Sage Hen Homestead

To our amazing fans and customers:

You might have noticed that things are a little bit quiet around here.

Several months ago, we took candles off our Etsy shop. At that time it was just to give us time to prepare for our honeybee hive installs.

What we realized is that by doing so, we were giving time back to our family and friends. We were investing in memories instead of the grind of small business ownership.

Because it had become a grind. The cost of owning a business – especially one that relies on any supply costs – has risen astronomically since we first started seven years ago. More work didn’t mean we were earning more.

More work meant more distraction from the things that matter most to us. Such as watching our kids participate in sports and school activities or enjoying the Christmas season with our whole hearts.

I am not one to say never, but it’s possible that candles won’t return to our shop. At the very least, this season they will not. I know this will be disappointing for many of you, but there are so many small businesses out there that need you right now, too.

For now, our Etsy shop will be open for orders of bee photo prints, stationary and other goodies and our social media – even if random and infrequent – will keep you posted on any raw honey offerings we have in the future.

We send our love,
The Sage Hen Family

Yesterday was World Bee Day but we always love having them around! Utilize your garden to aid bee conservation with these helpful tips:

🐝 Flower Color: Opt for white, blue, and violet flowers to attract honey bees, as they are less drawn to red blooms due to color perception.

🐝 Flower Shape: Consider the length of a bee's tongue when selecting blooms. Honey bees, with their medium-length tongues, can access a variety of flower shapes, while bees with shorter tongues prefer plants like sunflowers and daisies with easily reachable nectar.

🐝 Group Plantings: Simplify foraging by planting the same species of plants in large clusters or smaller groupings within close proximity, as bees find it challenging to visit multiple plant species in a day.

🐝 Successive Blooming: Ensure a continuous supply of blooms throughout the year to support honey bee foraging, especially during periods like brood rearing from February to late October.

🐝 Provide Water: Set up water sources like fountains or drip hoses for bees to hydrate and perform hive tasks.

🐝 Build Native Pollinator Homes: Construct shelters for bees and wasps using natural materials, positioning them strategically and providing the right conditions for their inhabitants.

🐝 Embrace Native Plants: Opt for native plant species to support local bee populations and other essential pollinators, contributing to a thriving ecosystem.

Learn more: https://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/resources/pollinators.html

Today we celebrate the bees we love! Also, all of our bee-inspired items are on sale through tomorrow. ‘Bee’ sure to stop by our Etsy shop for prints, stationery and jigsaw puzzles!