And she's done most of it on her own. She only contracts out work during peak production times, including the holidays. The rest she makes herself. She also has had help getting into new stores using independent sales reps to show her work to new boutiques.

Since she quit her job in March, her goal has been to continue growing the business. She admits the first steps out on her own were scary and challenging.

"It's hard to leave a job that's secure," Anderson says. "But this is my true passion and love. This is what I've dreamed of doing since I was 14."

Anderson learned to make jewelry while at Eagle's Nest camp near Brevard. She got hooked and, soon after, landed her first account when a store in Orlando bought $200 of her jewelry. By the time she graduated from high school, she was selling to 10 stores.

She took a break from the craft while at Elon College (now Elon University) in the mid-'90s but started back up after landing her sales job, making jewelry as her creative outlet.

She now wants to get in even more stores throughout the country.

Since being with Molly Beads full time, she's landed 10 more accounts. And thanks to the help of her tech-savvy husband Chris Anderson, she now has a Web site (www.mollybeads.com) to sell to other parts of the country.

It's a perfectly timed launch. Look for a pair of her earrings featured in the September issue of InStyle magazine.

You can also find Molly Beads in the Triangle at Charlotte's stores in Raleigh, Scout & Molly's in Chapel Hill and Ciao Bella in Cary. Prices start about $39 for earrings.

In the meantime, stay tuned for perhaps even more from Anderson. She's started sewing as her new creative outlet to her full-time job, and already she's made a few throw pillows and window treatments.

Will we see a Molly Anderson lifestyles line next?

Around town

Saks Fifth Avenue keeps stepping up its game in its shoe department. On Thursday, the Raleigh store will add Italian footwear designer Giuseppe Zanotti to the mix that already includes Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Fendi. Zanotti shoes are known for their sleek, innovative designs.

If you go to the Thursday launch, also be sure to check out the trunk show of Roberto Coin jewelry.

Designer clothes for kids will be on sale for cheap next week at the Divine Consign consignment sale in North Raleigh. The sale, which includes gently used designer clothes and overstocks from boutiques, will be held at the Quail Hollow Swim and Tennis Clubhouse. Drop off for consignors starts Aug. 26. The preview sale starts Aug. 27 for volunteers, consignors and grandparents. First-time mothers will get a preview Aug. 28 at 9 a.m. The show opens to the public Aug. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Aug. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find out more at www.divineconsignshow.com.

Got a tip or news for Stylin'? Let Samantha Smith know at (919) 829-4563 or samantha.smith@newsobserver.com.