The Space Age Collection: Jewelry Inspired By Our Universe

Whether you prefer traveling by space shuttle or flying saucer, our new space-themed Space Age Collection of jewelry has something out of this world for you.

Inspired by our universe, its mysteries, and its infinite surprises, our Space Age Collection of jewelry explores our galaxy and beyond through bronze and sterling silver depictions and interpretations of the solar system, space travel, our neighboring planets, and neighbors we’ve yet to discover. This collection of space jewelry invites you to bring life’s hugest mysteries to your mind and body with uncommon and creative designs and encourages you to embrace how small we are inside this universe.

The Solar Eclipse Necklace is a beautiful, movable necklace featuring a sterling silver moon eclipsing a bronze sun. The moon pendant can slide from side to side to reveal the sun behind it. This mixed metal piece plays up the glow and contrast of silver and bronze, making them work together in a harmonious, interesting piece of jewelry. Choose from an 18-inch 14k gold-filled chain or an 18-inch sterling silver chain for your eclipse necklace.

Wear this necklace to watch the next solar eclipse. There will be a partial one on April 30, 2022, and another partial solar eclipse on October 25, 2022. We’ll get another total solar eclipse in North America in October of 2023.

Our Solar Eclipse Earrings are made to match our Solar Eclipse Necklace.

The two largest planets in our solar system are Jupiter and Saturn. When they’re closest to the earth in their orbit, Jupiter is 365 million miles and Saturn is 746 million miles from us. Eleven planets the size of earth could fit across Jupiter’s middle. Both Jupiter and Saturn are colossal in size and, much like the sun, are made mostly of dense hydrogen. Each planet has a menagerie of moons orbiting it: Saturn has 82 known moons, Jupiter 79.

With the Jupiter and Saturn Hoop Earrings, I’ve drawn attention to the many moons of these planets by focusing on a handful. Jupiter’s moon Europa could have a liquid water ocean under its icy surface. With more than 400 volcanoes, Jupiter’s moon Io is the most geologically active known object in the solar system. Ganymede’s internal ocean may contain more water than all of the oceans on earth combined. Saturn’s moon Titan is bigger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon known to have a dense atmosphere. Saturn and Jupiter with their moons are like their own solar systems in a way, their gravitational pull heating the insides of their surrounding moons so that they teem with activity. It’s believed by many that if we’re going to find another within our solar system where life could form or already exist, it’s here.

The Jupiter and Saturn Hoop Earrings come as a pair with one earring depicting Jupiter with moons and the other featuring Saturn with moons. Gold earrings are made of bronze with 14k gold-filled ear wires that are hypoallergenic. Silver earrings are made of sterling silver with sterling silver ear wires. These planets may be huge in real life, but these earrings’ 2-D design makes them lightweight and comfortable to wear.

One of the most recognizable and easy to find constellations from almost anywhere in the world is Orion, which is part of the reason why I love it so much and chose to make the Orion Constellation Necklace. This necklace features a multi-pointed star shape with the constellation of Orion carved through it. Hold this pendant up and let the light shine through the points of the constellation, chiseled through the pendant with little star-shaped points. The gold Orion necklace features a bronze pendant on a 14k gold-filled 18-inch chain, and the silver Orion necklaces features a sterling silver pendant on an 18-inch sterling silver chain.

The Orion constellation contains two of the 10 brightest stars in the sky, Rigel and Betelgeuse, and several nebulae as well as the Trapezium cluster. It’s a hotbed for stargazing. I love when I can find Orion in the twilit sky even before the sun’s glow has faded all the way from the sky.

The constellation is named for the hunter Orion in Greek mythology and is the shape of a kneeling hunter with bow strung to shoot.

In the currently estimated 100 billion galaxies swimming in the sea of the universe, here we are, sitting on a pale blue dot inside our own Milky Way galaxy, which is 52,850 light years across. If that doesn’t make you feel small, I’m not sure what will. The Milky Way Galaxy Cuff is a band of stars with a golden glow, much like the galaxy as seen from earth. The stars peek through to the inner side of the cuff, so you can hold it up and see the light through them. At one end of the cuff is a sun and the other a crescent moon.

The stars peek through to the inner side of the Milky Way Galaxy Cuff Bracelet, so you can hold it up and see the light through them.

Our transport to another world, the space shuttle carries us beyond our planet. The Space Shuttle Necklace features a hand-carved bronze or sterling silver space shuttle pendant aiming at the Red Planet of Mars, a planet NASA hopes to take humans to for the first time in the 2030s.

The Sun Stud Earrings in our Space Age Collection are a subtle, creative and unusual design, with the sun posed to look as if it wraps around the earlobe rather than sitting in front of it. These radiant discs come in solid bronze or sterling silver, and are versatile enough to wear with anything. I love these sun earrings paired with our Solar System Necklace. Actually I love them paired with everything in our space jewelry collection.

This Solar System Necklace is inspired by the models and scales of the solar system we use to learn the planets. At the center is a bronze or sterling silver sun, followed by the nine planets of our solar system represented by different colorful gemstone beads.

Have you ever looked into the sunset, felt the warmth on your face and considered that this huge ball of light in the sky is actually 93 million miles away from us and appears this large and feels this warm? The distance between the sun, Earth and our neighboring planets is hard to imagine.

Gemstone beads represent each planet in our Solar System Necklace, with a bronze or sterling silver sun at its center.

The Earthrise Crescent Earth Necklace, featuring a bronze crescent earth, was inspired by the famous “Earthrise” photo. During the first manned mission to the. moon in 1968, the astronauts held a live broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed a photo of earth taken from their spacecraft on the moon’s surface. It showed the Earth in a waxing phase like we see the moon from down here. During the broadcast, astronaut Jim Lovell said, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth."

The U.F.O. Necklace features a flying saucer beaming green light in the form of eerily beautiful peridot beads. The gold version of this alien necklace is made with a bronze U.F.O. and 18-inch 14k gold-filled paperclip-style chain. The silver version is sterling silver with an 18-inch sterling silver cable chain. This necklace is made to pair with our U.F.O. earrings.

In the universe, it’s estimated that there are 100 billion galaxies. The Milky Way galaxy alone has more than 3,200 stars like our sun that have planets orbiting them. Planets like Jupiter and Saturn have dozens of moons, some with atmospheres and water ice. When you consider that, it’s hard to imagine there NOT being life outside of Earth. My U.F.O. necklace and earrings are an homage to the retro imagery of alien flying saucer spacecrafts and the idea that it’s not crazy at all to believe in life out there.

Our U,F.O. Flying Saucer Earrings with Peridot beads are made to match our U.F.O. Necklace.

Looking for U.F.O.s to take me home in my alien costume at our Space Age Collection jewelry photo shoot…

… but also bringing it back down to earth as an astronaut.

These Kid-Friendly and Grown-Ups Virtual Charm Necklace Classes Teach Beginner Jewelry Making in a Creative Way

Running out of crafts to keep the kids entertained and creative while social distancing? This hands-on beginner jewelry class will virtually teach kids how to make charm necklaces, and it’s interactive so they’ll get their questions answered and extra help if they need.

Get crafty and social while maintaining a safe distance during this kid-friendly virtual workshop where we’ll remotely make charm necklaces together. Participants will receive a package in the mail that contains the tools and supplies before this online workshop with jewelry maker Stacey Bowers of Bang-Up Betty. They’ll be sent enough chain to make about 3 necklaces and 3 charms that you can either make separate necklaces with or add multiple charms to one necklace. You’ll be sent a private link to join a Zoom video call where Stacey will walk everyone through how to make these fun necklaces and be ready to answer questions about beginner jewelry making. This workshop is recommended for ages 10 and up. We’ll be using pliers to open and close jump rings, so if you think your little one might need extra help, we recommend being there to lend a hand.

You will be able to customize the color of your necklace’s chain and submit requests for charms. At checkout, you’ll be asked to give us a list of 5-8 things you’re interested in and we’ll do our best to raid the charm stash and send you something that suits your interests.

If you would like to return the tools after class by dropping them off with Bang-Up Betty in Little Rock/North Little Rock or mailing them back, $4 will be refunded to you after we receive the tools.

This class will be held online Saturday, May 23, from 2-3 p.m. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Invite your friends! Reserve your seats by purchasing this listing. Please, no coupon codes for classes. I’m trying to keep the prices on them as low as possible already :-)

To reserve your seat or find out more information, click here.

Are you a grown-up looking for something creative to do and a great way to safely socialize? Check out our grown-ups interactive virtual Naughty Word Necklace workshop.

Get crafty and social while maintaining a safe distance during this virtual Bead ‘n B*tch workshop where we’ll remotely make “Naughty Word Necklaces” together. Participants will receive a package in the mail that contains the tools and supplies before this online workshop with jewelry maker Stacey Bowers of Bang-Up Betty.

Get crafty and social while maintaining a safe distance during this virtual Bead ‘n B*tch workshop where we’ll remotely make “Naughty Word Necklaces” together. Participants will receive a package in the mail that contains the tools and supplies before this online workshop with jewelry maker Stacey Bowers of Bang-Up Betty. They’ll be sent a private link to join a Zoom video call where Stacey will walk everyone through how to make these funny, clever necklaces and be ready to answer questions. You will be able to customize the color of your necklace and the letters you’d like, up to 8 letters, and they don't have to be naughty! Feel free to put your own name or someone else's name or your pet's name or any word you like that's 8 letters or fewer. You’ll be sent enough chain to make a necklace that is up to 20 inches long. If you would like to return the tools after class by dropping them off with Bang-Up Betty in Little Rock/North Little Rock or mailing them back, $5 will be refunded to you after we receive the tools.

This class will be held online Wednesday, May 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Invite your friends! To reserve your seat or get more information, click here.

Want to RSVP on Facebook for updates and invite your pals to join you in this virtual jewelry class? Click here.

Interested in participating in a creative workshop in person once everyone is open for business again? “Like” Bang-Up Betty on Facebook for workshop and class announcements. You can also join our Crafty Betties Facebook group to be in the know. In-person crafty workshops are held inside Stifft Station Gifts in Little Rock, Arkansas. If you haven’t heard of it, Stifft Station Gifts is the cutest little gift shop around that is actually deceptively gigantic inside and filled with Arkansas made goods, clever gifts, amazing bath and body products, the entire Bang-Up Betty handmade jewelry collection, and so, so, so, much more. Shop Stifft Station Gifts online!

Interested in participating in a creative workshop in person once everyone is open for business again? “Like” Bang-Up Betty on Facebook for workshop and class announcements. You can also join our Crafty Betties Facebook group to be in the know. This beaded praying mantis workshop is coming up this summer!

Get Crafty and Social Online with this Virtual Naughty Word Necklace Workshop with Jewelry Maker Bang-Up Betty

I miss you all so much that I’m taking Bead ‘n B"*tch online so we can still make crafty things and hang out while keeping each other safe. Reserve your spot in this online Naughty Word Necklace workshop and get ready to get creative and social.

Get crafty and social while maintaining a safe distance during this virtual Bead ‘n B*tch workshop where we’ll remotely make “Naughty Word Necklaces” together. Participants will receive a package in the mail that contains the tools and supplies before this online workshop with jewelry maker Stacey Bowers of Bang-Up Betty. They’ll be sent a private link to join a Zoom video call where Stacey will walk everyone through how to make these funny, clever necklaces and be ready to answer questions. You will be able to customize the color of your necklace and the letters you’d like, up to 8 letters. You’ll be sent enough chain to make a necklace that is up to 20 inches long. If you would like to return the tools after class by dropping them off with Bang-Up Betty in Little Rock/North Little Rock or mailing them back, $5 will be refunded to you after we receive the tools.

This class will be held online Wednesday, May 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Invite your friends! Reserve your seats by purchasing this listing. No previous jewelry making experience necessary!

Bead ‘n B*tch is a creative new handmade class series curated by Bang-Up Betty with the intention of conjuring up camaraderie through crafting in a relaxed environment where attendees can unwind with a low-budget, low-pressure art form, tasty snacks and good company right here in central Arkansas (when we’re not social distancing). Think of it as a good old-fashioned stitch ’n’ b*tch, but with beads. After class, you should be able to carry on this art form at home if you like without a big investment in tools and equipment. 

By purchasing this listing and registering for a class, you agree to allow us to communicate with you via the email you provide at checkout. Please make sure it’s the right email! We may also need to contact you by phone in case of an emergency. 

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your registration, please do so no later than 7 days before class is scheduled. Cancellations that occur before then will be 100% refunded. Cancellations that occur after May 6, 2020, will not be refunded. Thank you for understanding that a lot of love and prep work goes into each class and supplies are bought ahead of time. Please email stacey@bangupbetty.com to cancel a registration. In the event that the instructor needs to cancel the class, registration fees will be refunded in full and registrants will be notified by email. 

Custom and Handmade Gift Ideas to Make Mother's Day Extra Special

I’ve been missing my mom so much while self-quarantining. We usually hang out every Sunday (and like 3 other days of the week, honestly), and the closest we’ve gotten to hanging out in four weeks is when I sat on the other end of the porch from her and my dad and scolded them for getting too close to the mailman. Not seeing my parents has been the hardest part of isolation for me. That and finding dried beans. Ok and maybe a lot of other stuff. And, yes, I know I have it easy compared to a lot of people, but I’m gonna make a bean joke where I can. (I;m thinking about thos Beans.)

Anyway, I keep thinking about how Mother’s Day is going to be…. er… weird this year. This was actually going to be the first year in several years that I was going to skip participating in a craft show and spend Mother’s Day with my mom. Now I’m scheming up ways to make Mother’s Day special from afar, and I know a lot of you are doing the same thing.

I’m already working on custom jewelry for husbands to give to their wives, wives to give to their wives, kids to give to their moms, and moms to give to their kids who have just become parents. I thought I’d round up some of my most-loved and most-creative jewelry ideas for all kinds of moms this year.

Whether mom is just really into working puzzles or she’s your missing puzzle piece right now or all of the above, this handmade bronze puzzle piece necklace will soothe her soul. These hand-cast bronze puzzle piece charms are modeled after pieces from my favorite puzzle I have at home and which I’ve been working a lot these last few weeks. You can order just one necklace with one bronze puzzle piece or get a matching one to send to your missing puzzle piece person to brighten their day.

Immortalize mom’s empty threats from childhood with a keychain that says “Don’t Make Me Turn This Car Around.” These hand-stamped brass keychains can be customized to say whatever you like. They also make great gifts for dad if your dad was more of the mother figure in your life.

These custom birthstone necklaces can feature the birthstones of all the special people in mom’s life. You can also get mom a gorgeous strand of just her birthstone. See all my birthstone jewelry here.

Custom name necklaces are always a hit with moms. Add custom stamped tags for the little ones in mom’s life, and the necklaces come in silver and gold. You can also mix and match the color of the tags like the necklace shown.

Whether mom is edgy or sweet, these custom stamped mantra cuff bracelets can say her favorite catchphrase, snarky mantra or inspirational quote. Bonus: they are on sale while we’re working from home. Some of the favorite phrases right now are “Get Shit Done,” “Indomitable,” and “Take No Shit.”

Maybe mom needs a little motivation right now. Maybe she misses traveling and hiking in the great outdoors. This “Keep Going” stamped mountain range necklace will make her heart sing.

Maybe mom’s got a case of Arkansas pride. Maybe she misses Arkansas. Either way, this handmade bronze Arkansas necklace is the perfect thing to add to her jewelry collection. The hand-cast bronze Arkansas charm has a warm, golden glow and a substantial, luxurious feel. These Arkansas necklaces are handmade and kiln-fired in my North Little Rock, Arkansas, studio.

Is mom the bee’s knees? Tell her with this elegant honey bee honey drop necklace that features a faceted citrine as a little drop of honey with a brass bee charm on a gold-filled chain.

Happy Mother’s Day to dog moms and cat moms, too! Anyone who knows my work knows there is an extensive selection of cat lady and cat mom jewelry in my collection, so I’m shining a light on these dog mom necklaces.

Treat mom like the queen she is with this Queen Mother hand-stamped necklace. When you get to see her again, have tea with her, too. Missing mom’s bear hugs? Then maybe the Mama Bear stamped necklace is more her style.

Mom could always use a reminder of how strong she really is. This Strong As Hell stamped necklace is the perfect gift for one of the strongest people in your life.

Like the look of the custom name necklace but want to add a little more flair to it? These custom name necklaces with lockets will let mom put a tiny picture of someone she loves in a locket and wear it near her heart.

How many times have you heard mom deny you a Happy Meal with the phrase “there’s food at home’? Immortalize her favorite shut-down with a custom brass stamped keychain.

Want a cute or snarky card to go with your Mother’s Day gift? You can add one of these greeting cards to your package. If you want to mail mom’s gift directly to her, we can fill out the card by hand with whatever you want it to say.

If you are looking for more ideas of great mother’s day jewelry, please email me at stacey@bangupbetty.com and we can work together to create something perfect.

Bang-Up Betty is handmade, hand-stamped jewelry created in my North Little Rock, Arkansas, studio. When we’re not self-isolating, you can find my jewelry at Stifft Station Gifts in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Handmade Matching Puzzle Piece Necklaces to Send to Your Missing Puzzle Piece

Whether you’re just really into working puzzles or you’ve got a special person who is your missing puzzle piece right now or all of the above, this handmade bronze puzzle piece necklace will soothe your soul. You can order just one necklace with one bronze puzzle piece or get a matching one to send to your missing puzzle piece person to brighten their day.

I’ve been working a lot of puzzles lately. I’ve also been really missing having a beer at a bar with my best friends and missing their smiling faces when they come to visit me at work at Stifft Station Gifts. It’s been a weird few weeks for everyone. Tomorrow marks 4 weeks of self-isolating for me and it’s also my business anniversary, which I usually celebrate with a big party with cake and drinks somewhere pretty where we can all get together and joke/marvel at how I’m still keeping it together, but this year the whole party has to be online (minus whatever dry-as-hell cake I bake in the toaster oven to improperly celebrate at home).

One way I’ve found myself connecting with people without physically connecting with them is through games. I’ve done several games of online bingo (public and private, join this group if you want to be in the know about my bingo games) to have fun and joke around and give things away to friends far and wide. I've been majorly failing at that drawing game in the House Party app (all line drawings are penises, sorry not sorry). I’ve been making my husband resent me by being a strategic asshole at Scrabble and Uno (also sorry, not sorry). And I’ve been getting a lot of therapy from working puzzles since I guess therapy is canceled too these days.

These necklaces are Inspired by all of the puzzles I’ve been working while self-isolating during the COVID-19 outbreak and all of the friends I miss and who I feel are my missing puzzle pieces right now. I took two fitting pieces from my favorite puzzle, a bunch illustrated birds with smug faces, and cast them by hand to make this bronze jewelry.

These necklaces are Inspired by all of the puzzles I’ve been working while self-isolating during the COVID-19 outbreak and all of the friends I miss and who I feel are my missing puzzle pieces right now. I took two fitting pieces from my favorite puzzle, a bunch illustrated birds with smug faces, and cast them by hand to make this bronze jewelry.

Whether you’re just really into working puzzles or you’ve got a special person who is your missing puzzle piece right now or all of the above, this handmade bronze puzzle piece necklace will soothe your soul. You can order just one necklace with one bronze puzzle piece or get a matching one to send to your missing puzzle piece person to brighten their day. I’m making them solid and with this pretty Art Deco pattern, and they also come on 18-inch or 20-inch chains, so there’s some versatility. When you buy one necklace for a pal and one for you, you get a discount off the set.

Thank you for supporting small businesses in the safest ways possible right now. I could go on about what a (not fun) rollercoaster ride this has been for every small business owner, but I’ll save that for another post because puzzles and friends are more fun to talk about.

If you can, join me for my online Bang-Up Bettyversary Friday, April 10, as we virtually celebrate seven years of snarky and sassy handmade jewelry made in Arkansas. Invite your missing puzzle piece so you can both play in the giveaways and maybe win some handmade jewelry or a feminist pin or something else. Or maybe send them something sweet from my site to brighten their day.

If you can, join me for my online Bang-Up Bettyversary Friday, April 10, as we virtually celebrate seven years of snarky and sassy handmade jewelry made in Arkansas. Invite your missing puzzle piece so you can both play in the giveaways and maybe win some handmade jewelry or a feminist pin or something else. Or maybe send them something sweet from my site to brighten their day.

Hammered in Arkansas: A Jewelry Maker's Best Moments of 2018

Bang-Up Betty has been stamping handmade jewelry in Arkansas since 2013. Celebrating a 5th anniversary, seeing Julianne Moore wear my jewelry and supporting great charitable causes were among some of the highlights of this Arkansas jewelry maker’s 2018.

Looking back on the year, especially as all my friends are sharing their “best nine” Instagram posts, I always like to pick and choose my personal “best nine” since photo “likes” sometimes don’t do the right things justice (but are always appreciated and welcome!). 2018 was a banner year at Bang-Up Betty. I celebrated some huge milestones, saw celebrities wear my jewelry, got to raise money for several local causes that are close to my heart, and was recognized in some really amazing ways.

Thank you so much to everyone who brought a piece of Bang-Up Betty handmade jewelry into their lives or gave it to a loved one this year. Thank you to everyone who came to see me at pop-up craft shows and events. Thank you to everyone who shared social media posts and told pals about my jewelry. Thank you to my stockists across the country who brought my jewelry to their cities. Every year I do this is more magical than the last. Every morning I wake up grateful and astounded at the support my home state of Arkansas has given me. Thank you, thank you, thank you again.

Now, for the countdown…

Janelle Monae wore my I Believe in Science pin along with many other makers’ enamel pins during her Today Show performance.

1.) Janelle Monae wore my pin. The Janelle Monae. She wore my pin. My I Believe in Science enamel pin. She wore it in an assortment of feminist and activist pins on her Today Show appearance. I am still in recovery.

That’s my I Believe in Science enamel pin on the right. On Janelle Monae’s outfit for her Today Show appearance.

At some point in time I packaged that I Believe in Science pin with my own hands and sent it off and it landed on the lapel of THE. JANELLE. MONAE. I am breathless.

Bang-Up Betty has been making artisan jewelry in Arkansas since 2013 and celebrated five years in 2018 with a pop-up in Little Rock.

2.) I had my 5th anniversary. In April of 2018 I celebrated five whole years of making jewelry in Little Rock, Arkansas, and threw a big party complete with this confetti cake that WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL CAKE I MADE. I made a unicorn-shaped cake for the occasion and Betty the cat ATE IT when I wasn’t looking the night before the party. He is a savage.

Betty the cat perches in the Bang-Up Betty handmade jewelry studio. His name and personality inspired the name of the business, and he is a small internet celebrity. Follow him on Instagram at @bettyisaboy.

3.) Betty the cat made the evening news. Anytime I can get Betty the cat in a magazine or on the tv is the best time of my life. In 2018, KARK stopped by my jewelry studio and fell in love with Betty. I think he got more air time than I did and I have no complaints.

Only in Arkansas: Bang-up Betty's creations are not the usual jewelry items.

Arkansas bride: My gleeful expression after saying my vows (that I wrote!) at the Edgemont House in North Little Rock, Arkansas, in September. Photo by Katie Childs.

4.) I got married! This is really number one on the list BUT THE LIST IS OUT OF ORDER. Collin, don’t get mad.

In September 2018, I got hitched to a very wonderful, supportive, encouraging, hilarious, handsome, incredible guy who was totally fine with us having a weird wedding. It was the most fun day of my life and we’ve been keeping the party going ever since we said “I do.” You really can’t stop the party once you buy a six-foot inflatable dancing man for your wedding and can’t return it.

The inflatable dancing man at our wedding at the Edgemont House in North Little Rock, Arkansas, may have been more of a hit than the bride and groom were. Photo by Katie Childs.

Read all about our wedding in this blog post I wrote about how crafty I was and how ridiculous our decor was.

Julianne Moore wears a One Tough Mother Necklace by Bang-Up Betty at a Moms Demand Action conference.

5.) Julianne Moore wore my One Tough Mother necklace AND I raised close to $600 for this incredible charity that’s so close to my heart. I had no idea that when one of the loveliest women I know bought a necklace from me, she meant to bring it to the Moms Demand Action conference and give it to Julianne Moore. Julianne Moore then wore it in a PSA for the organization that encouraged people to vote!

Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty’s “Stay Gold” collection is inspired by the Golden Girls and features vintage and limited edition pieces. Plus those big Miami colors!

6.) I made a jewelry collection inspired by The Golden Girls. I had so much fun designing this collection of vintage-inspired jewelry that my husband then photographed for me on our Lanai. Hahahaha. I’m a Dorothy at heart, but the necklace in the image above was inspired by Blanche.

See more of the Stay Gold collection and read more about what inspired it here!

Bang-Up Betty was voted Best Artisan for the fourth year in a row in the Arkansas Times’s Best of Arkansas for jewelry design.

7.) Y’all voted me Best Artisan in the Arkansas Times’s Best of Arkansas issue! For the fourth year in a row! I am so incredibly grateful for the support my fellow Arkansans have given me over the years. Thank you for giving me the courage to keep making jewelry and putting myself out there.

You also voted my jewelry best in Arkansas Handmade Products in AY Magazine’s Best. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Bang-Up Betty jewelry was voted best in Arkansas Handmade Products by AY Magazine readers.

Bang-Up Betty’s Love is Queer Bracelet 100% benefits Lucie’s Place, a shelter for homeless LGBT in Little Rock, Arkansas.

8.) I got to support Lucie’s Place by making things. Earlier this year, I dedicated this Love is Queer bracelet to Lucie’s Place, donating 100% of the profits to the nonprofit organization that provides shelter for homeless LGBT in Arkansas. I love being able to use my craft to raise money for progressive nonprofits in the state of Arkansas and across the country.

My new Birthstone Cluster Collection features rough, raw and natural gemstones and is inspired by nature. Photo by Collin Buchanan.

9.) I released the Birthstone Cluster Collection, which is inspired by nature and features raw, rough-cut and natural gemstones to celebrate the wearer. Happy birthday to you! These necklaces are by far my favorite things to make right now and can be personalized. Grab your custom birthstone necklace, or maybe one celebrating your child or another loved one!

Arkansas Jewelry Designer Bang-Up Betty Featured on THV11

Since 2013, Bang Up Betty has been serving up unique and fun handmade jewelry from Arkansas!

THV11 contacted me recently to chat about how I got started making jewelry, what inspires my handmade jewelry, what my bestsellers for holiday gifts are, and, of course, Betty the cat.

This interview with Ashley King airs Friday, December 14, 2018, during the 8 p.m. premiere of their new show, The Vine. It’ll be an Arkansas Christmas special focusing on what’s wonderful and local, and I’m so honored they chose to showcase my handmade jewelry.

I’m proud to be an Arkansas-based jeweler supporting local nonprofits and making folks laugh and smile with my jewelry!

Arkansas jewelry maker Bang-Up Betty at work stamping custom jewelry at Moxy Modern Mercantile. Bang-Up Betty handmade jewelry is designed and made locally in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Witty Literary Necklaces for Book Lovers

Write On! and Books B4 Boys, two witty literary necklaces designed by Bang-Up Betty for Et Alia Press, a Little Rock-based independent publisher.

Book worms, bluestockings and lit lovers, Bang-Up Betty has teamed up with independent publisher Et Alia Press to bring you witty literary jewelry that might make you pull your nose out of your book for a minute.

Read them and weep (with joy, of course)! Et Alia Press has just published four styles of charming literature-themed necklaces to make you giggle. The necklaces, made by hand by Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty in my North Little Rock studio, are available for purchase through Et Alia Press’s website and are selling quickly.

Bluestockings, pick up your new favorite book! These witty literary necklaces are handmade in Arkansas and have tiny pencil and book charms.

Last summer, Et Alia Press’s Erin Wood stopped by the Bang-Up Betty studio to meet Betty and me and see how I make jewelry. I’m excited and honored to be featured in her forthcoming book, Women Makers of Arkansas, along with dozens of incredibly talented Arkansas creators.

Look for Women Makers of Arkansas in spring of 2019, and check out all of the good reads available along with our literary necklaces through Et Alia Press.

Arkansas jewelry designer Stacey Bowers of Bang-Up Betty with Betty the boy cat. Photo by Erin Wood for Et Alia Press's forthcoming Women Makers of Arkansas book project.