Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Osborne-Zilm.
Hi Cassandra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Sea flower Jewelry began with nothing but a few handmade pieces of jewelry inspired by my childhood in Hawaii. That spirit lives in every design I create. When I moved from Berlin to Charleston, everything in my life was changing—I was starting a business and preparing to become a mother all at once. It was chaotic and beautiful, and somehow, all the pieces came together. Creating something from scratch—while also welcoming my daughter into the world—has been the greatest success of my life, in every sense of the word.
As trends shifted, I pushed myself to evolve. I taught myself permanent jewelry and learned how to weld—skills that didn’t come easy but completely transformed my craft. The charm bar took on a life of its own and has become a cornerstone of my business—a new, interactive way for people to express their stories through jewelry. Making it into the Charleston City Market was like winning the creative lottery. It gave my business visibility, foot traffic, and a community I could grow with. I’ve been incredibly lucky, and even more grateful, to watch something I built with my own hands become such a vibrant part of people’s lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were plenty of bumps in the road, But I kept trusting my gut. I reminded myself why I started: to create something meaningful, inspired by beauty, and personal expression. I didn’t have all the answers, but I stayed open to learning, evolving, and adapting with each challenge.
Keeping a jewelry business going takes more than creativity—it takes grit, flexibility, and leaning on others. My husband has been a supportive force from the start. Trends change, life shifts, and the path isn’t always clear. Through every challenge—whether it was starting from scratch, navigating motherhood, or learning entirely new skills—my goal has remained clear: to create something authentic, to express myself through art, and to keep showing up, even when the path wasn’t easy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My business offers A charm bar, which is like a jewelry playground—where you get to be the designer. Picture rows of shimmering gold charms, each one telling its own little story: a tiny heart for love, a lightning bolt for boldness, a pearl for your inner mermaid. You pick the pieces that speak to you, then we build your bracelet, necklace, or anklet right there on the spot. It’s fun, and uniquely personal.
The charm bar turns jewelry into a hands on experience. People walk away not just with something beautiful, but with a piece of themselves.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up on the big island of Hawaii. Sometimes tucked in the jungle where the clouds kissed the trees. And sometimes we lived in a tent, as close to the crashing waves as my dad could get. We didn’t have much, just a patch of land, a tent or a shack we called home. My dad worked with his hands, and my mom was a jazz singer. I believe i inherited their grit, and creativity.
Life in Hawaii was wild. My brother and I bathed in catchment water, ran barefoot over lava rock, and spent our days swimming, picking coffee and macadamia nuts from the land. It was a simple life, but it was rich in experience—grounded in nature, and a deep sense of community.
I loved to sing and dance, and was lucky to perform in local musicals alongside my mom, whose voice inspired me. We built a life surrounded by beauty and connection, and many of the friendships from that time remain some of the closest I hold today.
Growing up the way I did defined me. It taught me to create from nothing, to trust my instincts, and to see the beauty in everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.seaflowershop.com
- Instagram: @sea_flower_jewelry
