PLAN BEE started at my kitchen table, surrounded by bits of clay, knitting needles from my mom, and a couple of stencils — with the desire to do something meaningful for Ireland's wild bees: to create safe spaces where solitary bees could thrive, spread the word, raise awareness, and maybe even build a small business.

It quickly became a journey of learning, making, and connecting with people who care deeply about our wild pollinators.

Over the past year, this journey has taken many forms: my first Christmas market, attending a women's conference, running workshops with the OPW, and installing bee lodges at Dublin Zoo and in Eamonn Ceannt Park. Each moment — and each photo in this gallery — represents a small step toward a bigger goal: raising awareness and taking action to help Ireland's wild bees thrive.

From those first experiments with bee stones, I started expanding into wooden frames and bee lodges — a steep learning curve since I had never done woodwork before. As part of this hands-on, sustainable approach, I transport materials across town on a cargo bike from TheBikeHuB in Crumlin to get my bee stones to Orla, the woman with the kiln — and back. The same goes for upcycled tote bags: with little more than a sewing machine, some determination, and lots of motivation, each one becomes something unique, with hardly any new materials used (only yarn and handles).

Along the way, I've met so many inspiring people — from stallholders at farmers' markets to customers like Rosemary, my very first supporter, who invited me to help with pixel gardening at the Kingfisher Project in Kimmage. These connections are a reminder that every small effort — building a bee lodge, planting native flowers, or simply spreading the word — adds up to something meaningful.