After 20 years of running Lucent Jewellery Studios from Norwich, Lucy Raff was forced to close the business in September due to rising costs. However, she is set to bounce back in the new year with the launch of Tulastra Studio, a new company that will offer graphic design prints, homeware, and branding support for other small businesses. Mrs. Raff expressed that closing Lucent had been tough, as the business had been a significant part of her life, but she saw it as an opportunity to try something different. Her passion for graphic design, which grew through her work with Lucent, led her to channel it into her new business venture.
Tulastra Studio will offer creative graphic design prints and homeware products, such as candles and crystal kits to display around the home. Mrs. Raff will also provide a service helping other small businesses with their branding, using the skills she gained running Lucent, from creating their logos to designing full websites. The business will operate online from a central website and the prints will also be available from Etsy, while the homeware will be listed on Not On The High Street. Tulastra is named after Lucy’s puppy, Tula, with ‘astra’ coming from her love of stars and celestial bodies.
The decision to launch Tulastra was influenced by the personal touch that graphic design had brought to her previous business. Mrs. Raff had been making cards to go with the jewellery she sold, and they were well-received by customers, adding to the story of the jewellery. She believes that Tulastra will be just as personal to her as Lucent was, and that the new venture will enable her to continue her creative work in a different direction. Tulastra is set to launch in the new year and more information can be found on Instagram at @tulastra.studio.
