Merlin’s Small Kitchen Witch Pentacle

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 23, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Years ago I created the Original Kitchen Witch Pentacle as a commission for a dear friend of mine.
The basic layout was her idea:
the various implements of the Kitchen Witch.
After doing a sketch, the two inch pentacle was made.
She wanted it massive both is size and weight
so it could be used as both an Amulet to be worn and as a Ward,
a piece hung on the wall as a blessing to her Kitchen.
With her blessings,
I pulled a mold of the piece
and have been providing copies for well over ten years.

I recently posted the blog of the Kitchen Witch focusing on the Symbology:
the star balancing the elements formed by the tools of the Kitchen:
The blade,
the spoon,
the broom,
the herb branch and the candle.
En-circled by grape vines,
the piece suggests skilled hands,
a clear mind and the promise of tasty things to come.

Cooking a meal for one’s family to meet a deadline
with no notice as to how it is prepared or who it is for,
One misses an opportunity to bless their home and loved ones.
In taking the opportunity to hum a happy tune,
prepare favorite foods, make the meal a special time,
One instills Magick into every nourishing bite.
Imbuing sustenance with good flavor,
solid nutrition and joy, You may be a Kitchen Witch!

Small Kitchen Witch Pentacle
Small Kitchen Witch Pentacle.

The complex art of cuisine or exotic dishes isn’t necessary,
you can accomplish great things with a simple soup, a sandwich, a salad
– anything…
so long as it is done with good intention
and the Will to provide nourishment for the body and soul.
Keeping a Kitchen with happiness and Focused Intent
spills over into:
how the cupboards are kept,
how the dishes are cleaned and arranged,
how the herbs from the garden are hung and dried,
decorations and color all add the the way
the Kitchen Witch blesses the home and family.

Each time I have posted the original piece the response was over whelming,
I realized there are a lot of kitchen witches out there!
Because the original is so massive and silver becoming so dear,
I decided to re-create the Kitchen Witch pentacle in a smaller version.
This one is lighter,
comfortable to wear,
yet still holds all of the detail of the original,
larger version.
Do you want your own?
Please visit my website to get your Small Kitchen Witch Pentacle.

The Memorial Sculpture for Mark Bodkin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 22, 2015
Posted in: Memorial, Multi Faith, Sculpture. Leave a comment

I first met Mark years ago at a science fiction convention named SheVaCon. A very large, quiet man who seemed to lurk in the shadows and “tried” to be unobtrusive. The first thing I noticed was his smile: he seemed to know much more than he let on, quiet jokes he kept to himself as he observed the Fans rushing about in costumes of their favorite books and shows, LARP players taking themselves all too seriously; Mark took them all in in stride.

Memorial Sculpture for Mark Bodkin
Memorial Sculpture for Mark Bodkin

He often hovered around my tables in the Dealer’s Room as I sold my jewelry, listening in on conversations and turning his head when someone said something particularly funny, but one day he was present when I was asked to explain my Tarot Casters. I found he had pulled up a chair and sat next to my tables and simply watched.

Several years went by when on one convention he asked me to step aside for a quick nip of Scotch: “It’s as old as I am” he told me. So, we “snuck” away to a room, only to find he had let me into a meeting of the board of the convention. They were debating about how to expand the curriculum. I was there for the Scotch, not to be a part of the board, however after a little while (and a few shots) I found myself participating in the conversation. All the while Mark was grinning at me, offering the bottle for one more nip. Before I knew it, I had proposed and volunteered the Amulet Making Workshop.

To this day I blame Mark for my return to teaching as a way of life.

Over the years, he has been very supportive. Encouragement at the right time, careful reflection of complex issues summed up in an almost haiku statement as if he were conserving words making each syllable more potent and more profound than the volumes I have heard other people speak; all the while his simple presence said more than his words.

We lost Mark a couple of years ago due to an accident. A dreadful loss to those who knew and loved him. His wife gave me the honor of creating a memorial sculpture to be added to his tombstone. The request included a series of ideas to be incorporated: knot work, a tree dominating the image with ivy, a symbol of wisdom and the figure of a dwarf (his favorite character) whittling something under the tree. An “Aum” (OM) as the center piece, meaning “everything and nothing: a fundamental symbol of all things scared; leaves making out other images (if you look, there are dragons and many other figures in the leaves). Each of these meant something to his Family.

This custom memorial sculpture was cast in bronze with a patina set into the metal so it will colorize over the years, pulling out a variety of hue in time. The piece is five and a half inches across and twelve inches tall: developed as a one of a kind piece dedicated to Mark Bodkin: he will live in our hearts forever.

To learn more about custom, please visit

how to order custom jewelry and sculpture

Merlin’s CHOSAINT SAOIRSE Jewelry

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 21, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

I received an email from one of our Soldiers in the middle east. He wanted me to make a special set for him: something for “everyday wear” ( a pendant) and for formal wear (a clip to be used instead of a tie – and cufflinks). This was to be of a particular design he developed over the years. His instructions were very clear: the basic design was to be placed in the middle, wreathed with knot-work and nobs and surrounding the symbol he sent me he wanted some script: “CHOSAINT SAOIRSE” in “nearly legible” writing, something you would need a magnifying glass to read. The areas surrounding the symbol and the script was to be enameled to give a strong contrast between the embossed writing and raised symbol.

The Custom Pendant

The jewelry was to be intended to represent his own personal affinity to his work, his duty and his country, he gave me a few words to focus on while I was working; however in time he blessed me with a more full explanation for the symbol, script and over all feel to the pieces.

In his own worlds:

“The piece is a symbol of a guardian or defender. “One who stands ready.” Usually to defend those who are not necessarily helpless, but who are not warriors. I think it rather fitting for a soldier. The inscription translates along the lines of “Protect Freedom” When I was younger I couldn’t really explain why I felt drawn to the job I have, but I did it for 10 years, then I got out of the military and went into civilian life for about 5 years. I did fine there, but I never had the sense of being in my place in the world.

“I rejoined the military a couple years ago, and I found my place again. It took a lot of introspection and self-discovery, but I do what I do because I *am* my brother’s keeper, and my family is made up of anyone who lives free, at peace with others. I and those like me do what we do so others don’t have to. That is what this design means to me.”

The full set of Custom Jewelry


This set of jewelry was intended for him and only one set has been created. If you are interested in custom work for yourself or for others, please visit my How to order Custom Page.

Merlin’s Large Pentacle Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 20, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Tarot, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

My selection of pentacles are detailed, accenting a certain motif, design or purpose. By request I have created a large pentacle: simple basic and bold. The star itself is not woven, no defining marks denoting a purpose; just a simple star as you would find in the Pentacle Suit of the Tarot.

Large Pentacle
Large Pentacle

This two inch piece is flat on the back, the ring around the star is shaped with a good reflective curve.

This piece may be modified should you wish to have sigils, signs or signets, I can modify this basic piece to suit your needs,
please visit my How to Order Custom page.

To order you big bold pentacle,
please visit the Large Pentacle page.

Merlin’s Custom Chinese Dragon Money-clip

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 20, 2015
Posted in: Custom Jewelry, Dragon Jewelry, Money Clips. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

A little while ago a fellow called about my Flame Dragon Money-clip.
Apparently he has been searching for one for some time
and only then found my site where I display other versions I make.
Although he liked it very much,
he wanted a Chinese Dragon.

Custom Dragon Money Clip

Custom Chinese Dragon Money Clip
Modified from
Flame the Dragon Money Clip

Custom Chinese Dragon Money Clip

He gave me the particulars and came up with several modifications.
The horns are moved to the top of the head,
the teeth are more snagged
(a couple of fangs are placed in the back row of top teeth)
and the beard is added with long tendrils toward the back jaw.
It changed the lines of the piece,
and now he is a proud owner of a very unique dragon money-clip!

If you are interested in having something similar made for you,
please take a look at Flame the Dragon Money Clip
and then check out my How to order custom page.

Merlin’s Custom Mermaid Necklace of Diamonds, Opal and Gold

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 19, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , . 1 Comment

In the mid ’90 I was commissioned to create a pendant framing a very large bolder opal. My client is a collector of precious stones. When she purchased this opal she wished to have it made into a pendant. Because of it’s size and shape, she told me it was difficult to commission a jeweler who would take on the project.

Custom Mermaid Necklace of Diamonds, Opal and Gold

After a discussion as to how to actually hang the opal as a pendant, we spoke about the design. This rather large opal was to be framed in ocean waves of 14k gold, each wave breaking against the stone holds a small diamond. On the top of the waves is a mermaid holding a diamond. This one of a kind pendant is currently in a private collection. If you with to have something made for you, please visit my how to order custom jewelry page.

Merlin’s Moon Phase Chain Bracelet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 17, 2015
Posted in: Bracelets, Moon Jewelry, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Much is written on the subject including node, mansions (or nakshatras), Lunation and more. For those who love Luna in her many aspects, I have created the Moon Phase Chain. Each link is carved front and back with craters of the lunar surface, each in a phase: full, waxing and waning, gibbous and crescent. Now available in a bracelet.

Moon BraceletMoon Phase Bracelet

The moon has been a powerful influence for centuries. The Lore of humanity across many cultures attribute to the Moon many things: from Lunacy to the tides. Watching the moon in it’s phases is something we have been doing for centuries. Learn more about my: Moon Phase Chain.

To Order you Moon Phase Bracelet please visit my Moon Phase Bracelet Page.

Merlin’s Ouroboros Ring with Scales

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 16, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Ouroboros, Rings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

I have an Ouroboros ring (also spelled Uroboros and Oroboris) in my line for years. After many requests for a different version of the piece, I developed a new and more detailed Ring: Ouroboros Ring with Scales. Like my original version, this is the classic Ouroboros swallowing it’s tail. This time I have omitted the diamond on his head and added scales down his back and along his sides.

The New Ouroboros Ring with Scales
Ouroboros Ring with Scales

The Ouroboros often represents self-reflexivity or cyclical, something constantly re-creating itself, the eternal return, and other things perceived as cycles that begin anew as soon as they end. It can also signify the concept of primordial unity related to persisting from the beginning with such force or qualities it cannot be destroyed. The Ouroboros has been important in religious and mythological imagery, used in alchemical illustrations, where it symbolizes the circular nature of their work.

This piece may also be used as a pendant! Simply place the Ouroboros on your favorite chain or cord. Each ring is made as it is ordered, providing the recipient to request unusual sizes. To purchase yours, please visit my Ouroboros Ring with Scales Page.

Merlin’s Hern Pentacle Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 15, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Amulets. nature jewelry, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The image of a Stag is a powerful one: it is seen in art, heard of in song, stories and strikes a spark of racial memory which seems to reach back for generations. When one sees an outline of a stag, one gets a sense of freedom, wilderness and awe.

Hern and Pentacle Amulet
Hern’s Pentacle Amulet

Like the Buffalo in the Native American mid planes culture, the Stag was revered as Sacred among the Celts: offering food, tools, clothing and more for the conscious hunter. To bring down a deer meant the Household would be able to eat and live well for some time. For this and many other reasons, the image of Hern lived in the hearts and minds of the Celts for many generations.

The first mention in literature if Hern (or Herne) is in Shakespeare’s “The Merry wives of Windsor”, however many ascribe the idea of Hern to a much earlier time. A “ghost” who walks the Woods of Windsor Forest with a great rack of horns.

In the relatively new movement of Neo-Paganism, Hern’s Image has been re-awakened; there is a great deal of tribute to Hern in writings, both in fiction and tomes of Celtic Heritage.

To celebrate the Neo-Pagan view, I have created the Hern’s Pentacle Amulet. This combines the image of a stag head whose rack of horn embraces a pentacle. The bail is hidden behind the pentacle to give the amulet a sense of “floating” on your chain or cord.

Merlin’s Treble Clef Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 14, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, music amulet, Music Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Brand New from Amulets by Merlin! A piece of jewelry celebrating the universal symbol of Music

for singers, musicians and lovers of the musical arts!

The Treble Clef Amulet
Treble Clef Amulet

A clef (a french word meaning key) is a musical symbol used to indicate the pitch of written notes. Placed on one of the lines at the beginning of the staff (five lines stacked upon each other), indicates the name and pitch of the notes on that line. This line serves as a reference point by which the names of the notes on any other line or space of the staff may be determined.

The Treble Clef’s curl wraps around the second line up on the staff indicating G above middle C, most commonly used in the staff for piano. It is one of three kinds of clef used in modern music notation: F, C, and G.

One inch tall, this three dimensional Treble Clef Amulet has a bail behind the top loop so the pendant looks like it is “floating” on your chain or chord. This small pendant is a great way to celebrate your love for music! Whether you play an instrument, sing or simply love music, the Treble Clef amulet is perfect for the music lover in your life.