The Handmade Signature Bang-Up Betty Mug Made Locally In Arkansas

As if I needed another reason to sip coffee and tea literally all day long while I make jewelry, this handmade mug is my new obsession! It was made in Arkansas by local ceramicist Valerie Goetz, and it has the perfect handle. Arkansas pottery meets Arkansas jewelry.

I’m obsessed with a great handmade mug, so I had one of my favorite local Arkansas potters create a beautiful mug with my logo on it that I can sip tea from every day, and I had her make a handful more of them in case you appreciate a gorgeous handmade coffee mug as much as I do. I’ve long been a huge fan of Arkansas ceramicist Valerie Goetz (AKA “Native Works”), and when I saw her making logo mugs recently, I knew I had to have one of my own.

This handbuilt mug has the perfect handle, too! I’m an amateur ceramicist myself, and I appreciate a perfect handle on a mug more than anything; it’s big enough to fit my whole hand inside. Each mug is made completely by hand, meaning they’re all a little bit different and unique. They are hand-glazed as well. I love that each one is slightly different. It’s like you’re holding a moment of that ceramic artist’s life because you can see and feel the work put into making each one by hand.

Hello, new favorite mug! Time to clear out the cabinet because you’re the only one for me. Arkansas jewelry meets Arkansas pottery with this beautiful handmade coffee mug made especially for me by Arkansas potter Valerie Goetz.

I have just a handful of these gorgeous Bang-Up Betty handmade mugs, made in Arkansas, that would make awesome holiday gifts if you have a friend who loves pottery and likes to support local. They would pair nicely with some phenomenal local tea from Abbi’s Teas and Things (might I suggest the Banana Nut Too, Cherry Fig, or Turmeric Sunrise?)!

This unique handmade mug is dishwasher safe, but Valerie doesn’t recommend microwaving it.

DIY Easily Refresh, Repair and Revamp Your Jewelry At Home

Is your jewelry box filled with jewelry that you never wear anymore? Maybe it’s worn out, or it’s just not your style anymore, or maybe a clasp is broken or the chain is too long or too short for you. Before you get rid of it, consider upcycling it and creating something fresh and new that’s more your style. Maybe you have a pendant that needs a chain, or a collection of earrings that are missing their mates. Chances are, there’s something else sitting unworn in your collection that could be repurposed or just needs the tiniest bit of love to be wearable again.

Repairing jewelry or tweaking it to suit your style is often easier than you’d imagine. You just need a few simple tools that you may already have out in the garage, a pair of readers or a magnifying glass if your eyes could use a little help, and a little creativity when it comes to sourcing parts to make new jewelry from old jewelry you’re not wearing anymore. In this simple tutorial, I’ll show you how to create a new necklace chain using old chain, make simple repairs, and attach charms and pendants to chain necklaces and earring wires.

Two needle nose or chain nose pliers come in handy, as does a set of wire cutters (often built into needle nose pliers already); a ruler can be helpful, but isn’t essential; and whatever jewelry you have lying around that you can mine for parts.

If you’re interested in virtual and in-person jewelry making workshops as well as other creative classes, be sure to “like” Bang-Up Betty on Facebook and check out our roster of upcoming artsy workshops. We’re always teaching new crafty workshops inside Stifft Station Gifts in Little Rock, Arkansas and online.

This video originally aired on the Arkansas State Tourism Facebook page and was created by Collin Buchanan. Bang-Up Betty jewelry is handmade in Arkansas by jewelry designer Stacey Bowers.

Music: Little Cookie II - William Rosati Support by RFM - NCM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz7ro911rTc&feature=youtu.be