"I was so moved by Elizabeth's poem while watching Barack Obama's inauguration that I wrote about it on "Glimpse" our company blog where we tell customers and fans what is happening around the studio." Shortly thereafter, just such a fan messaged back imploring Payer to collaborate with Alexander and suggesting she incorporate passages from Praise Song for the Day into her designs. Having been overjoyed by Alexander's poem while watching the Inauguration and knowing the significance of the moment, Payer flew into action and reached out to Alexander immediately.
"Jeanine Payer's exquisite designs create elegance in elemental forms. Her jewelry honors the power and beauty of simplicity, yet they also capture poetry's invitation to deep contemplation. In every aspect, Jeanine's jewelry is beautiful, and I am honored that she would find inspiration in my poem." -Elizabeth Alexander
"I reached out to Ms. Alexander to give her a gift--a piece with her poem engraved onto it-- and the dialog turned into a collaboration. Her words about love and possibility are perfect for the art I make. It has been a fun and exhilarating project for not only me but for my staff, especially after the challenges my small company has gone through in order to survive in this economic downturn. This project has had an energizing effect for all of us here and this is an exciting collection. I think people will be thrilled." -Jeanine Payer
Each of the 6 pieces will be made and hand engraved in the Jeanine Payer design studio in San Francisco. Delicate hand engraved poetry on silver and gold is a signature look of the collection Payer has made and sold around the world for 20 years. The Elements of Change collection is comprised of three necklaces and three bracelets offered in sterling and 14k gold, all emblematic of Payer's signature style highlighting the diminutive and subtle hand engraved words. Payer selected pieces that would also work for men as well as women.
Payer has been designing and manufacturing her line of hand engraved sterling and 18k jewelry in San Francisco for 20 years. She currently employs a team of 16 people who work to carefully craft the collection in the old fashioned way: made to order in small quantities. The Jeanine Payer collection can be found in 175 fine specialty stores such as Barneys New York and Twist in Portland Oregon as well as in her own eponymous store in the Union Square area of San Francisco. Jeanine is a pioneer of the genre of 'jewelry with meaning' and has a strong following of loyal collectors around the world.
Alexander is an award winning poet, essayist, playwright and professor of African Studies at Yale University. She has published 7 books and has received numerous prestigious awards including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, two Pushcart Prizes, and a Guggenheim fellowship. Ms. Alexander delivered her poem Praise Song for the Day at President Barack Obama's inauguration in January.
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