Little Rock's Vantage Points

October 13-19, 2014

Stacey Bowers: The gem behind Bang-Up Betty

By Becca Bona

“I don’t have a forge, it’s not Mordor where I work,” explained jewelry maker Stacey Bowers. She’ll be the first to admit that she does, however, get physical while crafting a piece. “I use a hammer and all of these metal pieces … it’s like a dungeon in my studio,” she laughed.

Bowers, a North Little Rock native, can trace her creativity to a young age. Her first job as a 16-year-old at Argenta Bead Company might have foreshadowed her future creation of Bang-Up Betty, a hand-crafted jewelry mecca serving the local masses, as well as the rest of the world, thanks to the Internet.

Counting back, Bowers figured she has been creating jewelry for over a decade. Her current line stemmed from a need for creative Christmas presents.

“I found these bullet casings, and I wanted to make some for my bada** best friend and my bada** sister,” she laughed.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, as friends began to ask for her designs and, Bowers saw an opening opportunity. She drew knowledge from her degree in new media from Centenary College, and then took the plunge, launching Bang-Up Betty in April of 2013.

When she’s not at her full-time job, she’s pounding out a necklace or bracelet, getting the details just right. Luckily for her, by day she manages to draw from her artistic side as well. “I’m the communications coordinator at the Thea Foundation. They love my work. … By day I’m advocating for the arts, and then I’m actually an artist that goes home and makes things,” she said.

Her line began to incorporate word play, and puns, something she had always enjoyed. “In high school I was art club president and all of that nerdy stuff. I was always very visual arts and writing oriented, so I guess I just melded the two,” she said.

The designs usually originate from a unique piece, which Bowers eithers draws or finds online. “When I first started, I would  draw designs and then scour the Internet,” she explained. She first sold through Bourbon and Boots, an online shopping forum dedicated to Southern wares. Eventually, she launched her own website and sells through Etsy, which makes figuring taxes easier.

As exhibited by her final products, she is extremely thorough with each piece.

“It is such a long process. I was wearing a project that I’m going to reform probably 20 more times before I sell it. I’ll wear 14 different versions before I feel comfortable,” she explained. Bowers puts attention in every detail, ensuring that her creations are ready for wearing by trying them on herself (minus earrings, of course,) before she sends them off to patrons.

“I didn’t think that was so bizarre, but my boyfriend thought it was funny,” she said.

Bowers discovered after Christmas season last year that she would need an actual studio, as she was limited to crafting creations on her coffee table. She moved and now has a studio where she is free to stamp, hammer, drill and create as she pleases.

She’s perfected her word-stamping process, even though she thinks other jewelers might scoff at her process. “I use a vintage hammer that my dad gave me. It’s covered in paint splatter, and it’s heavy,” she said. But, so far it’s passed the test, as she explained, “It’s tried and true and it’s not going anywhere.”

She has streamlined her jewelry-making process, creating interchangeable designs that make everything, “as green as possible.” That being said, she’s very open to custom orders. For example, she detailed a recent custom order: “Someone wanted a bracelet with a four letter word starting with a ‘c’ on it … I almost fell out of my chair when I read that.”

Bowers has now sold worldwide to Canada, Brazil, France, Scotland, and even the Netherlands. However, it’s most rewarding when she’s about town and spots someone wearing her creations. “It’s so exciting to me. I never thought it would catch on, as much fun as it,” she said.

Her friends and family have long told Bowers that she was onto something with her jewelry, but she has had mentors and support within the community that she is thankful for, as well. “I have got to give credit to another jewelry designer in town, Christy Bourns, she definitely has given me advice and encouraged me along the way,” she said.

In terms of the artistic community in Central Arkansas, Bowers sees strong growth. “I feel like we’re getting an identity, we’re maturing. … Maybe we’re being more brave and putting ourselves out there,” she said.

As she watches Bang-Up Betty grow, she is proud that she dove into the venture when she did. She’s learned a ton, but most importantly she’s proved she can do everything needed to be successful at her craft.

This month Bowers is featured in Bust magazine in a fashion spread inspired by Wednesday Addams from “The Addams Family,” and her jewelry has also been used for a proposal. Bowers said, “That was the second coolest thing that has ever happened to me,” with the feature in Bust coming in first.

When not working or expanding her designs, Bowers likes to do yoga and write. She just held a fall trunk show in conjunction with the Green Corner Store, but look for her to possibly appear at the Cornbread Festival this year.

Connect with Bang-Up Betty on Instagram, and visit the Etsy store and website to see her designs: http://www.bangupbetty.com/.