It’s the Chinese New Year today — welcome to the Year of the Snake, like it or not! Alas, a lot of people don’t like it very much, according to Friday’s Wall Street Journal. The Snake is seen as less auspicious than the Year of the Dragon that just ended. And there’s another problem when it comes to luck: This is a “blind” year, which doesn’t include the first day of spring. As the Journal explains:
“Because the Chinese use a lunar calendar, the first day of the new year typically falls between late January and mid-February. But spring always starts in early February—this year, on Feb. 4—while the Year of the Snake doesn’t begin until Feb. 10.
That means the Year of the Dragon had two first days of spring—one at the start and one at the end—while the Year of the Snake will have none.”
It’s also challenging to turn a snake into a cuddly children’s toy. Poor snake! I believe in turning perceived faults into assets. If you can’t be adorable, be fierce. The Journal says snakes are also known as little dragons, and that’s the image that influenced me when I did my snake jewelry designs. I’d seen a lot of snake jewelry that made the House of Slytherin’s mascot look toothless. What are those snakes supposed to do? Gum you to death? Boring. I gave my serpents fierce fangs. I started with a necklace …
Queen of Scots snake necklace in 18K yellow gold and onyx with one diamond. $9,000.
Then did complementary earrings in 18K yellow gold …
Queen of Scots snake earrings in 18K gold with two diamonds. $7,500.
… and a combination of 18K rose gold and blackened sterling silver.
Queen of Scots snake earrings in blackened silver and 18K rose gold with diamonds. $3,000.
If those snakes are too ferocious for you, check out my fang-free Cleopatra designs. Inspired by the Nile and the legend of Cleopatra’s deadly asp, the Cleopatra earrings have a snakelike shape but no serpentine features.
My 18K-gold Cleopatra earrings have 1.36 carats of diamonds and were featured in Sex and the City 2. $9,000.
The earrings are 4 1/2″ long but light enough to wear all night. Sometimes, harkening back to my ’80s style preferences, I wear just one Cleopatra earring and mismatched studs in the other ear. I did that on New Year’s Eve.
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If you own any of my single earrings in silver, you can get the silver Cleopatras. That way, you can mix it up like I do or wear the Cleos as a pair depending on your mood.
Cleopatra earrings in sterling silver. $450.
Holla at me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com if you need help purchassssssssssing anything.
Oh wow!! The rose gold and blackened silver snakes are absolutely STUNNING!! I’ve never then the two metals used together, love the look:) xo
I think silver or white gold really makes rose gold pop.
OMG!!!!!! That is still like the hottest picture ever! Donna Summer ain’t got nothin’ on you girl. Well, I mean, she’s… anyway… you know what I mean!
I love every piece in this post. So freaking amazing. So detailed. The diamonds in the eyes! UGH. Insane! LOVE! Plus, it reminds me of that little tune — “In the land of Mars where the ladies smoke cigars…” LOL
I’m blushing!
I never heard that version!
Heehee celebrate with a Wendy Brandes snake, just not a snake of a man! LOVE snakes, so lovely to watch slither & climb. XXX
Do you think there’s a Rosetta Stone for parseltongue?
I’d be first in line! XXX
As a baby of the Earth Snake year and a properly sorted Slytherin, I love snakes! I was a rich girl, I’d wear those blackened silver snake earrings every day of my life. I’m still trying to talk the DH into letting me get the candy cornsnake of my dreams.
He doesn’t think snakes are snuggly??
Happy Year of the Snake, WendyB!
gung hay fat choy! true, the snake is not as auspicious as the dragon, but it’s more yin, more introspective, so more a year of contemplation instead of action 🙂 your designs are always so beautiful!
Gorgeous pieces! I see that you’re not wearing a necklace with your Cleopatra earring. When I wear mine they interfere with my necklace, so I guess, duh, I shouldn’t wear a necklace with them!
I figure the earrings make enough of a statement themselves!