Butterflies have always been one of my favorite excuses to get lost in detail, and the Blue Cracker might be one of the most intricate yet. I created this stainless steel butterfly sculpture for a dear friend’s garden, designing the hanger so it could perch two ways — mounted on a wall indoors or slid onto a garden stake to live outside among the flowers.

What made this piece unique (and fun) was pushing my detail grinding skills. I started by coloring the entire surface with the hottest torch tone, blue. Then, with my pencil grinder, I carefully removed everything but the parts that would remain blue — like peeling back layers to reveal a pattern. From there I worked down the spectrum: purple, gold, and finally the natural silver of stainless steel. Each step was another chance to refine the mosaic-like markings that make the Blue Cracker so mesmerizing.

The result is a butterfly with wings that feel almost alive, shimmering and patterned in ways that shift as the light changes. It’s delicate in spirit but permanent in form — a handmade stainless steel butterfly sculpture that won’t fade, flutter away, or vanish with the season.

Whether it’s displayed indoors as wall art or staked outdoors in a garden, this butterfly is a reminder that even the smallest creatures can hold endless beauty when you stop to notice the details.

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This piece is wall hanging or able to be mounted on a garden stake and of course is safe to be kept outdoors.