Our Story

Meet Emily, AKA Bumble

The woman behind Handmade by Bumble and Roots of Freedom Farmstead.

First, you might be wondering about the name.

The nickname "Bumble" came about years ago when I worked in a group home caring for adults with disabilities. One of the residents had a way of saying my name, Emily, that sounded more like "Bumblebee." The nickname stuck, and years later, it became the name of my little business.

My journey into herbalism and handcrafted products began over a decade ago, long before Handmade by Bumble existed. Like many people, I was frustrated with spending money on products that didn't seem to do much for me. I struggled with sensitive skin and other ongoing health concerns, and I wanted to take a more active role in what I was using in my home and on my body.

What started as a desire to save money, simplify our lives, and become a little more self-reliant quickly grew into something much bigger.

I began reading everything I could get my hands on, studying herbalism, aromatherapy, and the art and science of making my own products. Over the years, I've continued that education through courses, research, countless hours of formulation, and plenty of trial and error.

Somewhere along the way, a hobby became a passion, and that passion became Handmade by Bumble.

More Than Just Natural

My approach to making products has evolved quite a bit over the years. While I still deeply appreciate traditional herbal preparations and simple ingredients, I've also come to understand that natural doesn't automatically mean safer, gentler, or more effective.

I believe there's a place for both traditional wisdom and modern science, and I don't think we need to choose between them.

Today, I approach every formulation with the same goal: to create something practical, safe, effective, and thoughtfully made. I care about why an ingredient is included, how it works, and whether it truly contributes something worthwhile to the finished product.

I don't believe in adding ingredients just because they're popular, making promises I can't substantiate, or convincing people they need a dozen different products to care for themselves and their families.

Good products don't need to be complicated, and taking care of ourselves shouldn't be a luxury.

Rooted in Family and Simple Living

My husband and I are raising our growing family on our 23-acre Pennsylvania farmstead, where we garden, raise animals, preserve food, hunt, and work toward a more self-reliant way of life.

It's not always simple in the sense of being easy. In fact, it's often quite the opposite! But there's something deeply rewarding about learning to provide for ourselves, working with our hands, and passing those skills and values along to our children.

Our farmstead, Roots of Freedom, is an extension of the same philosophy that inspired Handmade by Bumble in the first place: making thoughtful choices, using our resources wisely, and finding value in the things we can grow, create, and preserve.

Being home with my children and raising them in this lifestyle is incredibly important to me. Handmade by Bumble has given me the opportunity to share work I'm passionate about while keeping my family at the center of my days.

From Our Home to Yours

Every product I offer is handcrafted in small batches, with ingredients selected for their quality, purpose, and performance. Whenever possible, I incorporate herbs and other resources grown or produced right here on our farmstead.

These aren't products developed simply to fill a shelf. They're formulas I've spent time researching, making, testing, and refining. Many have been staples in our own home for years.

I want you to feel confident about what you're using, which is why transparency and education have always been important parts of what I do.

Beyond the products themselves, I love sharing what I've learned about herbalism, formulation, gardening, food preservation, animal husbandry, and the many practical skills that help families become a little more capable and self-reliant.

I certainly don't have it all figured out. I'm still learning, experimenting, and finding better ways to do things, and I hope I always will be.

At its heart, Handmade by Bumble is about sharing useful, thoughtfully made products and practical knowledge with families who value many of the same things we do.

I'm grateful you're here, and I hope you find something worth bringing into your own home.

With love, from our home to yours,

Emily (Bumble)