Can you believe September is almost over? That means it’s a good time for the official debut of my opal birthstone jewelry, now available by special order for October birthdays and beyond. I’ve been working on this little suite of designs all year. You’ve had glimpses of the collection since March when I started wearing…
Jewelry
Wednesday’s Video: The Story’s in the Metal
This week’s YouTube video provides one answer to the frequently asked question of “Where do you get your inspiration?” For me, jewelry design is all about the metal (18K yellow gold, usually) rather than the gems. As a bonus, you get a lecture on 12th-century English history. Seriously! The jacket I’m wearing in the video…
Throwback Thursday: Paris in June
In June, MrB and I visited three cities in Europe. MrB was giving speeches and/or participating in panels everywhere, and I went along for the ride! Paris was first. When MrB wasn’t busy, we walked around by the Eiffel Tower, because I can never take too many pictures of that. On our way there, we…
Wednesday’s Video: Engagement-Ring Advice
I’ve written about the problems of using nontraditional gems in engagement rings: People are just too tough on everyday rings to mess around with pearls! That’s why I prefer to use only the hardest gems in engagement rings. Diamonds, for instance, rate a perfect 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, while rubies and sapphires (aka…
Jewelry Peeps! Come See Me in NYC & Portland
I will be on panels at two jewelry-related events in the next few weeks. First up is a New York Jewelers Group event on Tuesday, Sept. 26. I’ll be on a panel about how the jewelry industry and jewelry customers are changing. If you’re on the West Coast, you can catch me at the Portland…
Wednesday’s Video: Jewelry Cleaning & Repairs
I was inspired to do this week’s YouTube video about jewelry cleaning and repairs because customers frequently bring other designers’ fine jewelry to me, desperate for help. Accordingly, I’ve got advice for jewelry customers and other designers/retailers. Remember: If you are my customer, please bring (or mail) your Wendy Brandes jewelry back to me if…
Solar Eclipse Video: Moon-Inspired Jewelry
I’m sharing this week’s YouTube video a couple of days earlier than usual because it’s inspired by today’s solar eclipse. Sun- and moon-themed jewelry is quite common. In the sun category, I’ve had my Gloriana necklace style around for a long time. Usually I prefer the 18K yellow gold version, but white gold is nice…
Wednesday’s Video: Wendy Brandes Wedding
I recently kicked off my Wendy Brandes Wedding collection with an 18K gold snake tiara … … that was modeled by my gorgeous friend Alyssa Brownell. This week’s YouTube video is about the general concept behind my wedding collection and the three tiers of jewelry available: fully custom, one-of-a-kind inventory, and customizable semi-mount settings. While…
Jewel of the Month: Toi et Moi Ring for ANZA Gems
For a long time, the primary birthstone for the month of August was the beautiful green peridot. Accordingly, the ring that I’ve chosen for this August’s Jewel of the Month features a beautiful green … tourmaline. Ha! Fooled ya! Check out the new design in this video by A Thousand Facets. Absolutely stunning ring by…
Here Comes the Bride!
Woot! We’ve got the official photos of our beautiful bride, Alyssa Brownell, wearing my 18K gold snake tiara as her “something borrowed” at her wedding last month in Manhattan. These were taken by my own wedding photographer, Bill Fredericks, for Heathwood Photography. In addition to the tiara, Alyssa wore my Cleves swan earrings in 18K…