One of the results of having your own business is that it educates you about how much it costs to make a product or offer a service. I’ve written about some of the issues that affect fine-jewelry manufacturing costs — and, as a result, retail prices — in my “Get Smart” series of posts. I…
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Jewels of the Month: Sulky and IDGAF Necklaces
I’m constantly working on new jewelry. I have three 18K gold pieces in the works, as well as one silver ring. I also have wax models made for two other 18K gold pieces and I’ve got ideas for dozens of other designs that I’ll do when I can afford them. Getting started on a new…
Topshop Drama Drags On; Letter Rings for Sale
Topshop has announced a new designer collaboration. Not with me, sillies! Instead, the U.K.-based fast-fashion chain struck a deal with 27-year-old British designer J.W. Anderson. Apparently, he’s an up-and-comer, but he’s certainly not a Margiela, Lagerfeld or Versace as far as name recognition goes. The latter three designers/design houses have all worked with H&M, a…
I’m SMH at Topshop’s Version of My Swear Rings
The sterling-silver swear-ring set from my WENDYB by Wendy Brandes line has been one of my most popular designs since I introduced it at a designer friend’s runway show in 2008. Word and letter jewelry has been around for ages, and I’m not the first designer to do “Fuck” jewelry. I’ve said myself that there’s nothing…
Introducing WENDYB by Wendy Brandes
I’ve been quietly designing two jewelry lines for a while. My signature Wendy Brandes line consists of my ultra-luxurious, hyper-detailed, mechanical pieces in 18K yellow gold or platinum. These pieces are typical of that aesthetic. Other designs — such as my swear rings and Mud Flap Jill necklaces — are more playful, modern and a…
New Rings Galore: Daisies, Skulls and Punctuation
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….
Fourth Blogversary
On this date in 2007, I published a post called “Just a placeholder,” which said, “I’m going to start this blog soon but right now I’m busy redesigning my regular website.” Two days later, Britney Spears stole one of my rings. That simply had to be blogged and suddenly I was off and running. I…
No Cheap Tops for Me, But a Good Reminder About Rarity
At the end of last month, an article in the Wall Street Journal — by my former colleague Teri Agins — caught my eye. It was about the awesome tops she found at fast-fashion stores for under $30. Lately, I’m desperate for separates that aren’t black t-shirts, so I was inspired to venture into Forever…
Buy Gold and Your Investment Will Double Overnight. Promise!
A couple of weeks ago, I emailed a manufacturer about producing a pendant that I last made in 2009. I never got a reply, so when I went to visit him about an engagement ring I was working on, I asked, “What’s up with that pendant?” He turned green. He really did! Not solid, Kermit-the-frog,…
Beautifully Invisible, the Vampire Diana Ring and True Blood
I love it when my gorgeous clients take beautiful pictures of their new WendyB jewelry. Blogger Beautifully Invisible always amazes me with her photos, thanks to the quality of the photography as well as her lovely hands. I put her picture of my swear rings on my website a while ago. Beautifully Invisible recently purchased…