Argent Engraving - Our Story

Argent Engraving was founded late in 2023 by Sammi Hansen, in Louisville KY. She found Laser Engraving starting as a post-Pandemic hobby, while stuck at a job that she didn't enjoy. 

While figuring out how to make the laser do good work, she discovered that the costs of wood would be a challenge. She tried other materials but they lacked the natural creativity that burning wood offered. But the cost of pre-made craft materials was a challenge.

So in searching, she found some wood signs at a thrift store - this was the germ of the idea of using recycled materials in most of Argent Engravings' products. 

The first show of Argent Engraving was in late 2023 in Jeffersonville, IN

The very first booth in Argent Engraving's History at Maker13 in Jeffersonville, IN.

Growth was steady - averaging about a show per month as income allowed improvements in tools and expanding ideas. Early on, ideas like GameFrames - engraved glass panels with video game graphics, were a focus, but as the challenges and rewards became more clear, certain products became clear winners, such as cut out Magnets. 

The first Darth Vader Cutting Board, a staple product at Argent Engraving.

Big breaks came when we were first accepted into leading shows like the Flea Off Market in Louisville, and events like The Maker Faire at U of L. Growth led to moving into a new apartment where Sammi was able to dedicate an entire room to engraving and storing materials, which she dubbed the Studio. 

The studio, Prior to getting proper tables.

Going into 2024, it became obvious that to grow, Sammi had to break a long-held fear - driving. Sammi, growing up in New York, never needed to do so. But to go to longer, better shows Sammi needed the freedom of movement. using the funds provided by Argent Engraving, and a very patient Father, Sammi was able to earn a drivers license. After buying the first Argent-mobile, she started into bigger shows, and doing shows more frequently. It was also this time when she was introduced to Ren Faires for the first time, and became addicted. She started vending in late 2024 at the Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival, which has become a corner stone of the business.

Sammi's first booth at KHRF - the Central Kentucky Celtic Festival in September, 2024

Business boomed as Sammi was able to do shows nearly every weekend during 2025 - including all 8 weeks of the main Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival. 

The full booth at the 2025 KHRF.

Additionally, Sammi was once again able to upgrade spaces, to a huge new spot that had a garage where she could prep materials herself, and upgrade to a new ArgentMobile, a van which could carry the entire business all the time. 

Entering 2026, Argent Engraving took its next big leap - a full time, permanent booth at America's Antique Mall Louisville, offering its products every day to customers from around Kentuckiana. 

The Booth at AAML just before opening.

What new challenges and opportunities are coming in the future? Only the customers and Sammi's expansive imagination can tell!