The Icarus Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 27, 2010
Posted in: Greek Mythology Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The image of Icarus from the ancient Greek Legend.

The Icarus Amulet

The Icarus Amulet
Front and Back

Icarus and his father Daedalus attempted to escape prison at the hands of King Minos.
Daedalus fashioned wings out of wax and feathers for himself and his son.
Before they took off,
Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sun,
nor too close to the sea.
Overcome with the sense of flight,
Icarus soared through the sky,
but flew too close to the sun,
melting the wax.
Without his wings Icarus fell into the sea which bears his name.
This tale strikes deep into the heart of those who attempt the impossible,
risking themselves for the sake of their vision or desire for freedom.

The Icarus Amulet

The Icarus Amulet
one-of-a-kind
Custom Amulet

With a basic sketch and a written description from my client
I rendered out multiple images before the right feel of the piece was approved.
The idea was to use a large cabochon as the sun,
the rays extending out from the orb as the setting,
then overlaying the image of Icarus over the top.
Because of the shape of the stone,
the sculpture has the figure’s knees bent as if falling towards you.
To provide the ability for work to be done on the amulet in the future,
I used a “clock-work setting” for the stone.
This setting on the back allows the stone to be fed behind the artwork,
thus protection the amulet from damage from bench jewelers should the amulet last longer that I do!

Capturing freedom,
motion and the source of All,
the piece is of sterling silver and garnet.
The Icarus Amulet is a talisman of freedom and daring,
a one of a kind piece worn by a noble and free soul
who continues to attempt the impossible with Good Intent.

More about how to order Custom Jewelry

The Fire Drum Sculpture

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 24, 2010
Posted in: Drum Circles, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , . 1 Comment

Of all the sculptures I have created thus far, the Fire Drum is the strangest. This sculpture is a bronze Djembe including ropes, rings and a goat skin head (all in bronze of course!). In the center of the drum head is a bonfire where dancers move with the rhythms of the circle. Below are the guardians, protecting the scared space; each facing one of the four directions.

Fire Drum Statue

The Fire Drum was intended to represent the entirety of the Drum Circle. In a real sense the observer is the drummer: by seeing the drum and all of the various participants you view a manifestation of what the circle is: the community coming out to celebrate music and movement, all of which is the wellspring of life itself. The drum holds the foundation: the beat and rhythms of the community. The Fire is the heart: ever changing, transforming the raw materials gathered into light (truth), heat (nourishment) and smoke (the Mystery obscured by the material world). The dancers move about the circle, keeping the time; weaving the sound into new music with every gesture.

Herne is present, with his head adorned with the stag horns that representing the Old God. Here Herne manifests are “The Lord of the Dance” as often said in song. Below Watches and Guardians do not allow themselves to become entranced with the Mystery of the Drum Circle, they gaze out from the circle, protecting the community from harm and keeping the Sacred Circle protected from the Ill Will of those that would do harm.

I once attended a drum circle where to enter it one had to pass a sign where it read:
“You are entering Sacred Ground, leave your problems here” and there was a small pot with salt. Beside it were a collection of small objects: rocks, twigs woven into twisted figures and the like. When I entered the circle I noticed the burdens people carried, the squabbles and self doubt seemed missing. I turned around to see the back of the sign: “See, you really didn’t need all that after all”.

The Fire Drum is dedicated to the Drum Circle itself, a manifestation of what beauty a community can create with care and love: ever reaching out to those of Good Will to participate and enjoy the fruit of Joy and Companionship. This sculpture is a one of a kind piece now in a private collection.

The Bezl Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 23, 2010
Posted in: Drum Circles. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments

I first met Bezl LaBonte while I was on the fair circuit.
I spent many years traveling from one festival to another,
one year I attended five Beltane Festivals,
each just a little more south than the weekend before.

Bezl

Bezl
and his works of art

Bezl popped into my tent and sat quietly for some time before he became a little fidgety.
Without saying a word he picked up a metal salad bowl and began to tap on it.
The conversation around him died as we listened to his gentle rhythm,
tuning the sound by shaping various flat spaces on the bowl,
We sat entranced as he was apparently unconscious of our attention for nearly twenty minutes.
Music seized him as he produced what turned into symphonic splendor.
Then,
with out any apparent concern,
simply placed the bowl down.
Seconds later a host of people outside the tent began to applaud with great enthusiasm.

I often heard people comment that he doesn’t talk much,
but only those that haven’t heard him play say such things.

Later at the drum circle he made his impromptu performance
as he breathed life into his drum:
playing classic phrases from Africa inverted over poly rhythms never heard before;
he drummed until the sun rose the following morning.

Music is not his only means of expression.
He sculpts wood into musical instruments,
human and free form shapes,
furniture and high relief.
Years later Bezl commissioned me to develop his symbol as an amulet he ties into the drums he creates.
Many people add charms and amulets to their drums,
marking festivals, circles and other experiences.

Bezl is the only one I know
who applies a Talisman
as the Birthing Amulet
for a Drum.

I am honored to be a part of it.

For more about custom:
Please visit
Amulets by Merlin

The Flowing Lady Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 19, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Drum Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

It has been often said: “when choosing a subject in your art, choose something you know”. I have attended drum circles for many years and one of the things I have seen most often are the dancers. Once the beat starts up the flow of movement begins to circle around the fire. The dancers emerge to fill the air with movement: inspiring the drummers to drum to their flow and gestures.

The Flowing Lady Amulet
Flowing Lady Amulet

Creating images “frozen in time” I have developed a series of Drummers and Dancers as amulets, pendants and charms. They are very small yet fully sculpted in three dimensions: front and back; in this way they “continue to move” as they are worn. Many have added them to their drums to denote their enthusiasm of the Drum Circle.

One of which is the Flowing Lady Amulet. Like the rest of the collection, she is fully sculpted on all sides with a loop or “bail” behind the head, fashioned to look like hair. She wears a skirt to add to her flowing nature. This exotic Lady is perfect for the drummers dedicated to their counterparts in the circle, or any dancer that loves movement to music.

The Cauldron Earrings

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 17, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Earrings, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

The Cauldron is one of the most basic cooking pots. Typically suspended on chain over an open fire, these large pieces of crockery have been used for everything from heating water, making dinner and making soap. It has been attributed to the Leprechaun’s container of great treasure, a classic image from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Endora making trouble on Bewitched. In the Southern portion of the US, one may find them in yards filled with flowers signifying prosperity and a welcome hearth for all well intended visitors.

The Cauldron Earrings

Cauldron Earrings

The Cauldron like many other basic and everyday tools have been used as a metaphor for other more esoteric ideas: in Wicca it represents the Womb of the Goddess a place of death and rebirth, a symbol of amalgamation. Joseph Campbell inferred in his lectures thepre-Christian imagery of the Grail was the Cauldron, signifying the source of Virtue, the potency of inquiry and purity of heart.

One of my first designs: tiny Cauldron Earrings. The intent: to culminate all of these ideas into an amulet form. Cauldrons look best hung from chain as you would find them in actual use; thus I selected tiny lengths of chain and suspend them from Shepherd’s hooks, giving them a fluid, pendulous look. The Cauldron Earrings were scaled down to the smallest I could and still be recognizable: large enough for a drop of scented oil, spilling and perfuming neck and hair as they are worn; or simply a sparkling frame for your countenance. Each Cauldron has a tiny star signifying balance and clarity; ready to cast spells of joy and blessings where ever you go.

The Rendering

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 11, 2010
Posted in: Custom Jewelry, Custom Motorcycle Mirrors, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

One of the services I offer in my line of work is to create Renderings.

A Rendering is an image of the chosen design of a work of art. In classical art, the rendering is often a quick sketch that included dimensions, materials, production notes and reminders of details that would be necessary for the client to review and approve.
Rendering

We first start with a description, usually sent to me in an email or described over the phone. Before the internet I would often meet with the client in a coffee shop or other such place and bring my sketch book. After a sketch or two we then settle on shape and other details of the piece: ring sizes when applicable, dimensions are a must; the kind of materials: jewelry is often bronze, silver or gold; sculptures in Terra-Cota or Bronze. Mirrors tend to be cast in aluminum then chromed before the glass is cut and inset.

Now I use my website: after the client gives me the description and should they want to contract a rendering, I create a private page for the client to review and approve the image and the page is left in place for the client to purchase the piece.

Once the image is approved, the piece is purchased on their private page and the work of creating the piece is begun.

Some prefer to create their own sketches or submit other images to be used as guidelines; this is fine, however notes should be included to either make the piece exactly like the client’s image or to develop the design into a new direction. I would always prefer that this very important step of design be included in the creation of a piece. Leaving jewelry, sculpture or mirror commissions up to simply written descriptions can create misunderstandings and revisions in the final work that can (at times) lead to re-creating the piece entirely.

For more information about renderings, commissions, custom orders or how I make jewelry may be found in my Custom Page.

Dagda’s Club Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 9, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

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.

Dagda's Club Amulet

Dagda’s Club Amulet

One of them is Dagda’s Club.

In his Words:

“Show your devotion to the manliest god of them all: the All Father, the Good (at everything) God, the fabulous Dagda!

“Fiery father of the Gods of Erin, the Dagda is the Supreme Druid, the Mightiest Warrior, and Danu’s Most Fertile Stud. His famous club could kill or resurrect, depending on which end He tapped you with.

“Honor the Dagda by wearing this silver or bronze amulet, designed by Isaac (includes the ogham letters for “Dagda” on the back).”

This represents the Irish All-Father’s magical club,
which was a Druid’s wand,
a warrior’s weapon,
and a Healer’s Blessing of fertility.
Entwining snakes embossed on a club,
topped by three tri-spirals.
A back Bail allows a hidden yet sturdy way
of wearing it on a chain or cord.
Script of the artist “Bonewits”
and producer “Merlin” of
Amulets by Merlin found on the back.

Isaac’s Amulets are a beautiful combination of design,
comfort and concept.
You may purchase these amulets through my site.
Each piece purchased Isaac’s Household receives a royalty
to both help extend his legacy promoting good will
and clarity to the world.
To learn about Isaac Bonewits,
his writings and more,
you may visit his website.

Knotted Penannular

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 8, 2010
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Druid Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Several of my cloak clasps are of the Penannular design: a fastening brooch used by the Scotts in their traditional wear. Typically, the style I have been creating is for the Ladies, the Lads use a circle with what looks like a decorative hat pin or small thin dagger to fasten their clothing. This technique of fastening their garments served in several ways: one was to hold their Great Kilts together; another was to give them a last ditch should they be faced with opposition. Hence the old saying: “If a Scott is wearing clothes, he is armed”.

Knotted Penannular

Unlike the mens brooch, the more genteel Penannular had the pin as well, yet it is solidly attached to the frame: usually a horse shoe in shape. This allows for the clasp to be more versatile and provide the user with the ability to keep all of the components together.

The more traditional ornamentation is knotwork, a style of decoration used among the Celts to illuminate the piece. Styles of knotwork range from the classic shapes from the Book of Kells to the bizarre Zoomorphic styles that incorporate animals and sometimes people into the knots. In the more shamanic versions the knot was not a repeated pattern but a somewhat free formed shape but had to be all one strand. Thus the person who gazed upon it could follow the strand from “beginning to the end” and they would wind back where they started.

In the creation of the Knotted Penannular I blend the classic shapes of the old style Ladies’ Penannular and the shamanistic style of knotwork, yet conforming to the regular shape forced a more repeated pattern. The over all result is a period piece for the medieval and renaissance fairs rather than fantasy art. Each of the Penannulars I make are for the heavy cloaks: stout pins and solid frames for years of wear. This would do well on a jacket, too. I would recommend for the more mainstream garments you use button holes for the pin.

Jolly Roger Money Clip

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 6, 2010
Posted in: Money Clips, Skull Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

At last, me hearties! A money clip to keep your booty!
This is an original design in money clips,
like the Dragon Money clip,
the Jolly Roger Money Clip
has a spring loaded jaw,
a tight fit for your folding money.
Eye patch and a knowing grin,
this money clip has character and a heavy feel.
The scimitars crossed below
provide you with a stout backing for the bills!
This way they can stay flat and fresh in your pocket.

Jolly Roger Money Clip

The Jolly Roger Money Clip

More pictures of the Jolly Roger Money Clip
and its working jaw
are posted in the website for your review.
It is a rare thing for a money clip to be so striking.
Detail in every way,
stout,
solid and durable;
the Jolly Roger Money Clip
has a weight to it
yet comfortable in your hand
and able to hold multiple bills at a time.

If you are a pirate
or simply enjoy keeping your cash in your pocket
without flying about,
this clip is for you!

The Watchful Wolf Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 4, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Totem Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Under the branch of a tree, a wolf is relaxing, stretched out while watching the horizon beyond. The Tree over head offers little shade yet seems to watch over him.

The Watchful Wolf Amulet
The Watchful Wolf Amulet

This Amulet offers a scene rather than a simple profile or face. The idea here is to present an aspect of the Wolf rarely depicted in the amulet form. Originally created in 1989, this has been one of the more interesting shapes I have created. Completely a-symmetrical in shape it describes a moment in the Wolf’s life he (or she) isn’t hunting, playing, fighting nor sleeping. Rather the wolf surveys the land with reposed interest. Ready to respond at a moments notice, yet reclined in comfort as if watching pups at play or simply enjoying a sunset.

The Watchful Wolf Amulet is designed for those lovers of the Wolf who are a bit more relaxed and ready to enjoy life yet ready to respond when needed. Wolves being pack minded and concerned with their community, this amulet is for those concerned with their families, their community and their planet.