Entomologist-turned-jewelry designer Sara Osama, won Cairo Design Award

CAIRO – 24 December 2017: Ambitious young Entomolgist and Jewelry designer Sara Osama won the Cairo Design Award in the Jewelry Design category earlier last week. Osama has spoken to Egypt Today in an interview on Tuesday about her art works that features a unique artistic design resonating from pure nature and implied on jewelry design.

Osama’s work has gained much attention for its strange and unique concept; the accessories are made of real pieces of nature - specifically butterflies, colorful beetles, and rare flowers. Other accessories are made of glass, and contain mummified and preserved insects and flowers. Her most popular pieces are the “Papillon” bowties, which are wittily created using real butterflies inside a bowtie-shaped glass brooch.


Jewelry accessory featuring preserved butterflies part of "Papillions" project by Sara Osama - Photo courtesy of Sara Osama


A graduate of the Ain-Shams University’s faculty of Sciences and specialized in the Department of Entomology (the study of insects), Osama conducted research and studies that exposed her to the world of nature and entomology, for which she developed a strong passion. She later was keen to combine interest in entomology and jewelry design to create her own project “Papillon”, a new brand for handmade accessories.


Jewelry accessory featuring preserved butterflies part of "Papillions" project by Sara Osama - Photo courtesy of Sara Osama

ET: Are all the accessories handmade? How did you learn to make them, and were you inspired by any other accessory designers?

SO: Yes, totally handmade. It was a hobby since I was at school. Then I taught myself by searching, doing experiments - which failed most of the time until I did it. I graduated from the Faculty of Science from the Entomology department. After graduation, I started studying Jewelry Design. I usually get inspired by nature and its elements.

ET: Even though you were passionate about the idea of combining your studies with accessories and jewelry-making, what made you feel that other people would share your love for this idea?

SO: I believe that nature can’t bring anything but just beauty! So for those who appreciate beauty, they would certainly love my work.


Jewelry accessory featuring preserved butterflies part of "Papillions" project by Sara Osama - Photo courtesy of Sara Osama


ET: How do you choose the kinds of insects and pieces of nature to use in each design? Are there certain colors or shapes that you like to stick to?

SO: Butterflies and flowers with amazing and unique colors take my eyes - and heart too! They are the main idea behind my products. The idea behind my brand is to keep the beauty in nature and not lose it.

ET: Do you have plans for the future of "Papillons"?

SO: Yes. I’m trying to get more rare plants, flowers, and insects to use them in my accessories, and I’m planning for new jewelry designs too!