HOOKED ON JEWELRY: The Story Behind Shark Bite
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
For Sarah Kelly, owner of Shark Bite Jewelry, the journey from a love of the ocean and sharks to building one of Wilmington’s most personal and creative jewelry destinations was never exactly part of the plan. What began almost by accident has grown into a passion—and a brand shaped by coastal inspiration, meaningful connections, and the community that embraced it. Inside her shop in Wilmington’s creative Cargo District, jewelry is about far more than simply finding the perfect accessory. From custom pieces created around a shark tooth discovered on a family vacation to charm necklaces filled with personal meaning and permanent jewelry shared between loved ones, Shark Bite Jewelry is built around the stories people carry with them.
The ocean remains at the heart of Sarah’s creative vision, while travel, everyday moments, and the people who walk through her doors continue to inspire new designs. Even the permanent jewelry side of the business, All My Love Permanent Jewelry, carries a deeply personal connection, created in honor of Sarah’s beloved Grandma Sue, whose love of jewelry and unforgettable spirit remain woven into the brand.
We sat down with Sarah to talk about the unexpected beginning of Shark Bite Jewelry, the inspiration behind her designs, the power of creating pieces with meaning, and why the Cargo District community continues to play such an important role in her journey.
Every piece tells a story. What inspired you to create Shark Bite Jewelry, and how has your journey shaped the brand it is today?
Shark Bite honestly started out as an accident, and it has turned into one of the greatest passions of my life. I've always had such a deep love for the ocean and for sharks, but I never imagined that passion would grow into what Shark Bite is today.
Starting my business in Wilmington completely changed my life. The people and community here are truly what made Shark Bite what it is today. I honestly don't think I could have started it anywhere else. Wilmington is unlike any place I've ever been, and the support from this community has been incredible. Every customer, collaboration, and conversation has helped shape both me and my business, and I'm so grateful for that.
Your jewelry has a distinctive coastal personality. Where do you draw inspiration for your designs, and what do you hope people feel when they wear your pieces?
I love this question! I draw inspiration from everywhere, but the ocean is definitely my biggest inspiration. Traveling also plays a huge role in my designs. I recently created a beaded collection inspired by my wedding in Italy and all of the beautiful places we visited during our trip. A lot of my ideas also come from everyday life. I'll be getting dressed and think, I need a necklace that would be perfect with this outfit, and then I'll go create it! My jewelry really reflects what I'm loving and feeling in the moment.
More than anything, I hope people feel confident, loved, and happy when they wear my jewelry. If one of my pieces can make someone smile or remind them of a special memory, then I've done exactly what I hoped to do.
Many customers are looking for jewelry that reflects their lifestyle or holds personal meaning. Are there any collections, materials, or custom pieces that are especially meaningful to you or your customers?
Absolutely. The permanent jewelry side of Shark Bite, All My Love Permanent Jewelry, holds a very special place in my heart because it's dedicated to my Grandma Sue. She was the funniest person I knew and my favorite person in the world. She absolutely loved jewelry, so dedicating this part of my business to her has been such a meaningful way to keep her close. There's a photo of the two of us on my desk in the store, her favorite flower—an orchid—is always there, and our All My Love logo is actually written in her handwriting and displayed on our front door. Beyond that, every collection has a story. Every piece I design has a name and a meaning that's personal to me, and I love seeing customers create their own stories with those pieces. Whether it's a custom shark tooth they found on vacation, a meaningful charm necklace, or a permanent bracelet shared with someone they love, each piece becomes so much more than jewelry.
The Cargo District is known for its creativity and independent spirit. How does being part of this community influence your business, and what do you love most about being here?
The community is absolutely my favorite part of the Cargo District. I love meeting people from all over the world who walk into the shop, hearing their stories, and getting to be a small part of their visit to Wilmington. Some of my favorite products have actually come from customer ideas. Someone will come in asking if we can make something we've never created before, and before long it becomes part of our collection. Being surrounded by other creative small business owners constantly inspires me. I truly believe creativity grows when you're around other creative people, and the collaborations and friendships I've built here have been one of the best parts of owning Shark Bite.
If someone discovered Shark Bite Jewelry for the very first time, what would you hope they experience when they walk through your doors, and what makes your shop a must-visit destination in Wilmington?
More than anything, I hope people feel genuinely welcomed the moment they walk through our doors. You never know what someone is going through or what brought them into the shop. Some people are simply looking for a fun new piece of jewelry, while others are creating something to honor a loved one, celebrate a family vacation, commemorate a special milestone, or make memories with friends through permanent jewelry. No matter the reason they're visiting, I want every person to leave feeling loved, cared for, and seen. Kindness has always been one of the most important parts of my business, and I hope people feel that from the moment they walk in. What makes Shark Bite special is that so much of what we do is personal. You can design your own charm necklace from start to finish, bring in a shark tooth you found on the beach and have it turned into a necklace, ring, or earrings, choose one from our collection if you didn't find your own, or even have personal handwriting engraved on a charm. Every piece tells a story, and I love helping people create something they'll have forever.
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