By Sophie Spickard
Junior Molly Anderson has transformed her longtime passion for jewelry into a unique metal-working business inspired by both creativity and her love for the beach. “I’ve always had a passion for jewelry, but I could never find pieces that matched my style,” Anderson said. “My grandpa used to make sterling silver jewelry, so one day I asked if he could teach me. That’s how it all started.” Each piece she creates is entirely handcrafted. Depending on whether it’s a ring, cuff, or pair of earrings, the process can take from an hour to a little more. “Every step is done by hand, from shaping and soldering the metal to sanding and setting the stones or shells,” she explained. Rings typically range from $45–$60, earrings around $60, and cuffs between $70–$80. Anderson shared that she has already sold around 75 pieces. “One of the biggest struggles with working with metal or shells is that things could go wrong very easily. You can overheat the metal and melt it, solder the joint incorrectly, or crack a shell or stone very easily, so it takes a lot of precision.” Her brand name, Marewyn Metals, reflects her love of the ocean. “Mare means sea, and wyn means grace and peace.” She promotes her work on Instagram and TikTok at @marewynmetals, and also runs a website, marewynmetals.com. Custom orders through Instagram DM’s are one of her favorite parts of the process. “People send me inspiration, and I help bring their ideas to life. It’s really fun to collaborate,” she said.