May 2009

Trimmings Cuff in Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, and Silver.

Joan's Personal Message

When my daughter Jessie was young, she and I would sit on her bedroom floor stringing beads together and playing “pretty pretty princess.” Playing with jewelry is not atypical for mothers and daughters. But Jessie’s ability to create interesting combinations of colors and stones was always unique. It occurred to me how much I enjoyed the art of jewelry making and how rewarding it was to create something of beauty with my daughter. There it was. The seed had been planted. Jewelry making became our mother-daughter thing and as we continued to share that experience Jessie inspired me to make a major change in my life. From that moment on, I knew I would someday create a business centered on my passion for design and philanthropy.

The experiences we share with our children are incredibly meaningful not just for the pure joy they often bring us but for the insights we glean from quiet moments together. A mother’s job is to empower and guide her children through life’s challenges. But children can also inspire parents, like my daughter, Jessie, has done for me. As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, I am reminded of a certain young mother who inspires so many women around the world with her grace, purpose, and commitment to women’s issues—First Lady Michelle Obama. During this month, it is fitting that we honor all the women who have inspired us to lead a life rich in purpose and affection.

Warmest Regards,

Cause of the Month

The 10th annual National Women's Health Week kicks off on Mother's Day for a week of events and activities designed to promote women’s health including National Women's Checkup Day on Monday, May 11. Women’s health is an important issue to the Joan B. Hornig Foundation and its generous clients who have donated to various women’s health initiatives such as:

Feel Your Boobies, American Breast Cancer Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The Breast Cancer Society of Canada, Lacewing Foundation, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and Women at Risk.

We close out the month with Memorial Day, a day to remember the courage and grace of those who have sacrificed their lives in deference to our freedom and democratic values. We extend our utmost gratitude to the men and women who serve our country.

Thanks to the generosity of our clients, organizations like Survivor Corps, which supports survivors of war and violence in rebuilding their lives and communities, and Soldiers for Truth, a grass-roots educational organization that informs the public about the decline in readiness of our armed forces, can continue their work.

Jewelry Trend

Jess Earrings
The unexpected warm temperatures rush us into thoughts of poolside charity events and al fresco dinners and the sleek outfits we show up in. Named after Joan’s daughter, the Jess Earrings in 18k gold are a perfect accessory to summer’s flirty outfits. The Jess Earrings are a variation on our signature Triple Pinwheel Earrings—one of our most popular pieces because they flatter women of every age and face shape. We often reinvent our signature pieces and add a twist to them—in the case of the Jess Earrings, literally. The turns and twists in the Jess pinwheels allow the earrings to catch the light with varied reflections. And their organic shape gives the earrings an openness and movement that is both sexy and elegant—as Amy Poehler proved on her recent appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly (see Press).

Multi-Strand Purple Amethyst and Citrine Necklace
The impending summer also inspires us to swap out our black winter wardrobe for color. Lots of it! Our Multi-strand Purple Amethyst and Citrine Necklace with 18k gold waffle motif radiates with hand-selected amethyst and citrine in shades of lavender and yellow making it as versatile as it is lovely. The necklace is illustrative of the quality of our pieces and the importance of finishing details. Inspired by nature, the rock crystal closure and 18k gold toggle are an intricate part of the necklace’s design and allow the piece to be worn in different positions around the neck. At Joan Hornig Jewelry, we understand that a woman’s departure deserves to be just as memorable as her entrance.

Giving and Gratitude

We extend our gratitude to Tootsies in Houston, TX, which carries a full collection of Joan Hornig pieces, for their work in helping the American Heart Association raise money for their Go Red for Women campaign. The April event was a success in so many ways: raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association, showing our appreciation to our loyal Tootsies customers, giving back to the city of Houston, and proving that the partnership among Joan Hornig Jewelry, Tootsies, and the American Heart Association is making a great difference.

One of the most exciting things at Tootsies and the American Heart Association event in April was to see Michael Linn’s (CEO, Linn Energy) commitment to sharing the message that the greatest killer among women is heart disease. His support of the event extended to include custom ordering a pair of Joan Hornig earrings for his lovely wife Carol Linn to compliment her JH necklace. We thank them both for their passion and energy towards this important cause.

Philanthropy Is...

"Philanthropy is the responsibility we each have to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves, and to make the world a better place to live. Both Joan Hornig Jewelry and Bergdorf Goodman share a passion for beautiful design and giving back. That is why in New York Joan Hornig Jewelry is available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman."

—James Gold, President & CEO of Bergdorf Goodman and member of the Board of Governors for World of Children.

The World of Children is dedicated to dramatically improving children's lives by identifying and recognizing extraordinary individuals who work on behalf of children in need, thus creating a unique, worldwide network of child advocates.

Making A Difference

"The mission of Joan Hornig Jewelry reminds us that philanthropy is beautiful. And every day, through our work at Survivor Corps with conflict survivors, we're reminded that giving back helps us to be grateful for our life experiences, focus on the moment, and do what needs to be done."

—Survivor Corps

Survivor Corps helps survivors of war and violence heal and rebuild communities.

Notable Women

These Notable Women are Making A Fashion Statement and A Difference with Joan Hornig Jewelry:

Events

May 4 to May 8

Bergdorf Goodman Trunk Show
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
754 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019

Meet Joan Hornig as she unveils her newest designs.