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jewelry designer

Wednesday’s Video: Engagement Ring How-To

May 9, 2018 by WendyB

People frequently ask me how to pick the right engagement ring.  In this week’s video, I offer my expert advice, based not only on my 13 years in the jewelry business, but also on my own personal engagement-ring story. Don’t forget to check out the related links in the video description on YouTube for some…

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Filed Under: About Wendy, diamonds, engagement rings, Jewelry, jewelry designer, my designs, redesigns, rings, video, wedding bands Tagged With: engagement ring redesigns, how to propose

Two ANZA Rings Are Even Better Than One

April 6, 2018 by WendyB

Image consultant and jewelry expert Amy Roseveare interviewed ANZA Gems founder Monica Stephenson about what inspired Monica to launch her company in 2014.  Because I work with ANZA gemstones, I’ve described ANZA’s mission a number of times, but I think you’ll be interested in how Monica herself tells the story. CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW….

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Filed Under: gems, Jewelry, jewelry designer, my designs, rings Tagged With: anza gems, anza pure x wendy brandes

Wendy Brandes Wedding Jewelry on Engagement 101!

March 6, 2018 by WendyB

As you might guess from the name, Engagement 101 is the site for everything you need to know about engagement rings and proposals. EVERYTHING! There are different proposal ideas for different seasons, a checklist, a schedule — damn! This is thorough! I’ve walked quite a few men (and women) through the proposal process, but from…

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Filed Under: About Wendy, Custom work, engagement rings, interview, Jewelry, jewelry designer, my designs, pictures of me, Press, rings, video, wedding bands Tagged With: wedding jewelry inspiration

Happy Valentine’s Day From Hi-Rez and Me

February 14, 2018 by WendyB

If you need an emergency Valentine’s Day card, I suggest that you print out this romantic message from rapper Hi-Rez. Happy Valentine’s Day pic.twitter.com/QqnMrbuLMA — Hi-Rez (@HiRezTheRapper) February 14, 2018 Who wouldn’t be charmed by that missive? Especially when you point out that Hi-Rez is wearing the awesome nameplate necklace I made for him ……

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Filed Under: gift ideas, holidays, jewelry designer, music, Special Occasions, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hi-rez, mcdonald's

Jewels of the Month: Your Own Opal Designs

October 6, 2017 by WendyB

September’s Jewels of the Month post featured one of October’s birthstones, the opal. Because the ring, necklace and earring designs I was showing have to be made to order, I figured I’d give people shopping for an October birthday a little bit of a head start. While I was working on that post, I kept…

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Filed Under: birthstone, Custom work, featured jewel, gems, jewel of the month, Jewelry, jewelry designer

Jewels of the Month: Order Your Opals for October

September 25, 2017 by WendyB

Can you believe September is almost over? That means it’s a good time for the official debut of my opal birthstone jewelry, now available by special order for October birthdays and beyond. I’ve been working on this little suite of designs all year. You’ve had glimpses of the collection since March when I started wearing…

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Filed Under: birthdays, birthstone, earrings, featured jewel, gems, gift ideas, jewel of the month, Jewelry, jewelry designer, my designs, necklaces, rings, Shopping, Special Occasions, stud earrings, Y-necklace Tagged With: lariat necklace, opals

Wednesday’s Video: The Story’s in the Metal

September 20, 2017 by WendyB

This week’s YouTube video provides one answer to the frequently asked question of “Where do you get your inspiration?” For me, jewelry design is all about the metal (18K yellow gold, usually) rather than the gems. As a bonus, you get a lecture on 12th-century English history. Seriously! The jacket I’m wearing in the video…

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Filed Under: About Wendy, History, Jewelry, jewelry designer, my designs, queens, video Tagged With: empress matilda, marie antoinette

A Bit of Beauty for Istanbul

June 28, 2016 by WendyB

One of the jewelry designers I admire most is Sevan Biçakçi of Istanbul. In 2014, the New York Times described one of Sevan’s specialities as “dome-shaped rings that celebrate the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.” Here’s an example chosen by jewelry editor Marion Fasel as a tribute to the people who have been affected by…

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Filed Under: In the News, jewelry designer

Create Your Own Heirlooms With Fine Jewelry

June 21, 2016 by WendyB

“… it’s fun to wear, it has lasting value and it connects people across generations.” Hmm. What could that describe? A top from H&M? The latest iPhone? An app, an antique end table or a even an exotic trip? Nope! It can only be jewelry. Michelle Graff, the editor-in-chief of National Jeweler, wrote those words…

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Filed Under: inspiration, jewelry designer, my designs, necklaces

I Stand With Marla Aaron

April 8, 2016 by WendyB

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Consignment is the biggest business challenge for fine-jewelry designers. I’m not sure if there’s any other business where a retailer with annual revenues in the billions of dollars will “order” from $1,000 to $250,000 of high-value product from a one-person company and not pay one cent…

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Filed Under: Business, jewelry designer

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

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