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Meet the Maker: Behind Coral Strands

Karen Jane Moran is the founder of Coral Strands, an e-commerce studio in Key West, Florida selling handcrafted jewelry and coastal accessories.

At a Glance

Started her advertising career at Leo Burnett Chicago in 1996
Nearly three decades in advertising across Leo Burnett, BBDO, and Publicis & Hal Riney — Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Led campaigns for Disney, Hallmark, Comcast, and Toyota
Founded Sweet Lulu's Bakery in Charleston, SC — catered 300+ luxury events over nearly a decade, featured twice on Cooking Channel's Unique Sweets
Founded Coral Strands in Key West, FL, after leaving the catering business during COVID-19
Redesigned the Boatkin using heavier, structured canvas after noticing most mass-produced versions of the trend had become unstructured

A Maker's Journey: From Chicago's Advertising Titans to Coastal Design

Before founding Coral Strands, I spent almost three decades in advertising — starting at Leo Burnett Chicago in 1996, then working across agencies including BBDO and Publicis & Hal Riney in Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C., on campaigns for brands like Disney, Hallmark, Comcast, and Toyota. During the Great Recession, I also launched a one-woman social media and web development agency, and advised women on personal style through Jane Nation, the research arm of St. John & Partners advertising — including an interview on News4Jax about budget styling.

From Charleston's Luxury Food Scene to National TV

That drive led me to Charleston, South Carolina, where I ran a boutique wedding catering company, Sweet Lulu's Bakery, for nearly a decade — catering more than 300 luxury events and earning two features on Cooking Channel's Unique Sweets.

The Evolution of Coral Strands, Key West

When COVID-19 disrupted the world, I traded the kitchen for a slower, more intentional life in Key West, Florida. I taught myself hand-knotting on premium silk, then metalsmithing — learning to source raw materials and forge handmade jewelry. Deep American turquoise and vibrant tourmaline became my signature gemstone collections.

When the viral coastal canvas tote wave took over the internet, three decades of advertising and consumer instincts flashed a green light. I admired Jen Risk's original silhouette — it was pure art. But as mass-production factories rushed to churn out generic, floppy versions, I watched that concept collapse into a formless, unlined shell. So I started making our coastal canvas bag the way I thought it deserved to be made — structured and durable, from vintage-style lineman canvas.

Today, the largest selection of Boatkin-style bags is available in 14 colors from Coral Strands, carried by retailers in 30 states nationwide. We operate as a small independent studio inside the historic Ferdinand Hirsch Cigar Factory in Key West — and because we don't carry the overhead of a traditional retail storefront, we put those savings directly into premium materials and better value, not rent. Every Coral Strands Boatkin arrives fully structured and pre-styled with a complimentary 4-piece styling kit, at no extra cost, packed entirely by hand.