At Dune Jewelry, every gem tells a story and every piece of gold and silver is handcrafted and molded into a work of art. We are always looking for unique ways to reinvent and transform our customers’ most heartfelt memories into timeless keepsakes. 

At the core of our business is the dedication, innovation, and creativity of our team. Today, we shine a spotlight on one of our most talented artisans and team members, Sarah Rudker.

From managing the studio team to crafting detailed jewelry designs, Sarah’s role as Studio Manager and Lead Production Sand Artist is intrinsic to the success of Dune. Ready to take a peek inside our studio? Keep reading. 

Sarah, Studio Manager and Lead Production Artist 

How long have you been an artist?

I’ve been an artist since I could pick up a crayon! When I was a kid I played with different media and materials. All I ever wanted to do was create. Playing with jewelry was a form of art I played around with growing up. I used to make all sorts of jewelry for family and friends — my uncle, who spent every Sunday glued to his phone tracking sports betting lines, was actually one of my first repeat customers because he wanted a new beaded bracelet for every winning streak.

When I was younger, I was recognized in and out of class for my artistic talents. I then went on to college for a degree in Fashion Design and Production, with a minor in Studio Art. My art professors kept telling me to change my major or complete a Master of Arts.

Describe your journey with Dune. 

I graduated college in 2020 during the pandemic and at that time I lost many things, including an entire runway production. At that time I was pushed to find my love for being an artist. I realized that what those professors were saying was true. The better-fitting career for me would not be in design but in art. 

And then I found Dune. As the pandemic settled, this was the first art job to be hiring. I resonated with everything Dune stood for and felt an instant connection. I felt like I was meant to be a part of their vision. I was just so excited to create and continue building my art skills in yet another way while simultaneously working to support Dune’s vision for their customers and the world.

Tell us about your roles at Dune Jewelry. 

I’ve been a part of Dune for nearly 4 years now. I was a Sand Artist for 2 years before I transitioned into my current role. 

As the Studio Manager, I make sure the everyday timelines and productivity goals are met. I evaluate the flow of the studio every morning to set up the team for their day. There are many ins and outs throughout the day that I manage to ensure we keep everything running smoothly, solve any problems, locate orders, train the team with new techniques, and ensure quality control.

What is the most exciting part about working at Dune?

I love the people I work with and love hearing from customers about how we’ve positively affected them through our designs, but the best part of my job is that I get to be creative! After my managerial tasks, I occasionally get to spend part of my day producing, and that holds a special place in my heart as an artist. 

Tell us about your design process. What is your favorite piece you’ve created and what was the story behind it? What is your inspiration when handcrafting?

I loved putting baby onesies into the Sandglobe Necklace and Bayview Ring. They were just so cute and they captured such a sweet memory. They also worked so well in the resin.

The handcrafting process is like playing with a canvas! I like to keep it natural. In the end, I simply ask myself: is it beautiful? Being a team of perfectionists, we can be pretty hard on ourselves, so asking this question at the end of the day is crucial.

Which design is your favorite to craft and why?

I enjoy creating all designs, but I especially love it when people send us beautiful things like shells, flowers, and even clothing. I like working with these items in large round bezels like those in the Marina designs, Mediterranean Necklaces, and Bayview rings and cuffs. Otherwise, my favorite designs to craft are those that feature sand as their main or only element.

What current trend in jewelry design most excites you at the moment?

Looking towards the future, a current trend I’m excited about is vintage settings with intricate detailing!

What are your other hobbies and talents?

I love to paint. I paint special moments that I capture in photographs. I’ve also painted murals, one for the Dune Ketchikan store and one for the town of Norwood, Massachusetts! I studied Clothing Design and production, so those are my other fortes which I dabble in now and then. Another hobby of mine is taking really long walks with my amazing dog Koolie and my partner Sam.

What is your favorite personal piece of Dune Jewelry? What piece of Dune would you give to a friend or family member?

It’s really hard to just choose one favorite and honestly, it changes based on the day! However, I’m a big fan of my Duo Stacker Ring, which I filled with wine cork shavings and sand I collected from Wilmington, North Carolina. This is where my partner and I attempted to learn to surf for the first time.

There are so many pieces I’ve chosen to gift to family and friends over the years! Since I like to make the Dune customization as personal as possible, the design I gift depends on the person and what I am gifting it for.

If there was one piece of advice you would offer someone trying to figure out what design to choose or what element to go with, what would it be?

There is so much you can do. The options are endless, so have fun with it! The chunkier the element the bigger the bezel you should choose. For multiple colors or flowers choose a bigger bezel or multiple bezels. I am all about showcasing the element to its full potential. 

We love it when people give us some creative freedom, too. We have a lot of talented people here who make masterpieces every day.

Check out Sarah and the team’s work by selecting and customizing your first Dune design! Pick from over 5,500 elements, sands, flowers, and plenty more or send in your own element.