In February, after my Valentine’s Day post, I promised myself I was going to turn over a new leaf in March — right in time for spring — and go back to blogging regularly. I was quite the prolific blogger for almost 13 years. I even blogged through the first couple of months of the…
my designs
Valentine’s Jewelry: Toi et Moi Rings
I’ve been obsessed with “toi et moi” rings since 2013, when the diamond and sapphire engagement ring that Napoleon Bonaparte gave to Josephine de Beauharnais went up for auction. Embed from Getty Images But even before then, I liked the double takes that two-stone rings get, no pun intended. In fact, one of my earliest…
Jewel of the Month: January Birthstone Earrings
Here I am, once again, sliding into the blog with an ultra-last-minute Jewel of the Month featuring a birthstone — in this case, garnet for January. But, as you’ll see, I have a second garnet option that ties into Valentine’s Day, so my timing isn’t all that bad! First, check out the earrings I created…
Happy August!
Looking for a birthday gift … for yourself, maybe? My customers and I are all about self-gifting! For August birthday wimmins, I’ve got a stunning example of the month’s birthstone, peridot, in the form of diamond chandelier earrings on sale on 1stdibs. And let’s not forget birth signs. What Leo wouldn’t love this lion pendant?…
Jewel of the Month: Stars on Your Ears
When I like a style, I like it … Joan Jett released “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” in 1981, and I’m wearing a version of her haircut FORTY YEARS LATER. Designer Stephen Sprouse put DayGlo colors on the runway in 1984, and I’m still obsessed. And I’ve wanted Freddie Mercury’s cool star sunglasses since Queen’s…
Specially Priced Wendy Brandes Jewelry on 1stdibs
Photographer George De Castro Day and designer/stylist/model Stacy Lomman — my dream team — have been helping me take some fresh “as seen on” jewelry photos over the past week. I’ve been wanting to do this for ages! I’m so excited that I put all the freshly photographed designs on sale on 1stdibs for the…
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in Story Magazine
In my previous post, I thanked stylist and fashion journalist Marian Kwei for putting my Queen of Scots tiara on model/DJ Tolula Adeyemi for an Oscar party AND writing it all up for Story Magazine. Marian is a full-service operation! After the Oscars, Marian did so much more for me and turned my jewelry into…
Tonight’s Must-See TV: The Blacklist
Tonight! 8 p.m. (ET)! NBC! You need to watch The Blacklist, starring James Spader. One of my jewelry designs is making a guest appearance in Season 8, Episode 16. I’m not giving anything away the jewel’s identity yet … and neither is the trailer. My jewelry shot its scenes last month, so I was surprised…
Jewel of the Month: Inspired by Lil Nas X
In 2019, 19-year-old rapper Lil Nas X vaulted from TikTok meme maker lauded by Justin Bieber to record-breaking mainstream success with his country-rap song “Old Town Road,” and there are so many things I love about this story. First of all, this song appealed to every age group, from toddlers to their grandparents. If you…
Feeling Fancy at Wendy Brandes Jewelry
If you haven’t visited my online store in a minute, come on by! I’ve done a few renovations. My updated homepage now has a slideshow that explains each collection. The first slide is my gold collection. Gold always comes first with me — the first serious designs for my line were done in 18K yellow…