Star has been making rosaries since she was 16 years old. She was taught by her grandmother, Pamela Aqui, the first person ever to sell rosaries online during the advent of the internet. You can find her business at Heirloom Rosaries. With the knowledge passed down from her grandmother, Star continues to make rosaries and jewelry. The black beads are onyx, and the large carved ones are jade framed by glass beads.
"Mary Magdalene's Tears" made with black pearls and large white pearls framed by Swarovski crystals and small glass beads.
Star noticed many classical paintings associating tears with pearls. She decided to do the same with this rosary. Through hard work we can achieve beauty is the message of the pearl.
"Aelia Eudocia" was made on the Greek island, Kos. The sterling silver beads were handmade by a local jeweler, named George Gregoriadis. The crystal beads were part of a necklace Star discovered in an antique shop in Athens and the purple amethyst beads were also part of a bracelet. Star considered this rosary to be fit for royalty, which is why she named it after an Eastern Roman empress from 400-460 AD. Here is the link to the final product.
This rosary is titled, "Saint Francis of Assisi". The bright and vivid turquoise stone in combination with the Swarovski crystal needed to be named after someone eccentric. Saint Francis called animals 'Brother' and 'Sister.' He was a gentle and empathetic soul. This rosary is incomplete, however, it deserves to be shared!
Here are some photos of Star's grandmother, Pamela Aqui, working on a rosary for one of her customers. She once had said that she makes each rosary as if she were making it for Mary, the mother of God herself. This anecdote proves that Mrs. Aqui is not only a perfectionist in her work but she is spiritually devoted.
Star also enjoys making jewelry like these vintage crystal earrings accented with a cross and this necklace inspired by the design of a rosary. These two specific pieces of jewelry were worn by the actress Fantine Saint-Martin in The Curtain. This film is linked in the menu.
Still from The Curtain 2025 directed by Star Tsiopou
Still from The Curtain 2025 directed by Star Tsiopou