Making the jump from crystal meditation to crystal jewelry was a natural step for Rachel Hastie, designer of LunarraStar Jewelry. Since finding success with crystals, Rachel has expanded her line to include cameos and a line of Alice in Wonderland. Here, the British designer tells us about her line.

Tell us about your background. How did you get started designing?
I studied a crystals course about 5 years ago and 3 years ago I trained in Reiki, which is a form of healing. I was working with meditation and using chakra crystals on a daily basis, which inspired me to look for jewellery that had meaning to me. My favourite stones at the time were Rose quartz (the stone of love) and Amethyst (good for headaches) so I started designing bracelet and necklace sets in these stones. This expanded into my using chakra gemstones, Topaz, Garnet and more! I loved designing and wearing jewellery that had a meaning behind every stone used. The gemstone collection was my first collection, inspired by my love of nature and gemstones.

What is your philosophy/inspiration for your line?
I think that I want all my jewellery to be inspiring: the gemstone collection for its stones, which all have meanings behind them and can be chosen for their properties (e.g. good for headaches); Alice in Wonderland for its magical quality, to never stop seeing things in a childlike, magical way; and my cameo collection, to remind us of days past and beautiful elegance.

I also think packaging is important, i want the item to be received and the buyer to be so very happy with it. I think good old fashioned customer service is important too.

Can you speak specifically about the pieces featured here?
Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favourite children’s books. It’s magical and full of wonder! When I designed this Alice “Drink Me” necklace I thought of myself, mischievous at that age. Would I have drunk it not knowing if it was poison, good or bad? I almost definitely think I would have drunk it. When making the necklace I thought about the best way to encase the beautiful vintage image of Alice. I used glass instead of plastic for a nice weight.

My other favourite collections since then have been my cameo collections and Alice in Wonderland. They were inspired by my childhood, looking through my grandma’s antique family jewellery and my favourite childrens book to this day “Alice in Wonderland”. I just love the cheshire cat in it, we have 4 cats and I’m sure they would approve of my choice of favourite childrens book since I’m sure they think a book could only be good if it includes a cat!

I’ve always been obsessed with everything from the victorian era, and I was in awe of my Grandma’s jewellery box – I thought it was just magical. I still love looking through the antique collection of family jewellery. I remember seeing cameos in there and thinking how exquisite they were. When I designed this blue “Key to My Heart” cameo necklace it was in remembrance of her beautiful pieces. I think it’s very romantic, and the glittering Swarovski with the antique-style key makes me think of Victorian romances with secret love letters and love tokens. I read numerous period novels growing up, and I love the old fashioned romances, the exquisite clothes and jewellery of that era.

Tell us where the name of your company came from.
LunarraStar originally came from the name Lunarra which I used online. This comes from Luna, which means moon. I combined star with Lunarra because Ii love how magical it sounds.

Do you have a favorite designer of the moment?
I love Nightshade Clothing London. They do the most beautiful Victorian-inspired bustle skirt.

Do you have a favorite piece you have designed?
My favourite piece is probably my Marie Antoinette “Let Them Eat Cake” charm necklace. I love everything French and decadent. Although she was probably misquoted, I think it’s still very charming – or charmant as the French would say.

What is coming up for you?
I’m planning on expanding the Alice range. And now that I’ve got LunarraStar.com up and running, I’m getting DarkEleganceDesigns.com up and running, where I will be selling my Victorian/Gothic inspired chokers, necklaces and earrings. Also if we can fit it in my fiance and I will be adventuring to France this summer.

Rachel’s pieces can be purchased at her website, LunarraStar.com. For a taste of something darker, her Gothic pieces can be purchased at DarkEleganceDesigns.com.

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