'Stay Gold' Retro Jewelry Collection Draws Inspiration from The Golden Girls

Blanche Necklace and Green With Envy Necklace, part of Bang-Up Betty's retro collection of Golden Girls-inspired jewelry

I'm turning 30 tomorrow, and while I know these BY FAR are not my golden years, I wanted to do something big to celebrate change, getting older and taking risks.

Last year, my husband (we got married days ago, that still sounds weird) and I bought our first house. Around that time I decided I hated minimalism and obsessively watched The Golden Girls (one of those things may have influenced the other). I took a style risk and painted the solid white house mint green and coral and filled it with tropical plants and rattan furniture and embraced the pink tile in the kitchen (you’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands).

Since I discovered Nine Inch Nails in about the 8th grade, I’ve worn almost exclusively solid dark colors. Designing a pink and green house inspired by Blanche Devereaux’s bedroom is a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig shock to my system.

Naturally, this color adventure made me realize that most of my jewelry has also been monochromatic like the rest of my style. I decided to stop denying myself the pure joy and exhilaration that I get from looking at and decorating myself in big, bright, wild colors.

The Stay Gold Collection is a designer’s first immersion in color, with brass bases and stamped accents that stay true to the Bang-Up Betty style and the materials I love to work with.

Below are a few highlights from the Stay Gold Collection. See the full collection here. I hope you enjoy this limited, small-batch collection featuring retro and vintage pieces. Like these warm summer nights spent on the lanai, they’ll be gone soon.

Rose Necklace and Earrings with Hammered Brass Accents, part of Bang-Up Betty's retro collection of Golden Girls-inspired handmade jewelry

Pineapple Queen Necklace, part of Bang-Up Betty’s ‘Stay Gold’ collection of retro jewelry inspired by The Golden Girls.

Stay Gold Necklace, the signature piece in Bang-Up Betty’s newest collection of retro jewelry inspired by The Golden Girls

Pink Peacock Necklace, part of Bang-Up Betty’s “Stay Gold” Collection of retro jewelry inspired by The Golden Girls

Pink Petal Earrings with Vintage Tassels, part of Bang-Up Betty’s “Stay Gold” collection of retro jewelry inspired by The Golden Girls

Special thanks to my brand-spanking-new hubby for taking these pictures on our little lanai.

Spring 2018 Collection

I've been furiously hammering jewelry in my little North Little Rock studio this spring and feeling majorly inspired. Here's what's new at Bang-Up Betty! Flip through the gallery below to see all 15 new styles, including handmade necklaces and bracelets, enamel lapel pins, feminist bumper stickers and more jewelry and apparel made in Arkansas. 

You can find the entire new collection of handmade jewelry in the shop now, or zip right to the sparkly you want by clicking the links below: 

Buzz Off Bee Necklace

I Wanna Dance with Somebody Enamel Pin

I Don't Care / No Fucks Given Necklaces

Let Me Grow Necklace

Love is Queer Bracelet Benefiting Lucie's Place

Don't Need a Man Necklace

Tough Titties Necklace

Maid of Dishonor Necklace

Not your Maid Mermaid Necklace

Crafty Bitch Necklace

One Tough Mother Necklace

Freewheelin' Necklace

Large Smash the Patriarchy Sticker

Cat Whisperer Necklace

Food Over Dudes Necklace

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother's Day is about a month away. What are you going to give the woman who would lift a small car off of you if she had to? Here are a few suggestions of superb, locally made and sourced gifts to remind mom that you're her favorite child. 

DIY Cactus Course by Dani Ives

Mom needs a new hobby. Buy her a "seat" at one of fiber artist Dani Ives's online courses, and Dani will teach her how to create adorable felt cacti. Tip: You should do the course with her! 

Get it here. 

Houseplants and Hot Sauce by Sally Nixon

Make sure mom's got a good pair of reading glasses, because she's not going to want to put down this seek-and-find book for grown-ups. I'm a cat mom, and I have tested and approved this. 

Get it locally at Domestic Domestic or Moxy Modern Mercantile. 

Don't Make Me Turn this Car Around Keychain by Bang-Up Betty

Make mom laugh out loud with this hand-stamped keychain that commemorates all the times she threatened to turn this car around STOP TEASING YOUR SISTER!!

Get it here. 

I Love Jesus (But I Cuss a Little) Candle by Wick Sip Donate

Because your mom is funny as H-E-double-hockey-sticks. When she's done burning the candle, she can sip wine in the glass if she drinks a little, too. And with every purchase, Wick Sip Donate gives to animal rescue charities. 

Get it here. 

Fern Card by May We Fly

Don't forget the card! Make mom proud that you included a great card. Cards are everything. And if she likes these a lot (she will), you can order her a whole set of them.

Get it here. 

Renaissance Club by Thea Foundation

Mom loves to help kids. Feed her generous spirit by signing her up for Thea Foundation's Renaissance Club. Thea Foundation advocates the arts in Arkansas schools, and their new monthly or annual giving program comes with great perks, like these paintbrush pens and free entrance to art exhibitions. 

Get it here.

Mama Bear Necklace by Bang-Up Betty

Because she fiercely protected her cubs. Mom will love this funny, adorable little nod her to strength. And c'mon... she had to be reallllllly tough to raise you. 

Get it here.

Plant Lab by Electric Ghost 

Feed mom's nurturing spirit with a pretty plant she can cherish and care for. And give it your personal touch. Head to Electric Ghost in downtown Little Rock, and you can choose your plant and your pot and build something beautiful right there with the expertise of their staff. 

Get it here. 

Oatmeal Cream Pies by Loblolly Creamery

Have you tasted these yet? You haven't? Then what are you doing with your life? Get thee to Loblolly immediately and order one of these massive, amazing, oatmeal cream pies. And get some for mom. She will somehow love you more than she already does. 

Get it here.

Bath Products by Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium

I've been buying Bathhouse Soapery soaps, scrubs, lotions and more for years. There is a reason why this bath shop is opening new locations right and left. Everything owner Charlene Simon makes is pure, bubbly gold. My go-to is the Bathhouse Couture scent. Again, cat mom tested and approved. 

Get it here.

Glamfestation Brooch by Krystal Bijoux

Let mom show off her wild side with a handmade "glamfestation" brooch by Krystal Bijoux. Krystal Bijoux has literally HUNDREDS of brooches and other sparkly things on her Etsy page right now. Fly over there! 

Get it here. 

Monster Shirt by Electric Ghost

For the new(ish) mom and her little monster. At least tantrums will be kind of funny when they're wearing this shirt. 

Get it here.

The Badass Small Business Gift Guide

If you're like me and standing in line at big-box stores at 5 a.m. on Black Friday fills you with deep sadness and existential dread, you're likely still holiday shopping and looking for a much more fulfilling, joy-inducing way to complete your annual gifting. This gift guide checks two important boxes on my shopping requirements list: 1.) Everything here is either handmade or created by a small business run by badass people (I have met or interacted with all of them and can confirm this), and 2.) Everything on here is badass. 

Monstera Leaf Ceramic Tray by Mama Coyote

For the plant lady or Golden Girls fan in your life. Seriously, have you ever seen anything more beautiful than this?!

Get it here.

Game of Thrones Inspired Cross Stitch by DrunkTrunk

For anyone who is on Team Tyrion or is a wise drunk. 

Get it here.

It's Not Drinking Alone If The Cat Is Home Candle by Let's Put A Bird On It

Speaking of drinking, this candle really hits the spot for cat ladies like me. 

Get it here. 

Smash the Patriarchy Motel Key Tag by Bang-Up Betty

These are brand-spanking-new and great for men and women, because we should ALL be smashing the patriarchy. 

Get it here.

Big Bang Print by Jason Jones

Speaking of gifts you should DEFINITELY open in front of your relatives, this bubbly Jesus comes in print and t-shirt form and will make you feel blessed. 

Get it here.

Golden Snitch Stud Earrings by InkStandStudio

Everyone has a Harry Potter fan in their life. I got these for the lil Hermoine in mine. 

Get them here.

You're Super card by Power and Light Press

Be bold with your holiday cards and your friends might remember to get you a good gift ;-) 

Get it here.

Pouts Blocked Me Pin by The Outrage

Get them an early membership to the club we'll all eventually belong to. 

Get it here.

Drake Embroidery Hoop by YesStitchYes

For your newly single friend. I'm obsessed with everything YesStitchYes. She also stitched the Mary J. Blige hoop at the top of the page. 

Get it here.

Witchy Bitch Ouija Planchette Pin by Bang-Up Betty

For the witchy woman on your list. This gift is Krampus-approved.

Get it here.

Witch Balm by Crimson and Conjure

Speaking of witches, I just picked this up at the Wampus Wonderland and I'm under its spell.

Get it here.

Crybabies Trophy by Get Bullish

Applicable if they have kids or a terrible job. 

Get it here.

Holy Smokes Tank by AR T's

Light one up for the big guy's birthday. 

Get it here.

Gay Holiday Button Party Pack

Everyone at the party is gonna fight over that snowflake button. 

Get it here.

Krampus Long-Sleeved Glow-In-The-Dark Shirt by Big Bot Design

Keep the kids in line with the constant fear of Krampus.

Get it here.

Get Shit Done Brass Bar Necklace by Bang-Up Betty

For the go-getter in your life. 

Get it here.

Gifts That Give Back

Nasty Woman enamel pin, I Believe in Science Necklace and George Michael Lapel Pin by Bang-Up Betty give back to great charities. 

Over the past several weeks, I've launched a lot of new products, and many of those products give back to local and national nonprofits. Thanks to you purposeful shoppers, I've been able to donate around $2,000 to progressive causes near and far in the last year. This convenient gift guide shows you how to shop consciously and what causes Bang-Up Betty is supporting. 

I Believe in Science

I Believe in Science enamel pin, stamped necklace and bumper sticker donate a portion of the proceeds.

$1 from each I Believe in Science sticker and pin and $4 from each I Believe in Science necklace sold at bangupbetty.com goes to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Think Locally

Strong as Hell bracelet and George Michael Enamel Lapel pin by Bang-Up Betty give back to Arkansas charities. 

You're probably not going to believe this, but Christmas morning I was in the shower thinking about work, because I always think about work in the shower. I was thinking about what pins I'd make in the new year, and I had been planning to make a George Michael pin at some point because he is everything to me. I started thinking about "Last Christmas" and feeling optimistic. I decided to go forward with the pin right then. Fast forward several hours later, after Christmas lunch, I'm opening gifts with the family, and the most precious thing on earth is handed to me... a Wham! Make it Big record. Fast forward LITERALLY 10 MINUTES and my phone lights up with a text: "I'm sorry about George Michael." And that's the story of the best and worst Christmas ever. 

Anyway, I knew I had to make the pin, and to honor George, $1 from each goes to Lucie's Place, and LGBT homeless shelter in Little Rock.

On a much lighter note, I made this Strong As Hell bracelet to benefit Arkansas Women's Outreach, a nonprofit that provides feminine products, underwear and much more to homeless women in Arkansas. 100% of the proceeds from this bracelet go to AWO. So far given them more than $1,500! 

Get Nasty

Nasty Woman Feminist Lapel pin and sticker by Bang-Up Betty give a portion of the proceeds to charity. 

$1 from each of these Nasty Woman stickers and enamel pins sold at bangupbetty.com goes to the American Civil Liberties Union to help combat this bogus administration.