Drum Jewelry

Djembe of Fire Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 30, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, music amulet, Music Jewelry, music pendant. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

After drumming in a drum circle for a little while,
one gets the feeling that the rhythm carries you,
the music swells and you ride it like a wave: dancers spin and prance,
the down beat provides the foundation of the rhythm.
Looking down your hands seem to know what to do of their own accord.
Rhythm pours and spills from your drum out to the circle
only to be caught up and cast forth by elegant hands and prancing feet.
Every beat says: “Joy”…

Merlin's Djembe of Fire Amulet

Merlin’s Djembe of Fire Amulet

A new design from Amulets by Merlin: Djembe of Fire Amulet;
 the classic shape of the djembe including the tuning ropes and the shaggy,
natural drum head,
flames lick up the front of the Drum,
the hands form a tongue of flame.
This amulet is one and a quarter inch tall,
carved as a relief including the knots used to tune the drum:
the diamonds, rings and the left over flaps of the goat skin for a drum head.
A bail is placed behind the amulet to be worn on a chain or cord.

This amulet is for anyone who loves rhythm, who create it ,
hear it and dance to it.

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

Drummer Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 24, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment

I know you have seen this guy at the drum circle, I have!
He is the guy that walks into the circle,
straps on his drum and changes the sound from a basic pulse
to music that sends the dancers flying.
Other drummers crowd around him as he plays that Jimbay like it as a full orchestra.
Dancers prance before him as if filling themselves with his rhythm
– yet he seems unconscious of the fact he is drawing so much attention,
caught in a wave of music himself.
I saw him too…

Drummer Amulet

Drummer Amulet

In my attempt to capture the moment in a tiny piece of jewelry
I created this three dimensional sculpture of the Drummer Amulet
is only one and a half inches tall.
I tucked a lock of hair behind his head to create a bail
so you can wear him or hang him on your drum.
His hands are in the midst of playing a roll as his palms
stroke the goatskin drum head,
invoking the sound of the drum circle.

This amulet is the first of many tiny drum circle drummers,
dancers and guardians,
each of the same scale,
all three dimensional sculptures,
all may be worn as amulets or charms on a drum
marking a particularly good drum circle or as a dedication to music itself.

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

Merlin’s Djembe of Fire Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 30, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, music amulet, Music Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

I was once on the “circuit”
– touring from one festival to another
offering my services and art to fair goers up and down the east coast.
When it got dark and folks could no longer see my jewelry and sculpture,
I would close up shop and head down to the fire and listen to the drums.
Problem was I wanted to play with them
– but I really didn’t know how.
I had spent much of my childhood at a keyboard
playing the piano
– learning classical music and such
but this drumming thing was beyond me

When I met some drummers who offered me a chance to drum
I gladly gave it a try.
At first just keeping the down beat was my job.
Because of my background I caught on quickly and became the metronome of the circle
Keeping the beat going as the advanced musicians danced on the edge
And the dancers pulled me forward
I started experimenting with rhythm

One night – I was cut off.
“Get your own drum” I was told.
I was advised to get the “biggest drum I could find”
And so the one I found was being used as a coffee table by a drum maker
Huge, standing tall and holding up a dinner tray.
the sound was amazing
And so I started with this oversize, much too heavy Djembe
When I started drumming at the fire of Starwood
it felt like I was in the surf and a wave caught me
carried me for a very long time
Later I looked up to discover the full moon was nearly setting
I and been drumming all night!

Djembe of Fire Amulet

Djembe of Fire Amulet

Years later, a good friend asked me to make an amulet
which represented the drum and it’s power
A Djembe: fire licking the sides of the bell
two hands poised over the rim
playing

The Djembe of Fire Amulet
is for those people who love the drum
The Drum Circle
and music made around the fire!

Merlin’s Amulets of the Drum Circle

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 10, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, music amulet, Music Jewelry, music pendant, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Years ago I had attend a few Renaissance Faires
I saw the employees break into a Drum Circle as the guests were leaving…
I wanted to join in!
Once I got into the business of traveling about to the Faires,
I was able to attend a few and was enchanted.
Then, in the 1990s,
I began to sell my work at a variety of Events
and attended drum circles after dark.
After watching for several months,
a drum was thrust into my hands and I was hooked!
All my music background gave me a launch pad
into the fray of rhythm and dance.
The opportunity to drum with others was liberating,
I found myself being a part of music like I have never experienced before.

Drum Circle Amulets

Drum Circle Amulets

I met Freedom:
a Drummer who taught me this kind of music,
then Bezel, Night Hawk, Tawny, Kelly and Miguel.
I found it hard to concentrate on my jewelry creations
between drum circles;
always leaning towards the down beat of every manifestation of sound.

Freedom inspired me to create the “Drummer”

The Drummer Amulet

The Drummer Amulet

a small amulet that is actually a tiny sculpture
of a little fellow drumming on a Djembe.
From there I created a host of dancers;
an entire set of these little people,
designed to hang on a chain or cord around your neck or bracelet
or attach to a drum.
And then finely a couple of years ago
a young lady requested that I make a “Drummer girl”
and so I did.

Drummer Girl Amulet

Drummer Girl Amulet

The dancers were inspired by people I have seen around the fire over the years:
The flowing Lady,
Man Astride, Amy, and more.

These Amulets of the Drum Circle Dancers
may be used as charms for your drum;
components to your charm bracelet hang on a jacket or as a pendant around your neck.
They are meant for those that love the drum,
rhythm and music in general.
They are meant to evoke exuberant cooperation,
spontaneous creativity and Joy.

Not finding what you are looking for?
you may have something special made!
please visit my
How to order Custom Page

Merlin’s Drum Circle Collection

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 23, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, Music Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Inspired by the drum circle!
Drummers, dancers and guardians of the fire,
each figure participates in the drum circle in their own way.
A man and woman drummer,
two male dancers with antlers on their heads,
one entering the circle,
one “holding” energy within his hands,
two women dancing in long and flowing skirts,
one woman playing a tambourine,
one girl simply leaping out of shear happiness.
A man striding through the drum circle
and finally
a guardian standing to protect
those who are celebrating the circles music.

Drum Circle Collection

Drum Circle Collection

Each figure is only one inch tall,
a full three dimensional sculpture
with front and back
and a small opening at the top from which to hang your chain or cord.
Although each of these dancers
and drummers may be purchased separately,
this offers you the entire collection.

These amulets of the Drum Circle
may be used as charms for your drum;
components to your charm bracelet hang on a jacket
or as a pendant around your neck.
For those that love the drum,
rhythm and music in general;
evoking exuberant cooperation,
spontaneous creativity and Joy.

To get your Drum Circle Collection, please visit my Drum Circle Collection Page

To see the individual pieces please see my Dancer’s Page

Merlin’s Drummer Girl Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 7, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, Music Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

If ever you attended a drum circle, you will have noticed there are both men and women with shakers, tambourines and drums. In a traditional setting, the circles of Africa incorporate women with their kind of drums and rhythms. Here in the US, there is a cross over in both instrument and music. You will often see the boys and girls standing right next to each other matching beat for beat in musical conversation. In addition to The Drummer Amulet, I wanted to make sure there was a good representative of the “Drummer Girls” at the fire.

Drummer Girl Amulet

The Drummer Girl Amulet

The Drummer Girl Amulet has a skirt, a short buttoned vest and covered head with a bandanna. She leans forward adding Goddess Rhythms as she steps into the Drum circle mixing in her own flair to the fire! 1 1/2″ Tiny statue with bail in the back of her head for hanging.

To get yours, please go to the Drummer Girl Amulet page.

To see more drum circle jewelry, please view my Dancers Page and Music Jewelry Page

Merlin’s Djembe Collection

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on May 26, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, Earrings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Over the years,
folks have asked me for more Drum Jewelry,
perhaps a special collection of drum themed pieces.
In response to the requests,
I have put together the Djembe Collection.

Djembe Collection

Djembe Collection

Capturing the fire of the Drum circle at the bell of the Djembe,
flames lick up the front and the hands themselves form a tongue of flame.
This amulet is one and a quarter inch tall,
carved as a relief including the knots used to tune the drum: the diamonds,
rings and the left over flaps of the goat skin for a drum head.
A bail is placed behind the amulet to be worn on the provided chain.
Different lengths are available as an option.

Accompanying this amulet are two tiny Djembes as earrings,
these are only a quarter inch tall yet solid little drums with a bit of weight.
Suspended on Shepard’s hook earrings.

The Djembe Collection is for anyone who loves rhythm:
musicians, drummers, dancers and those who appreciates the Drum Circle.

More Musicly inspired jewelry may be found on my Music Jewelry Page

Merlin’s Djembe Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on May 16, 2015
Posted in: Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, Earrings. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

These tiny drums are perfect for the drum enthusiast who wants a very subtle pair of earrings.

Djembe Earrings

Djembe Earrings

Djembe Earrings

Only a quarter inch tall,
these tiny Djembes holds the texture of the big ones:
wood, tiny ropes and a drum head being played by very small hands.
One of the playing hands resolves into a loop
for hanging on the earring Shepard’s hook,
may be tied to your drum as a reminder of the Rhythms of the Drum circle,
a favorite event.
This tiny charm is available in Silver and Bronze.
Gold prices upon request.

To order,
please visit my Djembe Earrings page

More earring and the like may be found on my Ear Jewelry Page

Merlin’s Djembe Dangle

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 26, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, music amulet, Music Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

This tiny drum is perfect for the drum enthusiast who wants a very subtle charm.
Only a quarter inch tall,
this tiny Djembe holds the texture of the big ones:
wood, tiny ropes and a drum head being played by very small hands.

Djembe Dangle

One of the playing hands resolves into a loop for hanging on a chain,
cord, may be tied to your drum as a reminder of the Rhythms of the Drum circle,
a favorite event or perhaps woven into your dreads,
braids or other hair ornaments.
This tiny Djembe Dangle is available in Silver and Bronze.
Gold prices upon request.

Merlin’s Djembe of Fire Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 23, 2014
Posted in: Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry, Music Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

After drumming in a drum circle for a little while,
one gets the feeling that the rhythm carries you,
the music swells and you ride it like a wave: dancers spin and prance,
the down beat provides the foundation of the rhythm.
Looking down your hands seem to know what to do of their own accord.
Rhythm pours and spills from your drum out to the circle
only to be caught up and cast forth by elegant hands and prancing feet.
Every beat says: “Joy”…

Merlin's Djembe of Fire Amulet

Merlin’s Djembe of Fire Amulet

A new design from Amulets by Merlin: Djembe of Fire Amulet;
 the classic shape of the djembe including the tuning ropes and the shaggy,
natural drum head,
flames lick up the front of the Drum,
the hands form a tongue of flame.
This amulet is one and a quarter inch tall,
carved as a relief including the knots used to tune the drum:
the diamonds, rings and the left over flaps of the goat skin for a drum head.
A bail is placed behind the amulet to be worn on a chain or cord.

This amulet is for anyone who loves rhythm, who create it ,
hear it and dance to it.

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