Made in Arkansas Gift Guide 2022: 21 Gift Ideas by Local Artisans and Makers
Stacey Bowers
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 20 of our favorite local gifts that you can find at Bang-Up Betty:
Hot Springs ceramicist Carla Churchwell stocks our store with tons of her cute and creative pottery, and we especially love her rainbow and cardinal ornaments for the holidays.
You better believe our fridge at home is stocked with this incredible locally made hot sauce called Opera Sauce. We’re total hot sauce snobs and we give this one two thumbs way up.
If you’ve ever wondered why our store smells so good, it’s because of these candles. Dogtown Scents candles are made in North Little Rock, come in several delightful winter scents, and we’ve even got our own glittery signature Bang-Up Betty scent.
North Little Rock artist Paul Milholland is known for his groovy wooden bird sculptures (which we carry!), and these handmade wooden Arkansas magnets are like collectable pieces of art for your fridge.
Hot Springs pottery maker Carla Churchwell’s little ceramic trees are perfect for building a tiny Christmas village for your holiday decor.
Our handmade Shine Star Necklace comes in bronze and sterling silver and benefits Methodist Family Health in Arkansas. It’s the perfect gift that gives back. Find it in store or online.
Bentonville water-colorist Joseph Buchanan’s beautiful Arkansas landscapes make gorgeous gifts, and this year he’s made holiday cards of scenes like the snowy Old Mill and War Eagle Mill so you can easily mail them to your loved ones who are far away.
Made in North Little Rock, Deal Family toffee is the best toffee we’ve ever tasted. You better come buy it before our staff eats all of it!
These beautiful floral Arkansas keychains by Clever + Tidy let you carry a little Arkansas with you wherever you go.
Made in Maumelle, these colorful Summit Valley Soaps smell as good as they look.
Santa Claus is definitely coming to Dogtown because we’ve been really good this year. These adorable Dogtown ornaments by Heather Reed of Thriftpologie will look perfect on your tree, and the matching reusable cups are great hostess gifts. These will be sold exclusively at Bang-Up Betty starting November 18!
Hot Springs ceramics artist Carla Churchwell’s completely adorable wildlife trinket dishes are always a huge hit when she brings them to the shop. They always go quickly, so hurry in for one!
Sherwood-based illustrator and graphic designer Ashlee Nobel of Lee Lee Arts + Design is one of our crowd favorites, and her new collection of spooky creature prints is beautiful any time of year.
Our custom, hand-stamped mantra cuffs are some of the most popular gifts in our shop. Whether you love a good motivational phrase, have an inside joke, or simply would like a loved one’s name, we can stamp pretty much anything onto one of these bracelets. If you’re looking for more custom jewelry options, we also make custom name necklaces as well as tons of other personalized creations.
The bookworm on your gifting list will love a thoughtful book by a local author. May we recommend From Cotton to Silk: The Magic of Black Hair by artist and writer Crystal C. Mercer or But First, Save 10: The One Simple Money Move That Will Change Your Life by Sarah Catherine Gutierrez? These titles and more are available in store at Bang-Up Betty.
Arkansas artist Studio Dust Co. keeps it creepy crawly yet gorgeous with these handmade, framed works of wooden art.
We gotta love a mug that matches our shop! You can feel like you’re at Bang-Up Betty while you drink your morning coffee in one of these groovy rainbow mugs by CSF Design.
Lapel pins make perfect stocking stuffers. We’ve got dozens of designs at Bang-Up Betty, including these crowd favorites that say “dogs are my love language,” “cats are my love language” and “ask me what I’m reading.”
Maumelle-based painter Sherry J. Williamson is one of our absolute favorites, and you’ll find a huge selection of her colorful, inspirational prints and greeting cards at Bang-Up Betty.
Our handmade jewelry is far out (and our jokes are corny). Our Space Age Collection of space-themed jewelry is perfect for any hopeful cosmonaut. We’ll be wearing the Eclipse Earrings to pump ourselves up for the total solar eclipse coming to Arkansas in 2024. Check out the Space Age Collection in store or online.
We can’t get enough of these handmade ceramic stemless wine glasses by Hot Springs artisan Carla Churchwell. Grab a whole set of them or just one for yourself while supplies last at Bang-Up Betty.
Bang-Up Betty is snarky, meaningful, well-made jewelry made in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as funny and feminist pins, stickers and gifts. Shop our handmade jewelry alongside clever gifts and local art at our Argenta storefront located at 429 Main Street in North Little Rock above Ristorante Capeo.