While on my way to Washington, D.C., last month for an interview with the hometown paper, I was browsing the vampire section of the airport bookstore when another book jumped out at me. Not literally, of course. It wasn’t an evil zombie book that was trying to kill me. I just noticed it because the title was The Queen of Palmyra and the cover showed a sad little white girl sitting on a swing. I swear on Henry the dog that I instantly and correctly surmised that the story was set in the Civil-Rights-era South and there would be a tough black servant named Zenobia or Xenobia in it. Yep, I judged a book by its cover.
That incident inspired me to make my Xenobia ring Jewel of the Month. The ring, one of my earliest designs, was named for the real 3rd-century queen of Palmyra (I went for the alternative spelling of the queen’s name). Xenobia was a warrior queen — she snatched Egypt, among other territories, from the Roman Empire and ruled for several years until the embarrassed Romans marshaled their much greater forces to win it back. I don’t know what kind of fierce headgear a Roman-ass-kicking queen wore in the year 269, but in my imagination it is something like this.
My Xenobia ring. Click for more information.
This has always been one of my favorite pieces. People never fail to comment on it when I (or a gorgeous client) wear it. It’s big and bold but not bling-y — a cocktail ring you can wear every day.
Xenobia enjoying the ocean view.
Right now, I have one extra Xenobia in a size 5 3/4 and, if you holla at me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com in the next 24 hours, you can have it for $3,000, half-off the normal price of $6,000. Yesterday’s post on the record-high price of gold explains why this is such a great deal and why it’s a special, limited offer.
For more information on the ring’s inspiration, I highly recommend Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser. (There are a lot of other great ladies in that book, and some of them will eventually be turned into WendyB jewelry.) If you need more than a chapter, you might try Empress Zenobia: Palmyra’s Rebel Queen or Palmyra and Its Empire: Zenobia’s Revolt against Rome. I haven’t read either of those so report back on whether they’re worth a look.
And don’t forget: 24-hours for the Xenobia at half-price. Holla!
The gorgeous client who scores that piece will be beyond lucky!!
radiant. you are such a beauty and have such fine talents.
you are truly inspiring. thank you! ox
That ring is a beautiful site to see.
wow, that’s gorgeous, wendy!
TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com
I actually think Xenobia the warrior queen would love to wear this – too back it’s not really possible to go back in time and give her the ring! Oh and take a picture of that haha
P.S. Second day in a row your verification word for me is “sohungry” LOL
Wendy thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it and one of these days I MUST get a piece of your beautiful jewelry, saving money now stat, love love love, J, xoxo
Dear Wends,
love your ring, love the ocean view. Have you read Antonia Fraser’s latest offering Must You Go? It’s a memoir of her life with Harold Pinter. You’d love it 11/10. Run Don’t walk. x
Oh how stunning! Xenobia’s a brilliant name too! xx
I’m a terrible blogger friend and haven’t commented in months but I FREAKING LOVE THIS RING!!!! It’s gorgeous! What kind of setting did you use for the stones? Gypsy? DO you even call it that in that states? Anyways it’s beautiful. I have a real thing for flush set stones on curved surfaces.
I’d never heard the term “gypsy” before! Thanks for teaching me something new. I love low-set stones too. I do a lot of burnishing the stones into the metal.
I’ve always loved that ring. I hope it finds good home 🙂
Gorgeous Wendy. i love the blue and the gold together. truly exquisite!
smiles,
gina
OMG I would jump on it in a SECOND if I had even just $3001 to my name.
Also, haha, I judged a book by its cover and bought it, and it’s boring as hell. xxx
If you wind up with $3,000 to your name, let me know and I’ll let you have it for $2999. That way you’ll still have a dollar left over!
Oh, that ring is lovely and perfect for topping off the perfect summer look. Beautiful job.
Thanks for stopping by yesterday. I hope you’re having a wonderful Wednesday. =)
I love the inspiration behind the ring! If only it was in my price range because it is beyond perfection 🙂 Amazing work on your part!
-Marta
I’m like one month away from melting down my asian gold that I never freaking wear. but I know the price of gold will crash that day, so I’ll give you a heads up when I go a-melting.
I need to go on a finger-shrinking diet. My giant fingers won’t ever accommodate this beautiful ring.
If I ever wish to become a Queen/Empress/Princess with multiple storylines, it is only to have my name turned into a Wendy Brandes ring.
True fact.
Whoops, sorry, that was my age commenting on the wrong post! I plan on using this as an excuse from now on out, the baby excuse is getting tired.