Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Dern.
Hi Kari, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always had an affinity for crystals and a deep desire to create. As a child, I was more fascinated by tumbled stones and trips to the Museum of Natural History than by dolls or typical toys. My creativity was encouraged, and I explored many crafts—drawing, painting, and taking classes that nurtured my artistic side. Yet, when I went to college, I couldn’t quite see how to transform creativity into a career. I chose a “safer” path, earning degrees in Psychology and Economics.
In my thirties, while living in New York City, the seeds of my current life began to take root. I had spent nearly ten years in the beverage industry, managing accounts across Manhattan and leading a sales team. While I thrived in that role for a time, I often woke with the sense that I was meant for something more—that I needed to create. A pivotal moment came when I met a circle of creative women, including the talented artist Anothai Hansen, who inspired me to pursue my dreams.
By 2017, I had relocated to Baltimore, and the timing felt right to step fully into my calling. I left behind my beverage career and launched Spellbound, LLC—now known as Become Spellbound. Today, each piece I create is a fusion of art, spirit, and the transformative magic of crystals.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, there have been struggles along the way. In the beginning, it was easy to grow on Instagram, and I was fortunate to find quick success sharing my work. With that came both friendships and drama. I had to learn to separate my ego from my art and from how people might respond to it—a challenge that continues to teach me resilience.
Since the pandemic, it has become harder each year for artists to be visible in the digital spaces we once relied on. Large companies with massive advertising budgets now dominate those platforms, pushing independent artists further into the background. To adapt, I’ve had to dive deep into SEO, website design, and online marketing to keep my work seen by those who need it most. Despite the challenges, I believe crystal healing tools and artistic expression are more important than ever, and I remain committed to creating jewelry that carries meaning, energy, and magic into people’s lives.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for creating big, chunky raw crystal and fossil sculptural jewelry—pieces that are bold, imaginative, and unlike anything else. Many people are surprised when they discover my jewelry isn’t metal at all, but 100% hand-sculpted. I design with intention, keeping the setting clean and minimal to let the natural beauty of each crystal or fossil shine through.
One of my specialties, and something I’ve become especially known for, is Megalodon tooth fossil jewelry. I often sculpt broken teeth back to wholeness, adorning them with crystals to transform these ancient relics into wearable talismans and connections to the past. The sense of wonder I feel when working with fossils—knowing they come from creatures that swam or roamed the earth millions of years ago—is something I’ll never outgrow.
Of all my work, I’m most proud of my Megalodon pieces. They embody both my love of history and my belief in jewelry as a bridge between the ancient and the modern, the mystical and the everyday.
What does success mean to you?
This is a tough one! There are so many ways I could define success and have in the past. But for me, right now, success is about living in alignment with who I am and who I want to become. I believe we’re always just a choice away from becoming a better version of ourselves. These little choices add up, and I like to think I’m always growing and evolving—not just as an artist, but as a human being.
My artistic style hasn’t changed dramatically over the years, but who I am inside has grown immensely, and to me, that’s what really matters. Through my work, I want to offer others the same sense of growth and possibility I strive for within myself—touching lives with magical talismans that become allies on their personal journeys. If my jewelry can brighten someone’s day, bring a smile, spark courage, or empower them to tap into their own magic, spirituality, and personal growth, then I’ve succeeded. To me, that’s what life is all about—and when you live that way, you truly flourish.
Pricing:
- Everyday Enchantments section on website under $100
- Typical range $79-$500, most under $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.becomespellbound.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become_spellbound/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becomespellbound/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@become_spellbound
