The Flame Dragon Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 13, 2011
Posted in: Amulets, Dragon Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

A Dragon arises in a circle of fire, head bent to listen, her radiance blesses all around her. Wings stretching into flight; tail of fire and flame spell out the artist’s name…

Original art by m’Lady Tony, original painting created in the mid sixties. While living in Hawaii in the mid 80s, the painting had been lost (a stolen folder of Dragon Art, each image of a Dragon with the name “Tony” worked into the design) for years, only a concept sketch survived. As a gift, I re-created her Flame Dragon from a scribble in her notebook. So delighted with it, she insisted we add the amulet to the line.

A few years later I attended Free Spirit Gathering (FSG); and lo, there was a painting so similar it stopped me cold. For a minute I thought I was looking at the lost painting, but no, it too was an original work of art perceived as a Phoenix!

The Flame Dragon Amulet

I found the coordinators of the event and brought them to my tent sheltering my display of jewelry. They too were impressed at the similarity. After a very strange “chicken or the egg” conversation we all agreed that “nobody copied anybody”, the two artists were on the same wavelength, from two points of the globe arose the same image.

Tony and I decided to offer use of the Flame Dragon Amulet, celebrating FSG, providing them a fundraiser for the festival. For several years I produced jewelry for the event, not just of this design but others their artists envisioned.

After well over 16 years, I am now re-releasing the amulet to the public under it’s original name “The Flame Dragon”. This amulet is for those who love Dragons, their grace and purpose: to cleanse and transform that which IS to what it Will Be. To purchase this amulet please visit The Flame Dragon Amulet page.

Peace Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 12, 2011
Posted in: Rings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The history of the Peace Symbol began in the mid 20th century when the world trembled in fear. For the first time in human history we realized we could literally destroy the world by aggressively and uncompromisingly enforce an ideology down the throats of another population.

In response, Gerald Herbert Holtom (1914-1985) created the Peace symbol on February 21, 1958. Holtom worked with the Direct Action Committee against Nuclear War (DACANW), a dedicated peacemaker and graduate of the Royal College of Arts and worked on a farm in England as a conscientious objector. “I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya’s peasant before the firing squad.”

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970), a philosopher, historian, mathematician, and a member of the DACANW, supported Holtom and made the image’s first public appearance in the United Kingdom during the 1958 Easter weekend Direct Action Committee anti-nuclear march from London to Aldermaston. He wrote: “It was invented by a member of our movement (Gerald Holtom) as the badge of the Direct Action Committee against Nuclear War, for the 1958 Aldermaston peace walk in England. It was designed from the naval code of semaphore, and the symbol represents the code letters for ND.’” The code ND for Nuclear Disarmament. The circle, representing the concept of total or complete, surrounds the N and D signifying total or complete nuclear disarmament.

Ken Kolsbun, (author of the book Peace: The Biography of a Symbol), said Holtom expressed regret in not designing the peace symbol with the joyful lifting of arms towards the sky; Holtom’s wish that the peace symbol connotation of despair be changed to joy, when the peace symbol is inverted the letter “N” becomes the semaphore code for “U” which could mean “universal” disarmament or the less popular but courageous “unilateral” disarmament. In the Elder Futhark, this reversed peace symbol is also that of “Protection” or Algiz.

The symbol has been corrupted during the sixties when the “establishment” accused the bearers of the symbol as “anti-American” and cowards.

Peace Ring
Peace Ring

When designing this ring I included teardrops on the sides, each forming peace signs representing the Trail of Tears, an act of genocide by our government and it’s interests: the removal included many members of the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, and Choctaw nations among others, from their homelands to “Indian Territory”. Originated from a description of the removal of the Choctaw Nation in 1831, many Native Americans suffered from exposure, disease and starvation en route to their destinations. Many died, including 4,000 of the 15,000 relocated Cherokee. By including the tears we recall the price of inhumane decisions and turn to compassion as our guide in the future.

This ring represents the concept, ideals and cost of Peace Making and commitment to making the future a better time to live and grow: shedding corruption, turning away from abuse and despite; creating a better way to live and love each other and never forgetting the cost of conflict.

To purchase yours, please visit my Peace Ring Page.

The Cuff Bracelet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 9, 2011
Posted in: Bracelets. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Bold and simple: the cuff bracelets are mirror finish 18 gauge sterling silver worked to wrap around your wrist. Dancing with these in the firelight reflect the light with flashes and flecks of flame. These bracelets have no marking on the outside, just the bent reflection of what is around you. I hand engrave each of these bracelets with my signature inside. Comfortable and easy to wear. Great for Handfasting.

Cuff Bracelets

If you wish I can engrave them with knot-work, patterns, names or your symbol: an example may be found at a custom bracelet page. To learn more about the how to order something like this, please visit my Custom Jewelry Page.

Pagan Clergy Pin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 29, 2011
Posted in: Druid Jewelry, Multi Faith, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

For many of the Clergy of Wicca, Druidry and Paganism, a pin is needed when ministering to the faithful. More often than not, entering a hospital or other institution requires a bit more formal attire than typical street clothing. For such occasions where one needs to look one’s best, this Pagan Clergy Pin can be recognized and still look professional in a business suit or uniform of a Chaplin.

Pagan Clergy Pin

The Pagan Clergy Pin is a solid piece (Sterling Silver or Bronze) with a black background and easily mounted with two tack pins behind the disk. It is accompanied with the tie tack backs needed to secure it on your lapel jacket or other garment. This is intended for those who serve the community, no other identifying mark is included, making the pin a universal symbol for all Earth Based Religions.

To see and order your Pin, please visit my Pagan Clergy Pin page.

The Centaur Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 28, 2011
Posted in: Rings, Zodiac Amulets. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

One of my favorite images is the Centaur. Fantasia illustrates the beautiful creatures celebrating life to the music of Beethoven’s Sixth, they are featured in the Narnia series, Centaurs may be found as characters in Chalker’s Well of Souls series; and of course, they are the noted imagery of Sagittarius: one of the astrological signs noting focus and concentration.

I designed a ring of a Lady Centaur drawing an arrow in her bow and aiming at the stars. By using the ring as a point of focus or reminder, the Centaur gets to the point of the matter, focusing on a specific target, not wavering, ignoring tangents; She sets sights on her goal, draws and fires.

The Centaur Ring

This ring is for those who practice the art of Archery, who wish to concentrate on their bottom line, set their goals and achieve them; it is for those who love Centaurs or simply celebrate their birth in Sagittarius. To order your Centaur ring, please visit my Centaur Ring page.

The Bat Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 27, 2011
Posted in: nature Jewelry, Rings. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

This Bat ring has been one of my favorites for many years. Light, simple and elegant, the thin shank is formed into the classic shape of a bat. Originally created to accompany the the Bat Amulet, this rendering of the Bat is different: instead folded up tight and sleeping on a chain around your neck the wings are stretched out to full length: from tip to tip wraps across the finger. The over all shape of the ring is sleek, the widest point is only 7 mm tall allowing other rings to adorn your finger, or shine “solo” on your hand.

The Bat Ring
Bat Ring

If you are a big fan of Batman, a lover of Vampire tales like Dracula, Anne Rices’ stories like Queen of the Damned or Trueblood’s ongoing television (or book) series, this ring embraces them all. To see and order your Bat Ring, please visit my Bat Ring Page.

The Doni Goddess Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 27, 2011
Posted in: Pagan Jewelry, Rings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Some time ago I created a version of the Venus of Willendorf; or the Doni Goddess Amulet: the original was a simple stone carving of a woman’s body sans arms, face and the feet narrow down to a point. A great deal of writing and lecturing by the late professor Joseph Campbell describes the image as not a “realistic” rendering of a woman, rather the Force behind the archetypal Feminine Attributes, focusing on reproduction and providing nourishment for the young and innocent (and many other concepts).

The piece was well received by archeologists as well as those who are focused on developing the feminine within themselves and honoring those around us who manifest those qualities.

Doni Goddess Ring
Doni Goddess Ring

I decided to create a ring of the Doni Goddess, however I have modified the design a little: Placing the arms over the head draws from above and blesses everyone around her. I have also placed the swirl on her belly denoting eternal manifestation and renewal (among many other things).

The ring itself holds the Doni as the central figure, the shank (the part of the ring which wraps around the finger) is solid and sturdy, not a “light and dainty” shank, this piece is solid and will hold up to wear.

To view this ring and order one for yourself, please visit the Doni Goddess Ring page.

Twin Dragons Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 19, 2011
Posted in: Amulets, Dragon Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Two serpentine dragons in one amulet, facing each other and holding a stone between them; the settings are in the shape of dragon’s teeth. Their wings frame the piece touching on top and below. Their claws weave their magic between them.

Twin Dragons Amulet
Twin Dragons Amulet

This Amulet of Dragons is about balance: a balance of energy suspended in mid air. Fierce dragons are known to fight each other, however these twin dragons hold their own space and provide a balance for each other: recognizing their differences, they support each other in flight, speaking to each other they credit each others perspective. They are the balance of opposites, yet they seem exactly alike: their scales, position and movement are dissimilar and because of those differences: support each other. This amulet is a reminder of how opposites attract, how different views expand perspective and how diversity strengthens us all.

Where to get your Twin Dragons Amulet is one and a half inch tall amulet is designed for a stone set between each other and comes with an 18” chain permanently attached at the wings.

The Dream Catcher Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 12, 2011
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, Jewelry design, Multi Faith, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

In making custom jewelry,
I am sometimes challenged to re-create
the vision of someone’s dream.
In the case of the Dream Catcher Amulet,
an artist manifest her idea into a painting
and wanted the design to be re-created as an amulet.
To accomplish the effect I was requested to cut stones into delicate shapes.
Unfortunately some stones simply do not hold up well
when cut into tiny shapes:
the corners get caught
or easily chip due to their nature.

Dream Catcher Amulet

Dream Catcher Amulet

For this Amulet,
I had to shape Turquoise into a star shape:
however turquoise crumbles easily
once it gets small enough.
She also wanted a small crescent moon of Lapis Lazuli,
also a problem.
Once the design was developed for the piece
I had suggested we shape the amulets “face”
to provide the stones to be set from the back,
giving the illusion of the various shapes
and still keeping the integrity of the stone and setting:
this gives the amulet a much longer lifetime.
A blood stone was also set below the frame of the catcher,
it too has a special custom setting
individually cared and cast for the amulet.

With Phoenix and stones set into the “web” and hoop of the Dream Catcher
(matching the sketch she developed and sent to me),
the Amulet was complete
and now resides in her private collection.

Should you wish to have a piece of your own design made specially for you,
please visit my How to Order Custom Jewelry page.

Lady of Oceans Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on July 6, 2011
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

Polished Agate is an amazing mineral. It reveals shapes and patterns which appears like tiny scenes. I came across a green agate and found layers of deep water in the sedimentary layers. Shaped like a water-drop it seemed appropriate to frame it with sterling waves and crown the amulet with a sculpture of a Sea Spirit. The Lady of Oceans Amulet is hung with a back bail, a kind of loop hidden behind the head of the spirit, making the piece appear to float on a chain or cord. This one of a kind amulet was purchased days after completion and resides in a private collection.

Lady of Oceans Amulet

If you would like a one of a kind amulet (or pendant) inspired by the images in your favorite stone, please visit my how to order custom page.