The highlight of 2019 for Wendy Brandes Jewelry was a gem of a person! I am still madly in love with the photo shoot I did with Judith Boyd, aka Style Crone, because I’m always trying to show that jewelry is for everyone. When I did appearances this year, I decorated my booth/case with photos…
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Wendy Brandes Jewelry X The Style Crone, Part 5
Here’s the fifth look from my “Immortal Style” brand campaign starring 76-year-old model Judith Boyd, aka the Style Crone. She’s modeling my Queen of Scots snake necklace and earrings. Shout-out to my stylist Shannon Stokes for putting Judith in this blue sweater — it really brings out her beautiful eyes. Plus, I’m allllll about the…
Jewel of the Month: Ring Redesign With Rubies
I was going to wait until we were further into February to reveal the Jewel of the Month, but I just put the finishing touches on it today and I can’t resist sharing! Gorgeous client Phala asked me to turn her classic ruby-accented engagement ring and wedding band into a nontraditional, single ring. For inspiration,…
Wednesday’s Video: Cool Hearts, Not Regular
Whether you’re buying a gift for someone else or yourself, I have cool heart jewelry — not regular heart jewelry — that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. – GIF from Imnotaregularmom GIFs My heart designs are more than meets the eye — and would you expect anything less from me? The diamond-pavé Sophie pendant twists from…
Jewel of the Month: New “No Class” Signet Ring
In 2016, I introduced my “No Class” signet ring, originally requested as a custom order by singer/songwriter Skylar Grey. Skylar wanted a serious-looking class ring … minus the class. So, where the school crest would normally go, we put a heraldic-appearing “No Class.” Skylar chose two extracurricular activities to adorn the sides, just like a…
“Put Your Lips Together and Blow”
Men often ask me if they can wear my necklaces, and I answer, “Of course!” But I’ve never had photographic evidence until now. Behold my Virginia Woolf Whistle looking hot, hot, hot. I can’t outdo my model’s original caption for this, so here it is: “I’m serving angry-coach-gonna-punish-the-whole-team-if-you-don’t-give-me-ten-more masochistic fantasy (and the ‘ten’ here is…
Year in Review: Jewels of the Month for 2018
This has been a year full of twists and turns for me in terms of jewelry design. I started 2018 with an unusual custom job and ended the year feeling increasingly excited about my decision to phase out my silver collection to focus on my gold designs. Here are the pieces I highlighted on the…
Jewels of the Month: Swans A-Swimming on 1stdibs
I’ve written before about the PNC Financial Services annual Christmas Price Index, which tracks current costs of the goods and services that are the gifts given by the “true love” in the song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The 2018 index, which was released last month, puts the cost of the famous holiday shopping list…
Official Portrait of My Black-Diamond Skull Medallion
In June, I shared photos of my “Carpe Diem” medallion — which boasts a 3-carat black diamond cut into the shape of a skull — but it’s worth taking another look now that expert jewelry photographer Ed Parrinello of SquareMoose has taken the official picture. Ed’s photo even shows the tiny ruby “tongue” in the…
Getting Introspective With 1stdibs
Thank you to writer Kareem Rashed for interviewing me for Introspective Magazine, the publication of online luxury marketplace 1stdibs! Kareem asked me and four other contemporary jewelry designers who sell on 1stdibs to pick a favorite antique piece from the site and talk about how that work inspires us. I chose this Art Nouveau tiara…