Natalie, go, girl, go!!! Well, shiver me timbers, a self-service apiary, how cool is that ;) :). Good for you. About the bee stings on the hands, always try to work without gloves if you can, believe it or not, it WILL prevent stings because even if you come close to hurting a little gal, you will feel her before there is harm done. Another thing that I always keep handy when I am working with the bees is a gallon pail of cold water. I have heard that if you plunge your hands (and your hive tool too, it makes the propolis hard, so it doesn't get overly sticky) into this cold water frequently, it keeps the pores more closed, your hands don't smell like sweat. And I know in the hot sun, with nerves flyin' high even, those hands can get pretty ding dang sweaty. Bees don't like the scent of sweat. I would think that it reminds them of predators. And our hands are actually like a predator to them, invasion of their personal space, hee, hee. Just some thing that I know works for me. May work for you. And, it is actually nice to put your hands into cold water when you are hot, it seems to cool down the body temperature as well. Words from an unwise, smiling. So good that you are getting hands deep into the bees, yay!!! Beautiful days, to love and live, to share, with your forum friends here, health. Cindi