Fly Over to Hummingbird Jewelers in Rhinebeck!

I’ve been selling exclusively online for over a year now so I’m super-excited to announce a rare opportunity for jewelry lovers to try on some of my best-known 18K gold designs at Hummingbird Jewelers in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Thank you to Bruce and Peggy and the rest of the Hummingbird team for putting together this gorgeous display window!

You can see the individual pieces in this close-up.

In the back, the three layered necklaces are, from the top down, my limited-edition acorn and squirrel locket; my chicken-in-egg locket; and my Papessa prayer locket. Check out the acorn locket in action.

At the bottom of the window are, from the left, my Cleves swan ring with white diamonds; my Sophie twisting-heart pendant; my Mia locket ring above my Victoria buckle ring; my Mia locket pendant; and the Cleves swan ring with black diamonds. Nearly everything is limited edition, meaning no more than five of the style will EVER be made. The only two pieces that aren’t limited edition are true one-of-a-kinds: the matching Mia locket pendant and ring. If you buy one or both of those, that’s it! You will have the only Wendy Brandes Mia necklace and/or ring in existence. (However, if you buy either the locket or the locket ring and then want matching earrings, I will create those especially for you.)

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that my jewelry is story-driven and intricate. Look at the Sophie twisting-heart pendant, for instance.

Not every retailer feels comfortable with such complicated work, which is part of why I moved back online where I can advise customers personally — even if it’s by email. But Hummingbird is exceptional when it comes to customer service, which is why it is now one of a handful of fine-jewelry stores that will be showing a selection of my designs to their clientele for short periods of time. Think of it like a slow-motion trunk show. Instead of having to make your purchase decision during a designer’s one- or two-day visit to a location, you’ll have a week or two to decide which piece you love most.

Hummingbird is also participating in my brand-new Concierge Service. The Concierge Service means that if you are a Hummingbird customer and wish to try on some of my other designs, I will send those to the store for you to experience in person. You’ll get to sit down, have something to drink, see how those designs look on you, appreciate the heft of the gold and the sparkle of the gems … and maybe even model your favorite design for someone who wants get you a special gift! (The family that buys jewelry together stays together!) Going to one of my concierge partners is the only way to try on so many of my pieces at once outside of New York City. Because I’m a small business dealing with unique luxury goods, all sales on my website are final, and I definitely can’t send — for instance — my seven one-of-a-kind Maneater rings to a curious customer. But if you’d like to see them at Hummingbird, all you have to do is ask the lovely staff there, and you’ll have my award-winning Pink Elephant and Tipsy Writer Maneater ring on your finger in a day or two.

Here’s how to get in touch with Hummingbird:

By the way, those designs are completely exclusive to Hummingbird as long as they are at the store. They’re not available on my website now, and who knows if they ever will be again! Hummingbird will also give you a beautiful card describing my inspiration for the design. The story is everything!