PHILOSOPHY

Hi. I’m Jem, and I run Jem’s Bees®.
 

In the homepage photo, I’m holding scraps of cardboard destined for the smoker. It might seem mundane, but to me it represents much more: resourcefulness, creativity and making the most of what you have. This approach reflects how I work, live and run Jem’s Bees®.
 

I’m a beekeeper, maker, recycler and amateur gardener. DIY and grow-your-own practices are second nature, and nurturing honeybees and growing my own food are now part of my daily routine. Recycling and reuse can be fun activities that also respect the value of the materials at hand and the immediate environment. Why throw things away or destroy them when they can still be useful? In my time in children’s book publishing, I turned cardboard scraps into model kits and pop-up sculptures. Separately, I ran BrilliantBuilds, a family-friendly workshop encouraging creativity with recycled cardboard. These experiences came together when I wrote a book inspired by the process. Out of the Box was published in 2017 and republished as Cardboard Activity Lab in 2023.

The same curiosity and hands-on approach now shapes everything I do with Jem’s Bees®. Recycling and reuse are default settings. Whether it is the old plant climbers you see on my stall or the recycled boxes and packaging in your order, it is all part of how I run things in a practical and integral way.
 

Honeybees are resourceful and frugal, working with what they find. Biomimicry is increasingly on my mind, and I try to mirror this behaviour in my own life and work.
 

A good honey harvest is never guaranteed. Challenges such as weather, habitat loss, pests, disease and even my own aptitude as a beekeeper all play a part. To reduce reliance on honey sales, I use my design expertise to diversify what I offer to my customers.
 

I am fortunate to have customers, both old and new, who understand the challenges that bees and beekeepers face, and I am truly appreciative of your support, patience and curiosity.
 

I am committed to keeping Jem’s Bees® practical, resilient and responsive to change, adapting and evolving just as bees do.
 

Jem
Just bee-ing