I don’t normally write about other jewelry designers, but I have to make an exception for one of the greats — the famed Swiss jeweler Otto Künzli. I can’t stop thinking about a well-known bracelet he made in 1980. It’s apparently at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, though not on display, so the closest…
queens
Jewel of the Month: Marie Antoinette Earrings
Today is the 219th anniversary of Marie Antoinette’s execution by guillotine. I first created a ring in the French queen’s honor in 2008. Many of my jewelry designs are inspired by royalty, and no royal-themed collection is complete without an Antoinette piece. My ring, in the royal colors of purple and green, features a custom-cut…
Shontelle Shows Two Clemence Rings Are Even Better Than One
Quite a few people have stacked two of my Clemence rings together, but I’ve never managed to get a picture. Gorgeous singer Shontelle (“Impossible“) ended my photo drought last Wednesday when she performed and modeled at the “Real Fashion, Real Women” show benefiting Bottomless Closet. She wore my 18K-gold Clemence ring in rock crystal and…
MTV VMA Fashion: Short Hair Don’t Care
I was digging the short hairdos at MTV’s Video Music Awards last night. Of course, Pink has been a devotee of short hair for years. But she had more company than usual at the VMAs. Miley Cyrus went short last month, and her hair looked great glammed up for the event. I’ve adored many of…
This Is as Naked as I’ve Ever Been on This Blog
The blogosphere is amazing. In yesterday’s post, I joked that my next career should be “paper doll.” That career is now underway thanks to the gorgeous and artistic Megan Mae of Megan Mae Daily. Here is the WendyB doll that Megan drew for me. As you can see, Megan nailed my cross-legged pose. The doll…
Vogue Paris Features Wendy Brandes Jewelry
In case you missed my excited tweets yesterday, Vogue Paris picked my Empress Wu dragon ring for its “le bijou du jour” website feature. I liked the way the story referred to me as “la créatrice new-yorkaise.” I also liked what supermodel Christy Turlington wrote about my ring on Vogue’s Facebook page. However, “a bit…
London Bloggers, the Queen and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Cobbler
Tomorrow is the 4th of July. Normally, I’d be packing to go to London to visit my peeps there. Then I’d go on to Paris for Bastille Day. But my summer travel got pushed up to June this year. I didn’t have time to blog about the trip as it was happening because I spent…
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…
Snakes on My Fingers, Snakes on My Lobes
April’s gold manicure — my third with Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips — didn’t last as long as my previous Sally Hansen manicures, so celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival gave me a new look sooner than expected. The “” strips are holding up nicely. Three out of four ain’t bad! I’m enjoying this look….
Jewel of the Month: Aquamarine, March’s Birthstone
All you March babies are entitled to a fabulous birthday gift this month, and I’ve got the perfect thing. I made one of my 18K gold Livia poison rings with March’s birthstone, aquamarine. My aquamarine is a curved, polished cabochon, rather than the more typical faceted gem. The cut gives the stone a soft, gorgeous…