Brooches

You may recall I have been making Isaac Bonewits designs in my jewelry line for some time. I have recently developed his classic Druid Awen as a Brooch.

The Awen Isaac created is more than the simple dot and stave seen in the old writings: this is a wreath of oak leaves with the Mesopagan Druid symbol of the “three rays of light” emanating from three acorns and staves (like wood) completing the design.

Awen Penannular Brooch

I have augmented the piece by making it a functional Penannular Brooch. the Brooch Frame is of knot work of my own making with a pin mounted and able to “travel” around the frame.

To learn how to use a Penannular Brooch and learn more about this new piece, please visit my page The Awen Penannular Brooch.

To see more of my designs of Isaac Bonewits, please view my Bonewits Collection.

Mixing metaphors
(and cultures)
combining ideas that seem to go well together:
Music, Grapes and a Celtic Cloaking Device.
It is said that the grape was on of the gifts of the gods
(Southern Europe is notorious for embracing the Grape and the Olive)
Grapes produce a fine fruit that may be pressed into juice
in turn fermented into wine producing spirits.
The Grape also creates a leaf that may be used for a variety of uses,
even served in dishes….
The cane it creates tells stories all of their own.

Pan Pipe Penannular

The Penannular is a brooch used by the Celts in traditional garb.
It was incorporated as a fastener for fabric: from light scarf to heavy cloak.
For Men it is a solid ring where a tuft of cloth
drawn up and a pin was thrust through the tuft:
the ring securing the pin.
For Women: a horse shoe shaped frame is created and a pin
is fastened to the frame.
The pin travels on the frame to capture,
hold and release the fabric.
Still used today in both re-enactors and SCA,
the Penannular is a brooch that stands out from the more common pin.

The Pan Pipe is unusual for a Penannular because of the design.
Unlike the traditional Penannular which has bold lines,
knot work and stones:
this brooch harnesses the ancient technology of the fastener
enhanced with detailed grape vines on an arbor;
loaded down with fruit.
The pin head itself is the pan pipe with still more leaves and grapes.
Highly detailed,
this is both a work of art and a fully functional Penannular brooch.
The page I created for the Pan Pipe Penannular
contains a description and
a short video demonstration of how to use a Penannular for your cloak, jacket or cape.

Other Penannulars may be seen at the
brooch Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

One-of-a-kind Ouroboros Penannular Brooch from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 14, 2015

Posted in: Brooches, Celtic Jewelry, Custom Jewelry, Dragon Jewelry, Multi Faith, Ouroboros, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: Celtic Lore, Celtic Symbol, Custom Jewelry, Never Ending Story, Ouroboros brooch, Ouroboros jewelry, Ouroboros pin. Leave a comment

One of my favorite activities
is to create things never made before;
this was one of them!
I have already been producing the Ouroboros Ring for some time,
however a fellow wanted to have something specially made
that touches both his Celtic Heritage and his love for the Ouroboros:
the Ouroboros Penannular Brooch!

Ouroboros Penannular Brooch

The Worm Himself
is a solid carving with the ability to be viewed from both sides,
a fully detailed face and the traditional diamond scalded spine.
Unlike the Ladies’ Penannular,
this is a solid ring with a “free” pin.
By his request I created the pin without a head and to replicate a sewing needle.
The way it is worn is that the ring of the Ouroboros is placed on the cloak
(or Great Kilt)
and the needle pierces the material underneath after bunching it up
though the ring thus securing the Brooch and cloak together.

This is a one-of-a-kind piece
with no mold taken for reproduction,
however
if you wish to have something similar made
(or anything of the kind) simply ask!

Merlin’s Knotted Penannular Brooch

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 11, 2015

Posted in: Brooches, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Cloak Clasps. Tagged: Amulets by Merlin, Brooch, Kirk McLaren, Knotted Penannular Brooch, Knotted Penannular Brooch jewelry, Penannular, Penannular Brooch, renaissance period, SCA, the Society for Creative Anachronisms. Leave a comment

You must have seen these huge brooches on the kilts and sashes
in Braveheart, Rob Roy and other Celtic movies.
These Celtic cloaking devices are the precursor to the safety pin;
quite ingenious technology for medieval period garb.
I was introduced to these pins
when I became associated with the Society for Creative Anachronisms.

The SCA holds gatherings both small and large,
each attempting to recreate an event
(whether a baronial birthday or an all out war)
with the most authentic gear possible.
This Society has developed a world wide movement of medievalist and renaissance period re-creators
will (at the drop of a hat) construct a Faire at the corner of a parking lot,
a duel in the commons or a Grand Ball in a local Grange.

Upon my first SCA Event,
I was requested to produce a Penannular not of the normal shape
but a piece that would fit into Medieval Scotland, and functional:
like the real ones! Hence, my first creation
was the Knot Work Penannular.
A free-form knot shaping the C part of the brooch
and the classic knotted spear for the pin head.

Knotted Penannular Brooch

Following the first Penannular Brooch,
I then developed other themes that were not “period”:
grapes, sea horses, stars and more.

I wanted to introduce the Penannular to folks who only attend a renaissance fare one a year (if ever),
thus I created a video that demonstrates the use of these Brooches
now posted in my website.
There you will see the Brooch in action as it is placed on a Plaid!

Penannulars may be used to clasp capes, cloaks and scarves.
The pins I place on the larger versions are stout:
designed for the heavy, loose woven fabric like wool.
I also make lighter versions for finer cloth: like jackets.
I have specially made Brooches for leather as well.
The smallest Penannulars are for very light pieces and shirts, skirts and the like.

Whether they are simple or ornate,
Penannulars make a great way to tack a loose scarf
or cover an emergency missing button,
making it look like you did it on purpose!

As always, if you want something specially made for you,
just ask,
I create everything in my site
and only too happy to create it for you.

Knotted Penannular Brooch for your cloak,

Other clasps and brooches my be seen at the
Brooch and Pin Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

I have already produced the Ouroboros Ring for some time,
however a gentleman wanted to have something specially made
touching both his Celtic Heritage and his love for the Ouroboros:
the Ouroboros Penannular Brooch!

Ouroboros Penannular Brooch

The Worm Himself
A solid three dimensional carving ,
a fully detailed with a traditional diamond scalded spine.
Unlike a Ladies’ Penannular,
this is a solid ring with a “free” pin.
By his request I created the pin without a head like a sewing needle.
It is worn with the ring of the Ouroboros placed on the cloak
(or Great Kilt)
with the needle piercing the material underneath (after bunching it up a bit!)
the ring thus securing the Brooch and cloak together.

This is a one-of-a-kind piece
with no mold taken for reproduction,
however
if you wish to have something similar made
(or anything of the kind) simply ask!

You must have seen these huge brooches on the kilts and sashes
in Braveheart and other medieval period movies,
perhaps a few in Game of Thrones.
These Celtic cloaking devices
are the precursor to the safety pin;
quite ingenious technology for medieval period garb.
I was introduced to these pins
when I became associated with
the Society for Creative Anachronisms.

The SCA holds gatherings both small and large,
each attempting to recreate an event
(whether a baronial birthday or an all out war)
with the most authentic gear possible.
This Society has developed into world wide movement
of medievalist and renaissance period re-creators
which will (at the drop of a hat)
construct a Faire at the corner of a parking lot,
a duel in the commons
or a Grand Ball in a local Grange.

Upon my first SCA Event,
I was requested to produce a Penannular
not of the normal shape
but a piece that would fit into Medieval Scotland,
and functional: like the real ones!
Hence, my first creation was the Knot Work Penannular.
A free-form knot shaping the C part of the brooch
and the classic knotted spear for the pin head.

Penannular Brooch of Knot-work

Following the first Penannular Brooch,
I developed other themes which were not period:
grapes, sea horses, stars and more.

I introduced the Penannular to folks
who only attend a renaissance fare once a year (if ever),
thus I created a video demonstrating the use of these
Brooches now posted in my website.
There you will see the Brooch in action
as it is placed on a Plaid!

Penannulars may be used to clasp capes,
cloaks and scarves.
The pins I place on the larger versions are stout:
designed for the heavy,
loose woven fabric like wool.
I also make lighter versions for finer cloth:
like jackets.
I have specially made Brooches for leather as well.
The smallest Penannulars are for very light pieces
and shirts, skirts and the like.

Whether they are simple or ornate,
Penannulars make a great way to tack a loose scarf
or cover an emergency missing button,
making it look like you did it on purpose!

As always,
if you want something specially made for you,
just ask,
I create everything in my site and only too happy to
create it for you.

Merlin’s One-of-a-kind Grape Vine Brooch

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 17, 2015

Posted in: Brooches, Cloak Clasps, Custom Jewelry, Greek Mythology Jewelry, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry. Tagged: custom grape vine brooch, custom grape vine jewelry, custom grape vine pin, grape vine brooch, grape vine jewelry, grape vine pin, leaf and vine jewelry. Leave a comment

The Grape vine has often been considered
one of the Gifts of the Gods.
The Fruit provides nourishment,
the fermented grape offers wine,
the leaves are more than edible –
those who have enjoyed dolmathakia
can attest to their flavor.
The vines have been used in art,
fuel and in the creation of garlands
and other decoration.

One-of-a-kind Grape Vine Brooch

The Grape Vine Brooch features the fruit,
leaf and vine
with a sturdy brooch back.
This pin is a one of many unique,
free-form piece I have made in the past.
Should you wish one like it,
please visit my How to order Custom Jewelry and Sculpture Page.

View more custom jewelry and sculpture in my Gallery of Custom Works

Merlin’s Spring Wreath Brooch

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 13, 2015

Posted in: Brooches, nature Jewelry. Tagged: brooch pin, Circlet, Flower Brooch, orchid brooch, renaissance faires, spring flower brooch, spring wreath, sterling silver blossom brooch, Sterling silver orchid wreath brooch, sterling silver spring blossom brooch, sterling silver spring wreath brooch, straw flowers, Wreath. Leave a comment

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

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

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

For more nature jewelry designs, see my Flora and Fauna page

Merlin’s Acorn Brooch

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 12, 2015

Posted in: Brooches, nature Jewelry. Tagged: Acorn Brooch, Acorn Brooches, Acorn jewelry, Autumn Brooches, autumn jewelry, oak brooches, Oak Jewelry, silver acorn brooch, silver Acorn jewelry, silver oak brooches, silver oak jewelry. 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

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.

To see more of my brooches, pins and Penannulars, please visit my Brooches, Clasps and Pins page

Merlin’s Custom Lute Penannular

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 7, 2015

Posted in: Brooches, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Cloak Clasps, Custom Jewelry, Music Jewelry. Tagged: celtic Lute Penannular jewelry, Lute Penannular jewelry, one of a kind sterling silver jewelry, Penannular jewelry, Tree Jewelry, unusual Penannular jewelry. Leave a comment

I have made various Penannulars over the years, some very traditional, some designed with Celtic knot work on it, others comprised with the knots themselves; but this one-of-a-kind Lute Penannular is the most unusual. Solid sterling with a ring behind the pin head so it may travel around the frame, the ends resolve in Lute Bodies: the frame itself is a fret board. The head of the pin is comprised of the tuning pegs. My intention was to provide a Bard (a person dedicated to music and communicating News and stories through Music) with an unusual clasp which is both traditional and stretches the idea in new ways.

Penannulars have been used by the Celts for centuries: typically to fasten their Kilts, scarves and other materials together. Although typically used by Women in formal attire, Men have utilized them as well. In modern times you typically see these “Celtic Cloaking Devices” when at the Renaissance Faire or in movies, Penannulars have been used by the Celts for centuries, now making a “come back” and appearing on jackets, scarves, cloaks and coats.

This Penannular functions like one of the originals, it’s use illustrated in a short video. Unlike the old version, I have pushed the limit of design into humor: one can almost see how the strings would “bend” around the fret board and result in a duel Lute, presenting two sides of a story, adding a new depth in story and song.

If you would like to have a special piece made for you, please visit my How to Order Custom Page and you are always welcome to email me!

Amulets by Merlin's Blog

Reflections of the Art of Merlin

Awen Penannular Brooch from Amulets by Merlin

Pan Pipe Penannular from Amulets by Merlin

One-of-a-kind Ouroboros Penannular Brooch from Amulets by Merlin

Merlin’s Knotted Penannular Brooch

Merlin’s One-of-a-kind Ouroboros Penannular Brooch

Merlin’s Penannular Brooch of Knot-work

Merlin’s One-of-a-kind Grape Vine Brooch

Merlin’s Spring Wreath Brooch

Merlin’s Acorn Brooch

Merlin’s Custom Lute Penannular

Amulets by Merlin

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