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Hand-stamped humor and salty threads made with care in Arkansas...

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How to care for your Bang-Up Betty brass, gold and silver stamped jewelry, how to style your jewelry and apparel, what trends are fresh in stamped jewelry, and more.

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Betty the Cat Makes the News!

Stacey Bowers

Betty the boy cat made his evening news debut on KARK4 last week, and the whole thing has gone to his head. KARK's Aaron Nolan stopped by the Bang-Up Betty jewelry studio in North Little Rock, Arkansas, to learn about my handmade jewelry and apparel and, of course, to meet Betty the cat. 

Watch Betty's news appearance above, and be sure to follow him on Instagram (@bettyisaboy) as he posts updates and behind-the-scenes peeks from the studio as he acts a fool and generally tends to mock my handmade jewelry. 

Betty the cat's account behind the scenes and Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty's studio.

Betty the cat's account behind the scenes and Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty's studio.

Bang-Up Betty on KATV

Stacey Bowers

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

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. 

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. 

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

Pop-Up Shop at Electric Ghost, August 6

Stacey Bowers

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

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

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

My Top Nine Moments in a Dumpster Fire Year

Stacey Bowers

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 201…

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! 

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.

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! 

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!

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.

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!

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.

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???

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.

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.

13 Enamel Pins That Are More Fun to Collect Than Pokémon

Stacey Bowers

I've collected a lot of things in my life... coins, books, Beanie Babies, ceramic unicorns... but nothing has ever been as fun to collect as enamel pins. There's a great big world of pins out there, and if you've just decided you gotta catch 'em all, here's a good place to start. Here's a peek at what I've gathered so far:

1.) Grow a Pair Pin by Radical Buttons

This cute pink pin has lady balls. What better way to say “ovaries before brovaries” and “uteruses before duderuses”?

Get it here.

2.) Handbook for the Recently Deceased Pin by Two Ghouls Press 

When I first saw this pin, I shrieked as if I’d seen a ghost. It's such a morbid and subtle tribute to one of the best cult classic films of all time. 

Get it here.

3.) Uncle Fester Pin by Two Ghouls Press

Speaking of cult classics... the light bulb on this Uncle Fester pin glows in the dark. And Two Ghouls mails them and the previously listed pin with little collectable quote cards: “Fester. It means to rot.”

Get it here.

Hustle.jpg

4.) Hustle Pin by Glitteracy

If you’ve seen my designs, you know my mottos are “hustle” and “get shit done,” so this little pin speaks to me. I’m a blend of Sophia Amoruso and Scrooge McDuck. 

Get it here.

5.) Smash the Patriarchy Pin by Bang-Up Betty

This is my newest design, and I can’t put down this hammer. Not only does it convey my rage against the patriarchy, it’s my tool/weapon of choice when I work/smash patriarchy. 

Get it here.

6.) In Cats We Trust Pin by Word for Word Factory

This pin makes my cat-loving, hedonistic heart flutter. I also adore Word for Word’s other cat creations, including designs that say “cats are the currency.” ... I wanna be cat rich. 

Get it here.

7.) Will Put Out for Books Pin by Holly Oddly

Reading is my first love, and this pin gets me hot and bothered.

Get it here.

8.) Lola Pin by Memento Mori Goods

Did I mention I love cats? Well, I also love skeletons, ouija boards, and other shit that scares away men. 

Get it here.

9.) Eternal Love Pin by Bang-Up Betty

I’ve realized I missed a huge opportunity by not naming this pin the “Heart-Shaped Box Pin.” Can I get a do-over?? 

Get it here.

10.) Die Trying X Memento Mori Goods Pin

If I were stranded in the desert and could only take one pin with me, it’d be this one. This big, gorgeous pin is a limited edition collaboration between Die Trying and Memento Mori Goods, so if you don’t already have one, sorry not sorry. You should have moved quickly. 

See it here

11.) Ring Pop Pin by Sick Girls

I’m surprised that my mouth wasn’t deformed by the non-stop Ring Pops I ate as a child. I’m not surprised by all the cavities I had… 

Get it here

12.) Erase You Pin by Tuesday Bassen

I have a real talent for erasing butthole people from my life, and I wear this pin as a proud badge. Don’t cross me. I will erase you. 

Get it here

13.) Legend 2.0 Pin by Hippo Sausage

Every time I look down at this pin, the Tangerine Dream soundtrack to “Legend” starts playing triumphantly in my brain, and that’s just how I want to live every moment. Legends can be now and forever… 

Get it here

Guess How Much We Donated to Arkansas Women's Outreach...

Stacey Bowers

Strong as Hell Bracelet by Arkansas handmade jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty to benefit Arkansas Womens' Outreach in Little Rock. 

Strong as Hell Bracelet by Arkansas handmade jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty to benefit Arkansas Womens' Outreach in Little Rock. 

Y'ALL! 

Thanks to your generous support, I've been able to give almost $800 to Arkansas Women's Outreach! I KNOW!! RIGHT?!

Thank you so much for buying the Strong As Hell bracelets over the last couple of months and for sharing it and the mission of Arkansas Women's Outreach with your friends and families. And thank you for sharing your stories with me! I've had so many people reach out to me and tell me their "Strong As Hell" stories of battling cancer, going through rough times and more reasons that make you sometimes need a reminder that you're strong as hell. 

PLEASE, read up on the very real issues homeless women face on a regular basis. Check out this fantastic story by Becca Bona at AY Magazine to hear from Arkansas Women's Outreach founders Katy Simmons and Rachel Achor. They've got an Amazon wish list, too, if jewelry isn't your thing, or you can donate directly to them here. The bracelets are still available here

Left to right: Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty, Arkansas Women's Outreach founders Katy Simmons and Rachel Achor

Left to right: Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty, Arkansas Women's Outreach founders Katy Simmons and Rachel Achor

And can I just say that the conversations these women have started in the community have been FANTASTIC?? Internet "meninist" trolls, be damned. These gals have got a real thing going here.  

 

 

How You Get the Girl: Jewelry She'll Say 'Yes' To

Stacey Bowers

If you're reading this, it means that Taylor Swift hasn't sued me yet for using her lyrics in my post title. It also means you're probably about to have a wave of warm, mushy, lovey-dovey feels wash over you.

Twice in my "career" as a jewelry designer has a guy asked me to make something so awesome that it would convince a woman to spend the rest of her life with him. TWICE have I succeeded in inspiring matrimonial bliss. I'm just kidding. They were both super awesome dudes and obviously INCREDIBLY thoughtful and I'm sure their soon-to-be-fiancées were already completely and totally head over heels for them, but I like to think I helped.

Exhibit 1: Adam and Shelley

Adam really wanted to sweep Shelley off of her feet, so he decided to shower her with bracelets stamped with heartfelt promises and this "Adventure Girl" necklace, which is completely appropriate because he then DROVE HER TO THE GRAND CANYON AND PROPOSED TO HER. Sorry. I didn't mean to shout that, but SERIOUSLY CAN IT GET MORE ROMANTIC THAN THAT?? NO. THE ANSWER IS NO.

Exhibit 2: Scott and Hannah

Scott thought of this all on his own, which makes him brilliantly clever and charming in my book. I can't take anything but stamping credit on this.

Scott takes Hannah to a damn fine dinner and gives her a classic monogrammed necklace, but... wait... why is the monogram wrong? BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE HER MARRIED MONOGRAM. THAT'S WHY. Confused, Hannah flips over the necklace. BOOM. It says "Marry Me?" on the back, and eternal swooning ensues because NO ONE SAW THAT COMING AND IT WAS FANTASTIC.

And that's how it works. That's how you get the girl. Bravo, gentlemen. Bravo.

March Fourth: Remembering Jessamy Samuels

Stacey Bowers

I was saddened to learn recently of the passing of a smart, headstrong, compassionate young woman, a devoted member of the northwest Arkansas community, a scholar with huge dreams whom I am honored to have made giggle at least twice with my jewelry, according to her mother, Sallyann. 

Jessamy Eve Samuels was an inspiration to anyone she encountered. A student of anthropology at the University of Arkansas, she loved people. “One of her favorite things to say was, ‘People are the best,’ Sallyann said. Jessamy was interning at the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville, Ark., and wanted to study Vikings for her Masters at the University of Iceland. 

As founder of the Young Democrats of Arkansas’s (YDAR) Environmental Task Force, she had a gift for community organizing. One friend lovingly recalled Jessamy sneaking her phone into Arkansas Governor’s School to check in on the YDAR chapters she’d created: “I think Alma, Harrison, Clarksville, Ashdown and Cabot High Schools all owe their Young Democrat chapters to Jessamy.” 

Sallyann reached out to me a couple of weeks ago to share Jessamy’s spirit and to request several necklaces to give to her friends. Each necklace reads “March Fourth”, Jessamy’s birthday and an ode to her brave spirit, which marches forth through the lives she helped shape in her 19 years. 

A scholarship fund in Jessamy’s name has been established at the University of Arkansas, a tribute that scholarly Jessamy would surely adore. To donate to help another young leader march forth, please visit https://onlinegiving.uark.edu/ 

When you make your donation, please select “other department, program or fund” from the dropdown menu, then type “Jessamy Samuels Scholarship Fund” in the space provided. 

You can also mail a check with a memo that says “Designation of Gift: Jessamy Samuels Scholarship Fund” payable to The University of Arkansas Foundation, Inc. to:

Gift Services

300 University House

One University of Arkansas

Fayetteville AR 72701