Early Spring and Loads of Work!
Hello Backers and Friends!
This month has been SO busy, and we still have about 2 more weeks of work until the hives are all up and buzzing! The bees have all been ordered, and the hives have all been built. Four hives will start as "nucs" which I am getting from Majenica Creek Honey Farm in Huntington, Indiana. Four will start from packages of bees (yes, literal screened boxes full of bees) from Apple Blossom Honey Farm in Star City, IN, and two others will be coming from southern IL.
So how did we get here?! With SO much help from our generous friends. On Monday the 19th a giant skid of hive equipment showed up at my door. I reeeally wished I had a warehouse space, let me tell ya.
We threw a Hive Building Party that night and it lasted for four evenings. 23 people showed up, a few for multiple nights! HUGE thanks to Laura, Adrianne, Justin, Elaine, Christina, Ned, Andrea, Melissa, Erin, Levi, Todd, Melissa, Rosa, Luly, Tom, Kayla, Justin, "Michael", Dreiske, Brandon, and our littlest helper, Graeme! Special thanks to Ned for coming 3 nights in a row, Levi and Erin for bringing the nail gun, and to Christina and Rosa for working 2 nights each and for filming the process. Together we assembled 65 hive boxes and 700 frames!
Yesterday Max and Anna came over and we painted the 65 hive boxes in daffodil yellow, light chartreuse, sky blue, white, and pink! We'll mix and match them to create really nice looking beehives. These colors will look beautiful in the garden and help the bees identify their home. Today I assembled my Bikes at Work trailer, it looks great!
So as you can see, we've been busy. Over the next few days we'll begin placing the empty hives at their new homes, and then when the bees come in to Chicago from the Indiana farms we'll install them. I must admit that my timing was off now that I've missed the March deadline for getting some of the rewards out to you amazing people. I thought March would be a chill, bee-free month where I could get some serious illustration work done. GUESS NOT! Now I am shooting for end of April. I hope you all understand!
With this crazy early spring we're having in Chicago, the bees that I do have have been going nuts! My friend Will and I went down to visit the hive at Eden place and they're already acting like it's June. Will caught some excellent photos through his bee veil. Check out this sneak peek of the photos he took below, I'm blown away. See more of his work at www.eightonesevenphotography.com
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Funding period
Jan 6, 2012 -
Feb 7, 2012
(32 days)
- First created · 10 backed
- Jana Kinsman 776 friends
- Website: janakinsman.com
Pledge $5 or more
21 backers
You'll receive a big thank-you on our website as well as be signed up for our email list! (All reward levels get you signed up for our email list.)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $10 or more
46 backers
All of the above rewards plus: You'll get a hand-written thank-you note on one of our Bike·a·Bee postcards!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $25 or more
68 backers
All of the above rewards plus: We'll send you a 4-pack of some sweet Bike·a·Bee stickers, along with your very own unique hand-drawn bee, complete with its own story.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $50 or more
15 backers
All of the above rewards plus: You'll receive a limited-edition silk-screened Bike·a·Bee poster designed and illustrated by me and printed by our partners at Reuse First (http://reusefirst.com).
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $55 or more
27 backers
-- New Pledge Level! -- You get all of the above, plus a 4oz jar of our raw honey, straight from the Bike·a·Bee hives!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $100 or more
3 backers Limited (3 of 6 left)
Attention bike shops - sponsor my trailer! I'm going to need to purchase a bike trailer for my trusted steed. If you're a bike shop or bike nut, please consider this sponsorship level. In addition to the thank-you note, stickers, drawing, and poster, your name and logo will be featured prominently on the Bike·a·Bee website and bike trailer - free advertising as I haul honey frames around the city!
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $100 or more
11 backers
We'll hand-paint your name on one of our hives! You'll know which hive, where it resides, and have a picture for proof. You'll also receive the thank-you note, stickers, drawing, and poster.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $110 or more
7 backers
-- New Pledge Level! -- You get all of the above, plus a lifetime 20% discount on our raw honey, straight from the Bike·a·Bee hives!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $250 or more
2 backers Limited (38 of 40 left)
We'll make you a superintendent! You'll be the "superintendent" of a honey super, the part of the hive where bees store honey. Your name will be featured prominently on the super, and you'll receive information about your hive, where it resides, and have a picture for proof. What's more, after our first honey harvest, you'll get an 8 oz. jar of raw honey! You'll also receive the thank-you note, stickers, drawing, and poster.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $500 or more
2 backers Limited (8 of 10 left)
Adopt-a-Hive! You will get monthly updates on your adopted hive, queen bee naming rights, and, if you're local, the opportunity to check-in on your hive with us. What's more, after our first honey harvest, you'll get an 12 oz. jar of raw honey! You'll also receive the thank-you note, stickers, drawing, and poster.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012
Comments
Creator Chris Myles on March 30, 2012
Super cool!!
Creator Max Temkin on March 30, 2012
The boxes look amazing!
Creator Elaine Chernov on March 30, 2012
<3 more photographers should photograph you constantly.
Creator Joséantonio W. Danner on March 30, 2012
Really excited for you and the hives. Thanks for all of the great pics.