LIFESTYLE + PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR HONEYBEE HIPPIE IN UTILA, HONDURAS & A GLIMPSE INTO FOUNDER, JILL’S, HEART.

A few months back, when I was living in Utila, Honduras, I had the opportunity to bring a few Honeybee Hippie products to shoot with my beautiful friends there in the tropical landscape. It was such a sweet experience, and the founder, Jill, shared a glimpse into her heart behind her artistry.

The questions and her answers are as follows.

1. What is the story behind creating Honeybee Hippie?

Honeybee Hippie started in the most unexpected but beautiful way. I was originally making and selling herbal bath salts for a local shop, Fill up Buttercup. I had a desire to create a cream that was truly healing and nourishing and was not able to find anything on the shelf that met my standards of being truly natural and nourishing. I remembered hearing about the healing benefits of using tallow for the skin so I decided to make a batch for my family, especially my newborn grandson to use. I also shared the tallow butter with Jamie, the owner of Fill up Buttercup, and she asked if we could try it out in the store. People began to purchase it and were seeing results, and the response was overwhelming. Around the same time my daughter helped me start an Instagram and build me a website, and we popped up at a local artisan market called, A Slow Market. From there it grew organically and began to take off as many people and some influencers began using and sharing their results.

2. What are some of your favorite natural elements to include in your products and why?

I absolutely love working with ingredients that are deeply rooted in both healing and tradition. Some of my favorites are organic herbs, grass-fed tallow, raw honey, cold-pressed oils, and magnesium. I especially enjoy the process of infusing whole herbs into oils which can take several weeks. It’s slow and intentional, but it allows me to extract the full spectrum of each plant’s healing properties. Everything I use is thoughtfully sourced and free from seed oils, artificial ingredients, synthetic fragrances, and even essential oils, which I believe is too strong for the skin. I want every product to be gentle, nourishing and as close to nature as possible.

3. It is incredible how God provides so intentionally through creation exactly what we need to take care of our bodies. What does this mean to you/how has this impacted you?

This truth is at the heart of everything I do. I see God’s hand in creation constantly and how He’s placed everything we need for healing and nourishment all around us. I feel so alive when I’m working with the elements He gave us: the sun, soil, herbs, animals, and plants. Whether I’m making a batch of a product, cooking a healing meal for my family, or enjoying nature, I’m reminded that God created our bodies with intention and He also provided us with everything we need for life and godliness.

4. Do you see your work and your creativity as a stewardship of God's creation, and as a form of worship?

Absolutely. I truly believe that what I do with Honeybee Hippie is a form of stewardship. When I create a product, I see it as a way to honor what God has given us. Each ingredient is chosen with care, and each step of the process is done with intention and prayer. I want my work to reflect the goodness of creation and for the products to help people to heal and reconnect with nature. My dream is to one day have some land and a space where I can host wellness workshops, sourdough classes, and farm-to-table dinners. gatherings that celebrate health, community, and God’s abundant provision.

5. How have you seen God in the journey with Honeybee Hippie?

God’s presence has been undeniable throughout this entire journey. From the very beginning when I first started selling bath salts to a local shop to where we are now, with our products in over 20 stores and shipping internationally, I’ve seen His hand guiding each step. Although the journey has had its challenges and hard times, there have also been moments where opportunities came out of nowhere, or the right people showed up at just the right time. It’s not something I could have orchestrated on my own. I’ve also had the joy of growing this business and a team with people I love, my family and close friends who share my vision and values. Being able to work from home, be present for my youngest (who I homeschool), and still pursue this dream has been such a blessing. I know this work is a gift from God, and I pray that it continues to bless others as much as it’s blessed me!