East Northport Mom Turns Jewelry Hobby Into New Business, Rebella Jewelry

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — What started as a box of forgotten beads tucked away in an attic has grown into a newly launched local jewelry business for East Northport resident Rebecca Geraghty, who officially debuted Rebella Jewelry in November after friends, family, and even strangers began asking if they could buy the pieces she was wearing.

Geraghty, 38, grew up in Northport and is a Northport High School graduate. After leaving Long Island for college and spending time away, she returned and now lives in East Northport, where every piece of Rebella Jewelry is designed and assembled by hand in her home.

“I wasn’t really into jewelry or crafting at all,” Geraghty said. “And about three years ago, over Memorial Day weekend, I was in my attic, and I found a box of beads from third grade that I had held on to for whatever reason.”

She said pulling out the beads sparked something unexpected.

“I loved the sparkle and the shimmer,” she said. “I went to Michael’s and got some string and spent all weekend, kind of just for fun, making little pieces. And I realized I really like this, and I kind of leaned into that.”

That curiosity quickly turned into a creative outlet. Geraghty began subscribing to monthly bead boxes, watching online tutorials, and experimenting with different techniques.

“The more I played with them and learned about different types of jewelry I could make, I realized I love this and the ability to create beautiful, sparkling pieces,” she said. “And I happen to love wearing jewelry.”

She began making pieces for friends and family, often tailoring designs around favorite colors, meaningful charms, or personal preferences. Then, earlier this year, something clicked.

“There came a week where about four or five people asked me about something I was wearing that I had made, and they asked if I sold it,” she said. “I thought, five people in one week — there’s something to this. Like the universe is calling.”

That moment pushed her to officially launch Rebella Jewelry on Nov. 11.

The name Rebella, Geraghty said, is deeply personal and perfectly captures both her identity and the spirit she wants her jewelry to reflect.

“My name is Rebecca, and originally I thought of this word as kind of a play on my name,” she said. “I liked the idea of ‘rebel’ tied with ‘bella,’ because ‘bella’ means beautiful, but the rebellious spirit of it is about representing yourself and taking on the world.”

For Geraghty, building the business where she lives was essential.

“Jewelry is a very personal thing,” she said. “I remember who gave me every piece of jewelry, or where I bought it — special trips, special moments. All my work is done at home in East Northport. It’s grounded in my home, my life, my story. It’s not mass-manufactured. It’s actually my hands putting together things that inspire me.”

Geraghty said she doesn’t limit herself to one aesthetic, drawing inspiration both from the materials themselves and from broader jewelry trends that lean toward minimalist designs. At the same time, she believes jewelry should embrace color.

“Life should be lived in color,” she said.

During the holiday season, Geraghty launched a “12 Days of Christmas” earrings series on social media, showcasing a different design each day.

“I was looking for a fun way to show a lot of different pieces,” she said. “I’ve always loved that song, and the idea just came into my head.”

The collection ranged from elegant minimalist styles to playful designs, including snowman earrings made of white beads. The final video in the series was filmed on Day 12, marking the end of the campaign on Dec. 12.

Geraghty currently runs Rebella Jewelry entirely on her own while also working full time in marketing and caring for her 15-month-old son.

“I have a year-old in the crawling, grabbing stage,” she said, laughing. “I have to keep all the pliers and beads well out of reach.”

After the holidays, Geraghty plans to expand into seasonal collections, including Valentine’s Day, spring designs, and Mother’s Day pieces such as personalized “mama” bracelets.

“I really want to celebrate the seasons,” she said. “Jewelry always comes to mind for me with Valentine’s Day.”

She also hopes to participate in local women’s networking events and host discussions around jewelry trends. For now, she’s focused on continuing to grow Rebella Jewelry organically, one handcrafted piece at a time.

Rebella Jewelry can be found online, with updates and collections shared through the brand’s website and social media platforms.