The Busy Bee

Spring is here! The honey bees are getting busy. I've been a busy bee myself, hence why I haven't had the chance to post as often as I'd like. Quite fittingly, I've been obsessed with products made from honey. I've been getting raw, local honey from my farmers' market but I also keep seeing lots of things made from honey or bee-related. Here are ten eleven American-made things related to bees that I love:

1. Olivina Napa Valley Apothecary Milk & Honey Hand & Body Wash* -- This vegetable-based hand wash (or shower gel) uses gentle, aromatic ingredients to help soothe you: aloe, camomile, cucumber, and green tea extracts. Lactic acid from milk protein helps exfoliate, while the honey is a natural antispetic. No parabens, phthalates, SLS, petroleum, or animal testing. 

2. Milly Sheer Overlay Sheath Dress* -- This delicate, white sheath dress is nothing but ordinary. With it's boatneck, silk/cotton fabric, knee length, and sheer honeycomb overlay, it's a total jaw-dropper. Pair with some strappy sandals for an outdoor cocktail party.

3. Beehive Handmade Bee Honey Pot -- Ceramic honey pot with matte white glaze, it has a raised bee design and a wooden lid. The ceramic pot is dishwasher safe; wooden lid is handwash only. Made in Fall River, Massachusetts.

4. Savannah Bee Company Honey Bar Soap -- On a recent trip to the South, I picked up a bar of their mint julep soap. Handmade in Savannah, Georgia from simple ingredients: coconut oil, rice bran oil, olive oil, avocado oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, both peppermint and spearmint essential oils, and (of course) tupelo honey. No chemicals or animal testing. Available also in Orange Blossom, Clementine, Tupelo Sweet Baby scents.

5. In God We Trust Honeycomb Necklace* -- Simple sterling silver pendant in a hexagon shape that would complement my earrings nicely. Matte finish on the faces, polished on the sides. Comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain. Made right here in NYC, in Brooklyn.

6. WineHive Modular Wine Rack -- I am all about modular wine racks, especially for those of us with a small kitchen or those who have a growing wine collection. These honeycomb wine racks are available in pre-made versions for 10-120 bottles, made from 100% recyclable aluminum, and come in either a silver or black finish. Custom versions are also available, in case you're that kind of person. Made in Philadephia, Pennsylvania.


7. Caledonia Spirits Barr Hill Gin -- A gold-medal-award-winning gin made with pure grain spirits as a base to the juniper berry and raw, natural honey. This Vermont distillery also makes vodka, elderberry cordial, and (soon-to-be this year) whiskey.

8. Pure Beeswax Tapers -- These 100% beeswax tapers come wrapped in newspaper stamped with a honeycomb design. They are virtually free of drips and smoke, have a natural scent, and will burn for 10-12 hours. Available in black, ivory, or a natural color. From the Bee Man, handmade in central New York.

9. Farmhouse Pottery Hanging Hive Birdhouse* -- Celebrating the birds and the bees! The modern, rustic design of this stoneware bird shelter would fit in with any yard or garden. Handmade in Vermont. P.S. I love their kitchen pottery too.

10. Rifle Paper Co. Bee's Knees Card* -- I've been enamored with Anna Bond's graphic designs for a while. This card, with its black and gold foil beehive design (apparently inspired by vintage playing cards), is just gorgeous. For that recipient who's deserving of being told, "You're the bee's knees." Blank inside, because your own words are what count.

Update:

11. Bees Knees Spicy Honey* -- This honey, from Bushwick's Mixed Made, has quickly become "the new Sriracha." Honey is sourced from NY's Hudson valley then infused with chili peppers to make a sweet/spicy flavor that people can't get enough of. Made in Brooklyn.

These items and others on my Pinterest board:


Follow Amy @ The American-Made Guide to Life's board Honey Bee on Pinterest.

What honey-related items made in the USA do you love?

(Top photo: stock photo.) 
*Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links.