Those looking for unique Valentine's bling can swing by CODI the Boutique, in Town and Country Crossing, for jewelry that won’t break the bank. Local designer Courtney Hopson, the creative genius behind CODI, calls her pieces “funky for day, fancy for night.”  Here you can order a hand-stamped name tag charm in sterling silver or gold from $90 to $285, with additional charms starting out at $15 to build a layered look. Tags can be stamped with initials, names or other words.

“My line represents quality. It is affordable, unique and fun,” Hopson said.

Hopson has been selling hand-beaded bracelets, necklaces and earrings for more than 12 years. Hopson's jewelry started out as a hobby, but after receiving many compliments on her pieces, she decided to sell her wares to friends and family. She soon expanded to trunk shows and placed her jewelry in resort boutiques. She opened her first store in Ladue 10 years ago.

Most CODI jewelry is made from a combination of Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, mother-of-pearl, silver Bali beads or semi-precious stones, Hopsen said. She finds components and pendants from catalogs and online wholesalers, then mixes them together with quality findings in unique and creative ways. She describes her pieces are trendy, but made to last.

Hopson has an assistant who helps string beads and a silversmith who hand stamps personalized pieces, but otherwise it’s a family business.

Hopson’s sister, Brittany Hennessey, runs CODI’s Ladue location and her husband, Mike Hopson, oversees the financial end of the business, which allows Hopson to focus on creating jewelry. “I’m the right brain, he’s the left,” said Hopson of her husband.

“I work mostly out my house,” said Hopson, who is a 32-year-old mother of three children under five years old. She does a majority of her work from home, where she can create jewelry and place orders for her business while still spending time with her children. She said she visits each store as needed, but relies on managers to handle the day-to-day operations.

Most of Hopson’s jewelry is sold from her two St. Louis-area boutiques, but it can also be found in select boutiques around the country. She also participates in trunk shows and still brings her jewelry to home parties.

CODI the Boutique has been in Town and Country for two years, but Hopson moved the store from its old location by Napoli 2 to its present spot near Whole Foods Market last October. When she first opened in Town and Country, she hoped to situate her store near a popular restaurant, because her Ladue boutique attracts ladies out for lunch and shopping.

She said her store was opening at the same time as Napoli 2, but she realized too late that the restaurant wasn’t going to serve lunch. "It was a funky setup," she said. Although the old store could be seen from Clayton Road, shoppers had to visit the location specifically, and it didn't attract anyone just wandering by.

Because of the lack of traffic, she moved to the new section of Town and Country Crossing Plaza to be near Whole Foods Market.

“Now we have five times as much traffic on a daily basis,” she said.

On the Horizon:

• Several Town and Country boutiques will participate in the "Cash and Carry Boutique Warehouse Sale"at Amini's in Chesterfield Jan. 28-29. Merchandise will be at least 50 percent off regular prices and a portion of the $10 admission will go to charity.
• The West County Chamber of Commerce will have its annual Awards Gala on Jan. 27 at the Meadowbrook Country Club at 6 p.m. RSVP required.
• Weekends Only Furniture will open its West County store on 14205 Manchester Road Feb. 4. The location is reported to be larger than any of its other four St. Louis locations, with a large selection of furniture and brands.