Well, I can only applaud this trend! I love big, bold pieces. But I confess that I, like many people, originally shied away from bold pieces, feeling like I couldn’t carry them off, that it would be “too much,” etc. However, once I wore one big piece, I liked the reaction so much that that’s what I started focusing on in my designs. Look at it this way: if you’re going to spend your hard-earned money, why not get the most bang for your buck with jewelry that stops traffic and starts conversation? Something teeny can be the equivalent of the LBD. Perfectly nice but unremarkable. Even if you’re a diamond-studs-little-black-dress type of gal, why not break the mold once in a while with a memorable print and big crystal ring? (Clemence ring — copyright 2007 Wendy Brandes.)
I LOVE this!!! Really beautiful and definitely a conversation piece.
Thanks! I have them with a whole variety of stones (black spinel is nice) and if I could figure out how to do a “read more” link, I’d post the pictures. But I’m non-technical even on good days and I have such a bad cold today that I can’t even think. I must say this ring looks MUCH better when it’s on your hand. It was a tough one to photograph.
Are you going to start an online shop under your own name? I can’t believe this ring cold look better; you did an amazing job photographing it! Therefore, I am envious. (I’ve been practicing, but it hasn’t been pretty…)
Anyhow, I’ll look out for the other stones. Oh! I found this website today (Adin.be) and thought of you. They have incredible vintage jewelry, including hair pieces and these great claw necklaces. I’ve been on it for about two hours and have found about twenty dream engagement rings…
Oh, I can’t take credit for the photo…that belongs to my great photographer, John Muggenborg. He does a spectacular job. This is just one of these pieces that looks better “live” no matter how skilled the photographer! Thanks for that website. It is fantastic! I’m going to be looking at it for days. But stop looking at those engagements rings…I’m going to design your engagement ring 😛
P.S. I forgot to say that I am going to migrate my original designs to an online shop under my name. I’m wrestling with strategy though. Unlike a lot of designers, I function more like a store because I also sell some relatively inexpensive things that I don’t design (like I showed in the post from a few day ago). I have clients who really like those pieces. So I might have one Wendy Brandes site for the original work (for press and retailers) and a Gigi Caron site for the combination of lines (for clients). I don’t know! I’m still trying to work it all out.
I don’t even know if I can talk my boyfriend into one engagement ring and I’m already scheming as to how two might be necessary: one by you and one vintage! What’s weird though, is that I am okay with all other types of vintage jewelry in terms of their history, but engagement rings scare me a little bit. I think the designs are incredible, but I am a little superstitous about the person/ people who wore it and what kind of marriage they had. That would probably push me towards something new/ done by you!
So you have a magical photographer! I understand about pieces in real life though; something about the person wearing + the piece itself makes it much more something than just a photo.
Would you be able to integrate the sites and have retailers sign in for a certain section? Or are you too branded as one or the other? It seems not only confusing, but like a big decision—how to make sure people find you…
Either way, I am so excited to see your Wendy Brandes line after your tantalizing post about this ring.
ooh i love that ring!!! i LOVE big sparkly things!