Candle Give-away - Bee Vlog - Dec 14, 2014

Thanks to everyone who participated and shared their favorite Christmas/family tradition. I had a great time reading them. I hope you did too. Now it's time to draw names to see who gets a candle...


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Candle Shrinkage Trick - Bee Vlog - Dec 9, 2014

If you're making large candles you will experience shrinkage as the wax cools. There's an easy trick to fixing it without making a mess or a blobby bottom.


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Beeswax Candles - Bee Vlog - Dec 6, 2014

Making 100% beeswax candles from the wax harvested this year.

As a thank you to all my viewers for their part in making this a very fun year and helping the channel grow I'm giving away candles to 3 lucky people. I've also got a few extra candles available for sale at a discount in my shop. See video for details.



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Homemade Deodorant - Bee Vlog - Mar 28, 2014

I've been using this deodorant for several months and I love it. No strange chemicals, easy to make, I can customize the scent, and it actually works.

Recipe originally from:
http://www.thepolivkafamily.com/2013/03/homemade-deodorant/



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My recipe alterations and notes:
3 TBSP coconut oil (45g)
2 TBSP beeswax (15g)
2 TBSP baking soda
2 TBSP arrowroot
1/4 tsp 100% Vitamin E oil
1/4 tsp patchouli
1/8 - 1/4 tsp pine needle
5 drops cedarwood

Melting Down Brood Comb - Bee Vlog - Mar 10, 2014

It takes a bit of time and some sacrificial equipment, but melting bees wax isn't difficult.

I just set up a Facebook page. I'm trying to get the minimum required 25 "Likes" to qualify for a custom URL. So if you use Facebook please visit and "Like" my page.

You can also follow me on Twitter or Google+.



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What makes the comb black? - Bee Vlog - Mar 1, 2014

Fresh wax is white or cream colored. As it ages it darkens due to other products the bees apply to it, such as propolis. But the thing that makes it appear almost black is the thin casings left behind after the adult bee emerges from the cell. Each generation leaves a thin layer behind that darkens over time and use.



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Bee Vlog - September 7, 2013

I've melted wax over the kitchen stove a couple times and the family (and myself) complain about the smell. Sure, beeswax smells good, but when you're melting old brood comb, the old cocoons can really give off a funky smell when they boil. So I recommend doing it outdoors. Or even better...in a solar oven.

The solar wax melter is completed and I finally had a day of sunshine when I had the time to test it out. The oil filter cone didn't work out as I hoped. I think it was just taking too long to get up to temperature. I also had to move the oven a couple times to chase the sunshine. But once I work out all the kinks I think it will simplify the process of melting and filtering wax. And keep the house from getting stinky.


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