Amulets by Merlin's Blog

In the year 2000,
I was approached by Jeff Luffman to make a mirror for his ’87 Softail.
Up to that point I had created jewelry and sculpture,
however I had not yet created anything for a motorcycle before.
The idea was a simple one:
a skeletal hand holding a mirror about 3” tall.
I cast it in Bronze and later chromed.
The Mirror was created in time for the 2001 Bike Show in Richmond Virginia where he took second Place!
He was approached by Biker Magazine where an article about the bike and mirror was featured in the March 2001 issue.

The First mirror: 2 5/8″ glass with a bronze skeletal hand
The bike it was mounted on took second place
in the National competition in Richmond, VA
then featured in Biker Magazine

Since then I have created several mirrors,
each one of a kind sculptures,
usually opposing pieces to mount on the handle bars of their rides.
I have created Eagles, Dragons and skeletal hands holding disks,
ovals and even a pair of coffins with the Grim Reaper embossed on them.

Grim Reaper Mirrors
Custom, one-of-a-kind set of mirrors
with specially cut class
sculpted by hand and cast in aluminum
then chromed
The design was inspired by the bike’s paint job

I have also chanced my approach to create the sculptures to be cast in aluminum:
they are lighter and may be polished rather than chromed,
depending on the client.
I have also made mirrors for sports cars as well as bikes.

When I begin the design,
I examine as many images of the bike or car as are provided by the client
and work up a variety of designs for them to choose from.
Once a design is agreed upon,
I begin carving the original sculptures in wax.
They are then cast in aluminum, ground, tooled for mounting and polished.
If they are to be chromed, then the added step is taken.

Because of the various steps in design and the amount of detail I usually put into the work,
I have yet not created any “stock” mirrors.
Each is a one of a kind creation designed for the specific vehicle it is made for.
Commissioning a mirror (or other Motorcycle accessory) takes time:
each piece is a complete sculpture.
The result: you will have a mirror that is like no other,
designed just for you.
If you wanted one “like” the coffin Mirrors (for example)
the pair you commission will only be similar, not a copy:
I never take molds because of the intense detail is excessively difficult to duplicate.
The result is True Art for you Ride.

When deciding on a pair of mirrors, please have a series of good pictures of your Ride
focusing on the paint, other accessories and the over all lines of the vehicle’s design.
Keep in mind that I carve everything by hand and that takes time.
Chroming often takes an additional six week waiting period,
so please provide yourself at least three months for your mirrors (or other accessory) to be completed.

I look forward to hearing from you!