The Buzz on Bees

With a few days of sunshine recently and not needing a hat, coat, gloves and scarf, I naively thought that spring was here and I could wax lyrical about spring flowers, colourful flowers and our wonderful bee population.  I am sitting here writing in a winter jumper staring out at a rain soaked garden, so not quite the spring view I hoped for!

However, I am going to push on and still talk about the unsung heroes of our ecosystem, these tiny insects and their pollination skills contribute to one in every three bites of food we take. Without bees our food systems would crumble and our landscapes would lose their vibrancy (most of that vibrancy seen in the sunshine and the rain!)  I am fascinated by bees and the difference between their small size and huge impact inspires me.

Despite their small size, bees have impressive brains. They are capable of learning and remembering complex routes to forage for food. In fact, their brains are structured in such a way that allows them to process spatial information making them really good navigators. They also have a unique way of communicating the location of food sources to their hive mates. They perform a 'waggle' dance where they wiggle their bodies in a figure of 8 pattern. The angle and duration of their dance tell other bee mates the direction and distance to the food source.

Whilst the sound of a bee buzzing sends some people squealing for safety, it isn't just a noise, it does serve a purpose. Different species of bees produce distinct buzzing sounds which can vary in frequence and intensity. Some bees even use their buzzing vibrations to communicate with others and manipulate flowers to release pollen. Nature truly is an amazing thing!

Bees in jewellery is not just a modern theme. In the Victorian era (roughly 1837-1901), there was a cultural fascination with the natural world, including insects. This fascination extended to jewellery, where motifs inspired by nature including bees and other insects, became immensely popular - more about that next week though!

Why choose bee-themed jewellery?

Well... that little bee on your jewellery may spark a conversation.  There are many bee keepers in our county and you may not realise where they are - they may have a small business where you could purchase some beautiful locally made honey.  

Bee jewellery is not just making a style statement, you are also showing your support for bee conservation efforts. That little gold or silver bee on a piece of jewellery celebrates the beauty of these creatures and also serves as a reminder of our commitment to their conservation.

Bees are resilient little creatures that thrive despite the challenges they face. Bee-themed jewelery serves as a reminder of their resilience and inspires us to persevere in the face of adversity.

Are you ready to join the hive and make a buzz-worthy statement with bee-themed jewellery? Explore my collection and find the perfect piece to add to your jewellery collection or gift to someone special. Together, let's spread awareness, appreciation and love for these marvellous little pollinators!

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