New e-commerce site coming soon, main candle tank just failed & was replaced, busy making candles for this year, New cinnamon tapers & container candles will be available soon!

The past two months have been very busy for us. Along with normal new year record keeping details we have been working on our new e-commerce website. In the past we have used a service called "Bigstep" which handles our "E-Commerce Store".

We are moving to a new program that is installed one our own server called "Quikstore." It will allow us a lot more flexibility. Some of the main things I like about it are:

More accurate shipping rates - It will actually go to the USPS & UPS sites to automatically figure the charges.

A search engine that you can enter candle info into.

New Items - more cinnamon & bayberry candles.

Since I can manipulate the pages, I can make any detailed changes that I like rather than be contrained to only what was available on the old program.

We will also be adding some new cinnamon and bayberry products. We hope to have the new store up and running by next month!

 

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4 new stainless steel tanks - for different grades of beeswax	The tanks fit in a 55 gallon barrel in a hot water bath.

 

We just had to replace our main candle dipping tank. The centerpiece of our candle dipping equipment is a stainless steel wax tank. It is divided into 4 separate tanks that fit inside a 55 gallon barrel filled with water kept at 175 degrees. The tanks are 24 inches deep and hold more than 100 lbs of beeswax.

	Bulk wax is put into one of the compartments to melt. There is water in the bottom of this tank to help clean the wax. Two other compartments have wax that has been strained from the bulk wax compartment. We do not filter our wax, just strain it through cheesecloth type material to clean it.
	Candles frames are being dipped into one of the tanks - this is our normal candle dipping procedure. The last tank is filled with water and used to melt wax off of candle frames that will be re-used or to clean other tools.

 

For the past 20 years we have been making hand dipped beeswax candles in these tanks. We make them in many different sizes and put them in most of the gift boxes that we have sold. We have made the 9 1/2 inch size many years before the economical 6 inch or the 12 inch deluxe version were added.

Beeswax candles are started by stringing a frame with candle wicking. Each frame starts by holding 6 pairs of candles. The frames are dipped into 175 degrees beeswax, cooled, and then the procedure is repeated. After the candle is about 1/2 size, the frame is split apart into two frames. The dipping procedure is continued until the candle is finished.

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We have had questions about the "burn" time of our candles. It is difficult to get a real accurate burn time and we do not like to give out misleading information. There are lots of variables that influence how long a candle will last such as: the size of the wick, drafts, the weight of the candle and if the candle is burned all at one time or not. If you want to compare our pillars to beeswax pillars at other sites you should look at the size or wax weight.

Many of our candles are even more decorative in nature and most people will not burn them at all (Nativity Figurines, etc.)

 

March at the Honey Farm, Checking colonies, Package Bees and Breeder Queens ordered for spring, March Honey Recipe!

 

I have just started checking our honeybee colonies, we were delayed because of heavy snow this year. We have found varying amounts of winter die-off but not as severe as last winter. Many of our colonies are very strong and are running out of food (honey) and we will have to feed them.  Pictures of how we emergency feed the honeybees if necessary.

 

Colonies wrapped during the winter	This is the honeybee cluster we are checking	A closer look.

The above colony may not need feeding - I check by visually looking for frames of honey and by tipping the hive to see how heavy it is. The white stuff you see is a grease/sugar/wintergreen medication for mites.

Many people ask me if the honeybees "hibernate" in the winter.
THEY DO NOT!  
The bees will create a "cluster" inside the hive and keep warm with their body heat by consuming honey. The air on the outside of the cluster may be very cold but in the center it may be 80 degrees or more. On warm days this time of the year they may venture out of the hive, if it is cold, they stay inside (just like people).

 

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We have just ordered some (20) replacement package bees to replace some of the colonies lost over winter. They will arrive in early April and be shipped in a shoe box size screened cage with 3 lbs of honeybees and a queen in them. Click here for pictures of what we did with them last year ........

We also ordered 2 breeder queens from Glenn Apiaries in California. These are special SMR mite resistant queens (1 Russian & 1 Carniolan) that we will use to raise new queens for the splits (new colonies) that we will make in May. This is another way to replace losses and also to improve the genetic quality of our colonies.

 

Honey, Have You Considered Yoga?

from www.honey.com

Life has become increasingly more rushed and stressful. Why not dedicate this as the month you start doing nice things for yourself. Go ahead and lower those anxiety levels. Relax those muscles. Let some of your worries float away! Have you thought about yoga? Millions have! In fact, according to U.S. News & World Report, there are now an estimated 18 million U.S. practitioners, up from 6 million in 1994. Yoga is a terrific way to relax and rejuvenate from daily stressors, as well as being great exercise. Yoga also provides strength, flexibility and general well being.

Honey is the perfect pre-Yoga energy source that will keep your blood sugar levels stable throughout your workout, so you can stay focused and energized. In combination with protein, honey is extremely effective in promoting muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration when eaten after exercise. Honey provides a balance of carbohydrates with several essential vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium and zinc. Not only can you use Yoga to recover from the daily effects of our fast-paced world, but you can also indulge in a variety of home spa treatments that incorporate honey and other natural ingredients. Using honey in beauty treatments has been popular for thousands of years going back to the days of Cleopatra. Honey’s natural ability to draw in and retain moisture make it perfect for keeping skin soft and supple, especially during winter when the cold and wind can sap skin of essential moisture. Honey contains antioxidants and alpha-hydroxy acids that protect skin and hair from the damaging effects of the sun. Honey also provides exfoliating benefits. You might say that honey is like yoga for the skin. So, add some inner peace to your busy day by taking a break for yoga and by eating a revitalizing honey snack. Furthermore, take your spa experience to the next level and incorporate some deliciously healthy honey treatments. Nourish your body inside and out with these quick and easy recipes. Honey nourishment for the body Sweet Fruit Smoothie Balanced Chi Energy Bars Busy Bee Bran Muffins Honey nourishment for the skin Honey Cleansing Scrub Rosemary Honey Hair Conditioner Honey Kissed Lip Balm

Feb/March Honey Recipe - from Honey.com

 

Busy Bee Bran Muffins
- Makes 16 muffins -

3 eggs
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup honey
3-1/2 cups 100% bran cereal
1-1/2 cups milk
2-1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 teaspoons baking soda

In small bowl, blend together eggs, oil and honey. In large mixing bowl, combine bran with milk and let stand 5 minutes. Add egg mixture to cereal and blend lightly. Mix in flour, cinnamon and soda. Spoon into paper-lined or greased muffin pan cups. Bake at 350°F 25 to 30 minutes.

Tips
If desired, 1/2 cup seedless raisins or your favorite chopped dried fruit may be stirred into batter.

Do you have a great honey recipe - please and we will put it in our newsletter.

Candle W*nner & Laugh of the Month

Congratulations!

February candle winner: iluvbuks@aol.com
March candle winner: catherinehilker@aol.com


Will this months w*nner,
iluvbuks@aol.com & catherinehilker@aol.com
please contact us and so that I can ship your candles.

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Our list of previous candle w*nners.

 

Click below for something silly to end this newsletter with.

See You Next Month!

Honeyflow Farm
4939 Mill Rd.    PO Box 275
Dryden, Michigan 48428
(810) 796-2344 (Phone & Fax)

Comments or questions concerning Honeyflow Farm
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