Oshun Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 5, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Oshun in the Yoruba, Efa and Santería religions, is an Orisha (not quite a “goddess”, however in the case of those who are not of these Faiths it is a close approximation) reigns over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy. She may also be found in Brazilian Candomblé Ketu, with the name spelled Oxum. She is beneficent, generous and very kind. She does, however, have a temper which she seldom loses but which can cause havoc! In one of the stories about her, Oshun is said to have gone to a drum festival and fallen in love with Shango, and has been married to him ever since.

The Study of the Orisha is very complex and deeply rooted in the cultures from where they spring. If one is to trace it’s lore, you will find a path that leads over five thousand years into the heart of Africa and transcends time itself. I would encourage anyone who is interested in this subject to take the time for farther research.

Oshun Amulet

I have some very close friends who have devoted themselves in these traditions and found a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and insight into the human condition. One of the jewels of my life is the introduction the the lovely and charming Oshun. On a visit to Florida some years ago I found myself strolling in an orchid garden and talking to a Dear One about Oshun and found myself gazing into one of the most exquisite flowers I had ever seen.

My friend pointed it out and said “the Orchid’s beauty is much like Oshun Herself: the flower’s beauty, fragrance and form holds a wounder that inspires a spark deep within you; it is that connection to Glory that invokes Her.” Love itself cannot be found: it must be inspired and generated within you, through that beholding one finds a path to Spirit.

In the Oshun Amulet, I attempted to capture the moment with a quiet face hidden a cluster of orchids, adorned with a small opal set beneath her. This would be for those who wish to invoke love and beauty in their lives.

Oak Pentacle Amulet with Stone from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 4, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The Oak Tree in Celtic lore
represents the door way between to another place,
a grove is a potential sanctuary between the worlds.
Pentacles represent powers brought into balance
and guided by the spirit.

In the design of the Oak Pentacle
I used a simple,
direct representation of oak leaf and branch
without a lot of other symbols.
In this way I have kept the piece open and free of restraint.
The personalization of the amulet
comes with the selection of stone:
set into a cluster of leaves.
Selecting the kind of stone
(color and type)
lends one the ability to “claim” the design
while maintaining the intent of the piece.

Oak Pentacle with Stone Amulet

Oak Pentacle with Stone Amulet

Like some of my other other pieces,
I made the setting as a part of the design,
not a typical die struck setting of prongs and bezel:
leaves fold around the stone both securing it to the amulet
and protecting the stone from possible damage of a direct hit.
I developed these while designing on opal settings,
then expanded these protective enclosures to other designs.

Combining the focus
protection of the stone
and the Strength of the Gateway,
the Oak Pentacle provides you with a tool
of exploration of one’s self and the world.
This amulet is for these unafraid of the journey
of one’s life and the Truth that awaits.

To view the Oak Pentacle Amulet with Stone, please visit my website.

Isaac’s Spells for Democracy Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 3, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

A few years ago I created Jewelry for Isaac Bonewits. He created renderings of several designs and sent them to me to create for his special line of Jewelry. One of them is the Spells for Democracy Amulet. Isaac was very concerned for our nation as he had often spent a great deal of time discussing, lecturing and writing about the subject. After I had created several pieces for him I suggested he continue with his designs; thus he turned to develop a design developed to focus intent to a good aim: righting the wrong of our society.

Spells for Democracy Amulet

Spells for Democracy Amulet

Spells for Democracy Amulet

He wrote extensively about this subject, calling for the Pagan community to become more active, participating in the great debate for equality, justice and a better world.

In his words:

“I know very well that not all Neopagans apply their polytheology to their political views in the same ways that I do. To me it seem obvious that politicians dedicated to making the USA a fundamentalist theocracy, to encouraging the fundamentalists in Islam to see this century as one dedicated to an un-Holy War between the two lunacies, and, incidentally, giving a totally free reign to every multinational corporation willing to pay big bribes to politicians, isn’t going to give much attention to the needs or even basic human rights of minority belief systems, at home or abroad, including ours. The Neo-Con Imperialists and the Religious Reich have been telling us for over a decade what their plans are. It is way past time to pay attention and take action with the only form of power they can’t take away from us: magic. “

More about Isaac may be found here.

The amulet itself is a combination of symbols:
The pentacle is a classic symbol of Neo-Paganism. It is crossed with a Besom (broom) which symbolizes a great many things: here it is to represent the modern day Pagans and their efforts to create a better world. The Wampum (the staff with the disk) represents a symbol of the Iroquois: a composite of Native American tribes who formed a Democracy before the United States formed their own nation.

Through his travels Isaac presented these amulets with his books and other items; he even created a special portion of his website to feature the work. You may purchase these amulets through my site. Each piece purchased Isaac’s Household receives a royalty to both help recover from the debt of his passing and to extend his legacy promoting good will, democracy and clarity to the world.
To learn about Isaac Bonewits, his writings and more, you may visit his website.

To purchase the Spells for Democracy, please go Spells for Democracy Page.

A Custom Crown for a Princess from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 2, 2015
Posted in: Custom Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

If you have been wondering how I have been spending my time these days, here is the answer.  I have been working on a (very long term) project.  I was requested to create a crown.  Unlike most of the tiaras which seem to populate award shows, this crown was not a “wire wrap” style head piece.

A Custom Crown

A custom crown for a special Someone

This crown was a custom order made specially ordered by a Loving Husband who wanted his Wife to know how much he treasured her. Inspired by the movie Tangled, this crown was fabricated in brass sheet, all the settings specially made for the central crystals, simulated ruby and sapphire and encrusted with rhinestones. The top is anointed with simulated pearls to complete the design. The inside was enameled to preserve the gold color. This crown is now in a private collection.

If you are looking to have a special piece made, please visit my How to Order Custom Page

Quarter Rest Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on November 1, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Music Jewelry, music notation jewelry, music notation pendant, music pendant, rest amulet, rest jewelry. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

You deserve a Rest!

An amulet of sterling silver in the shape of a quarter rest.
In musical notation, the quarter rest represents one beat of silence.
These little guys are found in music to help accentuate the notes around them.
I have always though it looks like a little guy sitting down
(perhaps on a bench).

The Rest Amulet

This sterling silver amulet is one and a quarter inches tall
with a back bail
so you may hang in on a chain or cord.
Perfect for musicians,
music students and anyone who deserves a rest.
This piece is a true Moment of Silence.

To get your Rest Amulet,
please visit the Rest Amulet page

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

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

Flaming Knot Cloak Clasp from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 29, 2015
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Cloak Clasps. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

It’s cold! Break out the big warm cloaks! This clasp will help keep your warm!

The Flaming Knot Cloak Clasp is composed of two bold panels of knot work, each made of a single strand forming many tongues of flame, interlocking, twisting and spraying out like wings.

Much like the construction of the Double Song cloak clasp I have placed behind the knot work three loops at the tips of the flames to stitch into your cloak, cape, jacket or coat.
Clasping them together at the center are two stout hooks
to lock into the eyelets on the opposing side.

Merlin's Flaming Knot Cloak Clasp

Merlin’s Flaming Knot Cloak Clasp

In bronze it hold a warm glow,
in sterling silver it shines like cold flames.
This is a bold clasp: 2 inches high and four inches wide when clasped together;
when opened they hang “straight” because of the placing of the stitch loops.

Close your cape with a clasp of fire over your heart.

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

Double Song Cloak-clasp from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 28, 2015
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Dragon Jewelry. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Many years ago m’Lady Tony did a painting of a dragon.
It was immense.
The painting took up the entire wall.
The image of the dragon is of a wren:
a kind of dragon with two arms
and a fierce comb studding it’s back between two wings.
She named it “Song” because it is a dragon that “sings”.
It was one of many dragon designs that have disappeared over the years.
In fact her entire dragon portfolio
was stolen from her in Hawaii in the mid Eighties.
Apparently some one who was somewhat disreputable
took her artwork and sold it as his own.
You can still find her dragons:
simply look for her name in the dragon itself:
“Tony”.

Merlin's Double Song Cloak-clasp

Merlin’s Double Song Cloak-clasp

About 22 years ago she requested I create one of her favorite dragon designs:
“Song” as a pendant.
After some time I decided to augment the Song Dragon
into a cloak clasp and added three loops
to the back of each side and two hooks to lock them into place.
The result is very close to the original painting Song
(and her echo)
weave music together as close your cloak, cape or jacket.
With the three loops behind the wings and tail,
even when not hooked together they hang straight on the garment.

The Double Song Cloak Clasp continues to be one of my favorite pieces.
If you look closely,
like the original paintings and drawings
Tony created years ago,
her signature is in the scales of the tail,
and on the other side: opposing.
Like Mirth, the Flame Dragon
and the Baby Dragon,
Song is one of Tony’s designs in Amulets by Merlin.

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

Balanced Star Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 27, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Multi Faith, Pentacles. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Merlin's Balanced Star Amulet

Merlin’s Balanced Star Amulet

Two woven stars interlocked: the six point star:
a composite symbol of the elements:
triangles with point up and down illustrating the alchemic glyphs of Fire Water Air and Earth;
and the five point star of the Adam Kadmon:
the first Man (hermaphrodite)
or “Father Time”;
Humanity in its primal,
perhaps perfected state of existence.

Together these two images represent the balance of forces:
Male (active) and Female (passive).
This is not to say that “all men are active and all women are passive”,
not at all.
In the material world,
we all contain these kinds of energies,
qualities and potential.
The terms are considered “classic” in the sense
of how our cultures have perceived the world
and provided descriptions of what has been observed.

Within the glyph,
I have provided the blending of the two in hope
to develop a “more realistic” manifestation of what is actually there.

In another sense
it is the material world
(six point star with all of its elements)
and the five point star
(what we decide to do with it,
the ability of proactive choice
(the five point star).
The amulet may be a reminder of how we affect the world,
the power of intent,
the purpose of our actions and their result.
A reminder that our “purpose” in the world
is what we decide it is rather than what is dictated by outside forces.

The symbol is intended to transcend the preconceived illusions
of separate religious,
sociological
and philosophical differences
and blend awareness of things into a single symbol.
The symbols are woven together:
just as the earth is a weaving together of awareness,
perspective and ability.

The Balanced Star Amulet
is intended to anyone to wear,
everyone who wishes to embrace divergence of ideas
and capability and bring balance to a troubled world.

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

Ankh of Peace from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 26, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment
Merlin's Ankh of Peace

Merlin’s Ankh of Peace

As I was growing up,
my brother created paintings incorporating symbols he found interesting.
One of my favorite was a combination of the peace sign,
the Maltese cross and the ankh.
He worked in vivid black light poster paint
(it was the sixties, after all…)
and it hung on our wall for years.
I recall looking at it as I drifted off to sleep.
In spite of the brilliant colors,
I found the image soothing and offered a sense of comfort.

Years later
I created an amulet that represented the image and dubbed it the Craig,
naming it after him.
Recently I came across the old charm and decided to add a small change:
the lower emanation extends lower than the classic Maltese cross,
symbolizing an emanation of blessings
to both the person who wears the amulet
and to all one surrounds oneself with.

The Ankh of Peace,
for me a logo of the sixties;
but for the world it is a new image:
a culmination of many lands,
many cultures all focused on life,
vitality, stability and peace.

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