Coco Plumb
By Melissa Maynard

Courtney Plumb is the talented designer behind Coco Plumb, (Coco- a name given to Courtney by her niece and Plumb is her new married name) a savvy line of jewelry fusing old and new, while integrating vintage hardware and precious and semi-precious stones. This collection exposes unexpected treasures like Tibetan Pendant, Ruby Pendants, vintage pins and abalone shell flowers are intermingled with garnet, rose quartz, Peruvian opals, aquamarine and fresh pearls. “I think what sets Coco Plumb apart from other jewelry designers would be the sensitivity to color and attention to detail. I spend a lot of time traveling around to different vendors to source unique stones and vintage hardware and clasps. Because of this, the majority of pieces are one of a kind and they are of course all handmade by me,” says Courtney Plumb, designer of Coco Plumb.

Chicago designer Courtney Plumb founded the jewelry line in 2002 after leaving behind Banana Republic after nine years of visual marketing. The experience to embark on her dream of designing jewelry full time has been liberating and challenging, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world. After working in retail, Plumb takes trends with a grain of salt. “ I definitely pay attention to trends, but I get more inspiration from the stones and hardware themselves. I usually buy materials that tend to tell me a story either through color or texture,” says Plumb.

I love… seeing people’s reaction to my jewelry. In the beginning I started making pieces for myself and started receiving compliments from people on the street. This gave me the confidence to sell my work in stores. Now, I hear stories from woman that wear my jewelry getting stopped on the street, which always makes me smile. I think it's also because well-chosen accessories make any outfit pop and stand out.

I am inspired by.... color, beautiful, interesting stones, ever changing world of fashion. By my customers and their love for my jewelry!

My next move is.... www.cocoplumb.com launching at the end of this month.

My future plan is .... growing my business to be nationally recognized.

Have to buy....Lauren Merkin clutch in turquoise suede!

Currently Coco Plumb is available in Chicago at Krista K and Sofia and also carried at Three Sisters in Lake Forest. Nationally Coco Plumb is carried in Boutiques in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Indiana, and Newport, Rhode Island.