Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Great Minds Think Alike … About Flowers

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Gorgeous blogger Fabulous Girl and I met up for drinks at Butter on Thursday so she could show me a diamond ring that needs repair. However, I became distracted by a J. Crew ring she was wearing. After I commented on it (“Oh my God!”) two or three times, she asked me if I wanted her to take it off. I pulled myself together but gave the ring the side-eye all through drinks and our shared risotto ball appetizer.

Here’s the J. Crew ring.

Image from eBay

Here’s my Mia Scent Locket.

Mia Scent Locket
© Wendy Brandes
Photo by John Muggenborg

See why I was distracted? This isn’t the first time I’ve wondered “which came first?” with regards to the Mia, which I made in 2006. But I’m not so distracted that I would forget to give you your daily reminder to vote for me for Best Fashion Blog of 2008. Click here to vote and remember you can vote every 24 hours. Even if we can’t take the lead, at least we can make an impressive effort!

UPDATED TO ADD: Thanks to gorgeous blogger/campaign volunteer Tessa Scoffs for mentioning my campaign!

UPDATED AGAIN TO ADD: She’s chic, charming and funny too! Click here to read gorgeous blogger Chic and Charming‘s highlarious campaign post for me.

UPDATED YET AGAIN TO NOTE: I’m very open about my designs being inspired by vintage and historical pieces. That’s pretty much the whole reason for my line. As I’ve pointed out, I try to make the execution of the idea unique to me, which is why my Boleyn necklace doesn’t look the way an exact copy of the original does. The Isabella Wolf-Fang necklace is based on a very old idea, but I doubt you’ll find any others that look like mine. What I don’t do is walk into J. Crew or Tiffany or wherever and think, “I’ll do my version of that.” I do believe that ideas crop up in different places at the same time, but that doesn’t mean I like to see the proof of that while drinking my Amstel Light.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Oh c’mon, you know you want to vote for me, WendyB, just one little vote? haha
    That ring is uncanny–but I like your pendant better

  4. Hmmm, curiouser and curiouser. I notice that other one has been taken down too.

    Anyway, the Mia is 10,000 times more interesting, so that’s something.

  5. I go out on a limb and say yours was first. You should find someone to either give you money for your stolen idea or who is willing to let you break their kneecaps for stealing the idea.

    No?

    Fine then.

  6. Very suspicious – who does J Crew use for a designer? You should start stalking THEM and copying THIER jewellery!

  10. I think your pendant is a million times prettier.

    I HAVE noticed stores knocking off indie designer stuff, like Foxy Originals… in cheaper materials or styles.

    Fabulously Broke in the City
    Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver…

  11. Verrry interesting. Am sure that you copyright your designs . . . should you send an email to Mr. Drexler?

  12. Some jewelers will not post their designs online for this reason. My usual jeweler says with a smile that when he walks in other jeweler’s shops, they blanch, b/c they know he knows how to make what he sees. (He does not.)

    Your locket is much finer, but it looks like they are, ahem, referencing your design.

  13. I know they say that imitation is the best form of flattering, but really it’s just annoying and rude!

    Is there actually anything you can do about it in cases like this, or do you just have to … you know… make little J Crew executive voodoo dolls and stick pins in them in secret?

  14. OK, just voted again and I’m shocked to see those Fug bitches getting 80% of the vote. I mean, what do they do other than slag movie stars on the red carpet???

    Oh, and for some reason, I can’t figure out where your email address is on your site…

  20. Stef, if a very big bag of money falls from the sky, run for shelter! You could get hurt.

    Annie, next year, I promise 🙂

    Maya, thank you.

    Skye, thanks. And, really, costume jewelry and fine jewelry are like a poster of the Mona Lisa versus the real thing.

    Alicia, I appreciate your support and willingness to see bitches' asses beaten.

    Cybill, Ha! That would be pretty funny.

    Sharon Rose, there's always the lottery. Worth a try, right? 🙂

    Dale, thank you on both counts.

    LJ, thank you!

    Fabulously Broke, I read an article on how Foley & Corrina has huge problems with that.

    Miss Cavendish, they'd probably send me another condescending email explaining why cashmere sweaters pill.

    Duchesse, yes, I considered that issue for a long time before launching the site. The thing is that I don't have a store (thank God, because everyone with a store is going out of business), so with no foot traffic, it's hard to get the work out there. So I decided to just take the chance. One thing is that people can copy whatever they want but I always have a million ideas and I will just move on to the next thing if I have to.

    Pretty Face, I have to make little dolls.

    K. Line, wbjewelry at hotmail dot com. It's slyly hidden in "About Me" on the right.

    Siljes, thank you!

    TheShoeGirl, thank you! And the picture doesn't even do it justice, I swear.

    Copperoranges, yes 🙁

    Couture Carrie, thanks. And I hope so because I put a lot more money into mine 🙂

    Frenzy, thanks!

  21. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your locket…and all of your jewelry for that matter. Your entire collection is on my wishlist. Now if someone would take that list on a shopping trip I would be one happy girl!

    P.S. another vote for you

  23. i think the sartorialist shouldnt be on there because it is such an obvious choice.

    anywho, you got my vote!!

    nice ring and necklace. and everything’s pretty much been done in some way that it’s possible for ideas to overlap. the ring version with the pink is more cute, whereas yours is more classic.

  25. Hmmm, I see what you mean about the sort of similar cluster/Biedermeier look, but the two designs look distinctly different to me, in that the J.Crew is enamel, and yours is all gold.

    And yours is better, anyway.

  26. You should sue them for copying you, especially if it keeps happening. Yours is more beautiful and thoughtful.

  30. i think it’s frighteningly similar.
    and i’m intrigued by the risotto ball, now i will forever associate it with the ring.

  32. gasp!! how did that happen? :s j crew feckers.

    the locket is beautiful my dear, you’re very talented.

    xx-LJ from SOS!