Ann Allen jewelry is a collaboration of jewelry designers Ann Allen and Mary Winstead. Both artists worked in the field of social work before making the decision that creating jewelry was the medium that they wished to use to express their creative selves. Mary and Ann's designs are a result of their recognizing that there are limits that our society places on the goals and aspirations of women. They have studied the importance of the "talisman" or "amulet" in ancient societies and wish to create that same magical feeling of worth and power for the women who wear their creations, women of all ages, color and social classes. The concept of the "talisman" is that it is a charm to be worn to remind woman that she has the power to create her own luck in society.