"bug tableware" news and stories

With spring on the ascendant in the northern hemisphere, is it any wonder that every year at this time bugs emerge from their chrysalises as a primary design theme for tableware? Insects are the harbingers of springtime – dragonflies buzzing above lily pads in response to the raincalls of frogs; bees humming among the first blossoms; beetles scrambling among soft pads of new moss. Here are some ways in which insects fly, flap, drone, burrow, inch, crawl, sidle, skitter and hum onto spring tables -- hopefully not in person (at least until the ants remember that picnic season is about to begin).

Dragonflies. There are bugs on the Bush legacy White House china; and Kate Spade china has bugs for your table. The June Lane china pattern features a beautifully detailed dragonfly rendered in either gold or silver leaf which perfectly captures this bug's gossamer magic. With china registries down, this pattern might become endangered, so get buzzing if you want to register this place setting.

Butterflies. If as a naturalist you're a colorist, butterflies are aflutter at Target. With their butterfly porcelain collection, you can tickle your palate from vessels showing off a palette of brightly colored butterflies. Vividly colored salad plates are inexpensive, so treat yourself to the matching platter. If your palate's palette is woodsy, take a look at the botanical print-inspired John Derian offerings.