2023 Holiday Handmade Local Gift Guide: 33 Gifts by Arkansas Artists and Makers

There’s nothing more special than a handmade gift. At Bang-Up Betty, we’re focused on finding and supporting Arkansas artisans and artists who make art and gifts we truly love. Our jewelry and gift store in downtown North Little Rock showcases 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 33 of our favorite local Arkansas gifts that you can find at Bang-Up Betty:

These little ceramic vase faces by Hot Springs ceramicist Carla Churchwell are perfect for holding your favorite flowers and come in all colors, sizes and expressions.

Bentonville watercolorist Joseph Buchanan painted these Christmas cards especially for our shop.

Maumelle-based artist Sherry J. Williamson’s handmade ornaments incorporate her paintings with gorgeous glass beads.

Sometimes gorgeously simple isn’t as simple as it seems. These monogram initial necklaces are each made in our studio at Bang-Up Betty from hand-cast bronze and fired in a kiln. Each piece is uniquely handmade. The chain is an elegant paper-clip style chain that’s 14k gold-filled, so it’s hypoallergenic. Chains are 18 inches long, but if you’d prefer a longer necklace you can add an extender here.

Russellville multimedia artist BabyCreep turned her art into wearable, giftable keychains and we’ve got some right here at the shop.

Hot Springs ceramicist Carla Churchwell’s bold use of color and illustration make for perfect pottery gifts, and everyone needs a spoon rest in their kitchen.

Springdale artist Sigrid Lorfing’s gorgeous, colorful paintings are available as prints at Bang-Up Betty.

With the total solar eclipse coming up quick (April 2024!), our Solar Eclipse necklace makes a timely gift. The sterling silver moon swings back and forth over the bronze sun. Find the Solar Eclipse Necklace by Bang-Up Betty in store or online here.

Maumelle-based artist Clever + Tidy makes these perfect little floral Arkansas keychains that we carry at Bang-Up Betty.

Little Rock print maker Bri Peterson created an entire zodiac collection of insect-themed prints for each astrological sign, and we’ve got them all at Bang-Up Betty.

North Little Rock candle maker Dogtown Scents is known for her incredible-smelling candles, and she’s brought us a small batch of wintery candles complete with Arkansas crystals in them.

Bang-Up Betty is known for our snarky sticker collection, and you can find tons of water-bottle-safe options in store or online here. They make great stocking stuffers!

Little Rock artist Kasten Searles created this amazing coloring book featuring the many drag queens of the south, and we’ve got it in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Hot Springs ceramicist Carla Churchwell does it again! We absolutely love her handmade mugs that come in gorgeous colors and prints. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

If you love Russellville artist BabyCreep’s ceramics, you’ll love her printed tea towels that’ll add a pop of color and creep to your kitchen. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Bang-Up Betty has been stamping custom mantra cuffs longer than anybody in town and offering hilarious and inspirational phrases as well as custom options. Find them online here or in store at Bang-Up Betty.

We love Sherwood-based artist Ashlee Nobel’s (Lee Lee Arts + Design) mystical illustrations and they fly off the shelves here!

Keep Arkansas proud with these handmade ornaments by Fayetteville artist Pyrogenic Arts. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Maumelle-based Sherry J. Williamson made these clever “Merry Dissentmas” cards as a nod to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and we’ve got them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

If you love Bentonville artist Joseph Buchanan’s watercolor holiday cards, you’ll love his Arkansas matted prints, including scenes of War Eagle Mill, the Old Mill, Argenta and more. They’re available in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Hot Springs artist Carla Churchwell’s ornaments are just as creative as the rest of her pottery! Find her one-of-a-kind ornaments in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Bang-Up Betty’s newest handmade artisan jewelry collection, the Anatomy Collection, is all about the human body and medicine. Check out the entire collection online here or in store. This jewelry would make a great gift for the doctors, nurses and med students in your life.

Speaking of anatomy, North Little Rock artist Chelsea Allen created these clever felted ornaments featuring body parts, mushrooms and more, available in store at Bang-Up Betty.

We love a pretty soap gift! These pride soaps by Maumelle-based Summit Valley Soap smell as good as they look. Find them online here or in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Bang-Up Betty is known for snarky pins, which make great stocking stuffers. You can shop lapel pins online here or in store.

North Little Rock wood artist Paul Milholland of Milwerk Modern makes the grooviest wooden sculptures of birds, cats, whales and more. We think this one would be a great gift for a hogs fan. Find it in store at Bang-Up Betty.

Bang-Up Betty loves to make custom stamped keychains if you have a special word of phrase you’d like to gift to someone, but we also have a ton of already stamped hilarious keychains in store. Find keychains online here.

Arkansas artist Chaotic Creative Co makes these cheerful packs of positivity postcards for folks who love to send hand-written notes. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty or online here.

Local literature is the best literature! Bang-Up Betty carries a selection of locally written and printed books published by Et Alia Press.

Locally made artisan jewelry makes the perfect gift, and Bang-Up Betty delivers with hundreds of unique designs made by hand in Arkansas. Find these online here or in store.

Little Rock macrame artist Amy Darragh of Creative Cords makes the most beautiful, colorful macrame creations, including these rainbow wall hangings she made especially for us here at Bang-Up Betty.

We love a forest of tiny ceramic Christmas trees! Hot Springs ceramicist Carla Churchwell made a massive forest of these little guys for us so you can build your own tiny forest at home. Find them in store at Bang-Up Betty.

We bet you’ve got someone in your life who loves birds, and our Aviary Collection of bird-inspired artisan jewelry would be the sweetest gift for them! Find the Aviary Collection of bird jewelry online here or in store.

Spooky Season Jewelry: 30 Designs to Send Shivers Up Your Spine

At Bang-Up Betty, spooky season is a year-round affair. With dozens and dozens of designs that’ll send a shiver up your spine,, you’ll find a scary amount of good stuff for the fall months and beyond. Here are 30 spooky jewelry designs to get you pumped up for the season, even it’s 12 months out of the year for you too and not just Halloween. Honestly, I could have kept writing this blog forever, but I capped it at 30 pieces. Check out our website for tons more spooky creations.

There are perhaps no more universal and ancient night creatures than the spirits of the dead. They can mean harm or serve to protect the living, but they’re rarely seen by the human eye either way — even rarer in the daylight. These little ghost earrings in our Creatures of Night Collection come in two styles: oval-shaped hoops if you like a longer look, and round hooks if you like a shorter look. Ghost charms come in sterling silver and solid bronze. Ear wires are 14k gold-filled and sterling silver, so they’re hypoallergenic. Find them here.

Show your love of dinosaurs with this modern fossil. This Tyrannosaurs Rex skull necklace is available in gold with a solid bronze cast T Rex skull pendant on a 14k gold-filled chain and in sterling silver with a cast sterling silver T Rex skull pendant on a sterling silver chain. Necklaces are approximately 18 inches long. Find them here.

If the mystifying oracle doesn't put a spell on you, the black glitter in these planchette lapel pins will. Hard enamel lapel pins measure 1.25 inches tall, are gold-trimmed and have a little hole that lets a peek of whatever you're wearing show through. Pins come with a hard rubber back on a cute, giftable card.  Get one for everyone in your coven. Find them here.

These coffin stud earrings are simply to die for. These coffin earrings make the perfect subtle and cute statement and go with everything. Casket post earrings are available in solid bronze or solid sterling silver and come on a cute card back that makes them easy to gift. If you love these coffin stud earrings, you’ll love our matching “dead inside” coffin necklace! Find the Coffin Stud Earrings here.

In Norse mythology, when Loki threw Jörmungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent, into the sea, it grew so large it encircled the world and grasped its own tail. When it releases its tail one day, the great reckoning Ragnarök will begin, bringing devastation and floods, but the world will rise again from the waters, cleansed and reborn. The Midgard Serpent snake cuff from our Creatures of Night Collection is a powerful yet versatile statement piece. The cuff bracelets are available in solid bronze or sterling silver and are adjustable. As with any cuff, we recommend getting it to the size you desire then wriggling it on and off instead of bending it back and forth each time you take it on and off. Each cuff comes with a decorative card back telling the story of the Midgard Serpent. Find the serpent cuff here.

I’ll smile when I’m dead… This cute but fierce enamel lapel pin measures 1 inch across and is set with black enamel on gold-tone metal, complete with a hard rubber clutch. The pin is soft enamel, which just means that you can feel every gory detail, so it’s pretty satisfying to touch. Tell the boneheads to back off. Find it here.

Ammit: Of Egyptian mythology, this creature is said to have the head of a crocodile, the forelegs and mane of a lion and the hind of a hippopotamus. When Osiris, King of the Underworld, judges a soul unworthy, Ammit devours its heart, casting the poor soul into limbo. The Ammit Necklace from our Creatures of Night Collection features a handmade Ammit pendant on an 18-inch chain. Bronze necklaces are made with solid bronze pendants on 14k gold-filled paperclip-style chains, and silver necklaces are made with sterling silver pendants on twisted sterling silver chains. Each necklace comes on a decorative card back telling the story of Ammit. Find it here.

Because you've got personality to die for, this Suck It Vampire Necklace with Fangs charm is for you. Brass oval measures about one inch long and is hand stamped with the words SUCK IT and complemented by a silver-plated set of vampire fangs. Chain is gold-filled and measures 18 inches long. Stay thirsty. Find it here.

Are you a little batty? Then you’ll adore these little bat stud earrings. These precious little bats make the perfect subtle and cute statement and go with everything. Bat post earrings are available in solid bronze or solid sterling silver and come on a cute card back that makes them easy to gift. If you love these bat stud earrings, you’ll love our matching tiny bat necklace! Find the bat stud earrings here.

This perfect little bat pin is great for those who are a little batty about bats or halloween. The pin measures 1.5 inches across from wingtip to wingtip, is made of soft enamel so you can feel every detail, and has two posts to keep it from spinning around. It’s affixed with two hard rubber backs and comes on a cute card back, so it’s easy to gift. Find it here.

There are perhaps no more universal and ancient night creatures than the spirits of the dead. They can mean harm or serve to protect the living, but they’re rarely seen by the human eye either way — even rarer in the daylight. This little ghost necklace from our Creatures of Night Collection can be worn two ways: as a Y-style necklace by attaching the clasp part-way up the chain or as a standard necklace with the clasp in the front by attaching the clasp to the end link where the ghost charm is. Ghost necklaces are available in bronze on a 20-inch 14k gold-filled chain or in silver with a sterling silver charm and 20-inch sterling silver chain. Each necklace comes on a decorative card back. Find it here.

This handmade bronze spider charm is hand-cast and kiln-fired to perfection in my North Little Rock, Arkansas, studio. It’s the perfect combination of elegant and spooky and can be dressed up or down with ease. Each earring is accented with a round, hand-wrapped bead of rainbow moonstone, mimicking the spiders that weave their webs under the light of the moon. The spiders bodies are set with sparkly cubic zirconia stones that are cast into the bronze charm, which have a golden glow. Each earring measures approximately 1.5 inches long and is made with a gold-filled ear wire. Each pair comes on a cute card back that makes them easy to gift. If you love these earrings, you’ll also love our matching handmade Dainty Spider Necklace. Find the spider earrings here.

We’re obsessed with bats, and this little bat necklace is one of my favorites to make! It’s available in bronze and silver here. This necklace is great for layering. I wear it all the time with other necklaces.

Handmade bronze coffin charms measure approximately 1 inch to 1 1/4 inches across and hang from an approximately 17-inch gold-filled chain that ends in a spring clasp. Charms come either solid bronze with no text or bronze with the phrase “DEAD INSIDE” hand-stamped into the surface. This necklace is also available in silver. Handmade silver coffin necklace is made with a sterling silver chain and a sterling silver coffin charm. Find it here.

Elvira would kill for these brass bat earrings... Or maybe Khaleesi would. It’s all in how you see them. Brass bat / dragon wing measures approximately 2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. Hooks are 14k gold-filled. The wings are hollow, which means they are pretty lightweight, despite their appearance. Find them here.

Kelpie: From the lochs of Scotland, this aquatic horse appears friendly at first, luring humans to ride upon its back, then diving with its victims into the lakes and rivers to drown and devour them. Our handmade Kelpie Necklace is available in bronze with a solid bronze kelpie pendant on a 20-inch 14k gold-filled chain or in sterling silver on a 20-inch sterling silver chain. Chains can be worn shorter if desired, as clasp attached to any link on the chain, making these necklaces great for layering. Each necklace comes on a decorative card back featuring the story of the Kelpie. Find it here.

Vampire: Born in Romania, the original vampires were shape-shifting, night-walking, blood-sucking ghouls who could only be killed with a stake through the heart to pin them into their grave, followed by beheading and burning to ensure they’d never rise again to drink from the living. The Vampire Necklace from our Creatures of Night Collection features a pair of fangs accented with a faceted teardrop garnet as a drop of blood. Bronze necklaces are made with solid bronze fangs charm and 14k gold-filled chain; silver necklaces are made with sterling silver fangs and sterling silver chain. Chain measures approximately 17.5 inches. Find it here.

This spooky planchette charm is solid bronze, measures approximately 1 inch tall, and comes in three ways: 1.) blank 2.) blank on one side with “GOODBYE” and cube zirconia on one side or 3.) cubic zirconia with “GOODBYE” on one side and cubic zirconia with “HELLO” on the other side. Find the planchette necklace here.

Because you feel the spirit(s)…

This spooky hand-stamped Spiritual Ghost Necklace is stamped by hand and includes a little vintage brass ghost charm. Solid brass circle measures a little more than 1/2 inch and is stamped with the word SPIRITUAL. Chain is gold-filled, measures 18 inches long, is made in the USA and ends in a spring clasp. It’s frighteningly cute! This is the perfect handmade necklace for the “spiritual, but not religious.” Find it here.

Sometimes it takes a whole army of eyes to keep the evil eye off you. This Evil Eye Strand Necklace features a row of glass eye beads on a stylish paperclip chain. The necklace is approximately 16 inches long, worn higher on the chest, but you can always add an extender to your order here. Chains are 14k gold filled and sterling silver, so they’re hypoallergenic. Find it here.

Ravens are members of the most intelligent group of birds: the corvids. They speak their own language of calls and cries and can be taught human words. Perhaps this is why they’re historically considered to be oracles, symbols of wisdom, omniscient, predictors of coming danger, and able to traverse the realms of both the living and dead. Our Raven Necklace features a raven carved into a circular pendant with an all-seeing eye. Above the pendant is a faceted bead of black onyx. The Raven Necklace is available as a bronze pendant on an 18-inch 14k gold-filled paperclip-style chain or as a sterling silver pendant on an 18-inch sterling silver paperclip-style chain. Chains and pendants are free of nickel. If you’d like your necklace longer, you may add an extender here. Each necklace comes on a decorative card back telling the story of the Raven. Find it here.

Caravaggio’s (Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio) often dark and violent subject matter, paired with his signature chiaroscuro (or use of heavy contrast using light and dark) echoed the dramatic, tumultuous life he lived, peppered with murder, assassination attempts, arrests and exile. His famous Medusa, painted in 1596-97, depicts the moment when the legendary snake-haired gorgon of ancient Greek myth was beheaded by Perseus, and the artist experiments with casting his own face as Medusa’s. My Caravaggio-inspired Medusa head necklace features a cast bronze or sterling silver pendant of Medusa’s head with wild, curling snakes for hair. The pendant hangs from an 18-inch 14k gold-filled or sterling silver chain. The necklace pairs perfectly with my Medusa Serpent Earrings from my Siren Collection inspired by Greek Mythology, and you can learn more about Medusa and those earrings here. Find the Medusa Necklace here.

One of the most beautiful stories of Greek Mythology is that of Orpheus and Eurydice, a tale of true love and devotion willing to face fear and death. The greatest mortal musician, Orpheus, fell  deeply in love with the maiden Eurydice and married her. Soon after the wedding, Eurydice and her bridesmaids were walking in a field and she was bitten by a viper. So much for “happily ever after.”

Beyond distraught in his mourning, Orpheus took his lyre to the underworld, braving the terrible three-headed dog Cerberus and lulling it and the many terrifying characters in Hades with his beautiful music. He pleaded for the life of his bride with his song, and so moved the goddess Persephone and even Hades himself to give him back his new wife, but with one condition: Orpheus couldn’t look at Eurydice until they both emerged from the underworld. 

Grabbing Eurydice’s hand, Orpheus led her joyously back to the realm of the living, but in his excitement as he exited the underworld, he glanced back at her, only to have looked just too soon, seeing her disappear into the mouth of the cave, stolen back to Hades for Orpheus’s eagerness. He rushed to follow her, but was not allowed to enter the underworld a second time. Doomed to life without his true love, he wandered the earth mournfully and alone until a band of Maenads discovered him and tore him limb from limb. We can only hope he was delivered from the living world into the arms of his lover at last. 

Depicted in solid bronze on the medallion of the Orpheus and Eurydice necklace is a pair of lovers, one holding a lyre, the other leaning over a column to swoon at the musician. In this piece of handmade jewelry, I imagine the couple in the happy hours of their union, before the viper struck, and how I hope their eternity looked in the underworld together.  Find the Orpheus and Eurydice necklace here.

Hades, god of the underworld (also called Hades), is the king of the dead and god of wealth and precious metals (remember the custom of needing a coin under your tongue or over your eyes to pay the ferryman Charon to cross the River Styx?). Besides his abduction of Persephone (which was downright terrible, he is not viewed as an evil god despite his deathly position. He is seen as a just god. 

The place Hades isn’t like the Christian Hell of fire and brimstone. According to legend, Hades is divided into realms: Tartarus, where souls are punished; The Fields of Mourning, where lovers wander and never forget their lost loves; The Asphodel Meadows, which sounds like a pretty ok place to be if you have to be dead; and The Elysian Fields, where exceptional people are treated to a really pleasant eternity. 

The Hades Necklace is a beautiful memento mori. It is elegant and edgy. It evokes a classical feeling reminiscent of the funeral mask of Agamemnon, but it’s also modern. The hand-cast bronze skull measures about 3/4 inch across and is accented with 4 cultured seed pearls as the skull’s teeth. The skull charm is completely handmade and finished with a 14K gold-filled chain that measures approximately 16 inches but can be ordered at 18 inches.  This necklace is also available in sterling silver. Find the Hades Necklace here.

Get caught in this dainty spider’s web…

This handmade bronze spider charm comes in two ways: with or without a shiny cubic zirconia on its back. Spiders are suspended from 18-inch, gold-filled chains that end in spring clasps.

Spider charms may vary in size or finish from spider to spider, as is the nature of handmade items. They’re unique! Each handmade spider charm is hand-cast in bronze and kiln-fired in my North Little Rock, Arkansas, studio. This handmade spider necklace is also available in silver. Each silver spider pendant is hand-cast from fine silver and kiln fired; chains are sterling silver. Find it here.

Jorōgumo: This Japanese creature has the upper half of a beautiful woman and the lower body of a spider. She seduces men, luring them into isolated spaces then spinning her victims into bundles in her web and drinking their blood. Our Jorōgumo necklace features a handmade pendant in bronze or silver that pays homage to the spider lady of Japan. Bronze pendants hang from 20-inch 14k gold-filled chains. Sterling silver pendants hang from 20-inch sterling silver chains. Chains can be worn at shorter lengths if desired, as clasps can fasten to any link of the chain; it makes this necklace great for layering. Find it here.

The U.F.O. earrings feature flying saucers beaming green light in the form of eerily beautiful peridot beads. The gold version of these alien earrings is made with a bronze U.F.O. and 14k gold-filled ear wire. The silver version is sterling silver with sterling silver ear wires. These earrings are made to pair with our U.F.O. Necklace.

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. Find them here.

Medusa, with her hair of snakes, is one of the most ubiquitous images of Greek mythology, but the legends surrounding her are mysterious and often untold. She was a Gorgon, and according to the poet Ovid, Medusa was extremely lovely. Here’s where it gets dark… Poseidon raped Medusa in a temple of Athena’s, and Athena was so outraged by it that she cursed Medusa, turning her into a snake-haired beast who could turn mortals to stone if they looked at her. The hero Perseus went all Tom Cruise in Legend on her and used a reflective shield to deflect her deadly stare so that he could cut off her head, which he gave to Athena to wear on her shield. Poor Medusa. 

The stories about Medusa often overlook how she was respected as a symbol of protection. If the story of Medusa inspires you to smash the patriarchy as much as it does me, you’ll enjoy this Vice article by Christobel Hastings.

The Medusa Earrings feature a pair of handmade bronze snakes that mirror each other. They’re fierce symbols of warning or protection, whichever you choose. The hand-cast bronze snakes measure approximately 1 1/2 inches from tail to head. The earring wires are 14K gold-filled, so they’re hypoallergenic.  These earrings are also available in sterling silver. Find them here.

Apollo, or Phoebus Apollo, is most commonly known as the sun god or god of light. He was also a talented musician, playing a golden lyre; the archer god, shooting a silver bow; the first to teach humans the art of healing; and the god of truth—his light illuminating falsehoods. 

Apollo slew the formidable Python, a serpent that lived in the caves of Parnassus, after a grueling battle during which the snake finally fell victim to the Light God’s precise arrows. I’ve chosen this story to represent Apollo, using a glimmering, coiled serpent with a glowing red eye.

Snakes are incredibly meaningful, often seen biting their tails to symbolize eternity. This serpent is coiled in a shield-like medallion, affixed with a marquise-cut red cubic zirconia that is set by hand and cast directly into the bronze. This handmade bronze charm is finished with a 18-inch 14K gold-filled chain that ends in a spring clasp. Find it here.

Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette, according to the Van Gogh Museum, was an early work: “This skeleton with a lit cigarette in its mouth is a juvenile joke. Van Gogh painted it in early 1886, while studying at the art academy in Antwerp. The painting shows that he had a good command of anatomy. Drawing skeletons was a standard exercise at the academy, but painting them was not part of the curriculum. He must have made this painting at some other time, between or after his lessons.” 

My Van Gogh-inspired Smoking Skull Necklace is a substantial piece of sculpted cast bronze that hangs from a 14k gold-filled chain that measures 18 inches in total length but can be fastened up the chain wherever you like so that the length is customizable if you’d prefer it to sit higher on your chest. Find it here.

The Aviary Collection: Handmade Artisan Jewelry Inspired by Birds

Birds have a secret language. Many of them, like parrots and cockatoos, famously can be taught human words, and highly intelligent birds, like crows and ravens, have their own language of calls and cries within their species. But birds have a special language to humans— a tongue of significance, symbolism and omen. In my Aviary Collection of jewelry inspired by our feathered friends, I’ve pulled from the legends and histories of some of my favorite birds to create cast bronze and sterling silver tributes to them and the role they’ve played in human lives and storytelling. Find our bird-inspired necklaces and earrings at our North Little Rock, Arkansas, jewelry and gift store or online through the links below.

The tiny Hummingbird feeds almost exclusively on nectar, flitting from bloom to bloom on its wings that beat around 50 times per second (for North American species), making it a fantastic pollinator. In Mexican folklore, the hummingbird is revered for its connection to love and romance. Our Hummingbird Earrings feature tiny, dainty hummingbirds feeding from blossoms. Above each flower is a faceted, iridescent hematite bead. Find our hummingbird earrings here.

The tiny Hummingbird feeds almost exclusively on nectar, flitting from bloom to bloom on its wings that beat around 50 times per second (for North American species), making it a fantastic pollinator. In Mexican folklore, the hummingbird is revered for its connection to love and romance. Our Hummingbird Necklace features a hummingbird feeding from a sunflower. Above the pendant is a line of eight faceted, iridescent hematite beads. Find our hummingbird necklace here.

Unlike many flighted birds with angular feathers, Ostrich feathers are balanced on each side, symbolizing equality, truth and justice. In ancient Egypt, the goddess Ma’at weighed the hearts of the dead against an ostrich feather, and if a heart was as light as the feather, that meant the owner led a virtuous life and could enter paradise. Our Ostrich Feather Earrings are simple yet elegant, featuring an ostrich feather with a quill that extends into the ear wire of the earrings. These feather earrings are available in solid cast bronze or sterling silver. Find our ostrich feather earrings here.

Unlike many flighted birds with angular feathers, Ostrich feathers are balanced on each side, symbolizing equality, truth and justice. In ancient Egypt, the goddess Ma’at weighed the hearts of the dead against an ostrich feather, and if a heart was as light as the feather, that meant the owner led a virtuous life and could enter paradise. Our Ostrich Feather Necklace features a simple yet gorgeous feather on an 18-inch paperclip style chain elegant enough for one of the world’s most elegant feathers. This necklace is available as a cast bronze ostrich feather charm on a 14k gold-filled chain or as a sterling silver charm on a sterling silver chain. Both styles are free of nickel and come on a decorative card back displaying the significance of the ostrich feather. Find our ostrich feather necklace here.

The mythical Phoenix is reborn again and again, combusting and rising from its own ashes. Across cultures, it’s a symbol of strength and perseverance. It’s also a symbol of gentleness, as according to some legends it lives on smoke and dew, never harming another living thing. Our Phoenix necklace features a fierce Phoenix rising from flames, wings fearlessly spread. This necklace is available in bronze with a cast bronze phoenix pendant on a 20-inch 14k gold-filled chain or in silver with a sterling silver phoenix pendant and 20-inch sterling silver chain. The clasp can be fastened to any link in the chain, so you can wear the necklace shorter if you prefer. Find our phoenix necklace here.

Ravens are members of the most intelligent group of birds: the corvids. They speak their own language of calls and cries and can be taught human words. Perhaps this is why they’re historically considered to be oracles, symbols of wisdom, omniscient, predictors of coming danger, and able to traverse the realms of both the living and dead. Our Raven Necklace features a raven carved into a circular pendant with an all-seeing eye. Above the pendant is a faceted bead of black onyx. The Raven Necklace is available as a bronze pendant on an 18-inch 14k gold-filled paperclip-style chain or as a sterling silver pendant on an 18-inch sterling silver paperclip-style chain. Find our raven necklace here.

Doves are symbols of love and peace, often depicted carrying olive branches or tenderly nuzzling each other. They’re expert messengers, domesticated more than 5,000 years ago for correspondence and companionship. Across cultures, doves have symbolized femininity, motherhood and the moon. They’re sacred in Islam and Christianity; legend says that Muhammad trained doves, and the devil in Christianity can shapeshift into many forms except the dove. Our Dove Hoop Earrings feature a pair of doves, one with wings spread and the other at rest. Each earring measures approximately 1.5 inches across. Dove Earrings are available in solid cast bronze or solid sterling silver. Both styles are free of nickel. Each pair of dove earrings comes on a decorate card back with the story of doves. Find our dove hoop earrings here.

Geese may be the oldest birds domesticated by humans nearly 7,000 years ago. Their close relationship with people has made them sacred in many cultures. The “goose laying the golden egg” dates to ancient Egypt, with the golden egg representing the sun. Ancient Celts considered geese so sacred they weren’t to be eaten. In India, Brahma is shown riding a goose. Geese are migratory, forming a strong V shape together in flight, and geese mate for life. Geese are protectors, fiercely guarding their young and the humans they’re close to. Our Goose Necklace features a goose in flight with fellow geese in V-formation in the background of the round pendant. The Goose Necklace is available as a cast bronze pendant on an 18-inch 14k gold-filled chain or as a sterling silver pendant on an 18-inch sterling silver chain. Find our goose necklace here.

The Peacock is the national bird of India, where it is exalted for its habit of eating snakes—even venomous ones. Its taste for poisonous serpents led to the belief that peacocks can neutralize toxins, making the bird a symbol of purity as well. The Peacock means good luck in many cultures, and the “eye” of its iridescent tail feathers is symbolic of the evil eye in some. Our Peacock Necklace features a peacock set against the imprint of the eye of a peacock feather and encircled by a subtle snake biting its tail. The Peacock Necklace is available as a cast bronze pendant on a 14k gold-filled chain or as a sterling silver pendant on a sterling silver chain. Chains measure approximately 19.5 inches and may be fastened at any link on the chain in case you’d prefer to wear the necklace shorter. Find our peacock necklace here.

The Flamingo, perched precariously on one leg in the shallow water, reminds us to find balance in our own lives. Its whimsical pink coloring makes it stand out among other birds, reminding us to be ourselves, however different we may appear. And its curved neck shapes one half of a heart, forming a whole when it pairs with a mate, which it attracts with its flamboyant dance moves. Our Flamingo Necklace features a pair of flamingos touching beaks to form a heart shape and is topped with two beads of pink rhodochrosite to add a pop of flamingo pink. This necklace is available as a solid bronze pendant on a 14k gold-filled chain or a sterling silver pendant on a sterling silver chain. Necklaces measure approximately 18 inches and can be fastened on any link of the chain, so they may be worn slightly shorter if you prefer. Find our flamingo necklace here.

The Wren is believed to be the bird of witches, and a wren feather can protect you against magical spells. On the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom, wren feathers are thought to protect sailors from shipwrecks because sorcerous wrens can transform into Sirens. On the other side of the Atlantic, Pawnee Native Americans considered the wren a joyous, happy bird because it sings so loudly at sunrise. Our Wren Necklace features a little wren perched on the crescent moon, rich with witchy vibes. This necklace is available as a cast bronze pendant on an 18-inch 14k gold-filled paperclip-style chain or a sterling silver pendant on an 18-inch sterling silver paperclip-style chain. Find our wren necklace here.

Creatures of Night: A Jewelry Bestiary Inspired by Cryptozoology, Mythology and Fantasy

Our newest collection of handmade jewelry is a bestiary of fantastical, sinister and mythological beasts. Inspired by cryptozoology and the cages of Mommy Fortuna’s carnival in The Last Unicorn, this menagerie invites you to steal a glance at some of the most secretive creatures the world has (maybe) never seen. Whether or not you believe in unicorns, kelpies, harpies, ghosts and ghouls, these legends have lived for centuries already and will outlive us for centuries ahead. Join us during Argenta Art Walk from 5-8pm, October 21, for the release of our Creatures of Night Collection at our jewelry store and gift shop, located at 429 Main Street in the historic Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Kelpie Necklace from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

The Kelpie

From the lochs of Scotland, this aquatic horse appears friendly at first, luring humans to ride upon its back, then diving with its victims into the lakes and rivers to drown and devour them. Find the Kelpie Necklace here.

The Vampire Necklace with Faceted Garnet Blood Drop from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

The Vampire

Born in Romania, the original vampires were shape-shifting, night-walking, blood-sucking ghouls who could only be killed with a stake through the heart to pin them into their grave, followed by beheading and burning to ensure they’d never rise again to drink from the living. Find the Vampire Fangs Necklace with Faceted Garnet Blood Drop here.

The Ammit Necklace from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

Ammit

Of Egyptian mythology, this creature is said to have the head of a crocodile, the forelegs and mane of a lion and the hind of a hippopotamus. When Osiris, King of the Underworld, judges a soul unworthy, Ammit devours its heart, casting the poor soul into limbo. Find the Ammit Necklace here.

The Jorōgumo Necklace from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

Jorōgumo

This Japanese creature has the upper half of a beautiful woman and the lower body of a spider. She seduces men, luring them into isolated spaces then spinning her victims into bundles in her web and drinking their blood. Find the Jorōgumo spider lady necklace here.

The Little Ghost Earrings from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

Ghost

There are perhaps no more universal and ancient night creatures than the spirits of the dead. They can mean harm or serve to protect the living, but they’re rarely seen by the human eye either way — even rarer in the daylight. Find the Little Ghost Necklace here

The Little Ghost Necklace from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

The Little Ghost Hoop Earrings from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

The Wampus Cat Necklace from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in bronze.

The Wampus Cat

This reeking, fiendish, half-human, half-wildcat creature is also a woman scorned. According to legend, a Cherokee woman hid beneath a mountain lion pelt to spy on her husband and was punished by being made to embody the skin for eternity. This pendant is pressed with an illustration by Arkansas artist Chad Maupin of Big Bot Design. Find the Wampus Cat Necklace here.

The Midgard Serpent snake cuff bracelet from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

The Midgard Serpent

In Norse mythology, when Loki threw Jörmungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent, into the sea, it grew so large it encircled the world and grasped its own tail. When it releases its tail one day, the great reckoning Ragnarök will begin, bringing devastation and floods, but the world will rise again from the waters, cleansed and reborn. Find the Midgard Serpent Snake Cuff Bracelet here.

The Unicorn in the Stars Necklace from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in bronze.

The Unicorn

The rare and breathtaking unicorn lives in the wild forests of Europe, keeping out of human sight. According to medieval legend, it can be lured to rest its head peacefully in the lap of a maiden, making it a symbol of purity and grace. Its spiral horn is said to purify poisoned water and heal illness. Find the Unicorn in the Stars Necklace here.

The Harpy Necklace from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection. Also available in sterling silver.

The Harpy

This half-eagle, half-woman beast of Greek and Roman mythology is sometimes depicted with three breasts in popular culture. They abduct, carry away and torture their victims, sometimes doling out punishment from the gods. Find the Harpy Necklace here.

The Cerberus Necklace from our Creatures of Night Jewelry Collection.

Cerberus

In Greek mythology, this ferocious three-headed hound of Hades guards the entrance to the Underworld, keeping the dead from escaping and the living from entering. Find the Cerberus Necklace here.

The Midgard Serpent snake cuff bracelet, Little Ghost Hoop Earrings, Vampire Fangs with Faceted Garnet Blood Drop Necklace, and Little Ghost Necklace from our Creatures of Night Collection.

“Creatures of night, brought to light!”

The Speak Up Collection: Jewelry Featuring Wise Words by Women Icons

So often when we’re at a loss for words, we look to those already spoken by people we admire. This collection of handmade jewelry features inspiring quotes by feminist women we look up to, including Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Laverne Cox and Hillary Rodham Clinton. (A couple of them even have Arkansas ties!) Keep a strong mantra close to your heart with these hand-crafted necklaces that are available in bronze and sterling silver on 14k gold-filled and sterling silver chains.

Which quotes are featured in our Speak Up Collection?

“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks” … as in leave tracks for others to follow. - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“Who you are authentically is alright” - Laverne Cox

“Choose people who lift you up” - Michelle Obama

“Women’s right are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights” - Hillary Rodham Clinton

“Nothing will work unless you do” - Maya Angelou

“Change takes courage” - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

I started making this collection in the spring of 2022, before the devastating overturning of Roe v. Wade, and after the news I felt even more the need to hold tokens of strength, hope and change close to me, especially because I live in a state with generally drastically different views from my own, where the legislature is constantly threatening human rights. Above all, in naming this the “speak up” collection, my hope is to start conversations.

Leave Tracks RBG Quote Necklace

“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks” … as in leave tracks for others to follow your work and built on it. - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

This RBG quote encourages you to let others build on the work you’re doing, and reminds us that change sometimes takes time, but it also makes me think about all the organizations out there who have already been laying the foundation and doing the work to make the change you want to see. Be sure to seek out the effective, grassroots organizations in your area, support them, and follow their tracks before you set out completely from scratch on your own.

This pendant pressed with a powerful RBG quote and a set of footprints measures approximately one inch across and is available in bronze or sterling silver. The chain is 20 inches long and the clasp fastens onto any link in the chain, so you can wear it longer or shorter. Silver chains are sterling silver and gold chains are 14k gold-filled. As with all of our necklaces, we can make them longer with extensions.

Who You Are Authentically Laverne Cox Quote Necklace

“Who you are authentically is alright” - Laverne Cox

The diamond shape of this handmade necklace featuring a powerful quote by trans actress and icon Laverne Cox is complemented by two tiny Herkimer diamonds (double-pointed quartz crystals) on each side, a nod to the adage that diamonds are formed under pressure. This necklace is available in sterling silver with a sterling silver chain or bronze with a 14k gold-filled chain. These necklaces are about 18 inches long, and as with all of our necklaces, we can make them longer with extensions. The pendant part of the necklace measures about 1 inch across.

Nothing Will Work Unless You Do Maya Angelou Quote Necklace

“Nothing will work unless you do” - Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou holds a special place in the heart of Arkansans, as she spent part of her childhood in Stamps, Arkansas. This handmade pendant features an especially motivational Angelou quote to remind us to work hard for the change we want to make and is accented with a floral motif and a bird as a nod to her book of poetry “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” The pendant measures about 1 inch across and is available in bronze or sterling silver on a sterling silver or 14k gold-filled chain. The chain is 20 inches long and the clasp fastens onto any link in the chain, so you can wear it longer or shorter. Silver chains are sterling silver and gold chains are 14k gold-filled. As with all of our necklaces, we can make them longer with extensions.

Choose People Who Lift You Up Michelle Obama Quote Necklace

“Choose people who lift you up” - Michelle Obama

First Lady, author, activist and icon Michelle Obama was speaking of her daughters with this quote encouraging them to choose partners who lift them up rather than drag them down, but this quote spoke to me far beyond the romantic connotations. Even in friendships, work partnerships and family relationships, it’s so important to be there for the people who are there for you— for the people who want more FOR you and don’t stand in the way of who you are authentically, try to control you or use you for personal gain. For me, it’s a personal mantra of self-care to hold close those who hold me close for the right reasons. This handmade necklace features a pendant with Michelle Obama’s words encircled in a twisted, decorative frame like a work of art.

This necklace is available in sterling silver with a sterling silver chain or bronze with a 14k gold-filled chain. The entire necklace is about 18 inches long, and as with all of our necklaces, we can make them longer with extensions.

Change Takes Courage AOC Quote Necklace

“Change takes courage” - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

If anyone has the courage to make change, it’s U.S. representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I’m constantly in awe of her ferocity and strength, which is why I paired her quote with an anatomical heart, the symbolic source of courage and bravery. These pendants measure approximately 3/4 inch across and are available in sterling silver with a sterling silver chain and bronze with a 14k gold-filled chain. Chains are 18 inches long, and as with all of our necklaces, we can add extenders.

Women’s Rights are Human Rights HRC Quote Necklace

“Women’s right are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights” - Hillary Rodham Clinton

I’ve heard this quote said so many times by so many people, and only recently I learned that Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke it in a 1995 speech. Almost 30 years later, it’s still extremely pertinent. With this pendant, I played off the mirror-like effect of the words with a reversible, framed, mirror-shaped pendant, where one side says “women’s rights are human rights” and the backside says “and human rights are women’s rights.” These pendants measures about one inch long and are available in bronze on a 14k gold-filled chain or sterling silver on a sterling silver chain. Chains are 18 inches long, and as with all of our necklaces, we can add extenders.

Bang-Up Betty is snarky, meaningful, well-made jewelry made in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as feminist pins, stickers and gifts. Since 2013, Bang-Up Betty has been crafting custom and personalized jewelry and other quirky, nerdy and feminist necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Shop Bang-Up Betty’s unique Arkansas-made jewelry through our “jewelry and stickers” tab, where you can also order custom name necklaces, mantra cuff bracelets, stamped key tags and more. Thank you for voting Bang-Up Betty “Best Artisan” for handmade jewelry in the Arkansas Times’ Best of Arkansas nine years in a row and “Best Gift Shop” in Arkansas in 2022!

Visit our Argenta storefront at 429 Main Street in North Little Rock! We’re located above Ristorante Capeo. Our hours are:

Wednesday - Friday: 11am - 5:30pm

Saturday 11am - 5:00pm

Check back for extended holiday hours.

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.

Make Valentine’s Day Fun and Meaningful With These 20 Gifts from Bang-Up Betty

From sweet and sentimental to hilarious and snarky, Bang-Up Betty’s gift shop and handmade jewelry store in Argenta has something to make your Valentine’s Day extra special. Our unusual, quirky and colorful shop is filled with locally made jewelry, funny cards, thoughtful home decor and clever gifts, including lots of Arkansas-made pottery, art, candles, tea and more. Here are some of our favorite Valentine’s Day picks that will make your sweetie swoon:

Heat things up with delicious hot sauces. Or maybe heat up the conversation with this fun card game geared toward couples. Make them laugh with a pair of “trophy husband” socks, or maybe a keychain of their favorite musician will make their heart sing.

Bang-Up Betty is known for their jewelry, pins, stickers and shirts designed in-house: The bronze infinity symbol necklace is the perfect way to say “forever” and the Art Deco Arkansas earrings are timeless. The “Ask Me What I’m Reading” lapel pin and “Bibliophile" sticker are perfect for book lovers. We’re smitten with these celebrity keychains, including stars and characters like Betty White, Ted Lasso and Dolly Parton. These mandala-patterned heart dishes are made in Arkansas by Carla Churchwell. “Romantic comedy” takes on new meaning with this retro Blockbuster-themed card. Chocolates don’t have to be traditional with these key lime pie and pride-themed chocolate bars.

Bang-Up Betty’s greeting card selection is out of this world hilarious, but it’s also filled with gorgeous and sweet cards, like these locally-made cards by Arkansas artist Sherry J. Williamson. We especially love this Johnny Cash card.

Do you have a sentimental something that you say to your sweetheart? Maybe a pet name or a quote? Get it stamped onto one of Bang-Up Betty’s custom mantra cuffs for a super-special personalized gift. Or pick from their list of inspirational mantras to give your Valentine a little loving motivation.

Light up Valentine’s Day with a candle that looks as lovely as it smells. These non-toxic soy phrase candles come in sweet and snarky phrases. Phrases include “You Got This,” “This Must Be The Place,” and many more.

Give the person who has the key to your heart a keychain with the keys to your love shack or your love nest with a custom stamped keychain. If you’ve got a lovey-dovey phrase or an inside joke, we can also stamp those.

Add a sprinkle of love to your home with a colorful throw pillow that will brighten up your decor. We think our new ice cream cone and heart hands pillows make extra sweet Valentine’s Day gifts, but rainbows are always perfect for everything.

Tell them you only want yo be with them using one of the funniest, cutest greeting cards on earth. We’re huge greeting card fans at Bang-Up Betty and we always have a huge supply of cards that will make you laugh, like this Hootie and the Blowfish-inspired card.

If your significant other has a green thumb, get them a beautiful new flower pot for spring. We’ve also got colorful locally-made macrame plant hangers that brighten up any space.

Get the goddess in your life a beautiful, meaningful piece of handmade jewelry from our Greek mythology jewelry collection. The Aphrodite necklace represents the goddess of love and beauty, the Orpheus and Eurydice necklace tells a dark and beautiful love story, and snakes (like the gorgeous ones in our Medusa serpent earrings) have been love symbols for centuries.

Bang-Up Betty is located at 429 Main Street in Argenta. Hours are Thursdays and Fridays 11-5:30 and Saturdays 11-5 with extended Valentine’s Day hours coming soon. Shop online at www.bangupbetty.com and follow them at instagram.com/bangupbetty and facebook.com/bangupbettyjewelry. Email stacey@bangupbetty.com for custom jewelry and other inquiries.

The Strong Women Gift Guide: 18 Feminist Gifts For and Featuring Badass Women

“Grown Ass Woman” stamped mantra cuffs, Kamala Harris ornaments and more RBG gifts than you can shake a gavel at make up part of our Strong Women Gift Guide at Bang-Up Betty.

Girl power runs deep at Bang-Up Betty. From our infamous “I’m Speaking” Fly Necklace to our Smash the Patriarchy Lapel Pin, we’re kind of known for making a strong feminist statement. We’re also owned by a strong woman who makes our jewelry by hand and personally selects all the badass feminist gifts for our gift shop and jewelry store in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Here are a few of our favorite gift picks for the strong woman on your list.

Women’s lit is our favorite! This set of no.2 pencils commemorates some of our classic favorite women authors. Each set of pencils comes with the five pencils shown in the photo.

Tell the boneheads to back off with this Don’t Tell Me To Smile Feminist Skull Keychain.

This cute but fierce Ruth Bader Ginsburg oven mitt makes a statement in any kitchen. Get your mitts on it before it sells out again!

These adorable little string dolls fit perfectly on your keys and each have a quote or bit of life history about the person who inspired them. Each string doll keychain comes on an informative card back, too. We’ve got Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Rosa Parks, Medusa and more.

Pick up a tiny feminist hammer and join the cause! These Smash the Patriarchy Lapel Pins are one of our signature designs that never go out of style.

Let this Nevertheless She Persisted Necklace serve as a reminder to persist and resist.

A gift for a goddess! Say it with a mug…This mug is shaped as Philotes, Goddess of friendship, and says to anyone that receives it: “World’s greatest friend!”

Rosa sat so Ruby could walk so Kamala could run. This beautiful print by Arkansas artist Sherry J. Williamson illustrates inspirational quotes from Kamala Harris, Lucille Bridges (mother of Ruby Bridges), and Rosa Parks. It’s available in store at 429 Main Street in Argenta, North Little Rock.

This cute little Ruth Bader Ginsburg paperweight is like a little token of strength and encouragement to keep on your desk.

Think of these hand-stamped custom Mantra Cuff Bracelets as your Wonder Woman cuffs. (Cuffs don't come with super powers, but you do!) These custom cuffs are also available in silver and can be personalized with the phrase or word of your choice.

This Votes for Women puzzle is fun to work and also informational. It’s made up of people who helped pioneer the right to vote for women and it comes with a poster. Puzzle available in store at our Argenta storefront.

People think that Medusa was just a mean old hag that turned men to stone, but really she was a scorned woman and don’t we all want the ability to turn men into rocks? This medusa necklace is from our art history jewelry collection.

We adore women’s lit, and these wooden bookmarks are gorgeous, useful and inspiring gifts. This Zora Neale Hurston bookmark makes our hearts flutter.

“When they go low, we go high.” This gorgeous Michelle Obama magnet will add inspiration to your home.

This RBG handmade ornament is too precious to put away after the holidays end. Keep this cute little Ruth Bader Ginsburg hanging around all year.

These Nasty Woman Statue of Liberty stickers are a Bang-Up Betty original. They’re great for cars, water bottles, laptops and stocking stuffers.

Celebrate our first woman vice president with this Kamala Harris ornament. It’s so cute you’ll want to decorate with it all year long.

“Going high” takes on several meanings in this handmade “Go High” necklace. Inspired by Michelle Obama’s famous words, “When they go low, we go high,” this bronze necklace has the words GO HIGH pressed into a solid bronze mountain range, for when you need some extra motivation to get over the next ridge and revel in your hard work and commitment, or for when you need a beautiful reminder to take the high road and let the bullshit wash under you like water under a bridge instead of splashing around in it.

Bang-Up Betty is snarky, meaningful, well-made jewelry made in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as feminist pins, stickers and gifts. Since 2013, Bang-Up Betty has been crafting custom and personalized jewelry and other quirky, nerdy and feminist necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Shop our jewelry alongside unique gifts and local art at our new storefront in the Argenta neighborhood of downtown North Little Rock, Arkansas, located at 429 Main Street.