The solid-gold Queen of Scots snake tiara that I unveiled (ha!) last month on gorgeous bride Alyssa Brownell was the start of something new: The Wendy Brandes Wedding collection. Thank you to Brecken Branstrator, who covered the new collection for National Jeweler today. She was a nominee in the editorial category at last week’s Womens’…
The Weeks in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what’s been on the blog recently. Monday, July 17: My emoji jewelry is made in America. Tuesday, July 18: The Jewel of the Month is my 18K gold snake tiara. Wednesday, July 19: This week’s YouTube video was about jewelry with a prize inside. Thursday, July 20: My friend…
What Wendy Wore: WJA Awards for Excellence
When I was nominated for a Women’s Jewelry Association award last month, MrB asked if I would be wearing a recently acquired dress to the dinner, or if I needed an even newer dress (What a nice man, right?). I said no to both. I wanted to wear a ’20s-style dress I got 10 years…
A Health Insurance Horror Story
I have to interrupt my happy posts about the Women’s Jewelry Association Awards for Excellence to share a friend’s personal story about the fatal consequences of not having health insurance. The news today has been insane as Republican Senators strive to pass a “skinny” healthcare bill — the details of which weren’t announced until close…
Wednesday’s Videos: I’m a WJA Winner!
A huge, huge thank you to the Women’s Jewelry Association for honoring me with an Award for Excellence for design Monday night! I was nominated for this award last year but didn’t win, and I sincerely expected the same result this year. The award recognizes a body of work, rather than a single design, and…
What Wendy Wore: The Blogversary Sweater
Ten years ago, MrB and I visited Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. I wore my Boleyn initial necklace. A photo we took that day was the first picture of myself on this blog, posted on July 27, 2007. As I wrote yesterday, I didn’t expect to be making a big commitment when…
A Big Blogversary: I’m Turning 10!
Can you believe it? It’s my 10th blogversary! Since July 23, 2007, I’ve published almost 3,500 posts. To those of you who have reading me from the beginning — thank you for sticking around! And a thank you also to the newer people for joining in, whenever you joined in! In this special blogversary video,…
Rihanna Gives Me Non-Buyer’s Remorse
I don’t suffer buyer’s remorse too often, but I do sometimes get non-buyer’s remorse. Last year, it was these Pucci boots. This year, it’s the poufy, tulle Oscar de la Renta gown I tried on at the Los Angeles store Decades in February. That one has always nagged at me, and I was reminded of…
Monika Reports on the Young Royals
This is random, but too exciting not to share: When Prince William and Princess Kate visited Poland this week, my Warsaw-based friend Monika was part of the crowd that turned out to greet them. Okay, anyone can join a big crowd, right? But not just anyone can get to the front of the crowd, shake…
Wednesday’s Video: Jewelry With a Prize Inside
In today’s YouTube video, I talk about some of my locket designs and their inspirations, which range from Victorian mourning jewelry to a salty/sweet snack. Seriously! Subscribe to my YouTube channel so that you don’t miss the next video. It’s an extra-special one!