balancing artistic endeavors

In this conversation, Cynthia and Melissa explore Melissa’s journey into beekeeping, the intersection of creativity and nature, and their collaborative efforts in the local arts community.

Interview with Melissa from Phoenixville Honey

Cynthia: Hi Melissa, thanks for joining me today! I’m excited to dive into everything honey and your creative endeavors. Could you start by sharing a bit about your journey and how Phoenixville Honey came to be?

Melissa: Absolutely! We started our journey in May 2015, though the planning and learning began a bit earlier that winter. My husband suggested we get bees, and being a bug enthusiast, I was all in! We signed up to get a starter hive, a nucleus hive, and picked it up in May. By 2018, I had taken over most of the beekeeping as my husband often goes out to sea. We had an excess of honey, more than we could consume, so in 2019, I decided to start selling it. We got everything rolling with the Department of Agriculture, and by 2020, I joined farmer’s markets. Now, I’m in my 10th season of beekeeping!

Cynthia: Wow, what a journey! Did your first hive go smoothly, or were there any challenges?

Melissa: Surprisingly, it went very well. We made a split from the first hive to create a second hive by the end of the first year. Winter losses can happen despite all the preparation, but overall, things went smoothly.

Cynthia: That’s great to hear! Can you explain a bit about how you manage the hives, especially when it comes to the queens?

Melissa: When a hive needs a new queen, they can raise one themselves as long as they have freshly laid eggs from the prior queen. You can take a frame of eggs, place it in a new hive with some food and bees, and they’ll raise a new queen.

Cynthia: That’s fascinating! When did you decide to go full-time with beekeeping?

Melissa: Around 2019-2020. I had left my full-time office job about ten years prior and ran a small photography business. But once beekeeping took over, I had to put photography on the back burner.

Cynthia: I love seeing your videos about the hives! It must be so inspiring.

Melissa: It really is. There’s an odd sense of calm with the bees’ buzzing. It’s very peaceful and my happy place.

Cynthia: Besides beekeeping, you’re also involved in various artistic endeavors. Can you tell us about balancing both?

Melissa: Sure! As a small business owner, you wear many hats. I enjoy incorporating art into everyday items. Our logo, for example, started as a printmaking project. I love printmaking and sewing because it’s a hands-on process that brings joy and satisfaction from creating something tangible.

Cynthia: How has working closely with bees deepened your connection to nature and influenced your art?

Melissa: Beekeeping teaches you to slow down and pay attention to nature’s cues, like when certain plants bloom. This attentiveness parallels in art, where you have to appreciate the process and medium. It’s about enjoying the journey, not just the result.

Cynthia: You’ve shown incredible support for local artists and businesses. What motivates you to collaborate and support the community?

Melissa: I believe in incorporating art into everyday life. Whether it’s a dress, table linens, or upholstered furniture, making art part of daily living adds beauty and joy. It’s also about community—supporting and collaborating with local artists enriches us all.

Cynthia: You’ve attended my art shows in custom-made dresses from my patterns, which was amazing to see! How do you integrate art into your beekeeping business?

Melissa: Sewing is a form of self-expression and body positivity for me. I also create hand-printed tea towels, tote bags, and beeswax candles for markets. Recently, I collaborated with Dan of the Bunyip Collective to design tote bags, donating part of the proceeds to Natural Lands.

Cynthia: You’ll be joining us at our upcoming art show, “Nature’s Table,” in October. Can you share what you’ll be bringing to the show and what visitors can expect?

Melissa: I’m really excited for “Nature’s Table!” I’ll be bringing a selection of our seasonal honeys, including our dark, rich late-season honey with flavors like molasses and brown sugar. Visitors can sample these honeys and experience the different flavors that change with the seasons.

Cynthia: That sounds wonderful! What are your future goals for Phoenixville Honey and your artistic projects?

Melissa: I’m happy with the current balance of my hives and work. I always look for new product ideas, like the honey bear jars we’re introducing this fall. The annual sampler box with different honey varieties is also a staple. I plan to continue supporting local events and maybe work on new designs for the winter markets.

Cynthia: Where can people find you and your products?

Melissa: You can find me at the Downingtown, Eagle View, and Malvern Farmers Markets. My full schedule is on my website, and I participate in various fall markets and pop-up events. The Good Food Fest in the fall is always a highlight.

Cynthia: Thank you for sharing your story, Melissa! I’m excited to see you at “Nature’s Table” and continue following your journey.

Melissa: Thank you! I’m looking forward to it too.

Website: phoenixvillehoney.com

Instagram: @phoenixvillehoney