Here is a few things that others might be interested in and a few step by step instructions of how to make.

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/sea...archid=1300866

Did you ever make any bee skeps, or are all your hives the traditional type. I was watching a crafts series called Hands, and they had an elderly guy in his 80,s that made bee skeps from flattened bramble lengths. It was a very interesting craft, more akin to basket weaving.

I have made several skeps and I'm in the throws of making some straw globr skeps at the moment but with a difference, I'm making this version which can be taken apart like a modern hive without disturbing the bees as much as the conventional types which are packed full of comb which has to be broken apart ans almost impossible for the inspectors to examine properly.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc..._geAcsGRwP3QPg

If anyone would like to have a go I can give you the full details of where to get the traditional long straw used in construction or as you say you can use bramble to make the body.

He is a link to one of the countries best makers, who also supplies kits for making skeps.

http://www.martinatnewton.com/

The skep I saw being made was more like a basket, heavier construction than the straw made ones. This was the series that showed many crafts that were dying out.

I love these old boys, heh I'm headed that way myself.

You could see him splitting the bramble there in the clip, I have collected nearly enough bramble to make one for myself, the worst job was stripping the thorns off by using a heavy cloth and a welders glove to pull them out by sliding along the lengths while they are still green or growing and still attatched to the root. The thorns break off quite easily actually, then you can cut them off at ground level, then crush them to make things more pliable for later, I make mine about a inch through gauge.

I have a similar DVD of wheel making and clog making.

When I remember I will dig out my clog knives and take a few photos for the album, they were made just up the road here.

Good thing is they grow back again next season even more vigerously and also supply you with jam fruit.

I think a lot of crafts developed from a necessity to user what raw materials were available, from the local area. Rushwork is typical of a craft that utilised fairly simple skills, and readily available rushes.

Thanks for the link Gris, I will take a peek at it when my android slips back into 3G, we don't have broadband these days, one of our cutbacks.

Are there any particular flower seeds to plant that attract bees, moreso than other types of flowers.

I have a lot of unused ground around the perimeter of my plot, that would be ideal for flowers ect, to attract bees and butterflies.

griswald

I would just get stung to hell and back, I know it

Andyh, I thought you were fearless down there in the west of cork, boyo.

gris