About us

Entomology

We source all specimens through sustainable sources, including breeders and insect farms where they are captive bred, never taken from the wild. These insect farms support breeding and releasing programmes through conservation projects to sustain them in the wild. A small percentage of these specimens are euthanised for collectors and artists.

We then re-hydrate and pin the specimens ourselves ready for their new frames.

All dried flower backgrounds include flowers from our garden as well as English wildflowers and whatever else we find pretty, all dried ourselves.

Bone Art

All animal bones used in our art are foraged in the UK.

We often have to use maceration techniques (keeping them in water) to break down any remaining tissue on the bones, then they are degreased (to remove grease build-up causing yellow patches and discolouration).
We then soak them in a hydrogen peroxide and water solution to get them as white as possible.

The whole process from finding the bones to finish can be anywhere up to 6 months.

All listings will include the type of bone in the piece, which animal it belonged to and where it was foraged.

Where to find us

Carpe Noctem, 20 King Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1BH:

We stock framed butterfly and moth specimens in a magical witchy emporium in Frome full of other wonderful small businesses, and a tattoo studio.

Turners, Fishponds Road, Bristol, BS16 3UP:

We also stock 'Fishponds Community shop' located in Turners. We stock larger items including glass entomology and bone domes here as well as larger frames. These can be purchased for collection 24 hours after purchase.