More Than Just a Gift: The Story Behind Coco & May
There’s something special about receiving something that has been made just for you.
Not pulled from a shelf in its thousands. Not packed by a machine somewhere overseas. But designed, made, packed and sent by a real person who genuinely cares about what arrives at your door.
That’s what Coco & May has always been about.
Made in Broken Hill, with a whole lot of heart
Coco & May is a small Australian handmade business based in Broken Hill, NSW.
Behind every order is a little workshop filled with acrylic, timber, earrings, plaques, half-finished ideas and probably a little more chaos than I’d like to admit!
Over the years, Coco & May has grown and changed enormously. We’ve had a beautiful shopfront, attended markets and events, created thousands of pieces and sent orders to customers all over Australia.
Earlier this year, we made the huge decision to close our physical store and take Coco & May completely online.
It was scary. It was emotional. And it meant saying goodbye to a space and a community that I absolutely loved.
But it also gave me the opportunity to come back to what I love most — creating.
Made to mean something
Our little motto is “Made to mean something”, and I think that sums up Coco & May perfectly.
Whether it’s a bedroom plaque for a little person’s new room, a caravan money box for an upcoming adventure, a pair of earrings that instantly makes an outfit more fun, or a gift chosen because it reminded you of someone you love — I want our pieces to feel special.
They don't have to be expensive or extravagant to mean something.
Sometimes the smallest gifts are the ones we keep the longest.
When you shop small, it really is noticed
One of the biggest things I wish people could see is what happens behind the screen when an order comes through.
I see it.
Every single one.
And yes, I still get excited.
Every order means I get to keep creating. Every comment helps someone new discover us. Every share puts our little Broken Hill business in front of someone who may never have found us otherwise.
And every time someone comes back and orders again, it means more than I can explain.
Small businesses don't have enormous warehouses, huge marketing departments or unlimited advertising budgets.
We have people.
And we're incredibly lucky to have some wonderful ones supporting us.
What's next for Coco & May?
Lots!
I'm constantly designing, experimenting and thinking about what we can make next.
There will be new earrings, new home and children's pieces, seasonal collections, markets, events and probably plenty of ideas that haven't even made it out of my head yet.
We're also always looking for new opportunities to take Coco & May into new places and introduce what we make to more people.
But no matter how much Coco & May changes, I never want to lose the part that makes it special.
A small business in Broken Hill.
Creating things by hand.
Packing your orders with care.
And making pieces that are designed to be loved, gifted and kept.
Thank you for being here and supporting Coco & May.
It truly means more than you know. 🤍
Chloe x
Coco & May
