Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

by

When I emailed these pictures of my latest jewelry design to gorgeous ex-blogger ENC last week, I wrote “my white whale, my Waterloo, my greatest folly” in the subject line. Truly, my Virginia Woolf Whistle pendant is my greatest (and most pun-tastic) jewelry folly to date, but I’m confident I will surpass it in craziness later this year when I begin my Empress Wu piece.

This is the Woolf Whistle silver prototype, cast from a wax carving. It looks like a normal whistle …


… until you pop it open to see the tiny wolf inside.

Virginia Woolf Whistle
© Wendy Brandes

The miniature wolf (Woolf?) can be purchased separately and it’s available in silver for $50 and in gold for $450.

The $50 wolf necklace

The complete Woolf Whistle piece will probably be done in the summer. That will be a full year of work on this one necklace. I will only be making the Woolf Whistle in gold with diamonds. The labor that goes into jewelry like this would make a plain silver piece a greater folly than even I could tolerate. You don’t waste expensive labor on inexpensive metal, because the price you’ll need to set will seem too high relative to the material. That’s another little jewelry-making lesson for you. You’re welcome.

UPDATED TO ADD LITTLE WOLF FAQ:

  • Do you ship internationally? Yes, I will. Just email me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com to arrange payment and shipment. Paypal is preferred.
  • When do I need to order by? This piece is a permanent part of my collection. You can order it any time. Even if I don’t have one in stock, I will make a new one for you.
  • How long is the chain? The standard length is 16″. I could also do 18″ or 20″ upon request.

WOOLF WHISTLE FAQ:

  • Are you SURE you won’t sell it in silver? It’s hard for me to resist a customer’s special request. I estimate that this complicated piece will easily cost $1,000 in silver. If that’s not in your budget, no whining. I told you it was going to be costly. If it is in your budget, email me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com and I’ll get you the final price.
  • Would you do a plain, non-mechanical whistle in silver like you did with the acorn? I don’t plan to add it to my line, because I think you might as well have a real, made-in-China whistle at that point! But if someone requested it, I would do it. I would probably add a few inexpensive stones to the outside to make it a little special. I’m always willing to fulfill special requests. My policy is that if you can describe it and pay for it, I will make it.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thumbelina, I would definitely have some diamonds lining the opening on top that allows the whistling sound. Maybe scattered all around, just kind of burnished in like with my Diana heart necklace.

  2. Hey Wendy,
    I’m a student in jewelry and metal-craft at RIT and was wondering how you pushed yourself into the jewelry business. Are you a classically trained crafts person who makes the prototypes or do you design your ideas and give them to someone else to execute? I’d love to have a conversation with you about this!
    Also, I started up writing in visforvogue.com again, I’d appreciate it if you dropped by again! :]

    Kate

  3. All the girlz be sayin’: I need a wolf of my own!

    This is truly excellent, W. I LOVE the pun, the design, the subtext.

  5. Dang, just when I think your designs can’t possibly get any better, you go and prove me wrong. Three thumbs up for this one!

    Now that Duran Duran song “Hungry Like the Wolf” is playing in my head.

  6. I really love this Wendy. I am pretending that the wolf is Lily and am hence putting a bug in my Woozle’s ear. Love it!!! J’adore a pun especially a literary one.

  9. Haha, it's a cute folly. I must admit it's not quite as elegant as most WB pieces, but that's nothing a few stunning stones won't fix. Plus I love it. <3

  10. I love it. Your jewelry is so clever on top of being just too cool *and* beautiful for words.

  11. Something I can afford! A tiny wolf for my tiny budget… I think it’s beautiful. I think I might spend my next paycheck on this beauty.

  13. Has anyone ordered one for Sister Wolf?

    hmmm, I owe her big time for all her support and advice.

    Will put a star on this one Wendyb.
    xx

  14. wendy you’re a clever one. this one is on my list. i love these $50 treasures. wendy b supports the recessionista!

    xoxox

  16. Godammit!! I want that Woolf in gold! I mean, I NEED it. I will email you. xo

  17. Wendy, would you mind if I used your photos of your whistle in a post on own my blog? I would love to write about your site and this piece in particular. I’ve added a link to you on my blogroll, and I’ll add the links and credit in the post as well.

    What great work you do!

    Thanks!
    Kirie