The Lovable Wendy Brandes: Jewelry Designer, Blogger, Leather Girl?

How does one sum up the life of an ex-journalist turned jewelry designer in 500 words or less? Simple: You don't. Wendy Brandes isn't your run-of-the-mill fashion industry tycoon. Complex, personable, and wildly creative, she spends her days (and most evenings) navigating the ins-and-outs of fashion and pop culture via her blog – wbjewelry.blogspot.com – while creating some of the most amazing (and sometimes in-your-face) fine jewelry pieces this side of the Atlantic ocean. And, while the adjectives ‘quirky’ and ‘benevolent’ are rarely used to describe one person, Wendy B. is on a mission to prove us all wrong. (I’m warning you now, this girl has a whip and she knows how to use it!)

I recently had a chance to peel away a few of Wendy’s layers, and I was pleasantly surprised at what I found hiding in there:

Q: Let’s start with the basics. What inspired you to become a jewelry designer? Did you have second career choice?
A: I always had it in the back of my mind that I might do something fashion-related and entrepreneurial someday, but I was dedicated to journalism for more than 10 years. Once I stepped off that career path, I was free to pursue those "maybe...someday" ideas. The jewelry is my third career already! I haven't dreamed up a fourth yet, but if I do I will let you know.

Lady Jane Necklace - photo by SquareMoose. Boleyn Necklace and Queen of Scots Necklace - photo by John Muggenborg.

Q: Snakes, swans and "day of the dead" all in one collection. Where do you get your inspiration? A: Many of my pieces are tributes to notable women throughout history. A piece can be inspired by a woman's reputation, the place where she grew up or something she did. For instance, Mary Queen of Scots was referred to as "the bosom serpent" by advisors to her jailer/cousin Elizabeth I, hence the snake. The fourth wife of Henry the 8th, Anne of Cleves, had an ancestral home whose name translates to "Swan Castle." And the peekaboo skull lockets were named for Juana La Loca of Spain because she liked to peep at her dead husband's body. Pervy, right?

Q: I take it you love what you do. Would you be willing to hold up a sign that says, "Will design jewelry for food" on LaCienaga Blvd?
A: No, honey. It would have to be "Will design jewelry for Champagne." Then we'd have a deal. Beggars CAN be glamorous choosers!

Q: Any famous people walking around with your jewelry on?
A: It's more likely that there are famous people running from the law with my jewelry on. Miss Britney Spears, for one.

Sunflower Ring and Juana Peekaboo Skull Ring - photo by John Muggenborg.

Q: Brandes, that's Dutch. Right? Any ties to the Brandes Pot Shop in the red light district?
A: I usually hear Bohemian/Austrian/Romanian as a source for the name. I don't think anyone really knows the exact origin. It's from "somewhere in Europe." The name of that store explains a few misaddressed but very intriguing packages I've received lately. I kid, U.S. Postal Service! I kid!

Q: Jewelry design. Blogging. Retailing. This looks like hard work. Are you getting much sleep these days?
A: Depends on the Ambien dosage.

Q: Lot's of yummy gold fruit popping up in your collection. Is there a story behind this?
A: I'm a compulsive collector. Once I had fruit #1, the pineapple, I had to make friends for it.

Q: Is their a particular piece in your collection that is most meaningful to you?
A: The Victoria Buckle Ring, which opens up so you can put a secret inscription in it. It's inspired by a Victorian piece. I did it when I wanted to do something to honor my late dog, Mr. Chubbs. I liked that it had room to engrave his name plus it looks a little like a dog collar. I wound up giving my personal Mr. Chubbs ring to a Los Angeles jewelry store called Kaviar & Kind. The idea was that I'd do a blank ring and switch with them. In the meantime, I said, if someone really wants it, just polish out the name and I'll make myself a new one. A young actress came in and bought the ring, but declined to have the name polished out! I like to think of Mr. Chubbs as leading a very glamorous life with her, going to exclusive parties and rehab and so on. He spent most of his real life snoozing under the coffee table, so I'm glad he got this chance to get his party on.

Q: Okay, everybody wants to know about the myriad of S&M references on your blog (e.g. "Kneel before Wendy Brandes," latex leggings, thigh high boots, bat shoes...) Anything you want to tell us?
A: Not that I want my mother to read!

Q: So, what does 2008 hold for Wendy Brandes?
A: Madonna once told Dick Clark that she wanted to rule the world. That worked out pretty well for her, so I'll go for "world domination" as well. Kneel before Wendy!

You can check out Wendy’s amazing creations at: http://www.wendybrandes.com/