As long as I can remember insects have scared the living crap out of me. Even the cute ones like butterflies and ladybugs would send me into a tizzy. When I was nine, I had a recurrent nightmare about an army of ants that would yank me from my warm bed and hold me prisoner in their sand castle. In high school the dreams progressed to me being caught in a black widow’s web while she prepared me for dinner. And after reading Metamorphosis in college, the thought of being changed into a “monstrous vermin” kept me from sleep altogether.

My friends acknowledged my fears, albeit with great perplexity, and decided to take action. For my birthday they chipped in and bought me an absolutely stunning butterfly brooch covered in amethyst, peridot and fuschia Swarovski® crystals. My friends knew me only too well: they knew I couldn’t resist wearing such a fine piece of jewelry (even if it was some creepy butterfly). “You need to get over this paranoia and this is your first step,” they cheered.

They were right; it was time to get over this. I attached the brooch to my spring jacket and braved it staring up at my apprehensive face. What happened nearly every day from that day on helped me get over my fear faster than I could have ever hoped.

Without fail, no matter where I went (from the convenience store to vacation), some passer-by would feel obliged to share his or her own insect jewelry with me. It’s like they thought we were part of a club. And before I could insist, “No, I’m not in the club! Don’t show me. I’m practicing self-therapy,” they would put their bug-inspired bracelet in my hand.

Do you have any idea just how many people own insect jewelry? I’ve seen elaborately beaded choker necklaces with butterflies resting at the throat. I’ve seen beetles crawling endless circles around wrists. I’ve seen termites, fleas and spiders as earrings. I’ve seen brooches of weird crawly things so realistic that even their legs and antennas move.

Now people assume that I just love bug jewelry. I’m always receiving rings fashioned after fleas or necklaces with grasshoppers dangling from the middle. And friends, inspired by my now robust collection, ask for their own pieces of unique insect jewelry. As if it wasn’t bad enough receiving it, now I have to shop for it?!

I’m proud to say that since receiving that first butterfly brooch I’ve made great strides. I’ve come to peace with the fact that bugs are just bugs. They’re not out to hurt me or wake me in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. I think I can safely say though, it’s much more fun to wear them in gold or silver than to have them crawling on me.

There are plenty of links to jewelers who have the perfect insect piece to fit your style. Click here to crawl up and find one.