Bang-Up Betty on KATV

Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty on the set of KATV with some of her handmade jewelry. 

Bang-Up Betty made the news this week! Monday, I brought my tools and an array of designs to KATV's Good Afternoon Arkansas to talk shop and teach Elicia Dover how to stamp jewelry and about my line of Arkansas made jewelry. I chat about where I get my inspiration, how I learned how to make jewelry and some of my favorite designs. Click here to watch the video!

Plant Lady, I'll Cut You, Hot Mess.. a few necklaces by Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty. 

Arkansas jewelry designer Stacey Bowers of Bang-Up Betty demonstrates how she makes handmade stamped jewelry. 

13 Lapel Pins You Need Right Now

What better time than the holiday season to freshen up your flair? Send this link to Santa and make sure your stocking is stuffed with the right stuff. But hurry! Some are selling out.

Glitter Pink Darth Vader by MadameCatsPurrr

Star Wars opens next week. Do you know what you're wearing? 

Get it here. 

The Golden Girls Pin Pack by You Silly Duffer

Thank you for being a frieeeeeend! 

Get them here. 

Cat Mom Pin by The Five15

The purrrrrrfect gift. 

Get it here. 

Witchy Bitch Ouija Planchette Pin by Bang-Up Betty

Make the holiday magical.

Get it here.

A Woman's Work is Never Done pin by Word for Word Factory

The most honest pin of all time. 

Get it here. 

Working Two Jobs button by Word for Word Factory 

No seriously, our work is never done. 

Get it here. 

Smash the Patriarchy Pin by Bang-Up Betty

Pick up a tiny hammer and join the cause. 

Get it here. 

Estar Guars pin by Super Yaki

We've been saying it wrong the whole time. 

Get it here.

Full-Time Feminist Pin by The Five15

In keeping with the "our work is never done" theme...

Get it here.

Holy Smokes pin by AR T's

Only holy water could put out this flame. 

Get it here. 

Iris Lapel Pin by Culture Flock

Flair for the fashion-forward.

Get it here.

FrankenNaut Pin by Big Bot Design

You can't beat anything that glows in the dark, and THIS GLOWS IN THE DARK.

Get it here.

Feminist Pin Power Pack by Bang-Up Betty

Is your denim especially lacking? I just listed a feminist lapel pin power pack at a discount.

Get it here. 

The Badass Small Business Gift Guide

If you're like me and standing in line at big-box stores at 5 a.m. on Black Friday fills you with deep sadness and existential dread, you're likely still holiday shopping and looking for a much more fulfilling, joy-inducing way to complete your annual gifting. This gift guide checks two important boxes on my shopping requirements list: 1.) Everything here is either handmade or created by a small business run by badass people (I have met or interacted with all of them and can confirm this), and 2.) Everything on here is badass. 

Monstera Leaf Ceramic Tray by Mama Coyote

For the plant lady or Golden Girls fan in your life. Seriously, have you ever seen anything more beautiful than this?!

Get it here.

Game of Thrones Inspired Cross Stitch by DrunkTrunk

For anyone who is on Team Tyrion or is a wise drunk. 

Get it here.

It's Not Drinking Alone If The Cat Is Home Candle by Let's Put A Bird On It

Speaking of drinking, this candle really hits the spot for cat ladies like me. 

Get it here. 

Smash the Patriarchy Motel Key Tag by Bang-Up Betty

These are brand-spanking-new and great for men and women, because we should ALL be smashing the patriarchy. 

Get it here.

Big Bang Print by Jason Jones

Speaking of gifts you should DEFINITELY open in front of your relatives, this bubbly Jesus comes in print and t-shirt form and will make you feel blessed. 

Get it here.

Golden Snitch Stud Earrings by InkStandStudio

Everyone has a Harry Potter fan in their life. I got these for the lil Hermoine in mine. 

Get them here.

You're Super card by Power and Light Press

Be bold with your holiday cards and your friends might remember to get you a good gift ;-) 

Get it here.

Pouts Blocked Me Pin by The Outrage

Get them an early membership to the club we'll all eventually belong to. 

Get it here.

Drake Embroidery Hoop by YesStitchYes

For your newly single friend. I'm obsessed with everything YesStitchYes. She also stitched the Mary J. Blige hoop at the top of the page. 

Get it here.

Witchy Bitch Ouija Planchette Pin by Bang-Up Betty

For the witchy woman on your list. This gift is Krampus-approved.

Get it here.

Witch Balm by Crimson and Conjure

Speaking of witches, I just picked this up at the Wampus Wonderland and I'm under its spell.

Get it here.

Crybabies Trophy by Get Bullish

Applicable if they have kids or a terrible job. 

Get it here.

Holy Smokes Tank by AR T's

Light one up for the big guy's birthday. 

Get it here.

Gay Holiday Button Party Pack

Everyone at the party is gonna fight over that snowflake button. 

Get it here.

Krampus Long-Sleeved Glow-In-The-Dark Shirt by Big Bot Design

Keep the kids in line with the constant fear of Krampus.

Get it here.

Get Shit Done Brass Bar Necklace by Bang-Up Betty

For the go-getter in your life. 

Get it here.

Street Style: Bang-Up Betty/Maddox Fashion Shoot in Downtown Little Rock

Keesha, Syd and Quiniese in tops from Maddox and jewelry/pins by Bang-Up Betty.

It was HOT in July,  but these lovely ladies braved the sweltering atmosphere to make my cotton candy-colored fashion fantasies come true. Maddox Boutique provided the wardrobe, Katie Childs captured the moments, and Bang-Up Betty added the handmade Arkansas jewelry. Here are a few fiery shots and some funny outtakes, because that's what happens when a bunch of badass babes bond over salty handmade jewelry and boob sweat. 

Syd breaking hearts in the Cry Me a River Necklace and Maddox crop top

Kick Ass Mantra Bracelet and I'll Cut You Necklace

Nasty Woman Statue of Liberty Necklace and peach top from Maddox

Keesha shares her Liberal Vagenda with the world

Keesha gone wild in all the Bang-Up Betty lapel pins

Keesha, an unstoppable force, this time in the Nope Middle Finger necklace and top from Maddox

Smash the Patriarchy necklace

Kyla in a jaw-dropping ensemble from Maddox and the Don't Touch Me cactus necklace

Don't Touch Me cactus necklace

Resist stamped mantra bracelet. Silver and brass cuffs are customizable. 

Kyla in the Hot Mess necklace, even though she is FAR FROM a mess 

Quiniese in a saucy lace-up top from Maddox and my Strong as Hell necklace and Wonder Woman earrings

Quiniese in my Strong as Hell necklace and Wonder Woman earrings

Get Shit Done necklace and lace-up top from Maddox

Quiniese, fierce af, in the Strong as Hell necklace and Maddox top

Amy and Laura in the Smash the Patriarchy shirt

Smash the Patriarchy shirt

Illuminati necklace

I Believe in Science necklace. $4 from each sale through bangupbetty.com goes to the NRDC to protect the environment. 

Syd, Vogue as hell, in my Nasty Woman necklace and top from Maddox

Pop-Up Shop at Electric Ghost, August 6

Arkansas handmade jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty pairs with Little Rock screen printers Electric Ghost.

Bang-Up Betty is setting up shop at the most magical place on earth! Stop by Electric Ghost Screenprinting (1218 Main Street in Little Rock) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, August 6, and pick up the newest summer designs as well as classic favorites in sweet and subversive hand-stamped jewelry, enamel lapel pins, high quality stickers and apparel printed right here at Electric Ghost.

Have brunch at one of the many mouthwatering restaurants nearby, grab groceries at the Bernice Garden Farmers Market, do a little shopping, pot a succulent at Electric Ghost, and make it a great morning in SoMa!

Don't Touch Me Cactus Handmade Necklace by Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty

Want to preview what'll be at the pop-up shop? Click here!

RSVP on Facebook and invite friends by clicking here. 

How to Care for Your Bang-Up Betty Jewelry

Congratulations on your new neck candy! Now here are a few tips for keeping brass jewelry and silver jewelry in tip-top condition so you can cherish it forever. 

As with all brass or sterling silver jewelry, I highly recommend keeping a good quality, soft polishing cloth on hand. In fact, I recommend this polishing cloth. I use this cloth on my own personal collection of brass and silver jewelry that I wear every day. Don't ever use a polishing cloth that has grit in it! You could scratch your jewelry, and we wouldn't want that. 

Watch this magic: 

How to clean handmade brass jewelry and silver jewelry. A great polishing cloth and a few good tips go a long way in keeping your brass jewelry shiny. 

If your brass jewelry has been through hell and high water (especially salty high water), you can use Brasso on the charm, but be careful not to use it on the chain or it could be very difficult or impossible to get out of the tiny chain links. You can find Brasso for around $2 in the cleaning section of a hardware store. Or you can ask a friend to borrow some because you will only need the tiniest amount. Once I use Brasso on a brass piece, I thoroughly wipe off the piece with a paper towel because it kinda smells funny. Sorry. 

Shine bright in your handmade brass jewelry, beauties! 

Gifts That Give Back

Nasty Woman enamel pin, I Believe in Science Necklace and George Michael Lapel Pin by Bang-Up Betty give back to great charities. 

Over the past several weeks, I've launched a lot of new products, and many of those products give back to local and national nonprofits. Thanks to you purposeful shoppers, I've been able to donate around $2,000 to progressive causes near and far in the last year. This convenient gift guide shows you how to shop consciously and what causes Bang-Up Betty is supporting. 

I Believe in Science

I Believe in Science enamel pin, stamped necklace and bumper sticker donate a portion of the proceeds.

$1 from each I Believe in Science sticker and pin and $4 from each I Believe in Science necklace sold at bangupbetty.com goes to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Think Locally

Strong as Hell bracelet and George Michael Enamel Lapel pin by Bang-Up Betty give back to Arkansas charities. 

You're probably not going to believe this, but Christmas morning I was in the shower thinking about work, because I always think about work in the shower. I was thinking about what pins I'd make in the new year, and I had been planning to make a George Michael pin at some point because he is everything to me. I started thinking about "Last Christmas" and feeling optimistic. I decided to go forward with the pin right then. Fast forward several hours later, after Christmas lunch, I'm opening gifts with the family, and the most precious thing on earth is handed to me... a Wham! Make it Big record. Fast forward LITERALLY 10 MINUTES and my phone lights up with a text: "I'm sorry about George Michael." And that's the story of the best and worst Christmas ever. 

Anyway, I knew I had to make the pin, and to honor George, $1 from each goes to Lucie's Place, and LGBT homeless shelter in Little Rock.

On a much lighter note, I made this Strong As Hell bracelet to benefit Arkansas Women's Outreach, a nonprofit that provides feminine products, underwear and much more to homeless women in Arkansas. 100% of the proceeds from this bracelet go to AWO. So far given them more than $1,500! 

Get Nasty

Nasty Woman Feminist Lapel pin and sticker by Bang-Up Betty give a portion of the proceeds to charity. 

$1 from each of these Nasty Woman stickers and enamel pins sold at bangupbetty.com goes to the American Civil Liberties Union to help combat this bogus administration.

My Top Nine Moments in a Dumpster Fire Year

Creating the Nasty Women Unite Pin, Not Today Satan Necklace, Smash the Patriarchy Pin, and custom brass jewelry to benefit Arkansas nonprofits were just a few highlights in this feminist Arkansas jewelry maker's year. Thanks for your support in 2016!

When I ran that "Top Nine" app on Instagram for 2016, my most-liked posts were all sad (in retrospect) posts about the garbage election. So, I chose my own top nine to commemorate the standout moments of arguably everyone's worst year ever.  Here are some of the precious moments that, for me, saved 2016 from being a completely unpolishable turd.

With your help, I raised $1,295 for Arkansas Women's Outreach with my Strong as Hell Bracelet. Yay for the power of handmade feminist jewelry! 

1.) Bang-Up Betty Gave Back

Thanks to everyone's generous support of my Strong As Hell Bracelet for Arkansas Women's Outreach, I was able to raise $1,295 for the nonprofit that provides feminine hygiene supplies and support for homeless women in Arkansas. I was also able to donate $106 to AVAC (AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition) in George Michael's memory through BUB sales. Throughout the year, I was able to provide auction items to support Lucie's Place, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and Rescue Road animal rescue. And by partnering with Get Bullish and The Outrage, money from the sale of BUB products was donated to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and Malala Fund.

World-famous illustrator Sally Nixon helped me bring my coffin heart pin design to life.

2.) My First Pin

In January, Sally Nixon helped me bring my first enamel pin idea to life! Special thanks to Sally for shining up my rough draft better than I could imagine. Snag your Eternal Love coffin heart pin here.

Congrats to Adam and Shelley, who used my custom handmade jewelry in their engagement. They drove to the Grand Canyon for the proposal! 

3.) I Helped With a Proposal!

Adam and Shelley drove to the Grand Canyon, where he popped the question using a handful of BUB jewelry and a stunning engagement ring. Congrats, you two! Read more about it here.

I'm still so excited that I got to make dozens of these feminist handmade necklaces that say "Smash the Patriarchy" for a feminist wedding. We should all have feminist weddings. I'm always open to make feminist wedding favors!

4.) The Best Wedding Favors Ever

Speaking of weddings, last summer I stamped dozens of these to be wedding favors at a feminist wedding. I still die of shock and am completely flattered anytime someone wants me to be part of their big day!

In 2016, I created the Smash the Patriarchy pin. This feminist enamel pin has been all over the world now and is still going strong.

5.) Smash the Patriarchy Pin

Choosing a favorite design is like choosing a favorite child, but if I had to pick, it would be this little hammer Smash the Patriarchy pin that's closest to my heart. Special thanks to Ashlee Nobel for taking my rough draft and creating something so smashing!

Thank you for voting Bang-Up Betty best handmade jewelry in Arkansas!

6.) Arkansas Times Best Artisan Crafter

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for voting me best artisan crafter for handmade jewelry in the Arkansas Times 2016 Best of Arkansas. It was seriously such a surprise and honor!

Watching y'all post pics at the polls while wearing Bang-Up Betty handmade jewelry and enamel pins rocked my world.

7.) I Voted

I can't not mention the dumpster fire election. While the outcome is a nightmare I never wake up from, I still remember every wonderful second I spent in that booth voting for a woman for president for the first time in my life. Hopefully I get to do it again.

Did I mention that I made this Party Hard bracelet for Andrew W.K. and gave it to him in person and fangirled when he put it on???

8.) I Met Andrew W.K.

Last fall I met Andrew W.K. and gave him this bracelet. And he Instagrammed it. And he listened to me talk about my big brother. It was so party.

Making this Nasty Women Unite pin was so empowering for me, and I'm so happy that this feminist enamel pin has made it onto the lapels of patriarchy smashers across the world.

9.) Partnering with The Outrage

A few months ago, a sweet soul named Rebecca reached out to me about her new website to promote feminist messages while funding feminist causes. It's been fantastic watching The Outrage blossom, and I'm thrilled to introduce three enamel pins I created exclusively for them. This Nasty Women Unite pin came first, and I'll be announcing the other two later this week.