The classic Bear-shaped honey dispenser which has simply become known as a "honeybear" reportedly dates back to 1957 when Ralph Gamber, future president of the Dutch Gold Honey company, reasoned that "a bear likes honey, why not a bear of honey?"
In terms of the originator of the design, Edward Rachin filed the US patent shown below on the design in 1950:
A survey conducted back in 1995 showed that some 15.5 percent of the honey sold was packaged in such bottles and many honey producers in the United States still market their products in the bear-shaped bottles.
There is even a movement, started in 2010, called Save The Honey Bear. The National Honey Board launched SaveTheHoneyBear.com to save 100% pure honey, threatened by honey-flavored syrups.
The now iconic design has been used as packaging for other products, most often for children's bubbles and soap dispensers. But the Honeybear has also inspired artists, sculptors and more to create interpretations of the Honey Bear that serve as fine art, home decor, jewelry and even bongs.
Floyd, the Honey Bear Bong:
Artware editions is now selling a limited edition (only 25) of The Long Life China Company's “Floyd” by artist Glen Baldridge. “Floyd” is a porcelain crafted fully functioning bong or water pipe made in the image of a the familiar Honey Bear honey dispenser.
Glen Baldridge, Floyd, 2012
Porcelain
6 1/2" h x 3 3/4" x 2 1/2"
edition of 25,
$525 USD
buy him here
Honeybear Glass Vases By Esque Studio:
The Honeybear Vase from Esque Studio is a mold blown vase that stands approximately 15" tall and was designed by Andi Kovel and Justin Parker.
Available in five different colors for $280 USD each, you can purchase them here.
Cast Porcelain Honey Bear Vases by Lesley Anton:
Glazed in pearl white, matte black or metallic
buy them here
Honeybear Gemstone Pendants by David Lowrie of Stonesmith Galleries:
An inch tall Honey Bear pendant made of carved Baltic Amber and 14k gold on chain
$825 USD, buy it here
5 carat Golden Beryl carved Honey Bear pendant and 14k gold on chain
$2,300 USD, buy it here
Resin Honeybear earrings by Catrina's Toybox:
$20.80, buy them here
Sterling Silver Honey Bear pendants and necklaces by Mark Poulin:
prices vary depending upon size, buy them here
Honey Bear Tray:
Melamine tray featuring photography by Keller and Keller at the Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown, Massachusetts. Dishwasher safe, not for microwave use. 14" diameter.
$22, buy it here
Also available as one melamine plate in a set of four featuring Diner imagery
$40 USD, buy them here
Beeswax Honeybear Candle by PeaceBlossomCandles:
$10.75, buy it here
Beeswax Honey Bear Candle by The Glacier County Honey Company
$12, Buy it here
Honeybear Pencil Case by MemiTheRainbow.
Zippered canvas pencil case, hand stamped with a hand-carved Honey bear rubber stamp set, both which you can find here
Blind Bicyclist on Etsy specializes in Concrete Honey Bears made into many different items such as match strikers, bottle openers, corkscrews and photo holders.
Shop for these and more here
DIY Metallic Gold Honeybear Vases:
See how to make them here
DIY The Honey Bear Bottle lamp:
See how to make it here
Fine Art homages to the Honeybear:
Artist Fnnch is one of the best known contemporary artists with a Honey Bear Fetish.
Rendering Honey Bears as street art, installations and pop culture multiples, you gotta move quickly to acquire one of his coveted originals:
Honeybear Painting by Luke Chueh:
Honeybear Paintings by artist Craig Stephens:
Honeybear Painting by Kristen Reitz-Green:
Losing My Mind by Jeanne Vadeboncoeur:
On The Line by Aaron Lifferth:
Honey Bear Is Watching. A linocut print from Isle of Printing:
Honey Bear artwork by Danielle Podeszek:
Available as art prints, stationary, cards, canvases, mobile phone cases and throw pillows from Society 6
Honey Bear by Shari Mendleson:
plastic from discarded bottles, hot glue, beads, 10"x3.5"x3.5", 2010 (not for sale)
The Peeing Honey Bear, a one-off prop (no photoshop), Honeybear Instagram image and the Honey Bear T-shirt, all by Brock Davis, aka Laser Bread:
Honey Bear photo by Eric Turner, available as prints here
Honeybear Image Making. A Book by Gretchen Nash.
A book that is compiled of object iterations based around the basic subject of Honeybears. This book is a massive formmaking experiment that includes photography, illustration, painting, transfers, and mixed media.
Honeybear Book, 7.5 x 10", 90 pages
Honey Bear Recycled Greeting card from Branch Out
The Honey Bear card is lovingly handcrafted in the Philippines by women survivors of sex trafficking. The card incorporates a variety of handmade, recycled papers, making it environmentally sustainable, too. Envelope included.
Buy it here
Need some cheesy honey bear clip art? These downloadable images are provided for you from the National Honey Board
And finally, want to buy some empty Honey Bear Bottles to attempt making something of your own? Go here.