Raleigh Jewelry Brand AnnaBanana Grows From UNC Dorm Room to Statewide Success

Owner Anna Jordan's handcrafted polymer clay designs are now sold across North Carolina.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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What started as a hobby in Anna Jordan's UNC dorm room has grown into a thriving jewelry brand called AnnaBanana. Jordan now runs the business out of Raleigh, selling her lightweight, one-of-a-kind polymer clay earrings and other designs online and in retail stores across North Carolina.

Why it matters

AnnaBanana's story showcases how a small, creative business built on quality craftsmanship can find success by tapping into local and statewide markets. As large retail chains continue to dominate, AnnaBanana proves that there is still demand for unique, handmade products from independent makers.

The details

Jordan started AnnaBanana as a hobby while working out of her UNC dorm room a few years ago. She discovered the design possibilities of polymer clay and began creating lightweight, intricate earrings and other jewelry. Today, she runs the business out of Raleigh, selling her designs online and in retail stores across the Triangle region and throughout North Carolina.

  • Jordan launched AnnaBanana a few years ago while a student at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • The business is now based in Raleigh.

The players

Anna Jordan

The owner and creator of AnnaBanana, a Raleigh-based jewelry brand that she started as a hobby while a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

AnnaBanana

A Raleigh-based jewelry brand that specializes in handcrafted polymer clay earrings and other designs, founded by Anna Jordan.

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What they’re saying

“I try to keep a reasonable price point. I think that's always important to people, but my main priority is the quality.”

— Anna Jordan, Owner, AnnaBanana (abc11.com)

“My main thing is earrings. I got into polymer clay because I was able to be very creative. The earrings are a little bit bigger -- they're something I can really do a lot of detail and design with. That's also great, that material, because it's very light. A lot of my customers love it because it's comfortable.”

— Anna Jordan, Owner, AnnaBanana (abc11.com)

What’s next

AnnaBanana plans to continue expanding its retail presence across North Carolina, with the goal of opening a flagship store in downtown Raleigh in the next year.

The takeaway

AnnaBanana's success story demonstrates how a small, creative business built on quality craftsmanship can thrive by tapping into local and statewide markets, even in the face of competition from larger retail chains. The brand's focus on unique, handmade products has resonated with customers across North Carolina.