Finding an empty paper wasp hive is something I welcome in the winter. The hives that I generally discover have already been exposed either by an animal or weather. The craftsmanship is rather stunning how they can create such a masterpiece out of weathered wood, sourced from old fences or porches. They chew this wood fiber into a paste-like pulp mixed with their saliva. Then, the wasp form this pulp into hexagon-shaped paper cells and an outer shell. These little pollinators certainly are talented.
I have been fortunate to find a few this season although the one I tried to get to today I couldn’t, too much snow. I will retrieve when there is a little less.
I am working on a piece now that includes a drawing with a piece of hive incorporated into it. I will share it once it is complete. Below is a few pieces of hive art from the internet.
Click the link above to download the Bee Hive Paper above. This is great for any craft project like decoupage, pillows or journaling.
Have a wonderful week!
Much love,
Lisa
LISMORE PAPER 
Love this post! Until you, I’ve never thought of wasps as paper makers! I totally love bee motifs and collect abandoned wasp nests too! Tucked into a wreath or next to a potted plant with a few other oddities I find them beautiful! Thank you Lisa for a thought provoking piece!
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Thank you! They are so beautiful arent they. Such a little treasure to find 💗
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Yes! Xxx
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Hi dear
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We had a wasps nest in the wave of our shed last summer. They didn’t bother us at all, so we left them be. It was fascinating watching them construct it. When they left, we took it down. Amazing how intricate it was inside. Great idea for a design.
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I can imagine that was fun to watch them construct the hive. Brilliant little crafters they are. The hives make such beautiful art.
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Very creative use of hexagon-shaped paper cells, Lisa!
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Thank you! 💗
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I always though the wasps are doing such an amazing job with their hives 😉 And you do the same Lisa 😉
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They are such workers 💗 Thank you!
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We humans could save lots of money if we could learn the bee’s craft. You’ve introduced me to give art. I’ve never seen it before now. Love the paper. Hugs to you. God’s grip – Alan
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Hive art is so fun and really showcases the fine craftmanship of nature full circle. Thank you Alan! Many blessings and big hugs from MI!
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That was supposed to be “hive art” in my reply. Arg!
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Wow very creative and you have done an awesome work, Lisa. Too good.
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Thank you! 🌻💗
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Welcome 😊😊
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So creative! Thank you for sharing x
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Thank you 💗
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Thank you Lisa. My kind of paper! I have never found a wasps nest in recent years, but I had a stinging experience as a child.
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Just love these critters 🌻 Ooh those kind of stinging experiences keep you at a safe distance. Thankfully winter provides a layer of protection 😊
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I love the bee hive paper Lisa. I am very wary of wasps, oddly really because I have never been stung by one. They love our cedar garden swing and have been chewing the surface for 25 years without making much impression!
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Thank you! Isnt that incredible, they must like you 😊 They are lovely little creatures when they are not mad.
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The only sting I have had was from a bumblebee that fell from a tree right down inside the back of my shirt and panicked from being trapped and me dancing around like a loon trying to get it out. I felt bad about it for days. Poor bee.
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Beautiful hive art! Thanks for sharing this.
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Thank you 💗
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Nature is incredible isn’t it. And the way you translate and re-create her beauty is such a gift.
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I agree! Thank you, Miriam!
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Love this !
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thank you!!
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My husband’s bucket list includes finding and preserving a hornet nest. The big round kind that hangs in trees.
Love the graphic!
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Ooh that would be amazing to find and preserve one of those. I hope he finds one 💗 Thank you!!
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Years ago, on a farm l used to rent outbuildings from. They have an earthen wasp nest, they had to gas the nest, but afterwards they filled in with a form of expanding foam and once this had set, they dug out the nest – not realising that it woulkd be as large as it was – they discovered the same principal of hive making.
Great post.
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You always design such beautiful things. I love the details in nature, always fun walking around and seeing how little critters design their homes. I love all the little cave like structures that wasps make.
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This is great! Love that you have this Blog and promote knowledge about our little amazing bees! I’ve been a bee advocate and protector for many years and was called the Bee Man by certain local government employees for my incessant advocacy for them when nobody else was doing anything in this area to consider the needs of the great pollinators. Too often people turn a blind eye to things they don’t understand or feel it doesn’t have any immediate effect on them in this instant gratification world we’ve created. Keep up the great art and your indirect or direct positive influence on the many things that matter but need a voice. This is all very interesting what you do!
God Bless.
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You are so amazing! That is beautiful!
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I have never considered doing anything with a hornet nest. Very creative, thanks for the ideas.
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