Busy as a Bee

https://21acres.org/event/pollinator-fest-2025/

Later this month, my husband and I will be vendors at a local pollinator fest. There, attendees can learn all about bees, buy bee-related merchandise and local organic food. They can also wander a 21-acre farm filled with gardens of fruits, vegetables, and flowering plants.

My husband makes bee watering stations that need only a Mason jar or soda bottle to provide water. In autumn and winter especially, bees benefit from supplemental food and water, thus these feeders. 

The bee watering design and a customer photo.

 

 

 

 

 

Pattern and instructions: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H3TFBWSYd28

Once he signed up as a vendor, I thought about other bee wares we could offer. After a trip to a fabric store, out came the sewing machine. The items I made are simple and took little time. The most useful items, in my opinion, are the pocket tissue holders, the easiest pattern ever! If it's pollen(ator) season, tissues might come in handy.

 

Another pattern I found was for scrunchies. Sew a simple tube, pull elastic through, and you’re done! 

 

 

Pattern: https://seekatesew.com/diy-gift-guide-free-diy-coffee-cozy-pattern

 

I had plenty more fabric at my disposal and found another easy pattern for cup cozies. These were the most time-consuming items due to needing four pieces of material cut out and fusible interfacing ironed on. Still, they were straightforward to make, and even cuter with little flower buttons to close the two ends. 

Instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIAqzWg5Ikc

Finally, I thought these fabric trays to hold all my items would be especially decorative. This is another pattern that was easy to sew and I’m very happy with how they turned out. After the pollinator festival I will find uses for them around the house.

I had fun bee-ing creative and hope visitors will enjoy all of the items we've both made. Here is our favorite bee quote by Elizabeth Lawrence.

 

Photo credit: https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2017/07/19/the-hum-of-bees-is-the-voice-of-the-garden/