I designed my 18K gold and diamond Mia scent locket in 2006. A scent locket isn’t a new concept. (It’s designed so the wearer can put solid perfume in the locket; the openings in the locket allow the fragrance to waft out.) It’s easy to find vintage scent lockets as well as modern-day costume-jewelry versions….
Jewelry
Rick Ross and My Dream Jewelry Job
Lately, I’ve become kind of obsessed with the hunka hunka burning love that is rapper Rick Ross. It’s not just because he’s gorgeous …. … or because he has one great song … … or because he’s a former corrections officer who took his stage name from notorious crack kingpin “Freeway” Ricky Ross, who then…
Minx Manicure and a Sneak Peek
Here’s my latest Minx manicure by celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival. I’ve eyed this metallic red Minx for a while. I’m glad I finally went for it. You can also see the underside of a new ring design. It matches one of my necklaces. Can you figure out which necklace it is? UPDATED TO ADD: The…
Jewel of the Month: Tracey’s Custom Engagement Ring
Love at first sight? Nah. When painter/illlustrator Tracey Atkinson first met new-media artist/designer (and my former People.com colleague) Paul Notzold at The Brooklyn Inn in January 2007, romantic lightning didn’t strike. But Paul walked Tracey home in the rain, so she agreed to see him again. Then she gave him a broken umbrella and sent…
Memento Mori Skulls, Now Available in Silver
The silver versions of my Memento Mori skull designs have arrived! I gave you a glimpse of the ring earlier this month, but now I have the earrings and necklace as well. Like nearly all of my jewelry, these pieces are produced in very limited quantity here in New York. I made two of each…
Snakes in My Closet
Right before Snakes on a Plane came out five years ago, a friend and I were so swayed by the pre-opening online hype that we bet MrB that the movie would be a mega-blockbuster. Well, it turned out that the hype was just hype. According to IMDB, the movie’s domestic gross barely topped the production…
The Emoticon Heart Ring Has Two New Friends
My sterling-silver emoticon heart ring — February’s Jewel of the Month — inspired a new acquaintance to say, “I wish I had an emoticon heart for my boyfriend.” Done! Here are my new emoticon heart cufflinks for the boys. While I was at it, I decided to give the ladies a second ring option. If…
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in September’s W Magazine
I’m thrilled that my turquoise-and-carnelian Hathor swivel ring appears — carnelian side up — on page 401 of September’s issue of W Magazine. Thanks, W peeps! For more information on the Hathor ring, as well as lots of photos of the ring and matching earrings, read my November 2010 Jewel of the Month blog post.
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in Brides Magazine
Two pairs of my earrings — the Mignonette and the Double Sun — have been featured in the regional fall/winter issues of Brides magazine. Thanks, Brides peeps!
Jewel of the Month: Terri Berry’s Birthday Ring
Today is my gorgeous sister Terri Berry‘s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERRI BERRY! Yesterday, TerriB’s husband, Tim Berry, presented her with a custom ring I designed. TerriB was in on the plan. Earlier this year, when gold was at a then-record-high of $1330 an ounce, I started taking the stones out of old jewelry and selling…