Making an instant connection

The words “jewelry” and “charity” rarely appear together in the same sentence. One is generally seen as a reward to oneself, the other, as a form of self-sacrifice.

Nevertheless, Angela Moore has managed to plant a fashionable foot firmly in both worlds. Based in Newport, R.I., the former crystal and chandelier designer has built a growing and thriving empire on hand-painted beads from which she fashions necklaces, bracelets, watches, sandals and clothing fashions. At the same time, she has developed specific items to represent individual causes to which she donates 15 percent of the profits.

One of those causes is autism research, which is what will bring Moore to the Rimland Center in Lynchburg on April 1. Founded by pediatrician Elizabeth Mumper, the center delves into the causes and possible cures for this paradoxical and often heartbreaking condition.

“The bracelet I designed for this has colored beads shaped like puzzle pieces,” Moore said. “That seemed appropriate.” It first appeared last year, and Moore has since received e-mails from wearers who saw the same bracelet on another wrist. In many cases, that led to an instant connection.

“That’s exactly what we’d hoped,” Moore said. “I have friends with autistic children, so I’m close to this issue.”

The April 1st event will be a ‘meet and greet’ and trunk show with the jewelry designer from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Rimland Center. Moore will be bringing her Autism Awareness Collection, including some new Autism Awareness men’s ties. In addition, she’ll display some items from her spring/summer collection.

On April 2, she’ll give a presentation on style tips at Sweet Briar College, 12:30 to 1 p.m. in the Jose Dining Room, combined with another trunk show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the campus book store.

Personally, I rarely accessorize, am not quite sure what a “trunk show” is and am mostly successful at avoiding any form of ties, Autism Awareness or otherwise. I do, however, know an interesting person when I talk to one.

For openers, Angela Moore grew up in Burlington, N.C., the daughter of a British mother and an Italian knitting machine designer. After working for a crystal store in North Carolina, she wound up with the parent company in Germany, where she spent 15 years.

“By the time I started my own business,” she said, “I had learned a lot about the European model of doing business, which is to do it for the long run, building a base of repeat customers.”

That was in 1998, around the time Moore began hearing the buzz about something called the Internet.

“I couldn’t wait to get a Web site up, and it did absolutely nothing,” she said with a laugh. “Now, it’s responsible for most of our sales, more than catalogues.”
Moore is also closely associated with the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, which will induct Lynchburg’s Walter Johnson as a member this summer.

“I was told you had to be based in New York City if you wanted to have a jewelry business,” she said, “but my husband and I decided quality of life was more important. That’s why we picked Newport as a place to live.”

It doesn’t hurt that Newport is one of the wealthiest cities in America. Such people buy lots of jewelry — and may open their wallets for good causes, as well.