Oh, hello there.
Welcome to Oh, Honey!
This website, blog and future podcast have been a labor of love for some time. At first it was a tiny kernel of an idea, kind of like the rice-shaped micro egg that the queen bee lays in each comb cell. After a while it started to grow and morph into the idea for a bee-related product store. I’ll admit that the store is here to help me raise money to save more bees and make more honey. I’ll also admit that I’d love to bring more people into the world of bees.
Why bees?
After a career sitting at a desk and searching for the answers to life’s mysteries, I started beekeeping almost on accident. Ok, it really was on accident. (Not the best way to go about it. Don’t try it at home without first taking a class or reading a book.) First begun as a hobby to offer a mental break from a rather unpleasant time in my life, I quickly realized that beekeeping gave me an opportunity to connect with my inner Taurus goddess, meditate and reflect on my purpose more than any other retreat, therapy session or yoga class. Turns out that the lessons learned beekeeping can translate to a more meaningful life: Patience, problem solving, slowing down, appreciating the small wonder of a colony, watching how bees work together for the greater good… and so on.
I am still very much the “newbee.” There are much, much, much more knowledgable beeks than I so I shall continue to learn all I can.Along the way I’ve “made every mistake one can make beekeeping” and admit that I will probably make (a lot) more. I’m pleased to have this platform to share my story with other ‘keepers and honey fans.
One thing I’ve learned from the bees is to let go and let the bees lead the way. They’ve been doing this for millions of years (150 or so, give or take) so they know what they are doing.
Pod-what?
Yes, I’m working on a podcast for 2019. Topics to include Getting Official with the FDA, Swarm Life, Cops & Robber Bees, Why Does Honey Crystalize, The Queen is Dead/Long Live the Queen, and more. I plan to have guest beeks during the series so if you’re interested in podcasting with me, shoot me a line. A dear friend of mine is strongly recommending that we have reoccurring guest bees from the hive, which she will gladly speak for. There will probably be wine involved as well.
Join the Oh, Honey! Bee Hive
Ever since I started sharing my story of beekeeping, I’ve met people who have either wanted to be a beekeeper or wanted to support backyard beekeepers. My dream for Oh, Honey! Urban Apiary is that we grow to a collective of beekeepers, working together to protect and promote pollinators in Colorado.
The start-up cost of becoming a beekeeper can be misleading. The learning curve is high. The reward is sweet. Future plans for Oh, Honey will include the opportunity to rent a hive and join the collective. I’ll (or another beek) install a hive on your property, perform regular maintenance checks throughout the year, collect and process the honey and give you a percentage of the harvest.
For current backyard beekeepers, one aspect of beekeeping that can be both rewarding and challenging is harvest and selling honey. The Oh, Honey! collective can help with that too. I’m working on a commercial kitchen space for the 2019 harvest season as well as approval through the Colorado Dept. of Health and FDA. Stay tuned for more developments as we move into the new year!
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