I finally finished and photographed the owl pendant that I mentioned four months ago. The pendant is rock crystal and onyx, set in 18K yellow gold. The prongs at the bottom are designed to look like clawsOwl Necklace © Wendy Brandes 2007-2008Photography by SquareMoose The back view of the beautiful handmade settingOwl Necklace © Wendy…
my designs
Adventures in Arizona, Part II
As I started telling you, I spent last weekend at the Tucson Gem Show before visiting the beauteous sister bloggers Jennifer and Megan in Phoenix. I bought a few great stones, but I never tell people about the pieces I’m working on until they’re finished, so you’ll have to wait! My husband came along. He…
Thursday Book Club: Lady Jane Grey
Infamous New York Post headline from 1982 If only the New York Post had been around in 16th century England! Imagine what the ink-stained wretches at Ye Olde Tabloid would have done with the story of Lady Jane Grey, the headless teen queen whose reign was as brief as the love between Dennis Rodman and…
Hearts and Blouses for Valentine’s Day
Yoox is having a cutely named “Be My Valentino” sale of Valentino items through Feb. 14. You have to register for the site to shop the sale. How do you pronounce “Yoox,” anyway? Inquiring minds want to know. A romantic Valentino top Also, my Sophie heart necklace is about to be sent off to its…
Thank You, Thank You!
Thank you to all the gorgeous clients who fought their way through a monsoon to come to my trunk show last night. Congratulations to Christine, who won the diamond earrings in the drawing! Among the pieces sold were: Sunflower Ring Dewdrop Earrings in green amethyst Medici Poison Ring And there’s even more to be grateful…
"I Gave It All to Your Cousin Josephine!"
I love this scene from The Sopranos. Tony and his murderous mother Livia are fighting about her future, including the dispensation of her good jewelry. My Livia Poison Ring wasn’t inspired by Livia Soprano, though I’m sure she would have found it useful. Livia Poison Ring in 18K yellow gold and diamonds© Wendy Brandes 2007-2008Photo…
Protected: Happy Delurking Week!
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Book Club: Shopping Under the Influence
I was determined to get back into my royal lady book posts today, but I seem to have misplaced the Empress Wu novel that I was working on. Plus, I’m feeling a bit flu-ish, which has sapped me of the energy necessary to tear through the house on a mad search for Empress Wu, especially…
I Will Have Crazy Traffic After This Post*
Holy Coco’s ass, people! You’ve come to the right place if you want to learn how to dress your Chinese dog like Ian Curtis in Kova & T latex leggings, Kanye West sunglasses, and an Anne Boleyn necklace. However, I cannot confirm whether Kelly Valen wears J. Crew sweaters. *Dedicated to my most popular search…
Jewelry in Black and White
Here are two of the four rings I wore on New Year’s in dramatic black and white. I’m amused because I’m wearing my two-stone Clemence ring with rock crystal and black spinel. Does a black and white ring shot in black and white equal “black and white squared”? Photo by Tana Lee Alves Here’s a…