Celtic Knot Jewelry

Music Mandala Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 22, 2017

Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, music amulet, Music Jewelry, music notation jewelry, music notation pendant, music pendant. Tagged: Bass Clef Jewelry, Music Amulet, Music Jewelry, Music Mandala, music pendant, time signature jewelry, treble clef jewelry. Leave a comment

Over the Winter, I have continued to design new pieces, some are focused on musical themes.

Music Mandala Amulet

My studies in the past have included the love of the repeated patters of the Mandala: typically a circle pattern used in Hinduism and Buddhism. The word “Mandala” is actually a Sanskrit word describing a symbol representing the Universe. In this case it is a bit of a play on words: when one plays a musical piece in western music, the grand staff holds a description of the “rules of the game” (so to speak) composed of a treble clef, a bass clef and the symbol of “common time” (4/4) repeated in a circle sixteen times in a filigree style. I have provided a “back bail” behind the design to give the appearance of the piece “floating” on your chain or cord.

The Music Mandala is a celebration of music and looks a little like a snowflake, so it may cross over to a winter design, however it also as a floral look, boarding into spring and summer. The texture of the piece provides places for light to flash and catch in it’s design, the filigree provides a lighter feel to the piece, as music itself rides the air.

To get your Music Mandala Amulet, please visit the Music Mandala Page

Handfasting Jewelry from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 29, 2016

Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Handfasting jewelry, Wedding Rings, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Rings, Wedding Rings. Tagged: Custom Jewelry, Handfasting, Handfasting Bracelet, Handfasting Rings, Lover's Knot, Wedding, Wedding Bracelet, Wedding R. Leave a comment

For centuries,
Handfasting was practiced in Northern Europe
as a primary stage to marriage
still practiced into modern times.

“Handfasting” is derived from the verb
“to handfast”,
used for making a contract of marriage.
The couple is promised for “a year and a day”
as they hand-festa
(Norse:” to strike a bargain by joining hands”).
The rite varies between practitioners
but usually incorporates the participants
to bind their hands together with ribbon or chord;
a physical extension of promises made and kept.

Handfasting Bracelet

Using a design of two strands creating a combined knot
stronger than the sum of it’s parts.
The bracelets are to be put on during the ceremony
and worn for the “year and a day”;
then cherished as a keepsake when the marriage is preformed.

Many have chosen the bracelets for handfasting
and the rings for the marriage.
The Handfasting Rings
hold the same knot work design
for those people that find the bracelet too cumbersome.

Lovers Knot Ring

I have made another version of the Lovers Knot,
giving it a more “Celtic” feel:
weaving the knot work in to a more intricate design.

Celtic Lovers Knot Ring

If you are looking for a custom piece to be created for you,
I can design a knot work for your Wedding
or Handfasting that would be a “two of a kind” set.

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

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.

I wrote earlier about the Triquetra Amulet and Earrings: simply meaning “triangle”; Triquetra refers to a variety of three-cornered shapes and evolved into a symbol of depth. This Celtic three cornered knot represents three-in-one: the Trinity.

To augment the Triquetra Knot I have added a woven circle: The Unity of the Trinity, the Circle of Love unifies all.

To combine the Amulet with matching earrings, I have created: the Merlin’s Triquetra Collection. Now you may order the entire set and added the option of your desired length of chain. The Triquetra Collection are for those who cherish what the idea of the Trinity in any of its forms: The love of family, their religion, the earth itself, or simply find the shape of the triangle pleasing to their eye.

More collections may be found on my Collections Page

I wrote earlier about the Triquetra Amulet: simply meaning “triangle” and has been used to referred to a variety of three-cornered shapes but has been evolved into a symbol of depth. To accompany the Amulet, I have created a set of earrings of the same design: the Triquetra Earrings.

Triquetra Earrings

Added to the Triquetra is a woven circle: The Unity of the Trinity, the Circle of Love unifies all. The Triquetra Earrings are for those who cherish the Trinity in any of its forms: The love of family, their religion, the earth itself, or simply find the shape of the triangle pleasing to their eye.

More Ear Jewelry from Amulets by Merlin

Celtic Lovers Knot Ring from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 30, 2015

Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Knot Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Rings, Wedding Rings. Tagged: Celtic knot ring, Hand Fasting Jewelry, hand fasting ring, Handfasting ring, triditional lovers knot ring, wedding celtic knot, Wedding knot ring. Leave a comment

A variation on a theme: the Lover’s Knot. For centuries, this has been used in rigging by sailors, the merging of two ropes extending the use of one by merging it with the other: a knot that makes the bond stronger. In the Traditional Lover’s Knot Ring, I developed the design as a promise ring, hand fasting or wedding ring. I have used the same knotwork pattern in the creation of the Handfasting Bracelet.

Some have decided they like the idea yet wanted something a little different, so I designed the knot to be more “Celtic”, using the traditional knot work approach illustrated in the book of Kells. The weaving “in and out” says the same thing: two become one, their strength is greater than the sum of it’s parts; a metaphor describing how a couple’s commitment may strengthen each others’ lives. This Celtic version of the Lover’s Knot is woven “in and out” providing a more dense look to the design. By following the strands that wrap around the band you can see that the “two (chords) are one”. This design has been used to symbolize the “wedding knot” for centuries and used in “handfasting”: a promise to be true “for a year and a day”.

If you would like to have this ring made for you, don’t worry about sizes, each is made as they are ordered to allow for the right size and the possibility of inscriptions to be made on the inside of the band. Simply go to my web page featuring the Celtic Lover’s Knot Ring.

More Rings may be seen at the
Rings Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

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

I met my friend Kevin in the late 80s.
Among his many talents,
he creates Knotwork designs.
Kevin typically creates very complex,
free form knots and then tools them into leather
for his garb for the Society of Creative Anarchisms
(SCA)
of which he is a part.

The Cross of Joy Amulet

Unlike the typical border work of a more standard,
symmetrical knot,
Kevin’s style is to create broad sweeps
and then tiny inter-weavings to populate a design.
Creating knots of one,
two and three strands,
depending on the use of the knot it can become very complex
because you are not using any formulas or pre-made patterns.

I had asked him to design a cross for me and he smiled.
“I will design this knot
and teach you how it is done
so long as we call the amulet:
“Joy”,
for my friend” he told me.
He had not seen her in years
yet wanted to dedicate the design to her.

He drew it in one sitting:
smiling the entire time.
It is an eternal knot:
one strand from beginning to end
forming the cross with the circle of spirit in the center:
the “Empty Cross” (He is Risen) design.
Though Catholic:
“she won’t mind” he told me;
“Think of it as a compromise.”
Kevin isn’t Christian!

more about Cross Amulets may be seen at the
Cross Amulet Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

For centuries,
Handfasting was practiced in Northern Europe
as a primary stage to marriage
still practiced into modern times.

“Handfasting” is derived from the verb
“to handfast”,
used for making a contract of marriage.
The couple is promised for “a year and a day”
as they hand-festa
(Norse:” to strike a bargain by joining hands”).
The rite varies between practitioners
but usually incorporates the participants
to bind their hands together with ribbon or chord;
a physical extension of promises made and kept.

Handfasting Bracelet

Using a design of two strands creating a combined knot
stronger than the sum of it’s parts.
The bracelets are to be put on during the ceremony
and worn for the “year and a day”;
then cherished as a keepsake when the marriage is preformed.

Many have chosen the bracelets for handfasting
and the rings for the marriage.
The Handfasting Rings
hold the same knot work design
for those people that find the bracelet too cumbersome.

Lovers Knot Ring

I have made another version of the Lovers Knot,
giving it a more “Celtic” feel:
weaving the knot work in to a more intricate design.

Celtic Lovers Knot Ring

If you are looking for a custom piece to be created for you,
I can design a knot work for your Wedding
or Handfasting that would be a “two of a kind” set.

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

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

Amulets by Merlin's Blog

Reflections of the Art of Merlin

Music Mandala Amulet

Handfasting Jewelry from Amulets by Merlin

Awen Penannular Brooch from Amulets by Merlin

Triquetra Collection from Amulets by Merlin

Triquetra Earrings from amulets by Merlin

Celtic Lovers Knot Ring from Amulets by Merlin

Pan Pipe Penannular from Amulets by Merlin

Cross of Joy Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Merlin’s Handfasting Jewelry

Merlin’s Knotted Penannular Brooch

Amulets by Merlin

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