• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

  • HOME
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • FAQ
  • CONTACT

inspiration

Jewel of the Month: Wear Wolves

October 30, 2021 by WendyB

Right in time for Halloween, I’ve got something for werewolf lovers … or anyone who wants to wear wolves. These Isabella wolf-fang earrings are actually one of my “vintage” pieces, but I haven’t had an 18K yellow gold pair available for quite some time. Now they’re available both on my website and 1stdibs.com. My gorgeous…

Read More »

Filed Under: featured jewel, Halloween, History, holidays, inspiration, jewel of the month, queens Tagged With: gold earrings, werewolf jewelry, werewolves, wolf claw earrings, wolf earrings, wolf fang earrings

TV Tonight: Borgia Poison Ring on The Blacklist

May 14, 2021 by WendyB

It’s a two-episode arc! Last Friday, my Borgia poison ring was a guest star on NBC’s The Blacklist … … but the poisoner was thwarted … … so the ring returns in tonight’s episode! The costume and props people at The Blacklist are going to get me some nice stills, but I can’t resist sharing…

Read More »

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Jewelry, mourning jewelry, poison rings Tagged With: as seen on tv, borgia ring, locket ring, television shows, the blacklist

Jewel of the Month: Black Diamond for Purrkoy

April 30, 2021 by WendyB

April’s birthstone is the diamond, so my procrastinating ass is going to squeeeeeeze in an April Jewel of the Month post at the last possible moment! Behold, the black-diamond version of my 2010 single-stone platinum Gravity band. This design was originally created as a unisex wedding ring, but I made the new ring as a…

Read More »

Filed Under: Animals, birthstone, cats, diamonds, featured jewel, gems, inspiration, jewel of the month, Jewelry, mourning jewelry, platinum, rings Tagged With: mourning ring, purrkoy the kitten

Wendy Brandes Jewelry X The Style Crone, Part 5

June 5, 2019 by WendyB

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…

Read More »

Filed Under: earrings, feminism, gold, In the News, inspiration, Jewelry, models, necklaces, racism Tagged With: dracarys, fashion over 50, fashion over 60, fuck your beauty standards, immortal style, judith boyd, mary queen of scots, style crone

Wendy Brandes Jewelry X the Style Crone, Part 2

May 15, 2019 by WendyB

It’s time to reveal the second image from my new brand campaign with Judith Boyd, aka the Style Crone. In this one, she’s modeling my turquoise skull ring. The hand-carved skull is set in 18K yellow gold and accented by 192 rubies weighing a total of 1.84 carats. This one-of-a-kind piece is available on my…

Read More »

Filed Under: diamonds, earrings, inspiration, Jewelry, jewelry designer, mourning jewelry, my designs, rings, skulls Tagged With: #grombre, black diamonds, cufflinks, immortal style, judith boyd, natural hair, silver fox, skull jewelry, style crone, style over 50, style over 60, style over 70

Easter Egg Jewelry

April 21, 2019 by WendyB

Believe it or not, charm bracelets have existed for millennia! While I’m normally obsessed with ancient artifacts, my favorite charms are of more recent vintage — generally the 20th century, when a lot of clever mechanical pieces were produced. I love designing mechanical jewelry myself, and I was once inspired by an old charm, though…

Read More »

Filed Under: inspiration, Jewelry, lockets, my designs, necklaces Tagged With: easter egg jewelry, easter eggs, easter jewelry

Carpe Diem: Black Diamond Skull Designs

February 28, 2019 by WendyB

Did you do your homework and watch yesterday’s video about my black diamond “Carpe Diem” skull designs? If not, you should do it now … and don’t forget to leave a comment for extra credit! I promised nice still shots of the three-piece mini collection today. Actually, I’ve already shared plenty of photos of the…

Read More »

Filed Under: 1stdibs, birthstone, diamonds, earrings, featured jewel, gems, inspiration, jewel of the month, Jewelry, jewelry designer, mourning jewelry, my designs, necklaces, Shopping, skulls Tagged With: black diamond jewelry, black diamonds, diamond skull jewelry, medallion necklaces

Wednesday’s Video: Phala’s Ring

February 13, 2019 by WendyB

I already blogged about February’s Jewel of the Month — Phala’s redesigned ring — but I now have better video showing the piece before, during, and after the process. More importantly, I have Phala’s own description of what led to her redesign project and what the ring symbolizes for her. Even though it’s a sad…

Read More »

Filed Under: featured jewel, inspiration, jewel of the month, Jewelry, mourning jewelry, redesigns, rings, video Tagged With: memorial jewelry, mourning jewelry, redesigned engagement ring, ring redesign, sentimental jewelry, widow's ring

Jewels of the Month: Swans A-Swimming on 1stdibs

December 13, 2018 by WendyB

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…

Read More »

Filed Under: 1stdibs, featured jewel, gold, inspiration, jewel of the month, Jewelry, my designs, Shopping Tagged With: 12 days of christmas, anne of cleves, jewelry on 1stdibs, swan fashion, swan jewelry

Jewel of the Month, Part II: New Skull Earrings

October 16, 2018 by WendyB

Shout-out to Colleen Egan at 1stdibs.com for interviewing me about the enduring appeal of skull jewelry! I felt inspired when I did this interview, and I hope it gives you fresh insight into my designs. CLICK HERE TO READ MY 1STDIBS INTERVIEW After you’re done reading, you can shop for my jewelry on 1stdibs — and if…

Read More »

Filed Under: 1stdibs, diamonds, earrings, featured jewel, inspiration, interview, jewel of the month, Jewelry, mourning jewelry, Shopping, skulls, stud earrings Tagged With: black diamond skull, black diamonds, skull earrings, skulls jewelry, skulls on 1stdibs, tudors

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ARCHIVES

CATEGORIES

Facebook Pagelike Widget

POPULAR TOPICS

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe for Email updates.
* indicates required

Original jewelry designs, photos and text are © Wendy Brandes 2007-2016. All rights reserved.

© 2016 · FOODIE PRO THEME COPYRIGHT BY · SHAY BOCKS GENESIS FRAMEWORK · BUILT ON THE WORDPRESS