There are some events where everything seems to align perfectly from the very beginning, and this was absolutely one of them.
I recently had the opportunity to provide live hand engraving at Kendra Scott in St. Louis as the store celebrated the launch of the new Kendra Scott Ever Collection. As someone who has had Kendra Scott on my dream-client list since I first started engraving in 2023, this one felt especially meaningful.
And somehow, it was also one of the easiest events to coordinate from start to finish.
From a DM to Live Engraving In Store
One thing I loved about this event was how naturally everything came together.
The initial inquiry came through Instagram DMs. From there, we moved the conversation over to email, confirmed the event details, and that was essentially it. There wasn’t a complicated process or a long list of hoops to jump through before we could discuss the event.
For me, that’s an important part of providing live event personalization.
I want the experience of hiring me to feel easy. Of course I need to know the important details, like where I’m going, what I’ll be personalizing, how many guests we’re expecting, and the timing, but once we have those things covered, my goal is to take the personalization portion of the event off your plate.
You coordinate with me. I prepare. And when every day arrives, I show up ready to personalize!
That’s exactly how this event unfolded.
Celebrating the Launch of Kendra Scott Ever
The event celebrated the launch of Kendra Scott Ever, a collection of 14k yellow karat gold-filled jewelry designed for 24/7 wear. Kendra Scott describes the pieces as water and sweat resistant and “made to move with you,” which felt especially fitting for a collection centered around pieces meant to become part of your every day life.
I arrived early enough to get my engraving station completely set up and still have time to look around the boutique before the event kicked off.
And I’m glad I did, because the collection, and really the entire store, was stunning!
Everything was displayed beautifully, the staff was incredibly warm and welcoming, and my engraving station was already waiting for me when I arrived. Before the first guest even arrived, I remember thinking that this event was going to be absolutely amazing.
It was!
Personalized Hair Claw Clips, Engraved on the Spot
And then there were the keepsakes.
Hair claw clips!
If you’ve followed my work for a while, you may already know that I love engraving claw clips, so finding out that I’d be personalizing pearly white claw clips for guests made this event even more fun.
Each claw clip was personalized by hand in my calligraphy style and finished with a shimmery gold color, which complemented the clips perfectly!
But the part I love most about live engraving isn’t necessarily the keepsake itself, it’s what happens while I’m working on it.
At a live event, guests aren’t simply receiving a finished personalized item. They get to watch me engrave their name, initials, or meaningful words right in front of them. We chat while I work, and I love the conversations that come up! Some guests excitedly share that they’ve never seen anything engraved by hand before, while others tell me about the special person they’re gifting their keepsake to. And sometimes, they’re treating themselves to a little something special, which I love just as much!
And then there are the reactions! Guests are often surprised by how quickly I can engrave something by hand, especially when they see the finished lettering. They’ll tell me how beautiful is is, how excited they are to gift it, or how happy they are that they happened to stop by while I was there. Some even ask when I’ll be returning because they’d love another opportunity to have something personalized. Those are the interactions that make live engraving so special to me. It’s not just about the finished keepsake, but the experience that comes with it.
“That’s Beautiful! And So Quick, Too!”
One of my final guest interactions of the event happened to capture something I’d been hearing in different ways throughout the event.
As I finished her personalized clip, she looked at the engraving and said:
“Oh, that’s beautiful! That’s just beautiful. And quick too!”
She was also amazed that I could create the lettering on a curved surface and told me that the script was perfect for Kendra Scott.
I loved hearing that, of course! But what I loved even more was what the interaction represented.
Beautiful and quick engraving.
Those are two things that should comfortably coexist at a live personalization event, when the pace calls for it.
Guests shouldn’t have to wait forever to receive their keepsake, but I also don’t believe that working quickly should mean sacrificing the quality of the finished piece. I want someone to walk away excited about what they received, something they’ll actually want to use, keep, show their friends and tell people about later!
The Experience Beyond the Engraving
Since relocating to the St. Louis area, one of my goals has been to partner with more brands, boutiques, and event planners to bring live personalization into their spaces. After taking a little time away from live events during the move and while getting settled, I’m so happy to see those opportunities building momentum! And being back in that environment reminded me of just how much I love this part of my work.
Much of my engraving takes place in my studio, where I personalize keepsakes for clients across the country, and occasionally overseas! Receiving a thoughtful review from a happy client is something I’ll never take for granted. But there’s something entirely different about getting to witness those reactions in real time. Seeing someone’s face light up as they receive the keepsake I engraved for them is an experience that never gets old!
And I think that’s part of what makes live engraving such a wonderful addition to an event or in-store experience. Guests aren’t simply selecting something beautiful off a shelf. They’re watching it become something uniquely theirs, personalized on the spot by an artist who genuinely loves what she does.
And long after the event is over, that keepsake becomes a little reminder of the experience. Maybe it’s a gift they’ll give to someone special, along with the story of how they watched it being engraved by hand. Or perhaps it’s something they’ll keep for themselves, reaching for it every day and remembering where they were when it was personalized.
I love the thought that something I created with my own two hands can become a part of someone’s memories. And for the brands and boutiques that welcome me into their spaces, I think there’s something truly special about being able to offer guests an experience that stays with them long after they’ve left the store.
What I Want Brands and Event Planners to Know
If you’ve landed on my website because you’re considering live engraving for a brand activation, retail event, corporate event, wedding, or another guest experience, this event is an accurate representation of what I want working together to feel like.
Easy coordination beforehand. Thoughtful preparation behind the scenes. An efficient setup on site. Beautiful personalization. Genuine interaction with your guests.
And, hopefully, a lot of people walking away saying some version of:
“That’s beautiful.”
Because ultimately, that’s what I want your guests to remember.
Not that there happened to be an engraver sitting at a counter.
I want them to remember that they watched something from your event become one-of-a-kind and uniquely theirs!
Planning an Event in St. Louis or the Midwest?
I provide live hand engraving, heat foiling, and calligraphy for brand activations, retail events, weddings, corporate events and guest experiences. Get in touch to share what you’re planning, and let’s explore how live personalization can make your event even more memorable!
