March is National Craft Month: Celebrating Creativity, Handmade Goods, and the Art of Beekeeping

Hey Honey Fans!

We don't know how this winter has been where you live, but here in the Fingerlakes Region of New York, it seems cold, snowy, and never ending! We are so looking forward to spring and our buzzing ladies getting out of their hives. With spring still around the corner, crafting is a great way to pass the time. It just So happens that March marks the celebration of National Craft Month! It's a time to honor the creators, makers, and artisans who pour their hearts and hands into creating something special. Whether it’s through painting, knitting, woodworking, or making honey, this month invites us to reflect on the beauty of handmade items and the dedication that goes into their creation.

At Fingerlakes Honey Company, we’re passionate about both the art of beekeeping and the creativity that surrounds everything we do. From our artisan honey products & other flavorful treats, our handmade mercantile designs, to the creative ways we incorporate our honey into recipes, we are part of a larger community of makers who bring joy and value to the world through craftsmanship. So grab your honey-sweetened tea or coffee and find out some creative ways you (and your whole family) can celebrate crafting!

The Art of Beekeeping: A Craft of Its Own

Beekeeping is one of the oldest and most important crafts in human history. It’s a practice that requires patience, skill, and a deep connection to nature. Beekeepers carefully tend to their hives, ensuring that bees are healthy and productive while helping to pollinate plants and flowers that make up our food sources.

In many ways, beekeeping is a craft that blends science and artistry. From the delicate way beekeepers handle their hives to the unique flavors of honey produced by different blooms, every jar of honey reflects the craft and care involved in its making. The bees themselves are master artisans of nature, building their intricate hexagonal hives with remarkable precision and skill.

As part of National Craft Month, we celebrate not only the honey we produce but also the craftsmanship behind every step of the beekeeping process—from the hive to the jar. The dedication of a beekeeper and the hard work of bees result in a product that is as much about craftsmanship as it is about nature’s sweet gifts.

Handmade with Love: Crafting Artisan Honey Products

At Fingerlakes Honey Company, we take pride in crafting artisan honey products that reflect the dedication of our beekeepers and the beauty of local ingredients. Whether it’s our honeys, jams, or teas, each product is created with a focus on quality and craftsmanship. We believe that great products come from great care—and this is true in both the world of beekeeping and the broader world of crafts.

Crafting with Honey Bees: Fun Ideas for National Craft Month

If you’re looking for some creative ways to celebrate National Craft Month, why not incorporate honey products or honey bees into your own projects? Here are a few craft ideas that use honey as an ingredient or inspiration:

1. DIY Honey Beeswax Candles

Beeswax is a natural byproduct of honey production, and making your own candles with beeswax is a fun, eco-friendly craft. Beeswax candles burn longer and cleaner than other types of candles, and their natural scent adds a sweet touch to any home. You can make your own using beeswax sheets or melt down beeswax pellets to mold into your desired shape.

2. Honey and Herbal Soaps

Combine the beauty of honey with natural herbs to create soothing handmade soaps. Honey’s moisturizing properties, paired with your favorite dried herbs (like lavender or rosemary), will leave your skin feeling soft and pampered. Simply melt soap base, add honey and herbs, and pour into molds for a perfect handmade gift.

3. Honey-Sweetened Treats

Of course, no craft month celebration would be complete without a bit of honey in your kitchen! Try making honey-sweetened desserts, like Honey Tea Cake or Soft Honey Cookies. These treats are a perfect way to celebrate National Craft Month with a sweet twist. You can find more bee-licious recipes using honey here.

4. Creative Bee-Inspired Artwork

Honey bees have inspired artists for centuries, and this month, why not create some bee-themed art of your own? From paintings and drawings to digital art and collages, the beauty of bees and honeycomb patterns can make for a stunning craft project. Plus, your artwork can be a fun reminder of the importance of bees to our environment.

Kids' Crafts: Buzzing with Creativity

National Craft Month is also a great time to get kids involved in fun, bee-inspired crafts! Here are a few simple and enjoyable craft ideas that will inspire creativity in young hands, all while celebrating the hardworking bees that make honey:

1. Bee Finger Puppets

Create cute little bee finger puppets using felt, fabric, or even paper. Kids can cut out the shapes of bees, glue them onto a cardboard base, and decorate with colorful markers or stickers to make their bees come to life. This is a fun way to learn about bees while encouraging creativity.

2. Honeycomb Collage

Use construction paper or yellow tissue paper to create a honeycomb pattern. Simply cut out hexagon shapes and glue them together to form a beehive design. This craft is a great way to explore symmetry and patterns, and it’s also a fun introduction to the unique hexagonal structure that bees use to build their hives.

3. Beeswax Crayons

Melt down beeswax to create your own natural, eco-friendly crayons. Kids will love getting involved in the melting process (with adult supervision, of course) and can then use their handmade crayons to color in bee-themed pictures or draw their own creative designs.

4. Bee T-Shirt Painting

Grab a plain white t-shirt and fabric paint, and let the kids get creative by painting bees or honeycomb patterns. Not only will they have a fun time designing their own bee-themed clothing, but they'll also have a wearable souvenir to remember National Craft Month.

5. Honey Jar Painted Mason Jars

Get a mason jar and some yellow or gold paint to create a “honey jar” that kids can decorate with bee stickers or glitter. These jars could be used as storage for art supplies, to store their extra change, or just as a fun, decorative piece for their room.

These kid-friendly crafts provide a wonderful opportunity to teach children about bees and honey while letting them unleash their creativity. It’s a sweet way to celebrate National Craft Month as a family!

Supporting Local Artisans: Crafting a Sustainable Future

One of the best ways to celebrate National Craft Month is to support local artisans, beekeepers, and makers who are dedicated to their crafts. When you purchase handmade goods, you’re not only supporting small businesses but also helping to preserve the traditions and skills that make these crafts so special.

At Fingerlakes Honey Company, we’re proud to be part of a community that values craftsmanship and sustainability. By supporting local beekeepers, farmers, and artisans, we contribute to the growth of the craft movement and help ensure that these traditions live on for generations to come.

Crafting a Sweet Future

This National Craft Month, take time to appreciate the hands that create. Whether you’re crafting your own honey-infused treats, making beeswax candles, or simply appreciating the artistry of beekeeping, it’s a great time to reflect on the joy and value that handmade goods bring to our lives. Here at Fingerlakes Honey Company, we’re proud to be part of a tradition of craftsmanship that honors both the bees and the artisans who work to bring their sweet gifts to the world.

Our "Made by the Bees" products showcase the incredible artistry of the bees themselves—from the honey they create to the wax they produce. Each jar of honey is a testament to their hard work and precision in nature’s hive. Meanwhile, our "Made by the Beekeepers" collection reflects the careful craftsmanship of our beekeepers. Whether it's our artisanal infused honeys, jams, or candles, these creations are a direct result of both nature’s artistry and the beekeeper's dedication.

So this March, as we celebrate National Craft Month, we invite you to explore our range of products made by both the bees and the beekeepers—each item crafted with care, passion, and a deep respect for the craft of beekeeping. And hopefully you'll also explore your inner crafter as well. We'd love to know what crafts you do or to celebrate your artisan business. Please feel free to tell us about it in the comments.

Until Next Time- Stay Sweet!

Tom and Stacie

Tom and Stacie, are co-owners of Fingerlakes Honey Company located in the bee-utiful Fingerlakes region of New York State. When they are not tending to all things bees, they enjoy spending time with their grown children, their dog, and lots of chickens on their homestead. They love learning more about the bees they foster and helping others to learn more about them as well.