To the 'Moon' and back: Apex jewelry designer expands business

Tucked between The Raleigh Times' expanded kitchen and Stitch, the store has been open just over a year. (They are planning a party, complete with cupcakes, lemonade and a 20 percent off deal on the the entire store on Aug. 24.) 

The Raleigh store is the second in the state for Shatat, who started making jewelry 10 years ago when she was still a pharmacist. When she started pulling all-nighters to get jewelry orders done, Shatat knew she had to start working on Moon and Lola exclusively. 

"It exploded when I put everything into it," she said. 

Her first shop was a small one in downtown Apex. Two locations later, she is up to 30 employees at a 3,000 square-foot location in the city. 

Moon and Lola started by offering the first acrylic monograms on the scene, Shatat said. But the brand has evolved into so much more than that. 

"What I like is taking a medium that isn't traditionally used," Shatat said pointing to her use of beaded Indian bags. 

An old estate piece gave her inspiration for a monogrammed cuff that sits in a display case at the Raleigh store.

"If I see it (on someone), I know its ours in a second," she said. 

Shatat has seen Moon and Lola grow in popularity across the state. She even teamed up with Southern Living magazine earlier this year to create the "Ultimate Pearl Necklace." 

While the pearl necklace is a little more than some women might want to sport, Shatat said she often designs pieces and then removes elements thinking about what the average woman would wear. 

As the Raleigh store celebrates one year, Shatat is opening her first out of state store. The Charleston, S.C. location will also feature Moon and Lola clothing - something Shatat said she is interested in bringing to North Carolina.

Another item that has been Charleston-only so far - a Southern states bracelet, a take on her popular acrylic state necklaces. 

The Charleston store's grand opening is this weekend. 

And if you are wondering: the name Moon and Lola comes from the nicknames Shatat and her best friend had in college.

Moon and Lola is also a First Friday participant. They offer 15 percent off every First Friday.