Caddis fly larvae are known to incorporate bits of whatever they can find into their cocoons, be it fish bone or bits of leaves. Hubert Duprat (French) gave them gold, turquoise, gems and pearls. Duprat places the caddis fly larvae in a controlled environment, supplying them with precious materials. Individual insects build with different levels of skill, some preferring beads and others pearls.
Hubert Duprat, French artist, collaborates with common caddisfly larvae to create intricately designed jewels. Interesting, he gets the caddisfly to do most of the work. masterpieces
« French artist Hubert Duprat collaborates with common caddisfly larvae to create intricately designed, one-of-a-kind jewelry masterpieces. Yes, really.
The bizarre working relationship is based on the moth-like creature’s natural tendency to construct elaborate armors for itself from tiny items it scavenges from its habitat – freshwater stream beds. These items typically include gravel, twigs, plant material, rocks and sand.
The larvae glue the elements into intricate tubes using excreted silk and enter their new fortresses prior to pupation (the transformation stage between larva and adult). When secured in the structure, they are less likely to be consumed by fish and other predators.
Duprat surmised that if he deprived the caddisfly larvae of their natural materials and replaced them with elaborate and more ornate items, such as gold flakes, opal, pearls, turquoise and ruby, the caddisfly larvae might adapt to the elements on hand. He was correct and the results are beautifully intricate, tube-shaped structures that can be strung like beads on a necklace. » (Martin Binder tumblr)
Hubert Duprat‘s aquatic caddis fly larvae, with gold, opal, and turquoise cases.
Hubert Duprat – Tricoptera Larva

While Teresa Faris (USA) has a delightful working partner, « Charmin », a gorgeous cacatoès. She makes artful jewelry incorporating wood that’s been partially chewed by her parrot. Her ongoing series of jewelry has led to an artistic connection between the two species. Aptly, this collection is called, « Collaboration with a Bird. » This year, she added additional pieces to the collection and « Collaboration with a Bird II » has emerged. Several of these pieces are currently on view at Racine Art Museum in an exhibitioncal
Teresa Faris – « Charmin » at work, chewing …..
« When things are literally and figuratively torn down to pieces I am called to return order to them.
Rhythmic and repetitive movements encourage introspective or creative thinking. As a maker I have adopted this practice and find that it eases the mind when the body is testing and acting as a reminder of impermanence. The ideas of fragility and human/animal connectedness are central themes in my work. Recently, I have become interested in working in collaboration with non-human animals rather than referencing/representing or using their bodies. I want to illuminate the ideas of universality and equivalency of all living things. I have witnessed non-human animals performing repetitive movements/activities and I wonder if they find the same soothing aftereffects.
The series titled “Collaboration with a Bird” demonstrates my need to repair all things broken. Pieces of wood that have been repetitively chewed by a bird are assembled into a new shape and completed with fabricated metal. »
Teresa F. Faris série intitulée ‘Collaboration avec un Oiseau’ (EXPO « entre bois et pierre »/ Jan-June 2013
« Between Wood and Stones” exhibition Pôle Bijou – Communauté de Communes des Vallées du Cristal – 13 rue du Port
54120 Baccarat, France)
Teresa F. Faris Brooch: Collaboration with a Bird II 2011. Sterling silver, wood altered by a bird
Teresa F. Faris Necklace: Collaboration with a Bird ll 2012 Wood altered by a bird, sterling silver
Teresa Faris – « Collaboration with a bird – II » brooch – sterling, wood altered by a bird, stainless steel
Teresa F. Faris, Brooch, 2011 Collaboration with a Bird Sterling silver, wood altered by a bird

Teresa F. Faris collaboration with a Bird ll 2012 Sterling silver, wood altered by a bird (FRONT & BACK view)
Teresa F. Faris Collaboration With a Bird 2008 wood chew toy, Sterling Silver .75″ x .75″ x .5″ pendant
Teresa F. Faris Necklace: Collaboration with a Bird ll 2012 Sterling silver, wood altered by a bird