Busy as a bee, Simone Scarpace has been making jam with hand-picked Michigan fruit for over 30 years and decided to put it to market in 2008.

“Wee do have fun with the business,” she says of their family enterprise in Bear Lake called Wee Bee Jammin’. “Wee have passion for what we do,” she quips. Simone and her husband Ken enjoy traveling while making jam deliveries to their customers throughout the state, including annual trips to the U.P to pick thimbleberries, blueberries and other wild varieties that grace Michigan’s northern woods.

“Wee enjoy the people connection,” she explains about why they hand-deliver about 80 percent of their jams. “We have met a lot of great people throughout our ‘jam journey,’ believing that we are delivering the best jam there is on the market.”

From the idea to licensing, finding a kitchen, and inspection, getting our business started took about a year, Simone explains. In December 2011 they moved into their own production facility, where they will soon add a small storefront that carries their jam, along with honey and other Michigan foods, such as chocolate covered cherries, and jewelry, pottery, cards and artwork.

“We make all of our products,” Simone says, and all their jams are handcrafted in small batches. When they needed a mild honey for use in one of their jam recipes, daughter Sarah studied to be a beekeeper and created a spin-off company from Wee Bee Jammin’ so they could have their own supplier. Another daughter, Stefanie, a chef, helps make their products, and son K.J. helps with everything from picking berries to loading products.

By using only Michigan fruit in their low-sugar recipes, Simone says consumers are getting a high-quality jam made with pure, simple ingredients. The jams have catchy names like “Blueberry Bog” and “Saskatoon,” but their hands-down bestseller is called “Toe Jam,” which is made with strawberries, cherries and chunks of apples and peaches that remind them of big toes.

Deliveries are made to over 70 Michigan retailers, and cities such as Atlanta, Chicago and New York City. They have an internet store at weebeejammin.com and etsy.com.

The Scarpaces also buy fruit from Michigan farmers, including raspberries from Erwin’s Orchards (South Lyon), and saskatoons and blackberries from Putney Farms (Benzonia).

Saskatoons are new to Michigan, and Simone believes Wee Bee Jammin’ is the first Midwestern company to make saskatoon jam. “We have worked closely with those responsible for bringing this superfruit to Michigan,” she adds. “They are high in fiber and antioxidants and are grown on specialty farms in northern Michigan.”

“Wee take pride in what we do, and listen to our customers. It’s hard work, but it’s worth every minute,” Simone adds. “What wee need is more time. Wee are Beesy!”