Djembe Collection

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 18, 2012
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.

Custom Hair Dangle

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 15, 2012
Posted in: Amulets. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

My Daughter Amber wears Dread locks and wanted something to adorn them For her Birthday this year I focused on her interest in music and created (in the spirit of her bass guitar) a bass clef and sixteenth note on a chain and fastened to an ear cuff A Custom Hair Dangle!

Custom Hair Dangle

She took a picture of it in her hair for me and sent it with a “thank you!”

If you wish to have something special made for someone you care about, please visit my
how to order custom page

Custom Oak Pentacle

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 14, 2012
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

A gentleman who loves the Oak
originally had me make a Pentacle Ring of Oak leaves and staves,
The next piece in his one-of-a-kind creation collection
is the Oak Pentacle.

Custom Oak Pentacle

Custom Oak Pentacle

 Staves of oak create the central woven star and a wreath of leaves make the circle.
A top leaf creates the top bail for hanging his amulet on a chain or cord.
Carved ad a Unique piece with no mold taken,
one and one half inches wide and cast in Sterling silver.
This piece now resides in a private collection

If you would like something like this made for you,
please visit my how to order custom page.

The Awen Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 13, 2012
Posted in: Druid Jewelry, Earrings, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

A few years ago I created Jewelry for Isaac Bonewits.
He developed renderings of several designs and sent them to me for his special line of Jewelry.
One of them is the Awen.

In his words:

“The sign of “the Three Rays” is used by members of the United Ancient Order of Druids, the Ancient Order of Druids, the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, and many other followers of Druidry. It can be seen as symbolizing Sky Father Energy in balance with the Earth Mother energy of the Druid Sigil, as well as any of a thousand other sets of three ideas.”

Now I have created a new version of his design: the Awen Earrings.

The Awen Earrings

The Awen Earrings

A wreath of oak leaves,
three staves emanating from three Acorns.
The bail from which to hang the amulet is also an oak leaf
curled to hold a jump ring for a Shepard’s hook earring.

When Isaac was still with us he traveled with the amulets
and his books and other items;
he even created a special portion of his website to feature the work.
Since his passing into the Summerland
I have continued to produce his line for him.
For each piece purchased Isaac’s Widow receives a royalty
to help through difficult times
and encourage in efforts to promote good will and clarity to the world.
To learn more about Isaac Bonewits,
his writings and his schedule of lectures and workshops,
you may visit his website.

To learn more about Isacc’s Awen Earrings,
please visit my web-page featuring the Awen Earrings

St. Pugnacious

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 8, 2012
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

A one of a kind amulet specially designed for a special client who loves her little one. She sent me some images of her little pug with a request to create a similar amulet to the St Christopher piece I previously made. St. Pugnacious included a chain and a light patina to highlight the detail.

St. Pugnacious

In her own words:

“This gorgeous pendant was made with my pug dog as the model for St. Pugnacious. The tiny face and paws are lovingly crafted, with traditional robes, slippers, detailed cross and archway above. The whole piece looks like a classic religious icon. I was delighted, because the final pendant was more beautiful than I could have imagined!”

This one of a kind amulet now resides in her private collection.

If you wish to have a special piece made for you, please visit my How to order Custom page.

The Chessboard Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 26, 2012
Posted in: Custom Jewelry, Rings. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

As a gift to my Son for his birthday this year, I created a ring of his favorite pattern: the chessboard, or “checkerboard” (as he would most likely correct me); used by race drivers. Chess is a game I tend to pay periodically while checkers never held me. While he was growing up, this was a pattern he selected over and over from footwear to pennants.

The Chessboard Ring

The shape of the ring is smooth, oval, no sharp corners to get hung up on things when he is working. The repeating square pattern is bold on the top and tapers into a collapsing horizon down the shank of the ring, fusing into a single point.

I created this as a one-of-a-kind Chessboard Ring, however if this design interests you, please email me to have your chessboard ring made for you. For more information about custom jewelry and sculpture, please visit my How to Order Custom Jewelry and Sculpture page.

The Awen Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 24, 2012
Posted in: Druid Jewelry, Rings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a 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 Awen.

The Awen Ring

The Awen Ring

In his words:
“The sign of “the Three Rays” is used by members of the United Ancient Order of Druids, the Ancient Order of Druids, the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, and many other followers of Druidry. It can be seen as symbolizing Sky Father Energy in balance with the Earth Mother energy of the Druid Sigil, as well as any of a thousand other sets of three ideas.”

A wreath of oak leaves,
three staves emanating from three Acorns.
The Awen itself is about ¾ of an inch
with oak leaves on each side trailing down the shank
(the portion of the ring which goes around the finger).
Each ring is made for the person who orders it,
sizes are not a problem

To get yours,
please visit my Awen Ring page
and be sure to include your ring size when ordering.

Custom Worm Ouroboros Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 8, 2012
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, Multi Faith, Ouroboros. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

My latest version of the Worm Ouroboros as an amulet, this custom, one-of-a-kind bronze pendant is two and one quarter inches across and fully detailed with scales, a “diamond” on the third eye and (classically) swallowing it’s tail. As requested by my client, this is a unique piece with no mold taken. Heavy because of it’s size, it is designed to be hung on a sturdy chain through the middle.

Custom Worm Ouroboros Amulet

I have already made several versions of this piece, one as a custom cloak clasp, and two versions as a ring: one smooth, one with scales. Both of which could be alternately worn as a pendant. This version was designed to be large and developed as a heavy, detailed piece: each scale is textured.

If you are interested in having a similar piece made, please visit my How to order Custom page.

00 The Fool Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 17, 2012
Posted in: Amulets, Tarot. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Looking for the appropriate amulet may at times seem tricky.
The Tarot supplies us with a wide variety of lore to draw from…

The Fool Amulet
Before Beginnings
“Alph”

Fool Amulet Page

As a present,
The Fool may appear like a gag-gift,
but not necessarily.
The Fool represented in the Tarot suggests the “beginning of things”..
This is why I selected the shape of an egg.
It’s primal shape holds many possibilities.
The “Alph” embossed on the shell suggests a sense of the inhalation before a long tale.
This could be a gift to a graduate or on a birthday.

If you are “starting over” within your life,
this could be a fresh,
Spring-like step in a healthier direction.
In the book “Stranger in a Strange Land”,
Robert Heinlein wrote for his character Michael
(a human rescued from Mars and raised by Martians):
“I am only an Egg”, meaning
“I am new at this, I am Young and willing to learn”.

Mistakes happen when one takes a chance and throws caution to the wind,
or perhaps attempts something that is (indeed) imposable,
but that is how we learn.
(Don’t do That again!).
Sometimes The Fool is unaware that something could be impossible;
attempts it and succeeds;
it is then the Fool becomes a Hero
– unaware that the transformation has taken place.
(I did what?)

Wearing the Fool as an amulet
may be a constant reminder to
“Listen carefully, as if you have never heard it before”,
celebrating Life as a Child,
Embracing new experiences as we begin a new adventure.

To learn more, please visit my Fool Amulet Page

Djembe Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 12, 2012
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