I'm turning 30 in 8 days time.
It's weird because I don't know how to feel about it. 25 seems like it was only last year, but 20 seems like it was centuries ago. Sometimes I wonder if I am the same person now as I was then, and the conclusion I've come to is both yes and no.
I've always believed that everything that happens to us shapes who we are. So yes, 20 year old Cara is a totally different person to 30 year old Cara, but 20 year old me is still in here too. I'd never give up everything I've learned in my life to go back to that age, and I think it would be even worse to go back to that age with all of the knowledge and experiences I've had since, because that would change how I acted and how it shaped me. It's an interesting paradox.
Welcome to my brain, I guess.
The reason I'm bringing this up is because I started Cara E.J. Designs at the age of 24. On one hand it feels like a lifetime ago because I have learned and grown so much in the past six years, but on the other hand I remember it all so clearly, it's like it was yesterday. Time is a funny concept and I've noticed that the years are seeming to pass faster and faster.
I started my business because I stumbled across some crystal jewellery and I just felt drawn to it. I knew nothing about crystals, I knew very little about running a business, but it stirred something in me and I purchased supplies with reckless abandon. There was no real foresight to starting a business, or how exactly I was going to make anything, but I did it anyway. At this point I didn't really believe in receiving signs, and I didn't know what my intuition was, let alone how to trust it, but I heard the call anyway. I began making my own items, practicing on cheaper beads before treading carefully into real crystals.
As my skills began to develop and my product range expanded, I found myelf learning more and more about crystals. And that's how I found my people, a bunch of like-minded crystal enthusiasts who I clicked with instantly. They are my star family; people you meet and instantly feel bonded with even though you barely know them.
I attribute a lot of my motivation and courage from the past couple of years to them. I found them through instagram, we were in contact daily, and feeling that support network within the space where I was trying to grow my business kept me there and kept me focused on it. Of course there were outside factors, such as being put on furlough, switching jobs to work for Tom, and being stuck at home all the time, that helped to keep me on the right track, but having people who think the same way you do and understand what you're doing is something I don't think I could live without.
The lessons I've learned from the ups and downs of owning a business, and from learning more and more about crystals and the spiritual world, has changed me more than anything. My mindset and my outlook on life is very different now. I have a lot more faith in the universe, but more importantly in myself. I've experienced synchronicities that go far beyond "coincidence", and I've witnessed the power of what crystals and magic can do if you just open yourself up to it.
And with that in mind, I've created the Birthday Collection; a range of earrings specifically designed to celebrate and harness the power of crystals, inspired by the knowledge I've gained and experiences I've had that I want to carry through with me into my 30s.
I thought up this collection a long time ago. The Labradorite pieces were the first to come to me, the problem was that I didn't know what to do with those ideas. They were so far from everything else I've created and what I knew "worked" for me as a business.
But then it hit me. Labradorite is the stone of transformation, it was no coincidence that this was the crystal my ideas were centred around. It was time for me to jump into trying something new, trust that I have these ideas for a reason, and develop this new range of jewellery. Two pairs of earrings were born from this epiphany, both named TRANSFORMATION.
This lead me into experimenting with more styles, and so began a journey of sourcing crystals that I felt drawn to and creating high quality pieces that celebrated them.
I know you're dying for a run down of these new pieces, so I won't make you wait any longer.
TRANSFORMATION I - beautiful, flashy, faceted Labradorite beads, hung from sterling silver chain, on 16mm sterling silver hoops.
TRANSFORMATION II - the same beautiful flashy Labradorite beads as above, arranged in a trio and presented on 24mm sterling silver hoops. Labradorite is the stone of transformation, and it is fantastic for providing stability through times of change. It is said to be the physical representation of the Northern Lights, and with colours and flashes like that, you can see why.
ABUNDANCE - AAA grade faceted Natural Citrine teardrops and teeny sparkly Pyrite beads on 24mm sterling silver hoops. Citrine carries the power of the sun, bringing warmth and joy, and it is a powerful stone for assisting with manifestation. Pyrite is associated with wealth and abundance, and together this combination is an absolute powerhouse for calling in all that you desire.
LOVE - juicy round Rose Quartz beads on 24mm sterling silver hoops with sterling silver chain. Rose Quartz is the stone of universal love. It helps with trust, it draws love towards you, and is possibly the most powerful crystal for self love and healing.
BALANCE - lovely mint coloured Amazonite beads on 24mm sterling silver hoops with sterling silver chain. Amazonite helps us to filter information and combine it with our intuition, whilst balancing masculine and feminine energies.
GROUNDING - gorgeous, teeny faceted Black Tourmaline beads on 16mm sterling silver hoops. Black Tourmaline is my absolute favourite crystal for grounding, something that I find so important in a world where we are constantly bombarded with news, drama, conflicting energies, endless tasks, the list goes on. Feeling grounded, centred and calm in amongst all the overwhelm has been a game changer for me. Black Tourmaline is incredible for helping with this, it brings protection and wards off negativity.
HARMONY - flashy, faceted Rainbow Moonstone beads on 24mm sterling silver hoops. Rainbow Moonstone enhances creativity and compassion, promotes confidence in ourselves, and brings balance and harmony.
It's a scary concept to be launching a collection that is so far from the style people have come to expect from me, but I am so excited to get it out there and see what you think!
The collection launches on March 1st at 7.30pm. This will be a permanent range (for as long as I can get my hands on the beads at least), which is another new concept for my handmade jewellery! But with that being said, crystals are in limited supply and we want to be able to source them responsibly, so please don't rely on them always being in stock. If you like them, if you feel called to them, there is a reason for that and you should trust that feeling. You deserve to treat yourself!
And don't forget, Clearpay is available to help split the cost over four installments.
If you'd like to receive a reminder when the collection goes live, sign up to my mailing list. You will also receive a 10% off discount code to use on your first order.
You can also follow me on social media using the links below, to be kept up to date with all the latest goings on and sneaky peeks of new releases.
I'd love to know what you think of the new collection! Let me know in the comments which piece is your favourite, and if there's other crystals you'd like to see in these styles. And don't forget, my inbox is always open for custom orders, so if you like a style but would like a different crystal, or you'd prefer a different metal, get in touch!
Here's to ending my 20s with my best launch yet.
Love,
Cara x