A Crown for the Queen

Vanessa Edwards, Krewe of Venus

Vanessa Edwards has long been the queen of custom design at Pav & Broome Fine Jewelry, but this year, she expanded her kingdom by becoming the Queen of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Venus and wanted to create a memento to remember her reign.

“I had the pleasure and privilege of being a charter member of the Krewe of Venus here on the Gulf Coast, but we moved away shortly after that. Approximately 5 years ago, a dear friend suggested I join her Mardi Gras krewe whose motto was just ‘to have a ball’, a group who wanted to meet several times a year and have a formal Mardi Gras ball to celebrate. Lo and behold, it was the same krewe I was a part of so many years before. I have been a part of the Krewe for the last five years, serving in different capacities. I have been on the board as well and twice I have “rented” my husband out as a duke for two different ladies who needed an escort.

This year marks the 30^th anniversary, and my husband kept asking when I was going to be on the court or queen, so this summer I put my name in the drawing for the position of queen and got it!  I will become the 30^th Queen Venus when we hold our ball on February 15^th at the Hollywood Casino.

I’ve always enjoyed designing the crowns and jewelry for some of our carnival krewes here on the Coast, and I knew if I was ever on a court, I’d have something made for myself, custom of course!  I chose a ring so that I could wear it more frequently and a band style that could be dressed up with a diamond band underneath or worn on its own for a more casual everyday look.  It has been a conversation piece, and I can’t tell you how many people want to try it on.  I think we all want to be ‘royals’ a little bit.”

Whatever the occasion, we can design and create something to commemorate, celebrate and memorialize your special moments meant to last.