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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 Unique and Amusing Father's Day Gifts

Dads are always the hardest people to shop for, but this guide to 11 unique and amusing Father’s Day gifts gets creative with a mix of Arkansas-made and far out clever gifts to surprise Dad. Each of these excellent gifts, from locally made toffee to “pull my finger” keychains, can be found at Bang-Up Betty’s jewelry and gift store in the Argenta Arts neighborhood of downtown North Little Rock (429 Main Street).

Make Dad laugh out loud with a custom stamped keychain. You can grab one of these “Pull My Finger” or “Don’t Make Me Turn This Car Around” keychains online or in store, and you can also order a custom phrase keychain of your choice.

This clever astronaut bottle opener is the perfect addition to dad’s bar and an excellent conversation piece.

Your outdoorsy dad needs a new handmade mug! These gorgeous one-of-a-kind mugs come with Bigfoot, camping themes, sailboats, fishing themes and more, and they’re made in Arkansas.

Turn grilling out up to 11 with these incredible hot sauces. They’re our absolute favorites at the the shop, and we offer a wide range of heat levels. Just ask us and we’ll help you pick one out!

This ceramic and metal dachshund letter holder is perfect for home and office, and it’s just so clever.

Nature and exquisite craftsmanship merge in artist Paul Milholland’s handmade wooden birds. We especially love the tall birds that have natural movement to them. Each bird is one of a kind. Available in store.

Make dad laugh with his favorite celebrity on a keychain. Our favorite dad picks are The Dude, Ted Lasso, Samuel L. Jackson and Johnny Cash, but we have tons more in store.

If dad loves the open road, he’ll adore this Argenta print featuring our favorite neighborhood drugstore with a biker driving by. Arkansas artist Joseph Buchanan’s North Little Rock watercolors are available in store, with scenes of the Baker House and the Old Mill as well.

Don’t forget the card! We LOVE cards at Bang-Up Betty, and we specialize in funny ones.

Does Dad have a sweet tooth? Look no further than delicious, locally made Deal Family toffee. Available in store unless we eat it all first.

Give politics a softer touch with this Presidential Pets mug that features some of the cutest White House pets and their adorable and ridiculous names.

Funny Hand-Stamped Key Tags with Outrageous Sayings

There’s Food At Home Key Tag for those of us who need a gentle reminder that there’s perfectly good gruel at home.

Key tags make the perfect, universal gift for any person. Add a personal or funny touch, and you’ve got the perfect gift they’ll carry with them everywhere.

Getting into the holiday spirit, I just added a ton of new funny key tags to the shop, including ones that say “Did You Turn Off the Stove?” and “There’s Food At Home” for those who need a little help being responsible adults and ones that say “Hang Onto Your Britches, Bitches” and “Get Out of My Way” for the speed demons in your life. Then there’s the “Parallel Parking Extraordinaire” key tag for the extra special talented ones…

I also made it easier to shop the classic keychain phrases all in one place through the “Key Tags” tab of the site. There you can find all the funny key tag phrases you’ve probably seen on our Instagram account: the “My Other Car Is Your Dad” key tag, the “Jesus Take the Wheel” key tag, the “Don’t Make Me Turn This Car Around” key tag and many more.

Tell your dad I said watch out… “Key To Your Mom’s House” Key Tag

Don’t see a keychain that suits just what you need? You can come up with your own saying and I’ll stamp it for you! Just order a custom key tag here.

Custom key tags are perfect for anyone who has car keys, house keys, apartment keys, dorm keys, keys to your moms house, etc.