Looking for butterfly crafts for adults that go beyond a simple cutout? Think gold wall decorations, colorful wing patterns and a little butterfly necklace.
These ideas give you plenty to work with, whether you love tiny details or want something bigger to display.
You can keep the colors simple or go all out with a rainbow. I especially love the framed butterflies and little beaded charm.
Pick a design you like, then use its colors and details as inspiration for your own project.
Butterfly craft ideas worth saving
gold butterflies on the wall
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous gold-colored butterflies. I love how they sweep up the wall beside the desk, with little ones tucked between the larger wings.
For your own arrangement, try a loose diagonal trail rather than straight rows. Leave some space between the butterflies so you can see each shape.
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pastel wings with dark outlines
How pretty is that pink and white butterfly? The dark outlines divide its wings into curved sections, with little amber-colored accents near the edges.
There are blue, purple and green versions here too. I’d choose the pink combination if you want something a little softer.
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a rainbow butterfly trail
I am obsessed with this framed design. The butterflies change from green and blue to pink, orange and yellow as they curve down toward the little bicycle.
The raised wings are my favorite part. If you try a similar arrangement, keep the background pale and leave room for a short phrase at the top.
wing and flower frames
If you love little botanical displays, this one is for you. Each dark frame pairs a patterned butterfly-wing shape with flowers and leaves.
The pale blue flowers around the dark blue wing are especially pretty.
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For your own version, you could use printed wing illustrations with pressed flowers.
a silver-tone butterfly pendant
Don’t want to go all out with color? No problem!
This silver-tone pendant keeps things simple with open loops for wings and two tiny curled antennae. I love how the butterfly hangs at a slight angle from the chain.
colorful circles and gold flecks
These clear round pieces are so pretty! Pink, green, blue and yellow butterflies fill the circles, with little gold-colored flecks scattered between them.
If you’re borrowing this design for a decorative project, try spreading the butterflies around the edge instead of lining them up through the middle.
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orange wings with dotted tips
This butterfly may just be one of my favorites here. Its wings fan out in narrow ridged pieces, with orange centers and black tips covered in white dots.
The curled antennae are such a cute finishing detail. Keep those dotted edges if you want to borrow the orange-and-black pattern for your own craft.
book-print butterfly wreath
Love a more understated color palette? The cream book-print butterflies and plain white shapes look lovely against this mossy green wreath.
For a similar look, you could use copies of old book pages for your cutouts. Mix larger and smaller wings rather than making them all match.
a wide-eyed painted butterfly
How cute is this little face? Those oversized white eyes give the orange butterfly so much personality.
The wings sit to one side of its gray body, with white dots along the black edges.
Try this sideways pose for your own painted design instead of the usual open-wing shape.
butterfly and daisy embroidery
I love this embroidered butterfly with the little daisies underneath. The orange wings have dark outlines and white markings, while the flower stems curve around the bottom of the hoop.
If you want to borrow the layout, keep the butterfly above the crossed stems and leave plenty of white space around it.
hanging keys with patterned wings
Keys with butterfly wings? This is such a lovely combination.
The gold-tone keys hang from cords, with layered wings covered in script and music-note patterns.
The smaller wings lift away from the larger ones. That’s the detail I’d keep if you’re planning your own vintage-inspired hanging decoration.
bright coils and black borders
If you are looking for lots of tiny details, then this one is for you. Green spirals sit above long yellow and orange teardrop shapes inside the black wings.
I especially love the little purple flower beside the butterfly. The curled antennae look right at home with all those coiled shapes.
a glowing purple-trimmed jar
This butterfly jar is so cute with its purple trim. Little points of light show through the pale sides, behind a mix of solid and outlined butterflies.
For your own decorative jar, you could add a name and battery-powered lights. I’d keep the purple sparkle around the bottom rather than covering the butterfly designs.
pink beads and a little star
I am obsessed with this pink beaded charm. The looped wings, pearly white head and tiny dangling star are adorable together.
There’s a gold-tone clip at the top too. If you’re choosing colors for a similar charm, pale pink and bright pink make a pretty mix without needing lots of different shades.
blue wings with white spots
Don’t want to add flowers or extra decorations? This blue butterfly is lovely all on its own.
Fine dark lines run through the pale blue wings, with little white spots around the black borders.
For a similar painted design, I’d leave the background plain like this.
bright green wing patterns
These butterflies have such a different look from the gold wall arrangement. Bright green lines and dots stand out against dark wings in this dim scene.
If you want to borrow the pattern, try thin green veins on black butterfly shapes. Mix a few wing styles instead of repeating the same outline.
tiny butterflies and ladybugs
How adorable are these little decorations? The black butterflies have raised blue, purple or orange markings, plus white dots around their wings.
The red ladybugs beside them are just as cute.
I’d choose the pale blue and purple butterflies together for a matching set.
green wings and a pink ribbon
The dark teal and lime green pairing is so pretty in this hanging butterfly. Its glossy wings have black details along the outer edges, with a bright pink ribbon at the center.
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Keep that unexpected pink accent if you’re borrowing the color combination. It’s my favorite little detail here.
cream knots in progress
Prefer a neutral project? This close-up shows cream cords looped over a rod, with angled rows of knots taking shape on either side.
It’s still a work in progress, so the finished butterfly isn’t visible here. Save it as knotting inspiration rather than a complete butterfly pattern.
blue butterflies on a distressed tray
Last but definitely not least, we have this pretty butterfly tray. I love the large blue butterfly beside the smaller outlined one.
Purple flowers fill the corners of the cream-colored base.
For your own tray decoration, try keeping the flowers near the edges like this. That leaves room for the butterflies in the middle.