Barkticles - Be Good to Bees!

Just posted an entry on my Cherish blog to help bees. Check it out at the following link.

http://cherishthenovel.blogspot.com/2014/05/barkticles-be-good-to-bees.html

Friday Faves - Bees Buzzin'

It's all about the bees and the birds this week on Friday Faves!

Jewel Akens - The Birds and The Bees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umyl-wWRkJ4

Now, let's go shopping!

Mythological Goddess Art
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyBalivet
Bee Woman in her hive art card. by Emily Balivet.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/153272335/bee-goddess-art-deco-pagan-honey-queen

Begent Design
https://www.etsy.com/shop/begent
Bee Man and his sacred geometry.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/161293275/alchemy-bee-honeycomb-hand-painted

3 Divas Studio
https://www.etsy.com/shop/3DivasStudio
A pretty necklace for his Queen Bee.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/163456468/crochet-necklace-queen-bee-boho-chic

Lavender Cottage
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LavenderCottage
And a pretty ring to seal the deal.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/128596075/bee-ring-gemstone-sterling-silver

Stay tuned for more springtime hits for the upcoming Friday Faves at No Stranger Here and Music Monday on Cherish. What I Believe Wednesday will be here again, also at No Stranger Here.

Until then, have a great weekend everyone and take care out there!

Friday Faves 22 - Bee Keeping

This is week 22 of my Etsy Shop Friday Faves. It's been a lot of fun and, despite a raging infection that I've been dealing with over this past week, I am here today with bells on!

Okay, it's not really bells, but don't you think those old-fashioned bee hives look like bells?

This week's Friday Faves are as sweet as bee's bread, which is bee pollen for those who are not familiar with the particulars of all things Bee.

Now, I don't claim to be anywhere near an expert on the subject of bees and bee keeping, but I love the products that come from bees: honey, wax, honeycomb, royal jelly, propolis and, of course, as previously mentioned, bee pollen.

All healthful and so very pleasant!

And, of course before we bee-gin, let's start out with a little mood music by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (of course you guessed it) Flight of the Bumblebee.

Okay, so you got me there. It's not about a honeybee, but I think it will do for our purposes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QV1RGMLUKE

Now, let's go shopping!

Bee Keeping Shop Number 1
Shop name:Tough Timbers
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TOUGHTIMBERS?ref=seller_info

This first shop has a few items designed for bee keeping, but I chose the Queen Cell Bar Frame, because where would a bee hive be without their queen? It's a sturdy-looking piece and lovely workmanship.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67894312/beekeeping-queen-cell-bar-frame-with

Bee Keeping Shop Number 2
Shop name: Matchstick Handmade
http://www.etsy.com/shop/matchstickhandmade?ref=seller_info

For the candle-making, face and body care product making readers Matchstick Handmade can provide you with bee's wax for your various projects. But if you're not into creating your own, then just check around this shop and I'm sure you'll find a product or two of your liking with the healthful properties of bee's wax.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51141163/pure-local-beeswax-1-oz-bar

Bee Keeping Shop Number 3
Shop name: Angela's Studio 1
http://www.etsy.com/shop/angelastudio1?ref=seller_info

And for a little fun and whimsy while we're enjoying all things Bee, why not take a look at this cute as a bee Drop of Honey Bee Necklace created by this lovely artist.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75996571/drop-of-honey-bee-necklace

Bee Keeping Shop Number 4
Shop name: Pixxxie Pie and Posie
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pixxxiepieandposie?ref=seller_info

Now we'll take a walk on the wild side when we enter this next shop. A little "Green Fairy" honey could go a long way to soothing one's nerves at the end of as tough day. And you know what they say: Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder. But if wormwood, which is one of the ingredients in this delightful honey, makes you nervous, then simply ask and the proprietor will be happy to leave it out of your order.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71505492/absinthe-honey-infused-gourmet-honey

Bee Keeping Shop Number 5
Shop name: Wood Working Pro
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodWorkingPro?ref=seller_info

Here we have something to help encourage Mason Bees to come stay in your yard. It's even shaped like a natural bee hive, though Mason Bees don't build hives. Well, come see for yourself! It's quite unique and would make a lovely addition to your yard. And right now Wood Working Pro has a special on shipping!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/37768977/bee-hive-shaped-bee-house

Well, that's our Friday Faves for this week. I hope you enjoyed the shops as much as I did. Do you have any bee stories that you'd like to share? Well, pop on down to the comments and let's read all about it!

See you next week when we're going to do a little Hiking, Camping and Backpacking.

Have a great weekend everyone and take care out there!

Friday Faves 21 - Books, Journals and Writing Implements

Reading, writing and, well, not arithmetic! Not this week anyway. No, this week's Friday Faves is all about something I adore -- books, journals, pens and pencils. I have probably sent someone's kid to college with all of the paper, journals, pens, pencils and books that I have purchased through the years.

Hey, I can't help it -- I'm a writing junkie! I walk into an office supplies place or a bookstore and usually the first place I go is either the music section or whichever area carries all of those wonderful things that I can use to write on and with.

But I'm here to tell you that it's not just the big corporate stores who carry lots of writing goodies -- you can get some wonderful, nay, exquisite items of this nature on Etsy!

But before we begin our weekly Etsy shop browse, let's listen to a great old Beatle's hit called Paperback Writer (Psst! You can find those on Etsy too!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=634BCKHyvhM

Now, let's go shopping!

Reading and Writing Shop Number 1
Shop name: Gaëlle's Gallery

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaellesGallery?ref=seller_info

When I was searching for one of a kind stories on Etsy I happened upon this one that was both enchanting and understandable in any language. The artwork is very original and inspiring. It would be a worthy addition to anyone's library. Heartwarming!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52994098/begegnung-a-story-original-silkscreened

Reading and Writing Shop Number 2
Shop name: GILD Book Binders

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GILDBookbinders?ref=seller_info

From this second shop comes something that is also a true one of a kind item. It is simply a stunning piece of workmanship. It was truly hard to find my favorite, because they are all so beautiful, so I went with The Book of Secrets with the teal cover. So gorgeous!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77979709/colorful-book-of-secrets-leather-journal

Reading and Writing Shop Number 3
Shop name: Bowls and Boxes and More

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BowlsandBoxes?ref=seller_info

This craftsman created a pen and pencil set made from mesquite, but can also create a set to your liking out of other exotic woods that he has on hand. The mesquite pen and pencil set is quite elegant and they look like they would feel really nice in the hand.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/21093288/mesquite-pen-and-pencil-set

Reading and Writing Shop Number 4
Shop name: Angel Hill

http://www.etsy.com/shop/angelhill?ref=seller_info

And, we'll need something to put our pens and pencils and other stuff in when we take our reading and writing on the road. So, when I saw this little cutie, well, I just couldn't pass it up! I bought one for myself. But you better hurry if you want one, too! She only has a few of these on hand.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74522501/cute-terrier-zipper-pencil-case

Reading and Writing Shop Number 5
Shop name: Sunrise Woodwork

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunriseWoodwork?ref=seller_info

Maybe your main writing implement is a computer -- I certainly use mine often enough myself. This computer monitor/printer/desk organizer is not only beautifully crafted, but a lovely addition to any writer's desk.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51725512/2-drawer-printer-and-monitor-stand

Well, we've finished our weekly Etsy shop hopping for this week, but be sure to stop back by next Friday (or any day of the week, because I try to update my content as often as possible) when our Friday Faves theme will be -- Bee Keeping!

I love bees and honey and bee's wax and royal jelly and all of the other wonderful things that bees produce and all of the wonderful things that bees do for our environment.

Until then, if you have any comments or questions about this week's Friday Faves, please feel free to leave your comments below.

Do you have a favorite pen or pencil for your writing or do you do your writing "old school" with a manual typewriter? I did for many years before joining in on all of the fun online.

Have a great weekend everyone and take care out there!

Another Great Link --

http://www.backwardsbeekeepers.com/

These folks are trying to get beekeeping legalized in L.A. They also use more traditional beekeeping methods, which translates to healthier bees.