Eight years ago, Selina Grazia was reading marine biology at university when a chance encounter with an animal skull introduced her to an unbelievable new skill. 

From her home, she decided to combine her love of historical decor and curios and began gilding the unusual item.

After finishing her studies at Anglia Ruskin University, in Cambridge, she perfected the process and soon after moved on to insects. 

But it was when she shared photographs of her creations online, she was able to leave her job as an administrator and go into the gilding profession full-time.

Selena Grazia with one of her gilded beetles Selina Grazia with one of her gilded beetles (Image: Selina Grazia)

She said: “My art started as my own project for my home, combining my interests in Victoriana, gothic decor and curio cabinets with my background in science. 

“I put a gilded bumblebee on my Instagram in 2018 and it went from there - it's now a full-time job. 

"I'm the only person who does it, I was self-taught. I was the first person to work out how to gild insect wings." 

The 32-year-old, who runs Norwich’s gothic art market The Night Fair, begins by carefully drying each subject, before varnishing its wings to preserve them. 

She then applies sheets of 24ct gold or 22ct rose gold before each work is framed. 

A beetle gilded by Selina Grazia in her Norfolk studioA beetle gilded by Selina Grazia in her Norfolk studio (Image: Selina Grazia)

Ms Grazia now breeds some of the creatures she gilds at her studio in Dickleburgh, near Diss, including beetles, scorpions and moths. 

The vegan artist goes to work on her subjects after they have reached the end of their natural lives. 

Others are bought second-hand as previously preserved specimens, some dating back to Victorian times when entomologists gathered collections. 

One of Selena Grazia's gilded displaysOne of Selena Grazia's gilded displays (Image: Selina Grazia)

She added: "I use reclaimed and restored antique butterflies as well as raising my own butterflies, moths and beetles before preserving them in displays to be appreciated after death. 

"As time went on I became more aware that there isn't much that bridges the gap for the insect world with the art world. 

"Gilding them gives just enough enhancement to engage people who would have not considered insects as art into collectors of my work." 

A bumblebee with gilded wingsA bumblebee with gilded wings (Image: Selina Grazia)

Works range in price from £25 for a card to hundreds of pounds for a gilded scorpion or large moth. 

Ms Grazia said while her works are bought by collectors worldwide, her customers have a clear favourite - the humble bumblebee. 

The Night Fair will next run on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7 at St Mary's Works, on St Mary's Plain (2pm - 8pm). 


Artist Selina Grazia, who has perfected her technique for gilding insectsArtist Selina Grazia, who has perfected her technique for gilding insects (Image: Selina Grazia)