Meet Sara Cramer

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sara Cramer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sara below.

Sara, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I think my purpose found me slowly, through making things with my hands and watching how those creations connected people. I started making beaded jewelry over 15 years ago, just because I loved it — the colors, the patterns, the calm it brought me. Over time, I realized it wasn’t just about the jewelry itself, but the joy and connection it created.

When I started doing permanent jewelry, it all clicked — this was about more than accessories. It was about marking moments that matter: friendships, milestones, love, self-celebration. Seeing people light up during a jewelry appointment, or hearing the story behind their charm or engraving, reminded me that what I do helps capture real, lasting connections.

I’ve always believed jewelry should mean more than just something beautiful to wear — it should last a lifetime and carry the stories that matter most. My purpose is to create pieces that mark moments — friendships, milestones, and memories — and stand the test of time. Whether it’s a permanent bracelet welded in place, a custom engraving that speaks to someone’s heart, or a handmade design that’s been carefully crafted bead by bead, each piece is made to be cherished for years to come.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

What excites me most about what I do is how personal it’s become. Permanent jewelry, especially, is such a unique experience — it turns jewelry into a moment shared with someone special. I love being part of that memory, whether it’s at my studio, at Queen Bee Boutiques, at a pop-up, or through my new mobile concierge service, where I bring the permanent jewelry experience directly to clients’ homes, offices, or events.

This season, I’ve been expanding in a few exciting ways — including launching custom laser-engraved jewelry and accessories, and restocking my friendship bracelet kits that were nominated for Made in KC’s 2024 Product of the Year. You can find my work locally at all Made in KC stores, Queen Bee Boutiques, Shop Local KC, and The Local Foundry — and I’m working toward opening up new wholesale opportunities soon.

I’m currently working on a brand-new collection that blends my love for craftsmanship and connection — combining silversmithing techniques with permanent jewelry chains to create a demi-fine, ready-to-wear jewelry line. Each piece is designed to bridge everyday wear and timeless design, bringing the same quality and sentiment of permanent jewelry into pieces you can slip on and style effortlessly. This collection is all about versatility, craftsmanship, and lasting beauty — jewelry made to live with you, every day.

This holiday season is an especially exciting one for me as I continue to grow and share my work through local markets. I’ll be at the IIDA Holiday Maker Mart on December 6th, and then spending the two weekends before Christmas at the River Market Merry Maker Holiday Mart. Events like these are some of my favorite parts of the year — they give me the chance to connect directly with customers, help them find meaningful gifts, and share new pieces from my upcoming demi-fine collection that blends silversmithing with permanent jewelry chains. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season, support local makers, and create jewelry that lasts a lifetime.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I think the three qualities that have made the biggest difference in my journey are resilience, curiosity, and connection.

Resilience has been essential. Running a creative business isn’t always glamorous — there are slow weekends, creative ruts, and learning curves that never really stop. But staying consistent and showing up anyway, even when things are uncertain, has helped me build something lasting.

Curiosity has kept me growing. Every time I’ve tried something new — from learning how to weld permanent jewelry to experimenting with laser engraving — it’s opened up new doors for my business. I think being open to exploring new skills and tools, even if they feel intimidating, keeps your work fresh and evolving.

And finally, connection is what grounds it all. The relationships I’ve built — with customers, shop owners, and other local makers — have shaped every step of my growth. Community is everything.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice would be: don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Start messy, learn as you go, and lean on the people around you. Keep showing up with curiosity and heart — those two things will take you farther than you think.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past year, my biggest area of growth has been stepping fully into entrepreneurship — trusting myself to run my business full-time and expanding it in ways I used to only dream about. I left my corporate job to focus on my jewelry business, and that decision has pushed me to grow not just creatively, but as a leader and business owner.

I’ve learned how to balance the artistic side with the operational side — everything from managing inventory across multiple retail locations to refining customer experiences at pop-ups and in the boutique/ private studio. Launching my mobile concierge permanent jewelry service has also stretched me to think differently about accessibility and personalization — how to bring a meaningful, luxury experience directly to my customers wherever they are.

One of my biggest areas of growth this past year has been learning to truly listen — to my customers, to the market, and to the subtle shifts happening in the jewelry industry. I’ve become more intentional about responding to what people are wanting — whether that’s expanding permanent jewelry options, introducing laser engraving for personalization, or creating new ready-to-wear designs that reflect current styles. Staying adaptable and tuned in has allowed my brand to grow organically while still staying true to its heart: creating meaningful, lasting jewelry that people connect with.

Most importantly, I’ve grown in confidence. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, take bigger risks, and celebrate how far I’ve come — not just as a maker, but as someone building something sustainable and heartfelt.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Cara Anderson

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