handling wing pieces for art

[windygale]

I am making an art piece that is like an altar piece and I would love to incorporate pieces of some of the blue morpho didius wings into it (symbolic for me).

The guy on the phone did not know how to handle them and suggested I contact you.

Here are my questions.
If I would like to glue pieces of wings into my assemblage which will NOT BE COVERED with glass, but will be open to the air, how could I handle the wing pieces.
What type of glue?
How would I keep the dust from coming off the wings?
Could I paint on some kind of a coating?
Is there any problem with bugs eating the wings?

You may or may not have answers to these questions, but you may know someone who could help me. I am under a little bit of a time crunch as I am entering this piece in a show, so anything yo can offer asap is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much!

[admin]

What you want to do is difficult, especially with morpho wings, and especially if the display is in the open air.

You can handle the wings with spade-tip forceps, like stamp collectors use.
The scales on top should be OK, as long as you don't accidently rub them off yourself.
Testors model airplane glue is very effective for glueing insect parts to anything porous, like cardboard, but it dries in about 3 seconds. Just use a tiny bit. If you use too much it will come through the wings and destroy the colors on top. You need to practice that first. If that glue doesn't work for you you could try super glue, white glue, or silicone glue. At least with silicone you have plenty of time to position the wings before it dries.

Yes, bugs will eventually eat the wings if your display is not sealed. It may take a year before you notice it, but your wings will eventually get eaten.

Sprays will probably destroy the colors of iridescent wings like morphos. Experiment with artist sealer spray first. You will have better luck with non-iridescent wings.

[wingedwishes]

I've been running wings through a laminator with no problems. Don't trim too close when you cut around the plastic. You can then handle them with ease and they are sealed away from dermestids.

[admin]

Yup. That will work.

[joseph125]

hey guys,,,,,
Is there any way not to get the Art Deco wings that where offered with the lifetime subcription. I really want them.
thanks,,,,,,,,