Berko Bees

Beekeeping ❤️

You’d think five years of art study would’ve made this easier — but designing something for yourself is always the hardest.

🌿🐝 Bee Skep🐝🌿

These handwoven, dome-shaped baskets were used for centuries to house honeybees and harvest honey. They were designed with a small entrance at the bottom, allowing bees to enter and exit while providing shelter. The design was simple yet effective, creating a safe environment for the colony to thrive.

While bee skeps are no longer commonly used due to modern beekeeping practices (like my Langstroth hives), they remain an important symbol of traditional beekeeping. 🐝🌿

Why were they used?
➡️ Natural and sustainable materials like straw and wicker allowed for easy construction.
➡️ Minimal disturbance: The structure allowed the beekeeper to harvest honey while leaving the bees undisturbed in their home.
➡️ Portability: Beekeepers could move the skeps to different locations to follow blooming cycles.

Inspection Trays ✨ From fallen pollen to wax debris, it reveals clues about hive health, pest activity, brood patterns, and more. 🧐