Ann Hand

Ann Hand’s jewelry store is immersed in the type of Texan southern hospitality she was born and raised in.
 
Tucked into a cozy corner of D.C.’s Palisades neighborhood, it is teeming with sparkly gems and plenty of history.
 
Hand’s shop is full of autographed photos of Washington leaders and power players who have come into her business or worn her designs, including former First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush and multiple leaders of the military and ambassadors and their wives.

Hand first became interested in jewelry design at a women’s retreat in Florida. A class on stringing beads caught her eye and she began finding fun in selling necklaces. After taking some classes at the Gemological Institute of America, Hand began her business in the basement of her home. As it grew, she began moving it to bigger and bigger spaces in her home, finally building a separate cottage in her backyard off Foxhall Road.
 
“It was so funny, we were bringing in major leaders to see what I had to offer,” Hand said. “The Prime Minister of Egypt, even Secretary Albright stopped by.”
 
Hand realized she had found a passion in jewelry design and opened a jewelry store in a secluded area of D.C. where leaders can stop by and peruse her many patriotic-themed accessories.
 
Hand chose to focus a lot of her jewelry on D.C. and American-themed gems. “I am a child of World War II and have always been interested in the spirit of America,” she said.
 
Hand first came to D.C. in the 1950s with then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson. Hand’s husband Lloyd, who began his government career in 1957 as assistant to Johnson in the Senate Majority Leader’s office. When Johnson became president, he became Johnson’s chief of protocol, an office bearing the rank of ambassador.
 
“I was the typical ‘50s housewife, following my husband with his job,” Hand said.
 
Ann and Lloyd briefly left the area for California when Lloyd Hand ran for lieutenant governor. They returned in 1978 to D.C., where Lloyd works as senior counsel at King and Spalding.
 
Despite lots of moving around, the two stayed very much in love. The couple had five children in eight years and are now in their 58th year of marriage.
 
“Back when Lloyd was a Navy lieutenant fighting in Korea, it seemed like we were having a child every time he was home on leave,” Hand said.
 
Hand’s designs have grown in popularity on her Web site as well as through phone orders. Many call in asking for advice on whether certain pieces would look good on them.
 
Her signature design is the Liberty Eagle pin. Calling it a hallmark of Washington, Hand mentioned that despite requests to change the design, it’s become a part of history so many times, it’s something she will never tamper with.
 

“I remember a senator’s wife calling me asking if I’d seen the cover of House Beautiful,” Hand said. “The first lady [Hillary Clinton] was on the cover wearing the Liberty Eagle, it was so exciting.”
 
The designer has since provided the Obama inauguration pin, as well as projects in the works such as an F-16 and F-15 airplane pin and a new space rocket pin with the theme “reach for the stars.” There also is a new Marine pin in the works, she said.
 
With over 30 years living in D.C, Hand has seen Washington’s style change over time. She began in the Jackie Kennedy era, and recalls it with a smile.
 
Hand thinks that women in Washington are a little more socially aware when it comes to fashion, and gets upset when style writers put down the Washington woman.
 
“A lot of women here dress beautifully,” Hand said. “However, many don’t have the resources to have extensive wardrobes or because their husbands are high-profile people, they have sensitivity to things like that.”
 
Hand also spoke about how impressed she is with young people today. “I’d have to say if you’re interested in something, don’t give up and persevere,” she said.
 
She said it’s fine to try different things before you figure out what you’re suited to do. Hand herself studied music in school and originally had aspirations to be an opera singer.
 
 “I wanted to try so many things before I got into this type of business---everything from cookies to cupcakes, but I never thought people would buy cupcakes,” Hand said with a smile.

— Kate Oczypok