My Jewel of the Month posts highlight my newest jewelry designs — or, occasionally, existing designs that suit the season/holiday. Here’s what was hot in 2012. Click the photos to read the original posts. In January, I answered the question “Is it okay to mix metals?” with a resounding, “Hell, yeah!” February isn’t always about…
jewel of the month
Jewels of the Month: Hugs and Kisses for the Holidays
I got all excited about single stud earrings when I introduced my hashtag and “at sign” options in October. Single earrings were my passion in the ’80s, and I’ve been wanting to add them to my WENDYB by Wendy Brandes line for ages. I have several new single-earring designs coming out. I picked them up…
Jewel of the Month: Mid-Finger Ring Monogram Mania
Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal had a story on how monogramming is hot for the holidays, so I took that as a sign that my new letter/punctuation mid-finger rings should be November’s Jewel of the Month! I gave you a sneak peek at these additions to my WENDYB by Wendy Brandes diffusion line last month. Now…
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…
Jewel of the Month: Chunky Juana Skull Ring
A couple of years ago, I gave gorgeous blogger/designer Stacy Lomman one of my sterling-silver Juana skull necklaces as a birthday gift. The eyes are white sapphires. I have a number of Juana pieces. They are named after Juana “la Loca,” the 16th-century queen of Castile and a daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand, the “Catholic…
Jewel of the Month: Pearl Cufflinks for MrB’s Birthday
Today is MrB’s birthday: He’s turned the big Seven-Oh! A 70th birthday requires serious celebration, so over the weekend I organized a surprise dinner attended by his four children and two grandchildren. (Thanks to the peeps who flew from California and Florida for it.) I held it a few days before his birthday to throw…
Jewel of the Month: Lori’s Engagement Ring
I make custom engagement rings for all budgets and, as I’ve said before, I prefer the woman to be involved in the design. If the bride-to-be is not personally meeting with me because the man (or woman) who is proposing is trying to maintain some element of surprise, I want him (or her) to come…
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…
I’m SMH at Topshop’s Version of My Swear Rings
The sterling-silver swear-ring set from my WENDYB by Wendy Brandes line has been one of my most popular designs since I introduced it at a designer friend’s runway show in 2008. Word and letter jewelry has been around for ages, and I’m not the first designer to do “Fuck” jewelry. I’ve said myself that there’s nothing…
Jewel of the Month: Mindy’s Redesigned Engagement Ring
April’s birthstone is a diamond, so my Jewel of the Month is a redesigned diamond engagement ring. I met gorgeous client Mindy through my equally gorgeous friend Tina during Tina’s birthday festivities in Las Vegas. Mindy was wearing her wedding band, but not her engagement ring. Because we were in Vegas, I was hoping Mindy…