Meet Rachel Stewart

Written by Empress Magazine /// Find in Interviews

Meet Rachel Stewart, her name might not be familiar to you yet, but will one day it will be. She is a jewelry designer and artist from North Carolina with a style and a sense of design that speaks directly to the young urban fly woman of today. Not only does she design and make her own jewelry but she lives and breathes art. Find out more about Rachel and her fabulous jewelry in our interview.

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Where are you from? Where do you reside now?

Rachel - I am from North Carolina. I grew some in New York...but I'm a county girl!, I live in North Carolina presently.

Were you always artistic growing up as a child, did you always know that you wanted to design jewelry?

Rachel- I come from a family of artist and musicians, I've always been an artist and have always been painting, drawing, sewing and doing anything creative I could get my hands on. I never ever thought I would be making jewelry, it just kind of evolved that way.

How did you get started on your jewelry line?

Rachel- Last year, I learned how to make peacock feather earrings, and decided to sell them from my blog, Target Queen. After they started selling, I began to expand and design my own style of jewelry and headbands and it took off from there!

How do you come up with your designs? What’s your inspiration?

Rachel- Basically, I like to design what I like, what I wish I could see in stores, I never make anything I would not wear myself. I grew up in the 80's and I’m kind of stuck there honestly, lol, so many of my designs reflect that.

Pics top right to left  (1)High Society Gold earrings & necklace (2) Afro Pick earrings and pendant (3) Big Love earring set (4) Fresh necklace

What are the next steps for Rachel Stewart Jewelry?

Rachel- I plan to offer personalized pieces and I’m working on purses and clutches, featuring vibrant fabrics and modern themes.

What one celebrity would you "Die" for if they were wearing your jewelry or had to be the spokes model for your jewelry?

Rachel- That’s a hard question! I admire Chrisette Michelle, she could carry off bold jewelry very well and she speaks to my target audience.

What’s your favorite piece?

Rachel- My favorite is my 'Natural" necklace, its a silver mirrored acrylic nameplate that lets everyone know exactly what you are about. It's pieces like this that speak to a woman like me, that you just don’t find. Major jewelry designers don’t have African American women in mind. I like to make jewelry that appeals to ME.

Natural Necklace ($40)

Where can we find your Jewelry?

Rachel - I just launched an online store Rachel Stewart Jewelry and I have a BLOG!

Do you make customized pieces for individuals?

Rachel- I’m going to start to personalize pieces later this year. I'm very excited about that the possibilities are endless.

Your also an artist, what does ART mean to you?

Rachel- Art is whatever you have the NERVE to do.

What do you do for fun?

Rachel- I’m addicted to the internet..lol. I also collect vinyl and black memorabilia and spending time with my son and my talented boyfriend Chris Charles

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Rachel is giving away one of her BIg Love earrings sets to a lucky Empressmag.com reader. Click here for more details!

Big Love earring set