While some entrepreneurs struggle to take their businesses to the five-year mark to gauge success, Libby Andrews' inventory sells so quickly that she cannot seem to keep items in stock.

And this is only 18 months into her home-based business's existence.

Flossmoor resident Andrews is a stay-at-home mother with three toddlers, but she is also the owner and proprietor of Libby's Luxuries, Exquisite Custom Bags, Accessories, and Jewelry.

Via trunk shows and home parties, her company imports handbags that feature Italian leather and exotic skins from Australia.

It also carries a line of jewelry including Tahitian, freshwater pearl and semi-precious gem necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all of which are an amalgam of creations by her and other designers.

Mixing and matching different materials for unique pieces is standard procedure with Libby's accessories, she said.

If a customer hesitates about requesting a remake of a certain retailer — or an older style vintage bag they have always adored — because it may not be affordable, Andrews said she can satisfy that wish.

"They are high quality products for a reasonable price," she said. "So I get people who have a lot of money and those who are on a budget. There's something beautiful for everybody from $20 to $300."

Popular items such as the Globe Bag, a roomy leather purse that fits over the shoulder is a hot seller. The fact that the bag converts to a tote has increased demand, with one customer purchasing five, each in a different color.

Andrews just took in a shipment of 30 more of the bags.

"That bag is about 80 percent of my business now," Andrews said.

"But, then again, it's seasonal. In November and December, I was selling all jewelry and no purses and now it's all about the purses. I'd say that, currently, sales are evenly split between purses and jewelry."

Perusing the company's Web site, libbysluxe.com, one can select from more than 100 different leathers, colors and exotic skins to design its array of purses. Materials for purses run a wide gamut from genuine ostrich or snake skin, to pony fur and various leathers.

Attention is given to the smallest detail from the hardware on the bags, (silver, gold and brass), to the inside of the bags, that are lined with suede and contain a cell phone pocket.

When placing an order with the home-business, customers can expect to receive jewelry delivered to their doors within one month; a customized purse within four to eight weeks.

Andrews, a former software salesperson, started the business as a way to escape her boredom.

"I needed something to do after having three kids (so) close together," she said.

She came upon Asian-based suppliers while purchasing items for herself. Liking the quality, she opted to sell the products to area stores, until a friend in the children's clothes industry suggested she brings the purses to a home show she was hosting.

"After that, someone asked for a home party and then another, and soon I was doing home parties instead of selling to stores," Andrews said.

"Then stores started approaching me again. I never pictured this being a big deal. It boggles my mind how (it seems as if) everyone I show my products to, buys."

Through word-of-mouth advertising, her products have gotten into 25 stores within the last five weeks.

The increase in business has resulted in the hiring of sales representatives, who are also stay-at-home moms who query stores about placement.

Andrews is doing one home show a week and has a slate of charity events where she will be showcasing her work in the South Suburbs during the month of May.

Her list of store customers is also growing. In addition to Poppies in Flossmoor, her products can also be found at stores in the northern and western suburbs, as well as the Merchandise Mart StyleMax Show in Chicago, and Hall's, a store that Andrews described as the Nieman Marcus of Kansas City, Mo.

"They are putting in massive orders," she said.

In March, she launched The LiLuxe Collection, an integrated line of jewelry and handbags, at the same show and has since gotten inquiries from Ralph Lauren and other upscale boutiques and stores.

Inspired by David Yurman's couture jewelry, with a bit of John Hardy and Bottega Veneta thrown in, the LiLuxe collection consists of necklaces, bracelets and belts designed around the LiLuxe signature sterling silver clasp with the basket-weave design.

The main circle of the clasp opens and enables coordinating mix-and-match enhancers to be added. The line of purses features the LiLuxe enhancer dangling as an adornment that may be easily changed to coordinate with one's outfit.

The belts can be worn traditionally, as a long necklace or as a short necklace when wrapped twice.

"My goal is to have Libby's in Nieman Marcus, Barney's and Saks Fifth Avenue," Andrews said.

"I absolutely did not have any background in designing before this. I just had a passion for accessories and followed my passion, which is why I think this is so successful. I love every aspect of it."

Darcel Rockett, The Star