Arkansas Made Love: 27 Locally Made Valentine Gifts by Arkansas Makers and Artists

Fall in love with locally made! Here are 27 gifts made by Arkansas makers and artists that are sure to make your heart flutter.

Fall in love with locally made! Here are 27 gifts made by Arkansas makers and artists that are sure to make your heart flutter. Heat things up with Arkansas made hot sauce and glittery candles, watch love grow with locally made macrame planters and ceramic vases, adorn your sweetheart in symbolic Arkansas made jewelry, and share your heart in cards by Arkansas artists. Plus, shopping small and local always adds a touch of extra special to any gift. All of these Arkansas gifts can be found at Bang-Up Betty in downtown North Little Rock, located at 429 Main Street in Argenta, where you’ll find tons of clever gifts, local arts and crafts, hundreds of pieces of artisan jewelry, and so much more for every occasion.

What’s better than hearts? Butts shaped like hearts. North Little Rock artist Chelsea Allen makes these clever felted butts, smiles, eyes and more. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Heat things up with Arkansas made hot sauce! This salsa macha by local food truck Lili’s is absolutely delicious. Find it in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Give the floral gift that keeps on giving with a locally made vase that’ll stay fresh all through flower season. Find these ceramic vases by Carla Churchwell and many more in store at Bang-Up Betty.

This dragonfly necklace will make your love’s heart flutter. Find this dragonfly necklace made by Bang-Up Betty in store at Bang-Up Betty in Argenta or online here.

Don’t forget the Valentine card! Maumelle-based artist Sherry J. Williamson creates these heartfelt greeting cards you can pour your sentiments into. Find these and many more in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Hearts, hearts, hearts! These adorable little handmade ceramic hearts by Hot Springs artist Carla Churchwell come in lots of sizes and are perfect for holding rings and other little trinkets. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Sweeten things up with locally made toffee by North Little Rock artisans Deal Family Creations. We’re anxiously awaiting their return to the Argenta Farmers Market, but until then you can find their toffee at Bang-Up Betty.

Bang-Up Betty’s Speak Up Collection is jewelry featuring quotes by inspirational women like Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and others, including this “change takes courage” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez quote anatomical heart necklace. Find the collection online here or in store at Bang-Up Betty.

What’s better than a really good locally made candle? A really good locally made candle with glitter in it! Find these candles by North Little Rock maker Dogtown Scents in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Cheer up your home with a beautiful print by an Arkansas artist. Bang-Up Betty carries prints by several local artists, including these sweet retro mushrooms and “hello sunshine” prints by Sherwood-based Lee Lee Arts + Design.

These lapel pins bring a bit of flair to any outfit. Bang-Up Betty has dozens of designs, including these “cats are my love language,” “dogs are my love language” and “bibliophile” pins available online here or in our Argenta storefront.

Spring and planting season is almost here! Get the green thumb in your life a locally made macrame plant hanger by our favorite macrame genius Creative Cords Macrame. Find bright, beautiful macrame plant hangers in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Did you know that snakes are love symbols? Even Queen Victoria had a snake ring Prince Albert gave her to symbolize their forever love. This modern cuff in Bang-Up Betty’s Creatures of Night Collection is available in bronze and sterling silver in store or online.

Speaking of critters, these handmade mystical cat mugs and vases by Hot Springs pottery artist Carla Churchwell are absolutely perfect and they’re available in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Clean up with locally made soap in Arkansas, angry uterus, pride and trans flag styles. These delightfully scented soaps are made in Maumelle by Summit Valley Soaps and are available in store at Bang-Up Betty or online here.

Speaking of bath products, these Arkansas made bath soaks by Northwest Arkansas maker Bathing Native are clever and delightful. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

While your love is enjoying that locally made bath soak, they might love a good book to read. Bang-Up Betty caries several books by local authors, including “Queers on What We Wear” by Megan Volpert. Find it in store at Bang-Up Betty.

How about a creative experience? Get your sweetheart a ticket to a makers night at Bang-Up Betty, like a mushroom jewelry workshop or a mocktails and drink markers class. Browse workshops here.

Among the many prints by local artists at Bang-Up Betty, you’ll find watercolor works by Northwest Arkansas painter Joseph Buchanan, like this one of Victorian Argenta landmark The Baker House, the absolutely incredible boutique bed and breakfast next door to our gift shop. What would be really cute? Getting your love a romantic stay at The Baker House and telling them with this print that they can keep forever to remind them of the experience. Print available at Bang-Up Betty.

Show your love is forever with a handmade infinity symbol necklace by Bang-Up Betty. Each pendant is completely handmade and kiln-fired in our North Little Rock jewelry studio and available online here or in our storefront.

Get your sweetheart a portrait session (how about a boudoir session??) with photographer Katie Childs. Katie’s creativity is endless, and she makes everyone feel and look their brightest. She’ll also be doing mini portrait sessions at our Argenta Art Walk event February 17. Contact Katie Childs here.

These adorably creepy ceramic incense burners by Russellville artist Baby Creep are painted with Valentine candy hearts to make them extra cute. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Get your sweetheart a little something sweet from Daisy Pastry Shoppe, a 70s-themed mother-daughter baking duo based in North Little Rock. They’ll be our February Third Friday Argenta Art Walk artist at Bang-Up Betty. Order online from them here or catch them at our shop from 5-8pm February 17. Photo by Matthew Lamar. Find more info on this month’s Argenta Art Walk here.

A little something for you, a little something for your person…. This hand-cast bronze necklace set features two heart halves that fit together and each say “my person.” Get them online here or in store at Bang-Up Betty.

A little birdie told me you’re pretty good at picking out Valentine’s Day gifts… like these handmade wooden bird magnets and sculptures by North Little Rock artist Milwerk Modern. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Looking for just a little something to tell your hot slice what a hot slice they are? These Hot Slice Pizza Stickers by Bang-Up Betty are the perfect little bite to hide inside a Valentine card. Get them online here or in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Say what you wanna say with a custom keychain for your loved one. Choose from dozens of funny already made keychains in store at Bang-Up Betty, or order a custom keychain online here.

2021 Arkansas Handmade Gift Guide: 14 Gifts by Arkansas Artists

Necklaces made with Arkansas rice, creepy baby sculptures, ceramic incense houses that puff through their chimneys and wintery candles are just a handful of Arkansas made gifts we love.

There’s nothing more special than a handmade gift, and at Bang-Up Betty’s new gift shop in downtown North Little Rock, we’re focused on showcasing unique, unusual and excellent Arkansas-made items that you can bet will bring a surprised smile to your loved ones’ faces this holiday season. Not only is every piece of jewelry (and there are hundreds) made here in Arkansas by us, our storefront is stocked with art, pottery, candles, and more by artists all across the state of Arkansas. Here are a few of our favorite local gifts that you can find at Bang-Up Betty:

Dogtown Scents candles are made in North Little Rock and smell better than any candles we’ve found at big box stores. We’re big candle snobs, so I was excited to try these out at home and am happy to report that they make our home smell lovely and they really fill up a room. It’s so frustrating when you buy a candle and you can’t even smell it once you burn it, but we were NOT disappointed with these. At $17 they’re a great price, too.

We’re delighted by anything whimsically creepy, and these ceramic baby sculptures get our giggle boxes going. They’re made in Russellville by ceramicist Baby Creep. They’re $20, and I’d love to see you fill a whole wall with them. There is a hole at the back of each so it can hang or sit on a surface.

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 Arkansas Rice Flower 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.

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. Bronze Arkansas necklaces are $58, and sterling silver ones are $67.

North Little Rock artist Sulac created these original works of art for Bang-Up Betty, and we adore these beautiful painted ladies. Each piece comes framed, so they’re ready to gift. At $50-$80, they’re also affordable original artworks. We have a shelf full of unique original ladies waiting for you in store.

Springdale-based artist Sigrid Lorfing creates astoundingly beautiful, intriguing and colorful works of art, with prints available at Bang-Up Betty. Her work really lights up a room and starts a conversation. Sigrid’s prints are $40 in the shop.

Hot Springs-based ceramicist Carla Churchwell’s playful pottery brings a smile to our faces. These funny face pots serve two purposes: they’re egg separators and they’re also succulent pots that you can water through the mouths. These little cuties are $20 at Bang-Up Betty.

These custom keychains made in North Little Rock by Bang-Up Betty make great stocking stuffers. You can customize them to say a funny inside joke, an inspirational phrase or something else special to you. They’re $22, and make great co-worker gifts too!

North Little Rock artist Miranda Young-Rice makes these gorgeous printed tote bags. Her whimsical animal art is also available as bandanas, prints and cards at Bang-Up Betty. These totes are $25 and available in store.

We love these cat skeleton prints by Sherwood-based artist Lee Lee Arts so much that we asked her to make this design into the label for our Bang-Up Betty-inspired craft brew “Betty’s Ninth Life.” If you missed the beer while it was in circulation, you can grab the original print at our shop. They’re $25.

These completely adorable ceramic houses by Hot Springs artist Carla Churchwell are actually incense holders! You put a cone of incense under the house and it puffs delightful-smelling fragrance out of its chimney. They’re $18 in store.

These greeting cards by Maumelle-based artist Sherry J. Williamson are little works of art so beautiful you’ll want to frame them. At $5 each, you can load up and save them to use all year long.

Speaking of RBG, our I Dissent necklaces are made in North Little Rock and benefit the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers’ scholarship fund. 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.

We just got these beautiful Argenta prints by Bentonville watercolorist Joseph Buchanan and they're incredibly special, not just because they're gorgeous paintings of my favorite neighborhood, but they're also by my talented, kind, wonderful father-in-law. He's very humble, and I have to brag on him. His work has been featured in national publications, ad campaigns and in his children's wedding invitations. I'm very thrilled to share his work with you at our shop. There are two styles of Argenta prints, and each is $20.

Our shimmering Bang-Up Bet-Tea tea looks as good as it tastes! Bang-Up Betty teamed up with Abbi’s Teas and Things in Little Rock to create this hand-crafted custom loose leaf tea blend exclusive to Bang-Up Betty. It’s an exciting black tea blend with tropical notes and a dash of edible brew shimmer to make your cup sparkle like our jewelry.

What’s in our Bang-Up Bet-Tea blend: black tea, blue cornflowers, passionfruit, mango, cinnamon, papaya, lemongrass, ginger, hibiscus and black brew glitter. Each bag is $14 and brews approximately 12-15 servings.

Bang-Up Betty is snarky, meaningful, well-made jewelry made in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as funny and feminist pins, stickers and gifts. Shop our handmade jewelry alongside unique gifts and local art at our new Argenta storefront located at 429 Main Street in North Little Rock above Ristorante Capeo.

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.