With its pastel earrings, woodland-themed accessories, and shelves full of colorful handmade creations, To Bee is more than just Occoquan’s new gift shop — it’s a deeply personal tribute to love, loss, and artistic resilience.
Owned and operated by artist Thalia Wyatt, To Bee officially opened in May after a whirlwind journey that began with a chance sighting of a vacant storefront last fall. The charming two-room space on Mill Street now houses both her shop and a working clay studio.
“I walked past this old jewelry shop last August and it just felt like it had my name written all over it,” Wyatt said. “It was full of cobwebs, but the bones were perfect. When I found out the rent was doable, I jumped in with both feet. I signed the lease in September, moved in December, and opened in May!”
Wyatt’s handmade earrings, clay figurines, and seasonal gifts already have a growing fan base from her years selling at local farmers markets. Though she now runs the brick-and-mortar store full time — with help from one part-time employee — she still sets up shop on Saturdays at the markets where To Bee first took root.
That dream has been shaped by Wyatt’s early love of art, sparked by watching her father sketch as a child, and deepened by personal tragedy. In 2020, Wyatt lost her boyfriend, Braden, the father of her son Theo. In the grief that followed, she made earrings inspired by a shirt Braden had given her with the message “Be a Nice Human.” Wyatt posted the earrings on TikTok, and the video went viral. She said she was making and selling out of the earrings for months before she burnt out. She pivoted to polymer clay and began visiting farmers markets. “I love the farmers market! It’s how all of this started,” she said.
Wyatt said. “When it was time to name my business I wanted to dedicate it to him so ‘To Bee’ came along. The store is to Braden.”
Wyatt’s designs have evolved over the years, but her aesthetic remains playful and imaginative with fairytale vibes, bright colors, and an appreciation for the tiny, joyful details of everyday life.
“I think my pieces have a whimsical element,” she said. “I take inspiration from fairy worlds, tiny things, woodland themes — anything colorful and happy.”
That sense of joy will soon extend to others through hands-on experiences. Starting in June, To Bee will begin offering clay classes in the back studio — something Wyatt says she hasn’t seen done locally and is excited to pioneer.
Though most of the store’s current inventory features Wyatt’s own work, she also showcases a small selection of local vendors she’s met at markets. Over time, she hopes to transition entirely to locally sourced, women-owned brands.
The support of her family — especially her parents, both small business owners — has been key in launching the store. Wyatt said they helped her navigate the ins and outs of running a brick and mortar store, adding, “I couldn’t have done this without them.”
So far, the community response has been overwhelmingly positive. Visitors frequently comment on the shop’s cozy aesthetic, even when they’re just browsing.
“As an artist, verbal praise is as valuable as money,” Wyatt said. “Even when someone just walks in and says, ‘This place is adorable,’ it keeps me going.”
For Wyatt, the story of To Bee is one of finding beauty in the mess, taking risks with heart, and crafting a life — and a business — rooted in kindness.
To Bee is located at 308 Poplar Alley, Unit E in Occoquan. She also regularly attends the Historic Manassas Farmers Market Saturdays in April-November.
