I unofficially revealed February’s Jewel of the Month over the weekend. I just couldn’t resist posting this photo of the WTF ring set — worn by model Tina J for my lookbook shoot — as soon as I got it. Here’s a closer look at the rings. These rings are sterling silver with adjustable bands…
necklaces
Foghorn Leghorn Would Say, “That’s a Joke, Son!”
In 2001, when I did my first jewelry designs — my own engagement ring and wedding band — I opted for a lot of exposed metal surface with a satin finish. I wanted to do something that contrasted with the popular “bling” look of high-polished white metal dripping with pavé diamonds. I was tired of…
What Wendy Wore: Thanksgiving and a Birthday
Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday. There’s too much food and football, and a dearth of costumes, confetti and candy dioramas. I was happy to shake things up by going to a restaurant instead of having dinner at home. So happy, in fact, that I celebrated by wearing something other than my jeans-and-t-shirt uniform. What…
Jewel of the Month: WendyB’s Redesigned Pearl Pendant
If you read this blog regularly, you know that I love redesigning old jewelry. Here are a few examples: Susan’s engagement ring got a major overhaul. Heather’s diamond earrings turned up on her engagement ring. Terri Berry’s earrings and necklace became new earrings and a ring. In the summer of 2010, I started thinking about…
What Wendy Wore: Patrick Kelly, Kanye West, King Lear
This seems to be my month for dusting off dresses that have been hibernating in my closet for two years. On Saturday, I wore my gold-sequin Antik Batik dress — last worn in December 2009 — in Las Vegas. Then, on Monday, I wore the bow-covered vintage Patrick Kelly dress that I last wore out…
“Leaf Me Alone” Minx Manicure by Tracylee Percival
This double-layer Minx manicure by celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival (yes, I call her “celebrity manicurist” to her face) is named “Leaf Me Alone.” It’s a transparent layer of Minx adorned with silver leaves applied over an opaque gold layer. (What’s Minx? Click here and here for more information.) In the photo above, I’m holding a…
My Latest Favorite Necklace: Skull and Bones
I’ve been wearing my ruby-eyed 18K yellow gold Memento Mori skull necklace nearly every day for months. I’m going to switch to my gold and silver “pile of bones” version for a while. Just because! Do you switch up every component of your look constantly or are you lazy like me, wearing the same thing…
My Virginia Woolf Whistle Necklace in and on ELLE
Thanks to everyone for your nice notes about my Virginia Woolf Whistle necklace‘s appearance in November’s ELLE! I thought I’d give you one more view of the whistle’s size. Here’s the real-life necklace next to ELLE’s photo. UPDATED TO ADD: Click here for my original post on this design.
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in November ELLE
Where is the year going? October is flying by and my mind is still in July. I’m certainly not ready for November. But the arrival of the November issue of ELLE with Jennifer Aniston on the cover is okay with me, because my 18K gold and diamond Virginia Woolf Whistle necklace is prominently featured on…
Rick Ross and My Dream Jewelry Job
Lately, I’ve become kind of obsessed with the hunka hunka burning love that is rapper Rick Ross. It’s not just because he’s gorgeous …. … or because he has one great song … … or because he’s a former corrections officer who took his stage name from notorious crack kingpin “Freeway” Ricky Ross, who then…