A million thanks to Brecken Branstrator of National Jeweler for selecting my two-finger ring design for ANZA Gems as one of her American Gem Trade Association’s Spectrum Award favorites!
National Jeweler had already posted my ring on Instagram last week, but today Brecken included it in her Academy Awards-style blog post on her personal winners, giving it her award for “The Fashion-Forward Piece We’d All Actually Wear.”
Photo of my ring design by National Jeweler.
Brecken wrote:
“In my opinion, this should have been a winner in Spectrum, so I wanted to give it some love here. The candy colors of the stones mixed with a stunning trendy-yet-wearable design, as well as a good cause behind it (the stones are from ANZA Gems, directly benefiting East African mining communities), makes for one winning piece.”
I do pride myself on making sure all of my designs are truly comfortable to wear, and I’m pleased Brecken noticed that. I prioritized wearability after having too many bad experiences with clothes designed by men for women. Ever try to put on a dress with a built-in corset (that hooks in the back) with no assistance? I have, while screaming inwardly, “Only a man who has never worn women’s clothes would think this was okay!” It’s like when shoe designer Christian Louboutin said, “I don’t want to create painful shoes, but it is not my job to create something comfortable.”
As a woman designing for other women, I say that it IS my job to create something comfortable. As I noted on this blog eight years ago:
“I’ve … tested every style for comfort and durability. You’d be surprised how important that is. A jewelry designing dude I know gave me one of his cuffs to wear, and the thing scratched up my arm. I would never let that happen to you.”
Obviously not all of my jewelry is meant to worn 24 hours a day, through all activities. I wouldn’t recommend that you wear an important pair of earrings like my Empress Wu dragon design to go jogging. But I promise you can wear that pair for an eight-hour evening event without yearning for the sweet release of death. One of the things that I enjoy most about fine jewelry is that I can design it and then further adjust it to fit my customers. My customers don’t have to mold themselves to fit my designs!
CLICK HERE TO READ BRECKEN’S BLOG POST.
The desire I have to try that ring on is ridiculous. I can basically feel my fingers itch when I look at it. Just gorgeous.
I’m never going to get to reallllly wear it myself so I share your feeling! LOL.
Wow, congrats, Wendy! That is awesome. I know from wearing 2 of your rings (and I wear them for 8+ hours a day!) that they are durable and strong, and they are the most comfy rings I own (after my wedding ring, ha). I love this bright ring of yours – right up my alley!
YAY! That makes me so happy!
Congratulations Wendy! I couldn’t agree more with Brecken! So glad she singled you (this ring) out! It’s gorgeous and so incredibly unique 🙂
<3
How great! Congratulations. Personally, I appreciate that all of the designs I’ve bought from you are comfortable in addition to being gorgeous.
I’m glad you think so!