Conversations with Nathan Lambson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Lambson

Hi Nathan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a passion for animals, especially invertebrates. My father taught me carpentry and we would make craps tables and various things together. I started pinning insects and making frames back in 2010 while working a full time job. What started as a small-scale workshop, soon grew into a full-time business specializing in custom, handcrafted frames and hand-pinned specimens. While I love creating new simple pieces, I also derive immense satisfaction from combining various species in a single frame, called a sweep. I met Katelyn in 2022 and she has become part of Broms Bug Box as well assisting with every step of the making process and improving our online presence.
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We do not have a brick and mortar shop, besides at the Renaissance Festival.
We attend various events each year to provide the in-person shopping experience.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As my business grew, I decided to take the plunge to retire from my full time position at a utility company to make frames full time. Unfortunately, I took that plunge in January 2020… which meant I only got to do a couple weeks of the Renaissance festival before the rest of my shows that year were canceled. It was a punch in the gut but I took that year to perfect my skills and enhance my building techniques.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
These are truly handmade, sanded, stained frames- No two frames are exactly the same just as no two insects are exactly the same.
I use ArtGlass 99 conservation rated lites which provide 99% UV protection on every frame. This glass is water clear with less than 1% reflectivity. The best way to clean the frame is with a dry micro-fiber cloth. and that is all you need.
Check out more info here:
https://www.groglass.com/product/artglass-ar-99/
I guarantee our shadowbox frames for life.
I want the specimen to be center stage, I don’t want glass reflection, outrageous and distracting frame colors or design.
I use the best materials I can, I make sure they serve their purpose which is to encapsulate and preserve the natural beauty of these animals for a life time.
Real wood frames, hand cut, sanded and stained-usually grey, charcoal or black. I mount the specimens on off-white acid free foam-core art board.
Seal everything with 100% silicone eapecially on both sides of the glass before it is faceted inside the frame for a water tight seal. And finally, the back is sealed off once again with weighted paper.
I will use simple clear label for scientific identification.
Our Arthropods are all personally re-hydrated and pinned here and I do all the mounting. We use an acid free foam board that is thicker than the standard, (3/16″, not 1/8″) so no warping and will provides better moisture seal.
I am a full service custom insect shadow box framing aetist. I can make almost anything since I start from scratch every time. If you want different colors of paint, a spread of multiple specimens, a super deep shadow box or one made of exotic purple heart wood or anything you can come up with.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I was raised here in Phoenix and I was lucky enough to grow up around our diverse wildlife. My dad would help me catch various wild lizards so I could see them up close. I was always mesmerized by their scales, they are so beautiful and prehistoric. When I wanted to see more, my dad would always take me to reptile shops or zoos to fill my passion.

Pricing:

• Each insect specimen costs us a different amount based on rarity, some could be $1 while others cost over $200 for just the animal.
• Our museum grade glass is about 30 cent per square inch and we hand cut all of our glass.This definitely drives up the cost of making our frames BUT the crystal clear look with no glare is absolutely stunning and worth it.
• Every piece is handmade. Our time and expertise is vital at every step which also account for a higher price.
• We guarantee our frames for life so if it gets bumped off the wall and the specimen looses its head, we will fix it for free 🙂
• We maintain our US Fish and Wildlife permit to import these specimens and pay for the declaration every time we import.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bromsbugbox.wixsite.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bromsbugbox
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1XugibkRLq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bugginstream?si=mdHyTsVD-tbaqf7Q
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BromsBugBox