INSECTS REAL?

A. Yes, the butterflies, moths and other insects used in my pieces are real natural-history specimens. Each specimen is carefully prepared and preserved before being transformed into artwork.

Because these are natural specimens, every piece has it’s own character. Tiny variations, imperfections and differences in colour or pattern are part of what makes each one unique.

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Q. HOW DO I CARE FOR MY FRAMED SPECIMEN?

A. Your specimen will last for many years when cared for correctly.

Keep framed specimens:

  • Away from direct sunlight

  • Away from damp or high-humidity areas

  • Away from radiators and excessive heat

  • Somewhere dry and stable

If the glass needs cleaning, gently wipe with an alcohol wipe or suitable cloth.

Please handle your piece carefully when moving and hanging it. The specimens themselves are delicate and are not designed to be touched.

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Q: WHEN WILL MY ORDER BE SHIPPED

A: Orders are typically dispatched within 5 working days. Often less.

Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive tracking information.

All orders are sent 48 hour tracked delivery, while live insects are sent using 24 hour tracked delivery.

Note: Live Insect orders are typically dispatched on a Monday only. However if there are issues such as adverse weather conditions (too hot, or too cold) we may dispatch on a Tuesday or Wednesday if the conditions are suitable.

Please remember that postal delivery times are estimates rather than guarantees.

If there is going to be an unexpected delay with shipping your order, I will keep you informed. Once your order has shipped you can track it’s movement!

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Q: HOW ARE LIVE INSECTS SHIPPED?

A: Live insects are treated a little differently to my other products.

Live specimens are generally shipped on a MONDAY ONLY (I will ship on a Tuesday following a bank holiday) using 24hour tracked delivery. This helps to avoid live specimens becoming held over the weekend. If we have to delay posting due to adverse weather we will ship live specimens on a Tuesday or Wednesday if possible - I will contact you if this is the case and keep you updated.

Therefore any orders for live insects placed after 5pm on a Sunday will not get posted until the Monday of the following week (not the next day)

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Q. DO YOU SELL LIVE INSECTS?

A. Yes!

When available, I offer various stages of live insects including eggs/ova, larvae, pupae and nymphs/juvenile insects.

Availability changes throughout the year, so check the Live Insects section of the shop for current listings.

Before purchasing, please make sure you have have everything required to care for your chosen species, including the correct food or host plants and suitable housing.

Each live-insect listing contains species-specific information to help you decide whether it is suitable for you.

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Q. DO YOU SHIP OUTSIDE THE UK?

A. UK shipping is available as standard.

International shipping is not automatically available due to regulations surrounding insects, animal parts and natural history specimens varying between countries.

There are also a number of specific shipping policies, regulations and tariffs which makes things difficult or impossible!

If you are outside of the UK and would like to purchase something, please get in touch before ordering. I can check whether shipping that particular item to your country is possible.

Any customers charges, import duties, taxes or other fees imposed by your country are the responsibility of the buyer.

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Q. WILL MY ITEM LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THE PHOTOGRAPH?

A. For one-of-a-kind pieces, yes - the piece pictured is the piece you will receive, unless the listing specifically says otherwise.

Natural history specimens are unique, so no two will ever be completely identical.

For listings containing multiple specimens or handmade pieces, there may be small natural variations in colour, size, shape or arrangement.

These differences are part of the beauty of working with natural history.

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Q. WHY MIGHT MY SPECIMEN HAVE SMALL IMPERFECTIONS?

A. Natural history isn’t perfect - and that’s rather the point.

You may occasionally notice imperfections, colour variations, slight damage or natural markings on a specimen. These can occur naturally during the insect’s life, after death, during preservation or simple as part of it’s natural history.

I don’t consider these flaws. They are part of the story of the specimen and what makes each piece individual.

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Q. DO YOU OFFER GIFT CARDS?

A. Yes.

Gift cards are available to give someone the freedom to choose their own little piece of natural history.

They make a particularly good gift for anyone fascinated by insects, nature, oddities, gothic décor, and all things wonderfully unusual.

These can be purchased through the shop and are e-mailed to you to be redeemed on the website.

Note: Gift cards can only be redeemed on www.evileyecuriosities.co.uk

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Q. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT A SPECIMEN - CAN I ASK?

A. Absolutely.

If you are curious about the species, provenance, care, size, framing or anything else about a particular piece, please get in touch before purchasing.

I’d much rather you ask than be left wondering.

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STILL CURIOUS?

If your question hasn’t been answered here, please get in touch through the contact page.

Whether you’re looking for a particular specimen, wondering about care, or simply have a question about the strange little world of natural history, I’d be happy to help.