The Collections Wing is where the Emporium’s preserved wonders are formally housed and presented to the public. Though many wings remain sealed, awaiting restoration or future release, visitors may explore the first and most celebrated of the Society’s holdings: The Butterfly Emporium, published in 1847 under the meticulous care of Curator Elias Wren.
Comprising 1,600 butterflies across varying sizes, the Emporium became an instant Victorian sensation. Its plates were studied in parlours, libraries, and naturalist societies throughout the era, and its influence continued as generations of collectors sought to preserve Wren’s work. Today, modern Collectors can assemble the entire Emporium once more — freely available through the Emporium Keeper’s Ko‑fi archive, where the full collection is preserved for contemporary study and creative use.
Begin your exploration with the Butterfly Emporium, discover Wren’s colour system, browse the five Volumes, and collect the special free Album created for modern Keepers. More collections will join this wing in time, each revealing another chapter of the Emporium Society’s archive.
This Ephemera Holder is freely available for you to make on Ko-fi
THE BUTTERFLY EMPORIUM
wren’s colour system
Elias Wren, curator of the Butterfly Emporium, arranged the Society’s butterflies into five colour families, revealing the gentle way their tones shift across the pages. His system is not a strict taxonomy but a way of seeing colour — noticing how it moves from warm blushes to bright spring tones, into calm blues, rich jewel shades, and the soft neutrals of antique paper.
Each group has its own character, and together they form the full palette of the Emporium.
EXPLORE THE VOLUMES
A Study in Soft Radiance and Living Colour
Warm gathers the blush and ember tones of the Emporium — colours shaped by gentle heat, soft radiance, and the natural glow found in petals, bark, and early light. This Volume holds butterflies whose wings feel sun‑touched and comforting, carrying the quiet warmth of living colour.
dIGITAL SPECIMEN SHEETS PREVIEW – full size FREELY AVAILABLE NOW ON KO-FI
This Volume includes a curated selection of butterfly specimen sheets in Warm tones, designed for printing, fussy cutting, and collage. Each page presents wings in blush, rose, and ember hues, arranged for both study and creative use. Available for download on Ko-fi.
“In these hues, a gentle warmth unfolds — the blush of petals opening to light.” — E. Wren, Curator
colour palette
Petal Blush
Rose Magenta
Scarlet Velvet
Autumn Ember
Peach Bloom #A36254
collage papers
Warm collage papers accompany the specimens as a separate PDF offering, featuring soft backgrounds, gentle textures, and complementary tones that frame and support the butterflies. These papers are ideal for journal spreads, albums, and layered compositions and are available as a separate download on Ko-fi.
Like everything within the Emporium Society, the Butterfly Emporium was created in my studio and craft room. Ko‑fi tips gently help me carry on the work of developing new collections.
A Study in New Season Light and Fresh Hues
Fresh gathers the pale greens and early‑light yellows of the Emporium — colours shaped by new growth, soft clarity, and the bright lift found in unfolding leaves and morning air. This Volume holds butterflies whose wings feel dew‑touched and luminous, carrying the gentle freshness of awakening colour.
dIGITAL SPECIMEN SHEETS PREVIEW – full size FREELY AVAILABLE NOW ON KO-FI
This Volume includes a curated selection of butterfly specimen sheets in Fresh hues, designed for printing, fussy cutting, and collage. Each page presents wings in soft yellows, pale greens, and early‑season tones, arranged for both study and creative use. Available for download on Ko‑fi..
“Freshness begins in colours that lift — soft greens, bright yellows, and tones touched with the first breath of light.” E. Wren, Curator
colour palette
Honey Gold
Buttercream
Lemon Leaf
Spring Green
Meadow Soft
collage papers
Fresh collage papers accompany the specimens as a separate PDF offering, featuring backgrounds, airy textures, and complementary tones that frame and support the butterflies. These papers are ideal for journal spreads, albums, and layered compositions and are available as a separate download on Ko‑fi.
The Emporium Society is an entirely fictional world created by Joey Cardmaker. Its characters, histories, establishments and stories are imaginary and form part of an ongoing work of creative storytelling. Artwork is created and refined using digital design tools , including Affinity Designer and Photo (serif.com) and AI-assisted technologies.
