lessons in gardening + growth from the sweetness collection

as we settle into the full, deep heat of summer with its sultry air dripping with electric energy, we at bluboho HQ are reflecting on our growth and achievements thus far this year— individually, and as a collective. 

community, the environment, and connection have long been core values that we uphold with fierce passion, driving us to create our ethically sourced fine jewelry right here in the heart of toronto. as we prepare to launch a very special new piece next week (click here to be the first to know when it drops!) we wanted to share some of the things that inspired this new masterpiece formed in (spoiler alert)  100% recycled gold and conflict free diamonds.

meet the sweetness collection: sustainable gold jewelry inspired by bees and honey 

abundance | community | achievement 

honeybees create abundance with their collective efforts— and we too can create something beautiful together. drawing on raw natural elements in form and texture, this collection reminds us to honour our innate radiance, embracing life’s sweetness.

sweetness of honey ring 

this bold band of solid 14k recycled gold is hand-carved to lend it the sumptuous glow of honey. its  raw edges, asymmetrical form, and unique organic texture make this wide gold band a forever-piece, sure to drip and melt seamlessly into your everyday ring collection. 

the sweetness of honey ring is the crown of the whole sweetness collection, a statement piece that anchors you in the sweetness of your victories by wrapping your finger in flowing honey.

honey bee necklace 

a vital lifeline in our ecosystem, bees are associated with work ethic, loyalty, and creative prowess. set with a radiant 2.5mm rose cut ethically sourced white diamond, this honey bee is nestled between two wings of 14k recycled gold. 

honeycomb ear cuff + honeycomb ring 

inspired by the ornate and innovative architecture of honeycomb. the hexagonal pattern that sustains the comb is considered a sacred shape representing truth, union, and harmony. more than a feat of nature’s engineering, the honeycomb teaches us that balance and prosperity can only be achieved with a solid foundation and collective effort. 

SEE THE FULL SWEETNESS COLLECTION

as we prepare for our new addition to the sweetness collection, we are reminded of our planet’s reliance on bees and other pollinators. being an ethical and sustainable jewelry brand, we pride ourselves on our commitment to learning, growing, and deepening our sustainable practices and broadening our ethically sourced materials at every point of our supply chain as we grow as a business— and as individuals and a wider community too. 

here’s one way we can support bees and other pollinators: by transforming our outdoor spaces into pollinator-friendly sanctuaries!

saving the bees: top tips for starting a pollinator garden

pollinator gardens help to support dwindling bee populations, without which our food supply and ecosystems cannot thrive. no matter whether you have large, sprawling gardens in the country, a small balcony, or even just tiny window boxes in a city apartment, there are ways to nurture a flourishing pollinator garden within the space you have available.

• do your research: get curious and creative, and design a pollinator garden to attract the pollinators in your area
• plant native plants to your region: check out this resource to find pollinator plants for your province
• go for sweet-smelling and colourful pollinator plants, such as herbs and regional wildflowers that bloom at different times of the year, so the bees will have blooms to enjoy year-round
• keep things eco-friendly: make sure that your garden supplies are sustainably sources, and avoid pesticides and pesticide-treated seeds, as these may harm or repel pollinators and disrupt the natural ecosystems of your garden

and speaking of gardens…

a note from our founder: lessons learned from her garden about life, business, and founding a trailblazer of ethically made jewelry in toronto

the sweetness collection is a celebration of abundance, community, and achievement, both collective and individual— so we’re sharing this note from our founder, maggie, which outlines some of the lessons she’s learned from nurturing her garden— and bluboho— in this latest season of growth.

1. if you don’t plant seeds, there is no harvest. take the time to plant seeds (for your business and personal life), set goals, and have a clear vision for what you’re doing. 
2. there is a time to plant seeds, a time to harvest, and most importantly, the time in between— the time to tend to the garden. planting seeds and harvesting are small tasks, but consistently tending to the garden takes dedication and devotion. it is a diligent, disciplined daily practice.
   
   
3. you can’t force a flower to bloom; flowers (and people) will only bloom when they are ready. be patient with yourself and others, and make sure the conditions are optimal to help everyone thrive.
   
   
4. feedback: much like when a plant loses its leaves, when you don’t achieve a business objective or goal, try not to take it as a personal attack. take a minute to figure out what needs to be adjusted in the growing conditions, adjust, and then listen to feedback to see if you are producing the desired result. repeat ad infinitum.
   
   
5. discipline and ritual: you can’t water your garden once a week for 12 hours and expect it to be the same as a daily watering ritual. we must wake up every day aligned with our purpose and do the small ordinary tasks that need tending: sleep, brushing your teeth, eating, meetings, and other “mundane” necessities— make them sacred rituals filled with presence and joy.
   
   
6. compound interest: plant some perennials. perennial plants grow back every year, with each new plant producing even more stems, shoots, and leaves. go deep and grow roots, create networks, and support those around you in symbiosis. invest your time, money, and lifeforce thoughtfully into the things that will come back to you in multitudes.
   
   
7. lessons are learned over years and decades, and they’ll keep coming. you can have a challenging day, year, or even decade in your garden, your business, or your career— but it’s not the end. it's the lessons we learn that truly count, making you wiser, stronger, and more capable.
   
   
8. sometimes there are challenges beyond our control. sometimes there is a drought. sometimes a plant dies. we can't control what happens, but we can control our reactions and actions— reflect, use foresight, pivot where needed, and be relentless in solving problems.
   
   
9. there is a joy we receive from creating our gardens, and there is the joy we get from creating beauty and enjoyment for others: both are important and powerful.
   when we touch, move, and inspire each other and our community, when we support our team’s success, when we hold each other up every day… that’s beauty and magic and life, all in a moment.
10. and finally… play. work, life, and gardens should all involve fun and play. digging in and getting your hands dirty, hard work, creating daily rituals— it’s all part of the fun! play is essential for creation, exploration, learning, and growing.

in short, what you put in is what you get out. keep planting, keep tending, and enjoy the sweetness of the harvest.