Jim, the Master Beekeeper

Hello! I started beekeeping in 2013, but my fascination with honey bees began when I was a young child. I remember being able to touch honey bees without being stung. My grandmother assured me that the honey bees I saw collecting pollen wouldn’t aggressively sting me like the yellow jackets did (after I kicked their nest).

In 2012 I found a Grit Guide to Beekeeping magazine at my mother-in-law’s house and read it cover to cover. This reignited my interest in honey bees and in 2013 I set up my first two hives.

My hobby has grown into a small business while I continue to learn from beekeepers with far more experience than me. I have served as vice-president and president of the Wake County Beekeepers Association and am currently serving on the WCBA board as past-president. I achieved the level of Master Beekeeper through the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association Master Beekeeper Program.

Blye’s Bees is a NCSBA certified honey producer.

Cindy, Chief Candle Maker

Cindy, wife to the bee man, has been collecting wax molds over the past few years and enjoys the timeless process of small batch candle-making. She also makes other beeswax and honey products, such as lip balms, lotions bars, skin balms, and cutting board wax.

Her newest product is the lowly beeswax wrap, an underappreciated plastic alternative that can be used to help store cut fruits, vegetables, hard cheeses, and as a container cover. Once the 100 % cotton beeswax wrap has served the user well, it can be composted.