A little less than three years ago, my mother started her own skincare line – Thea’s Bee Beautiful. She dedicated her knowledge as an Idaho herbalist to the craft of creating products made entirely from Idaho herbs and locally or regionally sourced ingredients.

Ma and hammer – chiseling away on a block of bees wax

The end result is a line of products unmatched in their quality and purity, and truly unique to their origin – these creams smell like Idaho. Sage, wild rose, mint, yarrow, cleavers, lomatium – all plants that grow like crazy in the mountains and plains of our glorious state, and all infused and emulsified into each batch of TBB.

Organic coconut oil melding slowly with the melting bees wax

At 10:20pm last evening, Mom and I had just finished the slow, careful task of wiping down over 100 jars of the most incredible hand, body and face cream I’ve ever used. My skin is saturated to glowing from smoothing the excess product onto any surface not covered by clothing, and although I’m exhausted, I am wholly satisfied with our long day’s work.

Sage hydrosol made from hand-harvested Idaho sage

The reason I spent yesterday learning how to make my mother’s products is an exciting/terrifying one – she is handing the company over to my manfriend and I. Woopee! We are thrilled for the adventure to come, and as Dustin and I continue to develop Handsomehound Farm, the prospect of adding a skincare line to our wares to sell gets both of our enterprising minds churning.

Sage and yarrow hydrosol being emulsified with coconut oil and beeswax

My mother has done a magnificent job of perfecting her skincare recipes, and I am honored to take it on with my partner (technically my fiancé, but that word gives me the heebie jeebies…..)

Fancy Face Cream – the finished product

I feel strongly that when you make a good decision in life, your path becomes more clearly defined and easier to follow. I’ve explored a few rough detours in the past few months, but I can say with certainty that my last couple choices – to marry Dustin and to take on Thea’s Bee Beautiful – are two of the best turns I’ve made in my journey thus far.

Organic grapeseed oil infusing with hand-harvested sage