Who wants a Money-making Hobby?
By barehugs
@barehugs (8973)
Canada
February 28, 2008 2:25pm CST
Yes! a hobby is supposed to be a chance to relax after work, but many Hobbies grow up and become your work. This is what happened to me. I'm a Farmer who was looking for a Money-making Hobby to supplement my farming income. I started my Hobby with 40 colonies of Honey bees, and I didn't know any more about keeping bees than you do right now. I'm not suggesting you start with 40 colonies. Two hives of bees make a nice beginning hobby. A big back yard is all you need. Just set them up in the spring and watch them gather honey all summer. You will need some protective clothing and its a good idea to know someone with a similar interest, because there is quite a lot to learn. I'm no genius and I had 500 colonies at one time. I've done no other type of Farming for the last 20 years. There is a serious shortage of pollinators in North America right now, so its a good time to begin your Hobby. "Bee Sweet, Honey!"
4 people like this
12 responses
@superjockh (237)
• United States
29 Feb 08
A week ago I watched on television about why there was a shortage of bees pollination. To the best of my understanding, cell phone towers intercepted with the activities of bees causing them to be a shortage of them actually pollinating. I can also see owning a few colonies of bees as a hobby. Bees are interesting creatures, if studied closely. I would like to own a few colonies to see how that works for out for me before owning more of them as soon as possible.
-Feel Free to Disagree!
2 people like this
@superjockh (237)
• United States
29 Feb 08
To follow up about the discussion about the shortage of bees due to electromagnetic radiation caused by technological gadgets including cell phone towers:
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2007/03/06/millions_of_bees_die_are_electromagnetic_signals_to_blame.htm
1 person likes this
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I don't see bee keeping as my cup of teas, but I'm glad it is working for you and making you some money. I'm more of the arts & crafts type of person. I have thought of making money on the side doing it, but finding the time is the problem.
2 people like this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
29 Feb 08
Yes Beekeeping is an Art too! There's definitely an art to it. A bit of practise and you have it. You can craft candles from the beeswax. We have made our own, but now we have an artsy person craft the candles from our own wax. Beeswax has medicinal properties as well. We make a Healing Cream using beeswax and honey.
Now that's artsy and crafty!
1 person likes this
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
29 Feb 08
Nice "pun" barehugs, "Bee Sweet, Honey!" Good for you for trying something a little different and with good results. I must say I have a fear about bees, not sure why as cannot remember ever being stung by one! There is a place not far from us that have Bees and they sell their honey to a lot of the little shops around our township. Good luck with your new hobby!
2 people like this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
28 Feb 08
I can't keep bees being in the city right now. Back east, even though we lived in the city, every spring we'd be on the lookout for the honey bees and were always pleased to see them. The honey bee shortage due to the mites were scary a few years back. What do you attribute their dying off to now? I would hope anyone with an interest in the outlying areas would be encouraged to take this hobby up...maybe you can generate some interest here?
2 people like this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
29 Feb 08
You would be surprised at the number of honeybee colonies in the city. Some Large older houses have a third floor with windows. The beekeeper takes the windows out in the summer and the bees fly in and out quite Happily. Nobody in the area has any idea there are colonies of bees living in the proximity.
1 person likes this
@cydzzj (354)
• Australia
29 Feb 08
I think if a hobby can also make money. It will be really good for myself. But at frist I should make sure it's really my hobby which isn't just a money maker. Otherwise I can not insist on it. Because it become a job, not my hobby.
I spend so much time on stick with computer. So if it can make money for me. It will be great!:-)
1 person likes this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
29 Feb 08
LOL, I live in a high rise and don't think I could keep bees on my balcony. Seriously, though I think it must be a satisfying hobby. I imagine taking out the combs in the fall all dripping with aromatic fresh honey. Hmmm so good. I go to a cottage up north with some relatives. There is this older man who retired in the country. He keeps bees as a hobby and sells the honey. We always stock up. He sells a 1 kilo jar (about 2 lbs) for $ 4.50 would you believe? and if you bring back the same jars the next time he gives you .50 off. The honey is pure, not cut with sugar water as some commercial honeys. The first honey is light, pale and very fragrant, the honey in the fall is darker and thicker and stronger. I love them both. Can't wait to get some of last year's crop when we go up in March. And yes, you are right, he is not getting rich, but enjoys what he is doing.
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I have a g/f and her husband at the time was a bee keeper.I worked for them during the heavy season, when the bees were i supposs polinating..My friend has since been divorced her husband...All that i remember about the bees was that he really loved his hobby,he was always working with the bees,and my friend hated those bees..I have no earthy idea as to why,all i know is that she constantly complained about the bees...I also know that he really loved those bees,and i could never understand why it bothered her so much..I think it is nice when a man has a hobby...
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Feb 08
Hi my dad made an industry out of his honey bees and put almost a million dollars in the bank during world war two. He sold a ton of honey while sugar rationing was on. As a woman who is allergic to bee stings I would need a different hobby but now at this stage in my life I sure could use a hobby. retirement is so boring after having worked for years in a libray now I have all this time on my hand.I do surveys on the internet but its not all that lucrative. so any hints anyone has I would appreciate. I am so bored.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
29 Feb 08
Oh! its great to meet a beekeeper's Daughter! Your Dad was a very successful Apiarist. Its interesting that sons and daughters of a bee-man are often allergic to bee stings. No one really knows why!
Why don't you write a book about your Dad's Honey Business. I bet it would be a Great Story!
1 person likes this
@pankajlot (252)
• India
29 Feb 08
why not,
yes i am here to make it a hobby
not for me but my family &to meet all my needs,
is it bad to make it a hobby?
if it is i would still be happy to make it my hobby,
because i am 23 now and
this is the right time settle down and put some bucks into
my bank account....
