COSETTE DESIGNS

FOUNDER: Meg Smith

MISSION: To create beautiful, unique and affordable jewelry and home products while giving back to our community. We believe in the positivity and uplifting power of art, and we aspire to bring a bit of joy to our daily lives in a difficult and complicated world.

After attending Parsons School of Design in New York City on scholarship, I had careers in fashion design and illustration and as a muralist.

In 2007, I escaped domestic violence with my three young children, not knowing we’d be fleeing multiple times through three states and through more motels and shelters than I could count.

Not being able to afford childcare, much less a forever home, I took on sewing projects and started selling pins and bracelets that I made with bits of vintage ribbons and other findings. I sold these in two consignment stores in San Francisco, where we were living at the time, as well as in a coffee shop and on the street. I understood that creating these little treasures was an outlet from the grueling hardships we faced.

I found my way back to my native Minnesota in 2013, where my family finally found safety, stability and security. I continued to make jewelry out of vintage findings while I worked retail.

Initially, my biggest challenges were making sure I could put food on the table for my kids. My creative process started out as just that: a way to cope. But after working long hours at a retail job and making jewelry when I wasn’t sleeping, I began to think I might finally be onto something worthwhile.

My business started out in one or two consignment stores, and from there things started to grow.

Currently, I have my jewelry line in over 90 stores across eight states. I am grateful for the opportunity to get up each day and do what I love to do!

I’ve always been drawn to the mid-century glamour era. Even as a kid, I remember going through my grandmother’s brooches and pendants and thinking how sparkly and beautiful they were! It was these fond memories with my grandmother’s influence of persistence and tenacity that led me to name my business after her.

I create earrings and necklaces with vintage uncirculated Swarovski crystals, vintage German glass, vintage Japanese glass pearls, and vintage brass stampings and findings. I have some pieces that go back to the 1920s.

I think what sets me apart is that all of my jewelry is handcrafted; my work is unique unto me. I also take great care in the details, and quality is very important to me. Yet everything I make is very affordable to all.

Part of my healing journey has been the desire to give back. I have recently partnered with Women’s Advocates, the first domestic violence shelter in the nation. A percentage of sales is donated to aid this organization, and my goal is to help raise awareness of this silent epidemic destroying the light within women.

In addition to my line of jewelry, I have recently re-engaged my love of painting and illustration and introduced a line of tea towels using prints of my original artwork.

I hope you enjoy!

Cosette Designs

A Party Game of Connections & Mischief for Venturesome People