![\"maryj\"](\"http:\/\/wendybrandes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/maryj.jpg\")
<\/a>Click to enlarge.<\/p><\/div>\n
I’m so thrilled to see my jewelry on the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. Mary is such an icon! I think I’m going to spend tonight watching and rewatching this shocking mid-season finale.\u00a0 A big thank you goes out to HTGAWM<\/em> costume designers Lyn Paolo and Ivy Thaide for using this ring, as well as to my dear friend Jessica Cohen<\/a> for making the introduction. <\/p>\n Also yesterday, rising stylist\/creative director Farren<\/a> made sure my jewelry was all over model Bella Hadid for a cover shoot with Paper magazine. Farren sent me some sneak peeks of looks Bella wore, but you’ll have to wait till the January issue comes out to see them. Prepare to be amazed.<\/p>\n Another shout-out goes to Barbara Palumbo of Adornmentality<\/a>. She included my NASTY necklace on her always-hilarious holiday gift guide. Barbara recommends this design for your “Grandma Nora,” who she described as the woman who’s been “…your champion since you could remember. Even when your mom would tell you to ‘sit like a lady’ and not play in the dirt, Grandma Nora would let you do the complete opposite.” I recommend you read the whole characterization, as well as those of Ken, the confused stepbrother; Jesus-loving Aunt Betty; and all the other difficult-to-buy-for characters that Barbara brings to life. <\/p>\n Finally, I’m thrilled to announce the return of my right-hand woman, Eryn Patton, to head brand development for Wendy Brandes Jewelry. Eryn started with me in 2013<\/a>, and then left in 2015 to pursue apparel design<\/a>. She was great at her new job, but she never quite got rid of me. Every time I saw her, I would ask, “Are you ready to come back yet?” You might have noticed her popping up on my Instagram sometimes. If you receive my monthly newsletter, you’ve been getting that from Eryn. She also accompanied me to the JCK jewelry trade show in Las Vegas this spring, where she proved she could stay calm even when she was convinced a big 18K gold ring was lost forever<\/a>. There is no one else who could have managed the jewelry pull we did for Paper yesterday — including all the little stud earrings, we had 130 pieces there! The most I’ve ever sent to a shoot before was probably 10, so this was a logistical challenge. Eryn got everything back safely, of course. (She was wearing her BOSSY necklace<\/a> at the shoot, basically as a warning label.) <\/p>\n If you’re a retailer, stylist, editor, or blogger interested in working with us, you can reach out to Eryn at info at wendybrandes dot com.<\/p>\n\n