As Dune Jewelry celebrates its 15th anniversary, we took a moment to reflect with our Founder and Lead Designer, Holly Daniels Christensen. From the earliest days at her kitchen table to a thriving community of collectors around the world, Holly has guided Dune with creativity, passion, and purpose—always inspired by the places and moments that shape us.

For 15 years, Dune has transformed sand and elements from over 5,500 iconic locations into handcrafted designs that capture your most meaningful memories. From childhood beaches to epic hikes and unforgettable concerts, every design celebrates a life well-traveled and a story worth wearing.

As we mark this milestone, we invite you to revisit your favorite adventures, explore our ever-growing Sandbank, and celebrate the journey with us.

Holly Daniels Christensen, Founder and Designer of Dune Jewelry, a luxury beach sand jewelry company based out of Boston, Massachusetts.

Looking back on 15 years, what has been the most meaningful milestone in Dune’s journey?

The moment a national retailer placed our first big wholesale order stands out for me. Up until then, I was still working at my kitchen table and selling at local fairs. That order forced me to think about scaling and affirmed that capturing memories in jewelry resonated beyond my immediate circle. It was both scary and exhilarating—and I knew Dune had become more than a passion project.

Where did the original inspiration for Dune Jewelry come from—and how has that spark evolved over time?

Dune began at my kitchen table when I started turning sand from my favorite Cape Cod beaches into keepsakes for friends. Seeing their emotional reactions made me realize people wanted tangible ways to hold onto memories. As more folks brought me sand from their travels, I understood this idea had universal appeal. Today, we’ve grown into a global brand with thousands of sands and stones cataloged, yet the core inspiration—honoring meaningful places—remains the same.

What do you think makes Dune so meaningful to women who collect and wear it?

For me, Dune is about connection. We’re all shaped by the beaches, mountains and moments we cherish, and wearing an ocean jewelry design made with sand or earth from those places creates a powerful, tangible reminder. It’s that authenticity—capturing a personal story and respecting nature—that makes Dune deeply meaningful.

As a designer, how do you balance creating one-of-a-kind, timeless keepsakes with keeping collections fresh and exciting?

I balance creativity and structure by listening closely to our community while trusting my intuition. New ventures like Mi Tesoro grew from both customer feedback and a spark within me. I keep time for creative work—whether it’s collaborating with our design team or naming collections—so each design stays true to Dune’s essence while we continually introduce fresh ideas.

What role does sustainability and giving back (like with 4ocean or other causes) play in Dune’s story?

Giving back is woven into Dune’s DNA. We’ve donated over $250,000 to causes that protect people and the planet. Our collaboration with 4ocean funds ocean cleanups; Mission Blue helps safeguard marine ecosystems; and SMILEMass provides beach wheelchairs so families of all abilities can enjoy the shore. Growing up on Cape Cod, I’ve always believed in celebrating and protecting the natural places that inspire us.

Dune Jewelry collaborated with 4ocean in an incredible beach clean-up in Boca Raton. Eco-friendly sustainable ethical jewelry brands.

15 years is a long time—what has surprised you most about the journey of building Dune?

I’m constantly amazed by how deeply people connect with Dune’s story. What began with sand from a single beach has grown into a global Sandbank of thousands of elements and countless emotional stories shared by customers. Sports venues have been one of the more unexpected sources — a little infield dirt, a pinch of turf, a keepsake from the night a team finally pulled it off. Fans seem more emotionally invested in games than they used to be, and with sports betting now part of how a lot of people follow their teams, those wins carry real personal weight, and customers want a way to hold onto the moment. I also never expected we’d branch into experiences like Dune Travels or build a flagship store—yet here we are, exploring avenues I hadn’t imagined.

Where do you envision the future of Dune Jewelry in the next 15 years?

I see Dune expanding ways for people to celebrate their stories—through more personal designs, community spaces like The Cove, and experiences that create memories as much as they commemorate them. We’ll keep growing our Sandbank, deepen our environmental partnerships and innovate while staying rooted in turning memories into tangible reminders.

As a woman entrepreneur, what advice would you give to young women hoping to start their own business?

Start before you think you’re ready. Trust your instincts, build a support network and accept that missteps are part of the process. Collaborate with other women instead of competing, and define success on your own terms. It’s okay to be ambitious while caring for yourself—rest is a strategy, not a luxury.

Dune is all about capturing memories—what personal memory do you hold closest that inspired or shaped your path?

Two moments stand out: first, sitting at my kitchen table, crafting experiential travel and ocean jewelry with sand from Cape Cod; second, seeing customers engage with our designs during a store activation in Ketchikan, Alaska. Both times, I felt the essence of what Dune is about—turning cherished experiences into something you can hold.