The great equipment purchase of 2010...

Bunny and I recently purchased our initial beekeeping supplies. This is divided into several subcategories. There is the "woodenware" (the boxes and internal frameware which comprises the physical hive), protective gear (which most experienced beekeepers seem to employ sparingly but which I intend to LOAD UP on), various specialized tools and devices used in beekeeping and finally, of course the bees themselves. We intended to order from one of many an internet bee supply companies but found the options and terminology a little confusing. A fellow beekeeper we met at the MABA (Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association) beekeeping course in January recommended a local supplier, PN Williams, who turned out to be a great source of knowledge and advice. Plus we are supporting a local beekeeper. We are now constructing and painting our hive boxes and interior hive frames. We chose to assemble and paint ourselves to save some substantial money. We ordered bees from a local supplier and expect them around late April.