Annabelle Jewelry at 315 1/2 Main St. has enjoyed incremental improvements in revenue each year since it launched in 2006, owner Michael Lee said.

“This year has been better so far than last year,” Lee said. “And the holidays are always a big time for us.”

Annabelle’s specializes in handmade fresh water pearl pieces designed by Lee. He designs necklaces, bracelets and earrings using the freshwater pearls and also other stones such as peridots and carnelians.

Lee said a significant portion of his business is generated from doing custom bridal party pieces. He does his best, he said, to match the dress to the stone in original pieces for both bride and bridesmaids.

The majority of pieces in the story are Lee originals, but Lee said he carries costume jewelry and other artists’ work as well.

“I can’t maintain the store with (just) my products, so I bring in other pieces,” Lee said.

One of the most popular items Lee offers besides his own is a handcrafted jewelry box. The boxes are made of mother-of-pearl and are produced only on the west coast of South Korea, Lee said.

The biggest seller for Lee this year, though, has been a line of ceramic frogs.

Wendy Ochoa | For AnnArbor.com

“I didn’t know that so many people like frogs,” Lee said. He added that it has been difficult to keep them stocked at times.

Wendy Ochoa is freelance writer in the news and business sections. She is also a journalism student at Washtenaw Community College where she writes for the Washtenaw Voice.