Arkansas Rice Month Jewelry Giveaway and Food Drive for Arkansas Foodbank

We’re giving away two of our popular Arkansas Rice Flower necklaces benefiting Arkansas Foodbank in honor of Arkansas Rice Month this September. Stop by the new Bang-Up Betty jewelry store and gift shop Sept. 10-11 with nonperishable food items to enter!

We’re celebrating Rice Month this weekend by giving away TWO of our Arkansas Rice Flower Necklaces that benefit the Arkansas Foodbank. Drop by the new Bang-Up Betty storefront at 429 Main Street above Ristorante Capeo this Friday and Saturday with nonperishable, non-expired food items to donate to the Foodbank and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win one of these beautiful, meaningful necklaces that were made using real Arkansas rice flowers cast in bronze in the shape of the state of Arkansas. Bring up to 10 items for an entry per item!

So far we’ve raised almost $900 for the Arkansas Foodbank with Bang-Up Betty’s Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace. This necklace in the shape of the state of Arkansas was designed using real Arkansas rice plants to create the texture in the bronze and sterling silver pendants. Find more Arkansas-made jewelry at Bang-Up Betty’s website or our new jewelry store and gift shop in the Argenta neighborhood of North Little Rock.

Proceeds from the sales of our Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace benefit the foodbank, and so far we’ve raised almost $900! Our goal is to reach $1,300 this month for Rice Month. If you’d like to purchase a rice necklace to celebrate Rice Month and help us reach our goal, they’re available in bronze and sterling silver at Bang-Up Betty Thursdays-Saturdays in Argenta and online here. We’ll have extended hours this weekend during Argenta’s monthly outdoor dining and entertainment district; stop by Bang-Up Betty Friday or Saturday (Sept. 10 and 11) from 11am to 7pm, then enjoy the live music, outdoor dining and cocktail specials on Main Street in North Little Rock. Masks are required at all times inside Bang-Up Betty regardless of vaccination status; thank you for keeping each other and our families safe!
Argenta Dogtown Throwdown info: https://www.facebook.com/events/595214415167347

Bang-Up Betty’s new storefront pairs handmade jewelry with local Arkansas art and unique gifts in the gorgeous historic Argenta neighborhood in downtown North Little Rock. Bang-Up Betty is located above Ristorante Capeo at 429 Main Street. Store hours are Thursday and Friday 11-5:30 and Saturday 11-5.)

Bang-Up Book Club: A Unique Game of Hide-and-Seek for Handmade Gifts at Laman Library in North Little Rock

Bookworms will love the reading-centric swag that’s part of Bang-Up Book Club. This book-club-meets-scavenger-hunt organized by Bang-up Betty and hosted at Laman Library’s Main and Argenta branches in North Little Rock is the perfect way for Arkansas jewelry designer Stacey Bowers to unite her love for reading and handmade jewelry while encouraging people to get out and explore some of the great venues in North Little Rock—the future home to her new gift shop opening this summer.

Turn up your summer reading list with this book-club-meets-scavenger-hunt organized by Bang-up Betty and hosted at Laman Library’s Main and Argenta branches in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Bang-Up Book Club is the perfect way for Arkansas jewelry designer Stacey Bowers to unite her love for reading and handmade jewelry while encouraging people to get out and explore some of the great venues in North Little Rock—the future home to her new gift shop opening this summer.

Bang-Up Book Club begins in August 2021 and continues through the fall. Anyone can participate—just follow Bang-Up Betty on Instagram and Facebook to watch for clues that lead readers to Stacey’s favorite titles on the shelves at these local libraries. Follow the clues, find the books and get biblio-centric gifts to take home when you check out! Many random readers will also get nice surprises when they open books they’ve checked out from Laman Library.

"We love partnering with North Little Rock businesses, and this is certainly an exciting program, combining books and art," said Crystal Gates, Laman Library's executive director.
Bang-Up Betty is known for edgy and handcrafted jewelry, T-shirts, enamel pins, stickers and gifts. Prizes will include two brand new, book-themed sticker designs, “Ask me what I’m reading” stamped necklaces, bookworm-themed stamped cuff bracelets and more.

“I’m an avid reader, and I love to talk about books, discover new titles at the library, and swap books among my friends. I grew up going to Laman Library, and the Argenta Branch is right across the street from my new shop on Main Street,” Stacey said.

Find Bang-Up Betty at www.bangupbetty.com, Facebook.com/bangupbettyjewelry, Instagram.com/bangupbetty and opening soon at 429 Main Street in Argenta.

North Little Rock's library system offers services and borrowing privileges to all Pulaski County residents and, through the Gateway program, those in surrounding areas. Anyone is invited to visit Laman' s Main Branch, at 2801 Orange Street, or Argenta Branch, 420 Main Street. To apply for a library card, those living or working in Pulaski County may show a valid driver's license or identification. If your license doesn't reflect your current address, other forms of identification, including a bill or piece of mail showing the correct address are accepted. Those from outside Pulaski County may request the Gateway application through their local library. Visit lamanlibrary.org or call the library for details.

The perfect sticker for people who love to read! Express your reading obsession with this ”Ask Me What I’m Reading” illustrated book sticker. The sticker shaped like a stack of books is durable vinyl and weather resistant, so it’s great for cars and water bottles, plus it’s also great for laptops, e-readers and phone cases if you’re more of an electronic book lover.

Bang-Up Betty: Gifts and Jewelry Coming Soon to Argenta in North Little Rock, Arkansas

A new gift and jewelry shop is coming to the Little Rock area! Opening late summer/early fall of 2021, Bang-Up Betty is bringing tons of thoughtfully handmade jewelry, unique gifts, art and more to Main Street in Downtown North Little Rock, Arkansas.

COMING SOON! Looks like I found a new home for Bang-Up Betty jewelry right here in my hometown of North Little Rock, Arkansas, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it. Stay tuned on Instagram and Facebook for sneak peeks and opening info! P.S. I’m also beyond thrilled that y’all nominated Bang-Up Betty for best Artisan and best Jeweler in the Arkansas Times Best of Arkansas Please take a second to cast your vote in the final round! You can find the Artisan category under “Goods and Services” and the Jeweler category under “Shopping” at vote.arktimes.com. So excited to share this journey with you!

I'm thrilled to bring something fun and beautiful to my hometown of North Little Rock in one of my absolute favorite neighborhoods. I've been watching Argenta grow and get more creative over the last several years, and I'm excited to join the movement. This space is going to channel the snarky, playful, creative energy of Bang-Up Betty jewelry with much more than handmade jewelry. It'll offer unique gifts and art and be a home base for Bang-Up Betty, which has really outgrown my home studio. Look forward to unusual gifts, local art, and of course more snarky, meaningful, well-made jewelry than you can handle in an absolutely gorgeous space. Custom stamping will be offered onsite, too, so you can get custom jewelry handmade the same day if you’re in a rush to find a personalized gift.

Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.

Look forward to unusual gifts, local art, and of course more snarky, meaningful, well-made jewelry than you can handle in an absolutely gorgeous space and the forthcoming Bang-Up Betty jewelry showroom and gift shop in the Argenta neighborhood of North Little Rock, Arkansas . Custom stamping will be offered onsite, too, so you can get custom jewelry handmade the same day if you’re in a rush to find a personalized gift.

Art Deco State Shape Necklaces: Elegant, Gorgeous and Meaningful Handmade Jewelry

The Art Deco Arkansas State Shape Necklace was so loved that I decided to make more state shape necklaces available! Now you can wear a bronze Art Deco State Shape Necklace in these states as well as Arkansas: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and Missouri.

The Art Deco Arkansas State Shape Necklace was so loved that I decided to make more state shape necklaces available! Now you can wear a bronze Art Deco State Shape Necklace in these states as well as Arkansas: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and Missouri. Want a different state shape necklace? I’m always eager for suggestions! Submit your request for a state shape necklace at stacey@bangupbetty.com.

Show your love of Arkansas with Arkansas-made jewelry that’s in the shape of Arkansas. These little bronze Arkansas charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace or a set of hoop earrings. The necklace is made with an 18-inch 14K gold-filled chain, and the hoop earrings are made with 14K gold-filled one-inch hoops that are hypoallergenic, as is the necklace. The silver version is a sterling silver charm on an 18-inch sterling silver chain or sterling silver hoop earrings. (The Arkansas-shaped bronze necklace with a “diamond” cubic zirconia at the center can be found here.)

If you like this handmade Arkansas jewelry, you’ll love our online shop! Bang-Up Betty jewelry is made in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Show your love of Arkansas with Arkansas-made jewelry that’s in the shape of Arkansas. These little bronze Arkansas charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace or a set of hoop earrings.

Show your love of Georgia with this handmade Art Deco Georgia State Shape Necklace in the outline of the state of Georgia. These little bronze Georgia charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace.

Show your love of Louisiana with this handmade Art Deco Louisiana State Shape Necklace in the outline of the state of Louisiana. These little bronze Louisiana charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace.

Show your love of Missouri with this handmade Art Deco Missouri State Shape Necklace in the outline of the state of Missouri. These little bronze Missouri charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace.

Show your love of North Carolina with this handmade Art Deco North Carolina State Shape Necklace in the outline of the state of North Carolina. These little bronze North Carolina charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace.

Show your love of South Carolina with this handmade Art Deco South Carolina State Shape Necklace in the outline of the state of South Carolina. These little bronze South Carolina charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace.

Show your love of Tennessee with this handmade Art Deco Tennessee State Shape Necklace in the outline of the state of Tennessee. These little bronze Tennessee charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace.

Show your love of Texas with this handmade Art Deco Texas State Shape Necklace in the outline of the state of Texas. These little bronze Texas charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace.

11 Unique Styles of Arkansas Jewelry and Gifts Designed and Made in Arkansas

From the state crop to the state insect to the state gemstone to the shape of the state of Arkansas, jewelry maker Bang-Up Betty has a huge variety of Arkansas themed jewelry and gifts designed and made right here in Arkansas.

While making jewelry and gifts in Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas, for more than eight years, I’ve amassed a fairly large array of Arkansas-themed jewelry and gifts. From the Arkansas state crop to the state insect to the state gemstone to the shape of the state of Arkansas (plus the many cute and fierce wild creatures that populate the Natural State), I’ve cast so many symbols of Arkansas in bronze and silver pendants, stamped them onto brass necklaces, and designed funny Arkansas t-shirts and stickers. Here are 11 unique pieces of Arkansas jewelry and gifts designed and made in Arkansas by Bang-Up Betty:

If you’ve ever driven across the Natural State, you’ve probably laid eyes on a rice field. As the top rice producer in the nation, Arkansas produces more than 9 billion pounds of rice each year - which would explain why rice is an important dinner staple for many Arkansans, especially those experiencing hunger.

This necklace pays homage to Arkansas’s staple crop while giving back to the Arkansas Foodbank, the largest hunger relief organization in the state. The Arkansas pendant, created by North Little Rock jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty, was made by casting real Arkansas rice flowers (from Cornerstone Farm, near Altheimer, AR) in bronze, and it’s also available in sterling silver.

Rice farmers are a big part of the Arkansas Foodbank. In the early 1980s, Arkansas rice farmers realized two things: they had a surplus of their crop, and they had hungry neighbors. By working together, they filled an important need by ensuring families and children had access to nutritious food. To this day, these producers donate millions of pounds of rice to food banks across our state, in turn feeding thousands of our neighbors experiencing hunger.

20% of the sales of these necklaces go directly to the Arkansas Foodbank. Each bronze Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace sold raises enough money to fund 58 meals for hungry Arkansans, and each silver necklace funds 67 meals for Arkansans in need.

Show your love of Arkansas with Arkansas-made jewelry that’s in the shape of Arkansas. These little bronze and sterling silver Arkansas charms are cast with a beautiful Art Deco fan pattern and come as a dainty necklace or a set of hoop earrings. The necklace is made with an 18-inch 14K gold-filled chain, and the hoop earrings are made with 14K gold-filled one-inch hoops that are hypoallergenic, as is the necklace. The silver version is a sterling silver charm on an 18-inch sterling silver chain or sterling silver hoop earrings.

I made this little gem because... you know... The Diamond State...

This dainty diamond outline necklace is a nod to the Arkansas state gemstone—the diamond. Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, is one of the only places on earth where the public can dig for diamonds and keep what they find.

The Diamond State, the Natural State, or just home, sweet home… whatever you want to call the state of Arkansas, keep it close to your heart with this handmade Arkansas necklace made with either a woodgrain, water or diamond motif. You can get this pretty Arkansas necklace with the cubic zirconia in the center or in the top left for Northwest Arkansas, or if another part of the state is your favorite, email us to have the stone placed closer to there.

Celebrate the state insect of Arkansas, the honeybee, with this gorgeous bee necklace. I love this hand-cast, kiln-fired bronze medallion so much because it’s a little sweet and a little spooky. The bee in the design is very obvious, but if you look closely, you’ll see that the bee is resting on a spider web, creating a magnificently textured, multidimensional piece. The warm glow of the bronze in this handmade necklace is complimented by two beads of golden jade quartz that connect the pendant to a gold-filled chain. The chain measures approximately 19 inches long and ends in a spring clasp. Hand-cast bronze has a warm, golden glow and is tarnish resistant. This beautiful piece transitions perfectly from summer to winter; it’s light and happy, but also a little spooky. It’s perfect for a nature lover. This handmade bee necklace is also available in silver.

This spin on my sparkling cubic zirconia Arkansas necklace is made with blue cubic zirconia where Little Rock is or a dazzling display of blue cubic zirconia stones pointing out the counties that voted blue in the 2020 presidential election. Please note that the placement for the counties isn’t exact; I took some artistic liberty and liberties necessary for setting stones in bronze. Each stone is set by hand directly into the bronze.

Arkansas is home and it’s worth fighting for, which is why we’ve got to keep going, keeping calling our representatives and senators, keep making our voices heard, keep convincing smart people to run for office, keep working toward a more equal, equitable Natural State. This handmade Arkansas necklace features a cast bronze Arkansas pendant pressed with the words KEEP GOING to remind us to keep up the good fight.

It’s a widespread joke among Dogtown residents that we always have to go over the river for everyone and everything because folks on the other side act like we live on another continent. Meanwhile we’re over here on the north side wallowing in great bars, lovely neighborhoods, excellent schools and affordable living. We’ve got a good thing going over here, but we’re happy to cross the river to visit you. Do the same for us!

At first glance, this retro-inspired design looks like a fun, groovy shirt promoting North Little Rock (which it is!), but when you get closer, the snarky “stop being a snob about coming to” part adds a dose of funny realness.

The half sun design beneath "North Little Rock” is not only fun, it’s a throwback to the North Little Logo you’ve probably seen on top of the city buildings in Argenta. The old logo has half of what looks like a water wheel, probably a nod to the Old Mill, under the name North Little Rock. I grew up in North Little Rock and live here now and I remember the logo from years ago. This North Little Rock shirt is currently available in blue and groovy yellow.

The North Little Rock shirt design is also available as a weatherproof, sun-resistant vinyl decal. You can grab it with the groovy sun design or with the “Stop Being A Snob About Coming to North Little Rock” text on the sticker.

These handmade bronze butterfly earrings are fit for a monarch… or a Diana fritillary butterfly, the state butterfly of Arkansas, which is more what these butterfly earrings resemble.

Each butterfly charm is hand-cast and kiln-fired bronze, handmade in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The ear wires are 14K gold-filled, so they’re hypoallergenic , and each earring is topped with a hand-wrapped bead of yellow jade (a variety of quartz). The beautiful butterflies are imprinted with an Art Deco fan pattern to make them even more gorgeous and elegant. These handmade bronze butterfly earrings make the perfect gift for any butterfly lover. These butterfly earrings pair perfectly with my matching bronze butterfly necklace.

14 Graduation Gifts for Smart, Hard-Working, Progressive Grads

Rad grad gifts are in right now. Give the graduate in your life an empowering custom bar necklace, the Nevertheless She Persisted Necklace, the Strong As Hell Necklace or a custom mantra cuff. You can also add a birthstone to a necklace to personalize it even more.

Graduation season is here, and after an exceptionally stressful year of pandemic-style learning, I think the grads of 2021 deserve a HUGE shout out for keeping it together, adapting to virtual learning, and putting in the extra organization work that this year undoubtedly required. The graduation jewelry gifts I’ve been making this year have reflected the theme of perseverance more than ever: empowering custom bar necklace that say things like “total badass,” “keep going” and “Dr., Not Ms.,” the Nevertheless She Persisted Necklace, the Strong As Hell Necklace and custom mantra cuffs with a number of uplifting and kick-ass phrases are a few of the popular gifts. You can also add a birthstone to a necklace to personalize it even more. Here are a few more of my top graduation gift picks for 2021:

The Smash the Patriarchy Hammer Necklace is a great way to empower a new feminist graduate heading into the workforce for the first time. Remind them to power forward no matter what obstacles try to slow them down, especially if they’re entering a male-dominated field. Get the Smash the Patriarchy Necklace here.

Think of these hand-stamped custom Mantra Cuff Bracelets as your Wonder Woman cuffs. (Cuffs don't come with super powers, but you do!)

Keep your grad motivated to keep being the badass they are with these stamped mantra bracelets. Cuffs are solid brass or solid aluminum, polished so there are no sharp edges, durable and adjustable. Each cuff is hand stamped letter by letter with the mantra of your choice. Choose from our variety of favorite mantras or enter your own at checkout. Some of my favorite phrases are: take no shit, get shit done, grown ass woman, unstoppable, get out of my way, strong female lead, and keep kicking ass.

A briefcase for the modern badass. The world will make no mistake: you get shit done with this Get Shit Done Tote Bag.

For the history major: The Acropolis Column Earrings are an ode to strength and beauty. Thousands of years after civilizations fall, their artwork and culture survives, like the columns standing on the Acropolis in Athens and the mythologies we keep telling.

For the graduate going into the legal field: This hand-stamped I DISSENT necklace is like a contemporary dissent collar, nodding to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I’ve paired the stamped bar with a silver-plated gavel charm, because there are many tools for smashing the patriarchy. BONUS: This RBG necklace donates to the scholarship fund for the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers, so you’ll be paying it forward to future grads!

“Going high” takes on several meanings in this Go High Mountain Range Necklace. Inspired by Michelle Obama’s famous words, “When they go low, we go high,” this bronze necklace has the words GO HIGH pressed into a solid bronze mountain range, for when you need some extra motivation to get over the next ridge and revel in your hard work and commitment, or for when you need a beautiful reminder to take the high road and let the bullshit wash under you like water under a bridge instead of splashing around in it.

For the grad who can do absolutely anything they want: Let the world know that you do you, and nothing can stop you with this handmade I Do What I Want Stamped Necklace in silver or gold color.

A gift for the graduate going into science and medicine: This I Believe in Science Necklace is a subtle but firm mantra. The science necklace is hand-stamped letter by letter and comes with a little dopamine molecule charm. Get the I Believe in Science Necklace here.

For the literary grad: Are you a bookworm? A Bluestocking? A bibliophile? Is seeking out your next good read on your list of top joys in life? Me too. So I made a necklace about it.

This hand-stamped necklace features a solid brass heart stamped with the words ASK ME WHAT I’M READING. It’s a conversation starter in the best way and it’s like a tiny, attractive Bat Signal to fellow avid readers out there.

For the classical studies grad: Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom, was represented by the owl. She was wise and often referred to as “gray-eyed,” hence the gray jade stone in this necklace dedicated to her. The Athena Necklace features an intricate perched owl centered within a shield, combining Athena’s signature bird with strong, warrior imagery. It’s available in bronze and sterling silver. Looking for another Greek god or goddess? Find my entire collection of Greek mythology jewelry here.

For the art history or biblical studies graduate: There’s something scintillating about seeing Artemisia Gentileschi’s image of Judith Slaying Holofernes, a biblical scene also depicted by Caravaggio and other male artists of the Baroque era, and realizing that this c. 1620 painting of a robust, ruthless Judith mercilessly and dutifully slicing the head from Assyrian general Holofernes was painted by a 20-something-year-old woman. If you don’t know the story behind the painting, Holofernes is about to ransack Judith’s city, but he drinks too much before the siege, allows beautiful Judith to enter his tent thinking it’ll be a good time, and Judith cuts off his head while he’s drunk. It’s kind of a lovely feminist twinkle in the Bible if you ask me. What’s so special about Artemisia’s work, (besides finding a well-known woman artist of this era being like finding a needle in a haystack) is the strength and brutality of Judith. Many other works depicting the theme portray Judith as a seductive, demure or more delicate beauty, but Artemisia went really Rosie the Riveter with her Judith, giving her impressive arms that hold Holofernes down while she violently saws off his head, him writhing and blood spurting everywhere. 

My Judith Slaying Holofernes Necklace is a nod to the gruesome, powerful scene by Artemisia, with Holofernes’ severed head above two daggers and a garnet drop of blood. The cast bronze or sterling silver pendant hangs from an 18-inch 14K gold-filled or sterling silver chain and is accented with a flat-cut, teardrop-shaped garnet (also the January birthstone if that’s your month). Looking for more art history jewelry? Find my entire collection of art history jewelry here.

Bang-Up Betty is snarky, meaningful, well-made jewelry made in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as feminist pins, stickers and gifts. Since 2013, Bang-Up Betty has been crafting custom and personalized jewelry and other quirky, nerdy and feminist necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Shop Bang-Up Betty’s unique Arkansas-made jewelry through our “shop” tab, where you can also order custom name necklaces, mantra cuff bracelets, stamped key tags and more.

Locally Made Mother's Day Gift Guide: 18 Arkansas Made Gifts Mom Will Love

Handmade gifts are always a great idea, and these Arkansas-made products are perfect for Mother’s Day.

So you’ve outgrown making Mom macaroni necklaces, but you still want to give her something handmade (with a lot better craftsmanship) from the heart? Giving something handmade in Arkansas is like giving TWO gifts because you’re giving a super cool, creative item someone poured their heart into as well as the warm fuzzy feels that come with shopping small and local. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite locally made gifts in this Mother’s Day gift guide. Check out the decorative, useful, wearable and edible gifts here, all made in Arkansas.

Ceramicist Carla Churchwell makes these adorable ceramic houses that double as incense burners. Carla’s gorgeous pottery includes stacking heart-shaped trinket dishes, cute “worry warts,” Guinea hens and more. Find Churchwell Pottery here.

The Red Bird Designs is tie-dye reimagined with gorgeous color palettes. Laura Grimes dyes every piece by hand, so they’re all wonderfully unique. Check out her gorgeous apparel as well as tableware here.

Bang-Up Betty’s custom birthstone necklaces are the perfect gift for mothers, grandmothers or anyone with several special people close to their heart. Wear the birthstones of each little one in your brood! Check out the whole Birthstone Cluster Collection of handmade jewelry here.

These custom “Real Housewives” wine glasses are hilarious, and you can have Lux + Soul print them with your hometown. Lux + Soul offers a wide range of candles and lounge wear as well, so you can create a whole self-care package for Mother’s Day. Shop Lux + Soul here.

Artist Sherry J. Williamson’s colorful and delightful paintings light up any room, and her wide array of greeting cards, prints, stickers, magnets and more make cheerful gifts. And Sherry is always donating to worthy causes through her work! Check out Sherry’s shop here.

Dessert chef Matcha Norwood’s inventive and delicious cheesecakes are unforgettable. Follow her at Cheesecake On Point to keep up with what she’s cooking up and where she’ll be!

Bang-Up Betty’s Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace is a nod to the Natural State that gives back. This necklace pays homage to Arkansas’s staple crop while giving back to the Arkansas Foodbank, the largest hunger relief organization in the state. The Arkansas pendant was made with real Arkansas rice flowers (from Cornerstone Farm, near Altheimer, AR). Get the Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace here.

North Little Rock-based woodworker Paul Milholland’s mid-century modern handcrafted wooden birds are the perfect addition to any birdwatcher’s shelves. Paul’s Danish-inspired work includes incredibly beautiful furniture as well as gorgeous figurines like whales, herons and geese as well as the birds above. Check out Milwerk Modern here.

Moms who would love an uplifting book to add to their collection of bedtime stories will treasure Crystal C. Mercer’s From Cotton to Silk: the Magic of Black Hair. Publisher Et Alia Press describes this book perfectly: “Sprinkled with #BlackGirlMagic and an ode to cultural beauty, From Cotton to Silk encourages girls everywhere to appreciate their hair in its natural state and love themselves just the way they are. Its enchanting pages reveal 467 hours of hand-stitching poured into textile renderings that blend cloth, culture, and the superpowers of the kinky, curly coif.” I could spend hours staring at all the intricacies of Crystal’s illustrations! Get your copy here.

Encourage mom to do some journaling or make it easy for her to keep track of her busy schedule with a handmade fillion from Little Mountain Bindery. You can even build a custom one to make it extra personal. Shop Little Mountain Bindery here.

In my family, you can’t go wrong with the gift of tea from Abbi’s Teas & Things. Abbi Siler hand blends all of her teas and sources consciously, so you’re sure to get the very best tea that’s ethical and free of added sugars. Her Watermelon Rose blend is legendary! Some of my other favorites include Cherry Chamomile, Lavender Lemon and Lavender Pear. Shop Abbi’s teas here.

If your childhood was filled with empty threats, immortalize them on a Bang-Up Betty custom keychain to create the funniest Mother’s Day gift ever. Get the Don’t Make Me Turn This Car Around keychain here, or click here to customize your own keychain.

Up mom’s relaxation game with CBD gummies (plus salves, cookies and drops!) made from locally grown hemp. These new watermelon CBD gummies from Hawgs Hemp Refinery in Birdtown, Arkansas, are so tasty it’s hard to not eat the whole bag in one sitting. Get them here.

Bastet Glassworks got her stained glass start renovating antique church windows, and sometimes she even incorporates antique windows into her own quirky window hangings. These stained glass feather sun catchers would look beautiful in a birdwatcher’s window. Message Felicia directly on Instagram here to purchase a stained glass feather or have her create something custom for you.

Speaking of stained glass… This necklace from Bang-Up Betty’s Gallery Collection inspired by art history was fashioned after the rose windows of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It would make a perfect Mother’s Day gift for moms who love to travel and need to stop and admire all the beautiful churches when they do. Find the Rose Window Necklace here. It’s part of my Gallery Collection of jewelry inspired by Art History.

Creative moms will love the handmade watercolor paint sets created by Wild Ozark. Madison Woods makes the paints by grinding up actual rocks, clay and earth from Arkansas, creating the most beautiful natural pigments. Check out her shop here.

Jewelry maker Elizabeth Rogers electroforms copper around gorgeous gemstones to create her signature stud earrings. These deep blue lapis lazuli studs are just one example of the dreamy stones available through her shop Web and Rock.

Give Mom the gift of a new hobby! Beading is such a fun, creative activity, and the folks at Argenta Bead Company make it fun to learn, shop and socialize with their workshops and extensive shop filled with all the supplies you need to get started making jewelry. Visit them in SoMa or call them to get a gift card. Visit the Argenta Bead Company website for more information.

Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace to Benefit Arkansas Foodbank

This necklace pays homage to Arkansas’s staple crop while giving back to the Arkansas Foodbank, the largest hunger relief organization in the state. The Arkansas pendant, created by North Little Rock jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty, was made by casting real Arkansas rice flowers (from Cornerstone Farm, near Altheimer, AR) in bronze, and it’s also available in sterling silver.

If you’ve ever driven across the Natural State, you’ve probably laid eyes on a rice field. As the top rice producer in the nation, Arkansas produces more than 9 billion pounds of rice each year - which would explain why rice is an important dinner staple for many Arkansans, especially those experiencing hunger.

This necklace pays homage to Arkansas’s staple crop while giving back to the Arkansas Foodbank, the largest hunger relief organization in the state. The Arkansas pendant, created by North Little Rock jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty, was made by casting real Arkansas rice flowers (from Cornerstone Farm, near Altheimer, AR) in bronze, and it’s also available in sterling silver.

Each bronze Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace sold raises enough money to fund 58 meals for hungry Arkansans, and each silver necklace funds 67 meals for Arkansans in need.

Rice farmers are a big part of the Arkansas Foodbank. In the early 1980s, Arkansas rice farmers realized two things: they had a surplus of their crop, and they had hungry neighbors. By working together, they filled an important need by ensuring families and children had access to nutritious food. To this day, these producers donate millions of pounds of rice to food banks across our state, in turn feeding thousands of our neighbors experiencing hunger.

 20% of the sales of these necklaces go directly to the Arkansas Foodbank. To learn more about how the Arkansas Foodbank works to relieve hunger in our state, click here.

I used florets from real Arkansas rice sourced from Cornerstone Farm, near Altheimer, Arkansas, for these bronze and sterling Arkansas necklaces that benefit the Arkansas Foodbank.

The Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace pendant measures approximately 1.25 inches across and is available in bronze or sterling silver. The. bronze necklace is made with an 18-inch 14k gold-filled chain, and the sterling silver necklace has an 18-inch sterling silver chain. Prefer a longer chain? Click here to add an extender to your necklace.