📖 Chapter 16: Made with Love (and Beeswax) — From Hive to Home 🕯️🐾🍯 

🎨 From Hive to Workshop
With the beekeeping season behind us and the hives tucked up for winter, we turned our attention to another side of beekeeping — making things!

Armed with blocks of golden beeswax and a few jars of honey, we spent some cosy afternoons experimenting with different recipes and ideas. Before long, our kitchen smelled like a mix of honey, wood polish, and warm spices.

🕯️ Polish, Melts & More
First up was beeswax furniture polish — a simple blend of wax and oil that brings wood to life and leaves a soft, natural shine. Then came scented wax melts, made with essential oils for that perfect cosy glow on chilly evenings.

We didn’t stop there! Using the same pure beeswax, we made nose and paw balm for pets, hand cream, and even a small batch of honey whisky (for humans only, of course). It’s safe to say nothing from the hive has gone to waste this year.

💡 Did you know?
Beeswax has been used for thousands of years — by the ancient Egyptians for embalming, the Romans for candles, and modern crafters for everything from cosmetics to food wraps. It’s naturally antibacterial and helps lock in moisture, making it perfect for balms and creams.

🌼 The Sweet Side of Winter
There’s something deeply satisfying about working with wax and honey during the quiet winter months — a reminder of the bees’ hard work even when they’re not flying. Every tin, melt, and bottle feels like a tiny celebration of the hive

✨ What’s Next?
With shelves now lined with homemade goodies, we’re already thinking ahead to spring — new projects, new hives, and more adventures with Beryl’s busy descendants. Until then, we’ll keep things glowing (and maybe sip a little honey whisky by the fire). 🍯🔥🐝