Happy Spring Hive
That first busy day of Spring is always a joy. This big hive is cleaning house and getting ready to find some nectar. The maples ought to be looking tasty right about now. What a beautiful week of 50’s, 60’s and sunshine. 😊
Hints of Spring… Hope & Sorrow
Today was 44F, which for February in Vermont is quite warm. I was able to peek at some hives I’d previously only been able to listen to. I was also able to clean out the dead bees that fall to the bottom of the hives and can block the bottom…
The Worst of Winter
We’re finally having a normal snow-year here in the Green Mountains of Vermont, and more of a usual blast of cold air. This week, the low temperatures will be down to -8 F, and the bees will have to cluster tight. I gave them all a knock to check in,…
Secrets of Meadmaking
Pro tip for cold climates & mead brewing. Mead likes to ferment at 70-78F. In my experience, cold temps can extend the primary ferment by 3-4 months. When it’s well below zero here in the Green Mountains, I let the wood stove stoke overnight and the house can get down…
Mead Brewing Video on Patreon
So what does a myth-making, metalsmithing, beekeeping kind of guy do with all that honey? That’s right, he brews mead. Join me at http://www.patreon.com/jarthurloose for as little as $3 a month for the full video as well as previews from the Saga of Sigewif, and more. You can help support…
Yes, Still Making Damascus Rings
I’ve have had a few inquiries lately, and yes, I am still making the stainless damascus rings. I do, however, expect another very subdued wedding band season as we head into 2021, so I am also working on the Saga of Sigewif and putting more time and energy into multi-media…
Recording Sigewif
So. An experiment in posting via my iPad whilst cooking stainless billets in the forge… LOL. They must be held at high temp for quite some while with little to do but watch, and keep things smooth and even before the Big Squish. Voila! I think this will work. How…
Saga of Sigewif
I have kept bees for well over a decade now. They are magical and more interesting than I ever thought they would be. I had a dream one late Winter about being a bee and flying low over the snow, looking for little purple flowers. I did not know at…
New Website Is Live…
It’s been 20 years of handwriting HTML… so this should make some things easier, like using my site on a mobile. Check out my social media on the right… errr, or on the bottom if you’re on a phone, as I diversify my presence… give the Patreon a try! There’s…
Alas, Poor website.
I knew it well. I wrote it by hand. I upgraded from HTML 2 to now. I will be switching to WordPress for you cursed mobile users and your small screens, and for maybe better SEO. Bear with me as I learn.