When I made an enclosed apiary for my bees, I discovered what a fantastic solution it could be for any  backyard beekeeper with limited space.

So I applied for a patent for my “Apiary Enclosure with Configurable Flight Portal” and went to work developing it into a product. The result is the HoneyBower Enclosed Apiary Kit with a curated selection of the finest, most durable outdoor textiles and fasteners.

And because I spent most of my career producing software documentation and training material, I appreciate how important it is to have good, easy-to-follow instructions for the first-time user. So I wrote a couple of ebooks that explain the “why to” and the “how to” of it all.

The next step was to launch HoneyBower as an online store where people can buy apiary kits, ebooks, tools, and supplies, with a Community forum where people can connect, learn, and share their experiences.

Most beekeepers are do-it-yourselfers by nature,  but not everyone is cut out to take on a big sewing project. So if you’d like to have an enclosed apiary, but sewing isn’t your thing,  let’s find someone to make it for you!

Quilt makers have an ideal setup to make enclosed apiaries and some might even welcome the side gig. Think of it as a mash up of beekeepers and quilting bees!

Making connections like this is sometimes thought of as “building an ecosystem,” which is just another way of saying that you’re bringing like-minded people together in a win-win situation.

However, you don’t have to be an experienced seamster to make an enclosed apiary for yourself. By the time it’s finished, you will be! And it won’t be long before people start asking you to make one for them, too!