This week brought a bit of positive news for the bees, at least those in Europe. The European Union passed a continent-wide ban on neonicotinoid pesticides which have been shown to play a part in the massive world-wide bee die off. While this is certainly a good thing, there can be no unbridled celebration. The restriction is only for two years right now. But an even more pressing issue in the fact that the USA’s EPA and USDA have yet to take action despite the past year being the worst for bee losses yet, following on the heels of many years of unprecedented decline. Immense pressure from the pesticide manufactures is clearly at play.
PANNA, the Pesticide Action Network of North American works to replace the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives. It is not an exaggeration to say the bees desperately need assistance NOW.
Stepping off my soapbox now, let me continue on a more positive note in celebration of those beloved bees. (And they are indeed beloved to me – after all Deborah does mean Bee).
So let me open up my treasure chest and pull out a few bee-celebrating items to charm and delight you…
Here are two favorite bee adornments. I’ve spoken on my love of Anne Choi’s work before here and here, and this is one of her creations.
These earrings were created by a Pennsylvania artist using a wax sealing stamp to impress precious metal clay.
I confess I bought this because I fell in love with the graphics on the box (the metal tube of cream is also imprinted) and because of the name – Honey and the Moon. I was powerless to resist, as I’m sure you understand. It’s a lovely shea butter lotion by Tokyo-Milk.
I’m a huge fan of Roxana Villa who creates pure botanical perfumes, including solids with a beeswax base. Her little “honey pots” have bee seals on top – color coded according to scent.
As you poke around her site you’ll see some lovely illustrations, courtesy of her husband Greg Spalenka, whose art really delights me. Last year I entered a contest and won one of his limited-edition prints. I would have been delighted to win anything he created, but it was no less than his Bee Prosperity print! SQUEE!!! Here’s a link to see the image.
Wonderful isn’t it?
So there you have a few of my bee-related joys. While not strictly a flower post, I am linking to Lori Moon’s May Flower challenge because bees and flowers are inseparable friends. Do head over there and poke around and celebrate all things flowery. I know for me it’s true – I never see a flower without saying thank you to bees for their help.
Have any bee stories to share? Some bee-related treasure to tell about? Do tell – you know I’d love to hear.
What a neat little snippet of information! My husband is allergic to bees and I’m terrified of them but I sure do like flowers!