This unique and beautiful symbol is omnipresent in Ghana. It is the most popular in decoration: a reflection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people.
Symbol of the Omnipotence and the Omnipresence Of God. From the Akan aphorism: Abode santann yi firi tete; obi nte ase a onim ne ahyease, na obi ntena ase nkosi ne awie, Gye Nyame. Literal translation: This great panorama of creation dates back to time immemorial; no one lives who saw its beginning and no one will live to see its end, Except God.
Gye Nyame is a symbol meaning “I am afraid of none but God,” or: “Nyame biribi wo sor” suggests that good things come from above. More information about this symbol and it’s backlground may be found in an eariler article.
This is a one-of-a-kind piece currently in a private collection. Because I specialize in custom, I am able to modify any of my pieces to fit your ideas and needs. To learn more about custom jewelry can sculpture please visit my How to order Custom page.
Some years ago I was commissioned to create a version of the Dragon Money Clip seen in the movie: “Face Off”. I developed my own version of money clip. Not quite a serpentine Eastern Dragon, nor the more “boxy” Western version but indeed my own kind of dragon complete with eyes of jewels and a working jaw to “bite” the bills.
Later I developed a second, larger version: Flame the Dragon Money Clip. I added a touch of the Eastern Look by including tendrils of flame along the face but it has the stylized scales for of cranium containing the spring that works the jaw. The Ocular cavities where the stones are set are a part of the design itself: the design is not detracted by an obvious setting.
A gentleman saw Flame the Dragon Money Clip and wanted an even larger version: four inches! The result is this vary large Dragon Money Clip. Like my original version it is a spring loaded clip with a working jaw to bite his cash. With a red stone to fit the iris the piece weighted out to nearly four ounces of sterling silver.
This year My grandchildren were to receive hand made cloaks
created by their Mother for Christmas.
I was honored by the task
of augmenting their gifts by creating clasps,
I found myself in a scene from a faerie tale…
In Tolken’s book of the Lord of the rings,
there is a scene where Fordo and his crew were given gifts
as they continued from Lothlorien.
The Hobbits received clasps for their cloaks
each made of a particular symbol sacred to the Elves.
I thought for a long time
as to what would be appropriate for the little ones.
With the two boys
(who are currently being trained as “super Heroes”)
the Thunder Clasps seemed appropriate.
However with my Grand daughter it took a bit of considering.
With two brothers and a Father,
she would be continually surround with with very strong male influences.
With her mother as a counter weight to both opinion and demand,
the Wisdom of Women will be dearly borne,
like a path of fire to find her own voice.
Clasp of Wisdom
It is within the tradition of my bloodline,
Scots use knot work as a way to develop pasterns of meditation and expression,
so I began with that:
each knot pattern holding the significance of thought,
woven about to provide the intricacies of knowledge.
At the point where the clasps meet,
are two profiles of “Wise Men” facing each other;
both in the process of speech;
thus the Knot work pattern is
of a classic Zoomorphic Style of Celtic Knot work.
Each of the panels are complete knots to themselves,
yet by hooking her cloak together
she will be unifying the wisdom of others:
developing a new perspective.
It is “she herself”
that may bring opposing views,
bringing a better understanding and Peace.
The knots behind the heads of the Wise Men
reveal their thoughts:
reflections of their own perspectives.
Truth is a quarky thing:
most of the time we tend to rely on our own perspective
to to handle the world’s challenges.
When one is able to understand the perspectives of others
we may begin to understand the Truth of a thing:
a single eye shows only a single view,
however two eyes provide the ability to see in three dimensions.
The symbolism of this clasp
is to provide a helpful hint
in discovering Reality Itself:
by listening to others,
conflicting views and seek a balance.
More often than not,
the two perspectives will reveal an object
in the way of our view.
In selecting two bearded Men for a little girl
I was attempting to represent what she is dealing with now:
two brothers and how to learn with them.
She will also grow up in a world
where Men will be a major influence on her,
by learning how to cope early in life
she will also develop skills which may
bring a better understanding between the Sexes
in her generation
and in the centuries that follow:
it is she “herself”
that provides the balance between all people
true Wisdom.
This clasp was developed as a one-of-a-kind piece
for a unique little girl.
This was conceived,
designed and created for my Granddaughter
as a Christmas Present
If you are interested in custom work,
please visit my How to order Custom Page.
For many years I was on the road, attending conventions and festivals and two of the most common questions was “How do you make this?” and “How did you start out?”
I started off as a child…
My first reach into jewelry was wanting something that I could not find. When I was seven years old I had asked Santa clause to gift me two badges: I pains taking developed sketches of that I wanted and offered it to him days before Christmas. The odd thing to me at the time was the careful “handing off” of the sketches to my parents while I was “being distracted” by a very tall elf.
After not getting the badges I asked for, my suspicions grew and I though about making the pieces myself. Fortunately my parents later gifted me with a copper enameling kit. I developed a technique of enameling by mixing color and design in the powder, however in the tiny kit the control over design was a bit hap hazard.
As with all things in our childhood, the kit was “over used” and eventually when the hot plate was borrowed and burnt up, I returned to other forms of art. My Mother was a professional artist and trained me in painting, sculpture and many other forms of artistic media and technique. Coupled with music (Piano and Guitar) I began to develop a way to reproduce and interpret what I saw, felt and thought.
I cannot remember a time when I was not sculpting, yet when the opportunity to take a jewelry class, I went into fabrication: working directly in the metal rather than casting. I will always be grateful for this because the broader the education in the field.
It was not until I was going through a rough patch in my life and found myself back in my parent’s home and access to a jewelry bench again that I went to an exhibit of Lalique at the LA county art museum that I found I was on the right track. In combination with my studies in metaphysics, (focusing on the art) I decided to bend the boundaries of my work to include esoteric imagery and use of my art.
For years I had attempted to develop a Tarot Deck, however these adventures into the project kept solidifying into “logo” like pictures rather than paintings. Seeking the work of a master who bent the rules as to what was to be jewelry and what was art, I was inspired.
In order to work on the project, I started to create custom jewelry for folks, building my bench of tools and honing my skills, I began to work out of a shop: the Crystal Cave, at the time in Santa Anna, California. Karen, the owner of the shop was extremely supportive and began to display my work in her cases; all the while I was driving a truck.
In 1992 I went full time into jewelry, moved to Newport News, Virginia and completed the Tarot Caster Set: the first (and only) three dimensional Tarot Deck of it’s kind. Yes, each of the Major Arcana may be used almost pharmaceutical, however when used together the set is a deck which may be dropped and read as they fall. I developed the name “Tarot Casters” because the process is much like casting a net. In some of the more esoteric writing, Tzaddii (the Hebrew letter attributed to the Star Card) is the fish hook: one drops one’s mind into the great waters of the unconscious to see what would bite. By using the entire major arcana, one is using a much broader casting for ideas, inspiration and (perhaps) answers on one’s troubles.
Within a few months of being on the East Coast, I was introduced to a more esoteric community which appreciated what I had accomplished and rewarded me with praise and commissions for more work. I began with creating jewelry for circles, covens and groves as well as Churches and other religious organizations, focusing on Serving Spirit rather a specific religious trend. The only criteria I’ve maintained is that all is focused on Good Intent.
Thanks to a commission by my land lord, I developed a Tap Handle for his private reserve, thus I returned to sculpting, one of the first steps in training in my youth. I sculpted in in pieces, then assembled them after casting – a technique used in much larger pieces, however when casting with a jewelry centrifuge you are limited in how large one can go. For several decades, I focused on tiny pieces rather than the large ones, however after working so small, the larger pieces came easy, but they required me to look to a foundry rather than relying on my tiny set up for rings and pendants.
It was when I sculpted a pair of motor cycle mirrors that I turned to a local artist for help. He (who as asked me to omit his name0 taught me the gaps I had in casting larger pieces, then introduced me to his buddy who had a foundry at his disposal.
At this point, I have the ability to cast at any size: even life size (and bigger). I continue to serve those who want jewelry through my website. I do not have a “store” but rather I do show my work at the Mystic Moon in Norfolk , Virginia, should anyone wish to drop in and see it . As always, I have a full catalog for your review and a gallery of some of my work. Most of the images of the pieces made in the past are “lost” in that I have not had a digital camera the entire time, so only in the pat ten years do I have pictures worthy of display.
If you wish to have something made for you, please view my website and don’t hesitate to email me with any questions.
In making custom jewelry, I am sometimes challenged to re-create the vision of someone’s dream. In the case of the Dream Catcher Amulet, an artist manifest her idea into a painting and wanted the design to be re-created as an amulet. To accomplish the effect I was requested to cut stones into delicate shapes. Unfortunately some stones simply do not hold up well when cut into tiny shapes: the corners get caught or easily chip due to their materials.
For this Amulet, I had to shape Turquoise into a star shape: however turquoise crumbles easily once it gets small enough. She also wanted a small crescent moon of Lapis Lazuli, also a problem. Once the design was developed for the piece I had suggested we shape the amulets “face” to provide the stones to be set from the back, giving the illusion of the various shapes and still keeping the integrity of the stone and setting: this gives the amulet a much longer lifetime. A blood stone was also set below the frame of the catcher, it too has a special custom setting individually cared and cast for the amulet.
With Phoenix and stones set into the “web” and hoop of the Dream Catcher (matching the sketch she developed and sent to me), the Amulet was complete and now resides in her private collection.
A few years ago I created Jewelry for Isaac Bonewits. He created renderings of several designs and sent them to me to create for his special line of Jewelry. One of them is the Spells for Democracy Amulet. Isaac was very concerned for our nation as he had often spent a great deal of time discussing, lecturing and writing about the subject. After I had created several pieces for him I suggested he continue with his designs; thus he turned to develop a design developed to focus intent to a good aim: righting the wrong of our society.
He wrote extensively about this subject, calling for the Pagan community to become more active, participating in the great debate for equality, justice and a better world.
In his words:
“I know very well that not all Neopagans apply their polytheology to their political views in the same ways that I do. To me it seem obvious that politicians dedicated to making the USA a fundamentalist theocracy, to encouraging the fundamentalists in Islam to see this century as one dedicated to an un-Holy War between the two lunacies, and, incidentally, giving a totally free reign to every multinational corporation willing to pay big bribes to politicians, isn’t going to give much attention to the needs or even basic human rights of minority belief systems, at home or abroad, including ours. The Neo-Con Imperialists and the Religious Reich have been telling us for over a decade what their plans are. It is way past time to pay attention and take action with the only form of power they can’t take away from us: magic. “
The amulet itself is a combination of symbols:
The pentacle is a classic symbol of Neo-Paganism. It is crossed with a Besom (broom) which symbolizes a great many things: here it is to represent the modern day Pagans and their efforts to create a better world. The Wampum (the staff with the disk) represents a symbol of the Iroquois: a composite of Native American tribes who formed a Democracy before the United States formed their own nation.
Through his travels Isaac presented these amulets with his books and other items; he even created a special portion of his website to feature the work. You may purchase these amulets through my site. Each piece purchased Isaac’s Household receives a royalty to both help recover from the debt of his passing and to extend his legacy promoting good will, democracy and clarity to the world.
To learn about Isaac Bonewits, his writings and more, you may visit his website.
Recently, I was asked to create a Drum Stick Pentacle.
The Lady Drummer wanted to have a special piece
representing the two major aspects in her life:
combining her faith and her musical endeavors.
Taking care to texture the piece to resemble wood,
five drum sticks inter weave together to create a pentacle.
Drum Stick Pentacle Amulet
This piece is one inch in diameter with a jump ring at the top.
No mold was taken,
made to be a one of a kind piece for a one of a kind musician!
If you are interested in having a piece made for you,
please visit my “How to order custom” page.
There comes a time when children pool their resources to offer a gift to their parent
as a way to say “thank you” for caring for them.
So it was with a collection of very grown up children of a Priestess.
I was asked to create the symbol of her faith with a few additions.
The birthstones of the children (and grandchildren)
were associated with the various points around the star
and in the center is the birthstone of their mother.
The Mother Pentacle A Custom Amulet
Offered to her as a gift on Mother’s Day,
this pentacle represents the love,
caring and support their mother gave them through their lives.
Wiccans and Pagans have not been “accepted”
by the majority of people in our country
and to this day their choice of faith faces prejudice,
disdain and at times persecution.
The family’s decision to create a pentacle was quite telling:
in-spite of pressure from outside the family,
the children’s support of their Mother’s religion
demonstrates their own dedication of love and respect.
I was deeply honored to create
this piece of appreciation and love.
This Mother’s Pentacle Amulet is a one of a kind piece and proudly worn by the Mother (and Grandmother) for whom it was designed.
It is a question I have been asked a few times: “Why have you chosen to focus on Custom Jewelry?.
It would be easier to be a stone setter, fabricator
or simply reproduce stock items,
why bother to continually make new designs?”
Scrying Hands Ring
In 1970 I was introduced to the jeweler’s bench
where I was taught the basics in fabrication
then given assignments to “reproduce” other works,
yet not to “copy” them
but encouraged to embellish on the designs,
to add my own touch of line and form.
From these experiences I learned the craft
but also to respect the work of other artists.
I began my business in the mid ’80s
my primary intent was to develop a new Tarot Deck,
not as paintings or drawings
but as tiny sculpture that may be dropped and read.
Towards the end of the decade,
I began to show my work at Renaissance Fairs
and other art shows.
I then discovered the jewelry being made in America
was becoming anemic.
In other words
a practice of steeling designs from artisans
was becoming more and more common.
Before the practice of “out sourcing” became the rage in the United States,
people were purchasing copies of jewelry
shipping them over seas for folks to pull molds
and reproduce them.
Particularly common on the west coast
(where I was living at the time)
even other jewelry designers were creating “Knock Offs” (Direct copies)
of each others work.
This corrupted the Jewelry industry in the states to such a degree
many Jewelers retired or quit out of frustration.
“Why bother?” one fellow told me. “If I spend all my time and effort to create something new
only to find hordes of copies of my own work within a few months
for less than I can produce it,
it would be better for me to simply quit.”
Many did.
To this day stores have found that it is cheaper to purchase knock offs
from overseas
than to purchase the designs from the original artist.
Indeed,
should a jeweler try to sell his
(or her)
work to stores
the first question is: “How much a gram?”
The result in this country is obvious.
The jewelry industry has moved into an over seas industry.
Our designers are fewer than ever
and the stores are selling the same pieces they were forty years ago:
the same girl in the moon,
the same pentacle and so on.
In my youth I met a fellow who had designed a moccasin sold at the Renaissance Faire:
the founder of Bald Mountain Moccasin.
He developed a technique in the creation of his footwear
that was unique
and I marveled at his ingenuity and craftsmanship. “Aren’t you afraid of getting ripped off?” I asked him. “It is going to happen.” He told me. “Not all merchants and craftsman have scruples.
So what I do is to continually create something new
so as I get ripped off
I have a dozen new things to offer,
always ahead of the thieves.”
That really hit me with both barrels.
As an artist I am always concerned of the Knock Off,
being as I saw many of my contemporaries quitting
to be truck drivers and other professions
because of theft.
However I have kept those words in my mind for many years.
My solution was to re-focus my work on developing jewelry
people want
by asking them up front: “If you cold have the piece you really want,
what would it be?”
The results have been staggering.
The first time I made something for a client
they designed themselves was overwhelming for us both:
she had a vision two hands holding a stone as a ring,
like scrying into a crystal ball.
I took pictures of her hands to make it very personal.
I carved the piece and cast it,
set the stone and presented it to her.
After a few tears she told me she had dreamed of the ring
and this was her dream come true.
Then blessed me with permission to reproduce it,
the Scrying Hands Ring
became one of the first rings in my Line of Jewelry.
Since then I have created custom pieces,
some became a part of my line (with permission)
other one-of-a-kind pieces with no photographs and sketches destroyed
(by request of the client).
My line of jewelry has grown to well over 400 different designs,
most available to the public,
some are specially made for other distributors,
companies or religious organizations.
However I continue to expand my own line
to “stay ahead” of the knock offs.
I still make each piece I sell
including the Tarot and Rune sets.
Only when the sculpture becomes of a size
do I seek help from a foundry.
I have created replicas from time to time,
but only by actually re-carving the design
rather than pulling a mold from another’s work,
this way it may look much like the museum piece,
but it has it’s own look,
feel and size:
still an original work of art.
If you are interested in having something made that is unique,
or a limited run for you and your friends;
perhaps you own a store and want something that only you carry,
I look forward to creating your custom jewelry for you.
For more information on Custom Work from Amulets by Merlin,
please visit my Custom Page.
Some years ago I was commissioned to create a version of the Dragon Money Clip
seen in the Travolta and Cage movie: “Face Off”.
After some discussion concerning design I developed my own version of the dragon
and produced the Dragon Money Clip.
It is not quite a serpentine Eastern Dragon,
nor the more “boxy” Western version but indeed my own kind of dragon
complete with eyes of jewels and a working jaw to clutch (perhaps “bite”) the bills.
Flame the Dragon Money Clip
After some time had passed I developed a second,
larger version of the Dragon Money Clip: Flame the Dragon Money Clip.
Again, not a style one could call East nor Western,
but an original face of a dragon.
I added a touch of the Eastern Look by including tendrils of flame along the face
but it has the stylized scales for of cranium containing the spring that works the jaw.
The Ocular cavities where the stones are set are a part of the design itself,
meaning two things: the design is not detracted by an obvious setting,
and second: the setting of the stones develop different expressions in each clip:
all with the intensity of a dragon gaze.
Like the First Dragon Money Clip,
the jaws are made to “bite” the bills instead of a simple spring bar
with a dragon image stamped across it.
The detail of scales,
flames and teeth and eyes are all there.
An actual sculpture of a dragon’s head;
sleek, durable and compact with your wad of bills folded neatly to slip into your pocket.
talking dragon Flame the Dragon Money clip in action
You have your choice of red,
blue, green and black stones for the eyes,
each specially made for the person who orders it.
I do not mass produce these clips,
so you will not find them anywhere else.
If you like the idea of a dragon money clip but want a different style,
no problem.
You may commission your own version based on your description
or sketches you make yourself.
Designing your own money clip is but one of the services I provide.
More about custom may be found here.
To order your own Flame the Dragon Money clip you may go here.
