nature Jewelry

Trillium Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on May 25, 2013
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a Comment

A friend of mine asked me to make a special piece for him.
He did some sketches
and after a little discussion
I was able to create the Trillium Amulet.

Trillium Amulet

Trillium Amulet

In his own words:

“I am very blessed by the people in my life. Several months ago, I was looking for a way to represent “Home”. I debated lots of different options most of which had “3′s” in them. Then I came across a post I sent to a friend explaining what a trillium flower was.

“This particular type of Trillium is native to the Great Smokey Mountains of Tn, Ky, NC, and Ga. I have always had them near me except when I lived in Nevada and West Tennessee. I have never know them in such abundance as where I live now in the house I share with Kaly in the foothills of the Smokey’s.

“The name of this species is Trillium Lutem, The Three Fold Flame. I then drew the sketch. Originally it was three circles representing the three worlds of Creation. I removed the center circle which represented Annwn, the Otherworld or the Triple Flame of Creation and replaced it with the Trillium Luteum.

“I sent this picture to my friend and master silversmith Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin with a request that he produce it in silver for me. After some discussion and a bit of magick on his part, the master for the amulet.”

The Trillium Amulet is of solid sterling silver
featuring a Trillium Flower
framed in circles of light and vine
hung with a back bail for wearing with a chain or cord.
This piece is a limited edition amulet
available only to the person who commissioned it
and considered a “Private design”;
not available to the public.

If you would like a piece made specially for you,
Please visit my how to order Custom Jewelry page.

Spring Wreath Brooch

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 23, 2013
Posted in: Brooches, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

At Renaissance Faires
one sees may ladies crowned
with a circlet of flowers like this.
Often there are booths
where fresh and straw flowers
are twisted tied
fashioned into
wreaths and circlets.

Spring Wreath Brooch

Spring Wreath Brooch

Orchid,
rose, daisy
and other blossoms
with accompanied foliage
ornament this this wreath of Spring.

Crowned with blooms
and fashioned like a circlet
with twisted stems behind,
this sculpture of a circlet
has a brooch pin for your scarf,
jacket, cape or cloak.
Perfect of Ren Fair enthusiasts
and lovers of Spring.

2 1/4” by 1 1/2” with the classic hing-and-clasp brooch back
Available in Sterling silver and bronze
Where to get your Spring Wreath Brooch

The Acorn Brooch

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on February 26, 2013
Posted in: Brooches, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

A spray of Autumn: Acorns, oak leaves, pine cone and other flora makes this brooch a classic adornment for cloaks, capes, scarves and jackets.

The Acorn Brooch

The Acorn Brooch

A hinged pin with a secure catch behind the piece provides a secure fastening to your garment. One and one half inches wide, this deep carving of Autumnal leaf and seed adds class to any ensemble. To get yours, please visit my Acorn Brooch page.

The Raven Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 1, 2012
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Lore, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Corvus Corax:
the Raven is a rather large Black Crow of higher intelligence than one might think.
Creative,
imaginative and superior in problem solving,
this bird has been revered in myth and legend for centuries;
and no wounder:
the brain pan of this noble bird
is one of the largest of birds.

The Raven Amulet

The Raven Amulet

Among the Norse,
Raven banner standards were carried by Jarls of Orkney,
King Canute the Great of England,
Norway and Denmark, and Harald Hardrada.
Symbolic to the Celts the Goddess Morrígan
alighted on the hero Cú Chulainn’s shoulder
in the form of a raven after his death.

Bran the Blessed translates to raven
whose head was buried in the White Hill of London as a talisman
against invasion Of the Tlingit and Haida cultures,
the Raven was both a Trickster and Creator god.

Even in Edger Allen Poe’s famous poem The Raven is a harbinger of thought provoking tidings.

In my collection of jewelry,
I have created a Raven flying across the sky,
the his wings resting on the wind.

Please visit my Raven Amulet Page.

The Maple Leaf Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on May 28, 2012
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, nature Jewelry, Rings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

A complete circle of Maple Leaves made into a ring.
The Maple (In Celtic Lore) is a tree attributed to attraction
or a “drawing” in a very positive way.

In Celtic Arbostrology, much like Astrology,
yet based in Druid Tree Lore, the most common description is:

The Maple Tree

(Independent personality) – no ordinary person,

full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved,

good memory, learns easily, self-confident, hungers for new experiences,

sometimes nervous, has many complexities, complicated love life,

    ambitious, proud, wants to impress.

April 11 – 20
October 14 – 23

By focusing on the best qualities of the Maple
one may harness the symbolism of the Tree in One’s life.
In it’s best aspect the Maple is a tree of Health and Longevity;
drawing helpful and positive spirits and energy.
Wearing the Maple leaf Ring will help One to focus on positive goals,
helping others to succeed and providing a nourishing environment for all concerned.

The Maple Leaf Ring

The Maple Leaf Ring

Solid, detailed and durable, each ring is made to order,
unusual rings sizes are no problem.
I provide the option for an inscription in the inside.
Price is provided is for sterling silver, gold prices upon request.
To order, please visit my Maple Leaf Ring page.

The Little Sun Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 23, 2012
Posted in: Amulets, nature Jewelry, Zodiac Amulets. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Inspired by the Rider Deck, this famous tarot symbol represents the solar aspect of creation. The Sun provides light and warmth to our world, it is not surprising that the Star was anthropomorphized with human like qualities. In my article concerning the Sun Amulet in my Tarot series, I described how the concept of a countenance on the sun was considered. The solar globe is quite literally a ball of fire with no human like qualities, yet we see through out various cultures a human face ascribed to it.

The Little Sun Amulet

We do this with most things: we place a human face on things we find strange or incomprehensible; in this way we may begin to relate to it in a way we may understand.

A smiling Solar Face beams down upon us giving light and warmth to all who may receive it. A classic image of spring and summer, beach bunnies and those who acknowledge the Sun God of Old. This rendering of the Sun gently smiles upon us from beyond our reach. The twelve rays represent the zodiac and ringed together to complete the Amulet.

This piece is ¾” in sterling silver: available in gold – prices upon request. To get yours, please visit my Little sun Amulet page.

The Crystal Lantern

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 9, 2012
Posted in: Amulets, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

This was originally to be a “repair job”.

The Crystal Lantern

A client asked me to fix a piece she had worn for many years. As does with most things, it wore out in some places and broke in others. After spending some time with it I spoke with her about simply “re-doing” the pendant, however instead of duplicating the piece, I altered the design.

The stones are in the same configuration, an amethyst positioned above the top point of a double terminated Quartz and an opal mounted in the front. The alterations were in the metal. These were simple bands of silver. Replaced with a new design: the setting of the quarts is now a lantern with vines and leaves growing all around it, creating settings for the other stones. The handle of the lantern is again wrapped in vines and leaves.

The result is a heavier piece, but used as a pendulum, the extra weight gives it more of a “swing”. Shown here it is mounted on a fresh chain.

This one of a kind Crystal Lantern now is in a private collection. If you wish to have something unique made for you, please visit my How to order custom page.

Root and Star Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on February 23, 2012
Posted in: nature Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Rings, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 comment

One of my favorite subjects is root and branch designs. When I received a call from a fellow who wanted a custom ring, his description was: “Please make me a Pentacle ring with roots stretching down the sides of the ring”, I was enthusiastic! After a quick sketch he “OK’d” through the mail (he doesn’t have internet); I created his Ring.

Root and Star Ring

A Union Root and a Pentacle is a very natural combination. The Pentacle (as describe in an earlier blog) symbolizes the balance and harmony of the elements, this combined with the natural formation of roots may represent the grounding effect of balance, the natural state of peace one receives in a forest and a sense of eternity one experiences in Nature.

Solid, Heavy Sterling Silver with a strong patina to highlight the contrasting shapes and accent the depth of the carving. This Unique, One-of-a-kind Root and Star Ring is now on the hand of a very happy young man.

If you are interested in having a ring made just for you, please visit my How to order Custom page.

The Moon Phase Chain Bracelet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 17, 2011
Posted in: Bracelets, Moon Jewelry, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Much is written on the subject including node, mansions (or nakshatras), Lunation and more. For those who love Luna in her many aspects, I have created the Moon Phase Chain. Each link is carved front and back with craters of the lunar surface, each in a phase: full, waxing and waning, gibbous and crescent. I make a variety of sizes from earrings to belly chains; now available in a bracelet.

Moon Bracelet
Moon Phase Bracelet

The moon has been a powerful influence for centuries. The Lore of humanity across many cultures attribute to the Moon many things: from Lunacy to the tides. Watching the moon in it’s phases is something we have been doing for centuries. Learn more about my: Moon Phase Chain.

To Order you Moon Phase Bracelet please visit my Moon Phase Bracelet Page.

Living Circle Tree Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 20, 2011
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, Druid Jewelry, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , . Leave a Comment

A tree framed in its own root and branch, suspended on a chain of moons: one full moon, one at it’s crescent. Within the bark of the tree a face emerges. Hidden in the branches are scattered stars carved to look like a part of the bark.

Living circle Tree amulet

This living circle presents how everything is connected: life offering itself to Life, containing the potential of greater things.

This Living Circle Tree Amulet was designed and created as a fund raiser/raffle for those who lost their homes in a hurricane here in Virginia, 2003.

If you would like something like this, please visit my How to Order Custom Jewelry and Sculpture Page, or simply email me for details.