Via Rutkowski 
Jersey City residents are both resourceful and creative, to say the least. We also love a rare find. The locals here never cease to amaze us, and when it comes to creating sustainably, it’s even more exciting. Local artist Molly Craig is bringing the magic of upcycling to life with bolo ties, jewelry, and more, all sourced from materials being given a second life. Keep reading to learn more about Anomolly Shop and the Jersey City resident behind it all.
How It Started
Molly Craig grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and has been a Jersey City resident since 2021. Back in Molly’s household, creativity was always encouraged. Her mom ran a beaded jewelry business and made heartfelt greeting cards for every occasion, utilizing her crafty talents and unknowingly inspiring her daughter along the way. From an early age, Molly found herself drawn to crafting, beading, and working with her hands, all of which shaped the path she’s on today.
Later, Molly went on to study marketing at Hofstra University before moving into the world of graphic design. She saw this as a way to blend her creativity with strategy. Molly’s talents led her to work at HOLST + LEE, a handmade jewelry company based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where she played a role in the creation of bold, statement pieces. After three years, Molly transitioned into freelance life to take her graphic design skills a step further. Since 2014, Molly has been working as a freelance graphic designer and has had clients such as her previous employer, HOLST + LEE, and other small businesses and corporate clients.
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While Molly loves her graphic design work, she was itching to have an element of non-digital creation in her life. Back in 2020, she started Anomolly Shop, a play on the word “anomaly” as in something that is unusual or unexpected. The goal was showcase her handmade designs that deserve to be shared with the world. As time went on, she began to find her niche. After finding a vintage cowboy hat brooch that caught her eye, she decided to turn it into a bolo tie as a gift for her boyfriend, which ignited a new wave of inspiration. Molly told us, “It was so much fun bringing new life to something old and forgotten. After that first bolo tie, I was hooked”.
Behind The Bling
Now, Anomolly Shop sells a variety of handcrafted designs. One of the most fascinating elements of Molly’s work has to be her eye for upcycling and turning what some may consider “trash” into treasure. Her particular fascination with bolo ties and cowboy aesthetic is reminiscent of times past and is reflected in all of her work. From vintage upcycled bolo ties, scarf slides, vintage rings, and beaded jewelry, every item from Anomolly Shop is crafted with care.
Molly shared, “ I’ve spent countless hours hunting through vintage and antique shops for brooches, clip-on earrings, and broken treasures that can be reimagined as bolo tie centerpieces. I’ve always been drawn to Western wear and the cowboy motif. I even have a tattoo of a cowgirl riding a horse on my arm. To me, cowboy culture represents a wilder time when life wasn’t so predictable. It embodies a spirit of freedom, resilience, and self-reliance that feels rare today.”
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Molly’s travels have played a big role in her design inspiration. She loves adventuring around new cities and exploring different second-hand and vintage shops to see what the locals wear. Sharing with HG, “I have found a lot of my vintage parts in Utah, Arizona (In the 1970s, the Bolo was declared the official neckwear of Arizona), and recently found a bunch on a trip abroad to Turkey!”
Aside from Molly’s jewelry and accessories, she loves to design intricate beaded Mosaics. Right now, she has a piece on display in the DS Special Projects show, Down the Block, a group show located below Andco North at 222 Ninth Street in Jersey City.
How to Shop
Locals have likely caught Molly at one of the many pop-ups around town. Next up, she will be at the Deep Space Miniature Shop and Riverview Holiday Market on December 6th. For those shopping around town, Anomolly Shop also holds a space inside Cranky Angel at 333 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. To follow along with where Molly will be popping up next, or to order a custom, follow @anomollyshop on Instagram or check out www.anomollyshop.com.
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