Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Sternau
Hi Kelly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I always knew I wanted to be a designer, initially thinking fashion would be my path. But at the age of 15, I was introduced to the art of jewelry making while in a jewelry arts class at Carmel High School in Carmel, IN. I then went on to work for a local master jeweler during my junior/senior of high school. I quickly fell in love with the craft – the intricacy, the creativity, and the satisfaction of creating something so personal.
After graduating, I had the incredible opportunity to study at Art Studio Fuji in Florence, Italy, where I learned Italian metalworking techniques and honed my skills in hand fabrication and gemology. From there, I worked in Denver at a corporate jewelry chain, which helped me refine my skills in both sales and bench work. But it wasn’t until I moved to Minnesota in 2012 that I truly found my place.
I connected with Mark Lauer and worked on the production side of his studio. With Mark’s guidance, I transitioned into a custom jewelry designer role, which sparked my passion for creating one-of-a-kind pieces. When Mark retired, I had the chance to buy and rebrand the studio, which is how Croft & Stern Jewelry Designs was born. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m passionate about not only continuing the custom jewelry work but also creating a unique experience for our clients.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely been an uncertain road, as the jewelry industry is notoriously gatekept, especially for a young woman. I had to keep forcing my way in by being tenacious and consistently curious. I originally didn’t set out to be a business owner; my goal was always to create. I had a vision to be a jeweler then designer, and I was determined to make it happen. So, I pushed myself to keep learning, constantly improving, learning from my peers and predecessors while self-educating at every step.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While I love creating custom pieces for clients, being able to witness the evolution of so many wonderful before & after transformations, I also get to create for myself—discovering an amazing gem and transforming it into a wearable sculpture that didn’t exist until that moment is something I truly cherish. I’m proud to have a store that allows me to do this type of work, and even prouder of the craftsmanship, education, and knowledge we provide to our clients.
At Croft & Stern, we strive to empower women to make their own choices, helping them discover their personal style and giving them the confidence to express themselves. I also use my platform to support independent artists and give back to the community. I have this platform, and it’s incredibly important to me to create as big of an impact for good as I can.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is a bit of a tricky concept for me—I’m not sure I have a clear definition because I’m always looking ahead to what’s next. For me, it’s less about a final destination and more about the journey and the impact I can make along the way. Ideally, I want to leave a positive mark and touch as many lives as I can, whether it’s through my work, supporting other artists, or making a difference in the community. I want to make this world a more beautiful (and sparkly) place than when I came into it, for as long as I can. If I can do that, I’d consider that a success.
Pricing:
- Jewelry Redesign: Starts around $2,000, avg project using your gems $2,500-3,500
- Engagement Rings/Settings Only: Starting at $1,200 – 6,000+, avg $2,500-3,500
- Earth-Mined Diamonds: a 1ct example is between $5,500-7,500
- Lab-Grown Diamonds: 1ct example is under $1,000
- Retail, Finished Jewelry: Ranges $395-6,000+, averaging $1,500-3,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.croftandstern.com
- Instagram: croftandstern
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/croftandstern
