Not long ago, I blogged enhancing getting my jewelry collection and expressed my desire to buy some nice pieces for myself.  My goal for the end of the year was to buy a great piece that I could wear everyday and that would embody my personality. I also knew that I wanted a piece from Wendy Brandes, and after a lot of deliberation on my part, I settled on a piece:  the Juana skull necklace.

The necklace is named after Juana of Castile.   I remember hearing her name thrown around briefly during a lecture in a college history class, but we only spent about 5 minutes discussing her before moving on. However, was her nickname: Juana “La Loca”.Many people like to focus on the fact that she had a passionate marriage with her husband, Archduke Philip, Duke of Burgundy, or “Phillip the Handsome”, whom it is said she was obsessed with.  At his death, she periodically asked for his coffin to be opened to get another peak and reportedly refused to allow any women near his coffin.  His death is rumored to have contributed further to her mental deterioration.  However, let’s not overlook the fact that said husband continually attempted to usurp her birthrights to her crown while he was alive.  Just to wrap this charming story up, she was later confined to a windowless room for the rest of her life–almost 50 years– where it is believed she really earned the nickname “La Loca”.

Looking at the Juana necklace and remembering the story, I could definitely feel the inspiration for the piece. The two sparkling white sapphires and the sterling silver compliment one another so well. I’ve been wearing “La Loca” with everything and it never feels out of place to me. Exactly what I wanted in a great piece of jewelry.

So thank you, Wendy B, for making the very awesome Juana “La Loca” necklace!