The Sleeping Drummer Statue

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 26, 2010
Posted in: Drum Circles, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , . 1 Comment

When first attending Drum Circles, a dear friend who simply couldn’t tear herself away from the down beat refused to withdraw to her tent after drumming ‘till four in the morning. On a blanket and just outside the circle, she curled up with her drum and fell asleep. It was an image that etched into my mind for years to come.

The Sleeping Drummer Statue
The Sleeping Drummer

Just a couple of years ago a young lady often commented the effect that drumming has on her: “I fall to sleep every time. All you guys have to do and start drumming and I am out in minutes”. Her husband chuckled over this and thought that it would be a great subject of a sculpture. He contracted a sculpture for her birthday. “Just add a cat to it” he told me. “She loves her cats!”

The result is The Sleeping Drummer. This bronze statue is over six inches long and placed on a slice of oak for a pedestal. She sleeps while hugging her drum and her trusty cat plays a rhythm that keeps her dozing.

If you would like to have a sculpture created for you simply review my how to order custom page and email me a description.

The Rune Ear Cuff

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 24, 2010
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Runes, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

I make a variety of Ear cuffs.
Much like the shape of cuff bracelets,
they are designed to clasp the side of the ear
decorating the aural shell;
an alternative to the earring.
They do not need a piercing to wear
and thus a great option for someone
who has not chosen to add a hole to the lobe.

Rune Ear Cuff

Rune Ear Cuff

One of the ear cuffs I make
is the Rune Ear Cuff;
inscribed on the band the Elder Futhark (24 runes),
the classic collection of runes
which are also featured in the Rune Caster Set.
In this way you may have the “Wisdom of the Runes” as a constant companion,
augmenting all that you hear.

The Ear Cuff is 1/4″ by 1 1/2″,
however when formed to fit you ear it adjusts between 3/4″ to 7/8″.
It is ideal for those who read and study the runes
or simply enjoy the ancient lore of Odin.

Traditional Lover’s Knot Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 23, 2010
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , , , , . 3 Comments

Many of you may recall my Handfasting Bracelet: the design based on the shape of the Mariner’s Knot combining two separate strands of rope of cord to create a knot stronger than the sum of its parts. This design was based on a ring I developed many years ago that I have called the Traditional Lover’s Knot Ring.

Traditional Lover’s Knot Ring

Many have purchased this lover’s knot for Handfastings, Weddings or a simple “promise” ring of love and devotion.

In the creating of this design you will note that the knot appears as two separate strands on the tome yet behind the ring (the shank) one may note that it is indeed a single strand. Because of the desire of theme and variation, I have also created a “Celtic” version, by creating a twist of the knot, perhaps representing the twists and turns of the lives shared through one’s life.

If you wish I can also add an inscription to the inside of the ring to make it more personal, just as I also create the rings at any size needed, even for those who find rings difficult to find because of ones unusual size: each ring is treated with care and consideration: each ring made specially one at a time.

Merlin’s Zodiac Amulets

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 21, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry, Zodiac Amulets. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

This collection of amulets
is designed for those who want
an unusual astrological amulet:
each of the Zodiac Sun Signs
is textured with the corresponding elements.

Merlin's Zodiac Amulets

Merlin’s Zodiac Amulets

The Aries amulets are carved in flame,
so are the Leo and Sagittarius amulets.
Water signs such as Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces
are rippled in water textures,
The Air symbols of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
are “brushed” with air
and the Earth signs of Taurus,
Virgo and Capricorn hold the strata of the Earth.

In my Zodiac Page,
I offer descriptions of each of the Sun signs,
dates and the key words to help one become familiar with the meanings.

Wearing “your sign” associated with your birth
has become quite popular,
however a coming trend
is to wear the associated “Moon Sign”;
in other words when you are born,
you are not only anointed with the time within the solar calendar
(primary sign of personality traits)
but also your moon sign
(the position the moon was in at the time of your birth).
This coordination is associated with your emotional being
and is an excellent indication of expressive states of being.

Astrology is a “living” science,
meaning that as we move forward in time scholars of Astrology
are continuing to learn more about traits,
tendencies and the effect of the heavens in daily life.
Knowing your chart is not a “sentence” to a trait,
rather it is a base line we start with,
like a tool kit that is offered:
tools we can learn to use and eventually out grow.
The typical forecast one reads in the paper is so general
in many cases it is comparatively useless.
In better understanding on how we learn to grow with our “tools”
we steadily learn to use the entire zodiac.

In the use of the amulets,
one may find a sign you are not born with
to learn the tools of another sign.
For someone who is having a hard time with keeping their lives balanced,
one may wish to wear the Libra amulet to develop poise to one’s life.

I have created the Zodiac Amulets
in hope to offer solutions to those
who both understand the symbols
and wish to learn more,
grow and develop a better life.

Eagle Mirrors by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 20, 2010
Posted in: Motorcycle mirrors. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

Eagles have been viewed as creatures of freedom,
one of the symbols of our nation.
The bird has been used in flags,
paintings sculpture, paintings jewelry and more.
The Eagle was also very important to one of my clients
who wanted a pair of mirrors for their bike.
These sculptures were designed to mount on the bike as “normal” mirrors do,
with the silhouette of the noble birds cut in glass.

Eagle Mirrors by Merlin

Eagle Mirrors by Merlin

All of the mirrors I create are one of a kind sculptures
with no molds taken.
Each pair is designed for the Biker,
personalized and unique.
In the past I have created several skeletal hands holding the glass for rear viewing,
but each one is sculpted independently with protective wards for the bike and its rider.
Because they are works of art they take time to create,
often as much as ten weeks to carve and cast.

To have such a pair created for you,
I need images of the bike and a solid description of what is desired.
Knowing the over all design of the bike allows me to add parts of the bike’s design into the sculpture,
creating a design link between the ride and the mirrors.
This way they are not just custom, but personalized:
as unique as the Biker him/herself.

I create renderings for review.
Once approved I then create the sculptures one at a time.
They are in turn cast in aluminum and polished.
Often times a biker would want the polished aluminum which gives it both a high polish and a sense of antique:
the inset portions of the design hold a darker patina,
highlighting the polished areas.

Chroming tends to take time,
depending on their back log I have seen it take as long as
an additional eight weeks to do the final finish.

Although this kind of work takes time,
it is well worth it.
A bike with one of the Merlin Mirrors is distinct,
unique and stands out from other bikes like no other accessory.
Perfect for the show bike: the first mirror I created
placed the ride in second place of the grand nationals in Richmond and featured in Biker Magazine.

To begin creating your mirrors,
please visit the how to order page
in the Amulets by Merlin website.

The Bardic Harp Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 19, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The harp is a classic symbol of music and song. In the Celtic tradition the Bard (wandering musician) would travel from town to town with a harp slung over his shoulder, singing and telling stories to all that would listen. He would also collect stories and songs to carry to other villages and thus spread the news of other places with his voice.

Bardic Harp
Bardic Harp Amulet

When the land was oppressed by a tyrannical ruler, the Bard would hide from the authorities: his news and music would be considered seditious. Thus the protection of music was ingrained in the Celtic tradition. More than a simple story teller, the Bard was the source of news and culture to a people hungry for news and lore.

Bards were chosen for their powerful memories and their nuance of song. They were trusted to be not only accurate in their news but also for speaking the truth and witness without judgment.

For centuries, because of their lack of allegiance to any authority save for the Truth, they were outlawed for generations though out Ireland and Scotland. In those dark times a simple token of a tiny harp on a lapel was a sign of solidarity.

In honor of this powerful title of the Bard, I have created an amulet of Inspiration: the Bardic Harp Amulet. This amulet holds an octave of strings in a Celtic style harp: I have placed a Lady Muse on the front of the harp, fashioned like a maiden prow of a ship. Her hair on the top forms a bail from which to hang a jump ring for you to wear as a pendant. The Amulet is two sided with a solid base so it may “stand up” if set on a flat surface.

This amulet is created for musicians, story tellers, reporters in all medias and any one who loves music.

Mystic Moon Fundraising

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 18, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Drum Circles, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

There is a local shop called the Mystic Moon here in South Eastern Virginia.
They offer books, jewelry and other gift items,
they also offer workshops in a variety of subjects which include discussion groups,
hands-on craft and art instruction,
a weekly Drum Circle and much more.
Periodically they also coordinate events in Spring and Fall.

To Mark these events Deb
(the proprietor, teacher, Priestess and “go to” Gal)
offers fund raisers for various charities:
food drives, raising money and other offerings for those in need.

Over the years,
I have contributed by making commemorative amulets
to raise funds and mark the high water events for the Mystic Moon:
May Moon, Autumn Moon, the Anniversary of the Drum Circle,
and the Witches’ Ball.

Typically, Deb has one of here folks design the amulet,
making the piece a community contribution of artistry.
I then create the master and copies for her
to sell through the shop and at the events.

If you wish to order a copy of one of their fund raisers,
you may order yours through the Mystic Moon.
If you are interested in fund raising services for your event or cause,
simply contact Amulets by Merlin.

Celestial Bracelet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 17, 2010
Posted in: Druid Jewelry, Jewelry design, Multi Faith, nature Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , . 1 Comment

Our world has cycles within cycles.
Morning and evening, day and night,
the years count out a pulse that resonates though out the world.
One of the metronomes setting the down beat is the Moon.
We see the phases much like the days of the week, counting our calendars through waxing and waning times.
The Celestial Bracelet is a physical expression of this lunar rhythm:
a single link is comprised of a bright disk for the full moon,
crescents of the flux and each cycle linked at the new moon: transition.
Celestial Bracelet
Celestial Bracelet
Those whose lives are blessed by the lunar rhythm would find this both comforting and steady,
like moonlight around your wrist.

Baby Dragon Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 15, 2010
Posted in: Dragon Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

This is another old favorite! First created in 1994, this little one was developed from one of Tony’s original sketches or “scribbles” as she likes to call them. A Baby Dragon emerges from an egg and looks around for her Mother, or perhaps a snack! Her little wings are emerging from the shell for the first time, still wet from the egg and not fully stretched out.

Baby Dragon

Baby Dragon

This tiny piece has a great deal of detail, scales, wings, cracks in the egg…

and an eye that looks like it may move at any moment.

This is part of the Dragon Collection from Amulets by Merlin which includes the Song Dragon, the Flame Dragon and Mirth Dragon. The over all “look” of these dragons are nether considered “Western” with the blocky faces and broad bodies, nor the “Eastern” dragons with the nearly serpentine bodies and trailing whiskers. The Tony Dragons are unique in their look and feel, as if there were actual dragons posing for the renderings and sculpture.

This Little One is perfect to add to your collection of Dragon pieces, excellent for the child in your life or the child within, hatching out from the shell of the mundane world.

California Oak Tree Sculpture

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 11, 2010
Posted in: Sculpture. Tagged: , , , . 1 Comment

Years a go a dear friend of mine wished to have a special piece made for her daughter as a Christmas Gift. Although we reside in Virginia, for a time we both lived in California and while we were there fell in love with the California Oak. Like the Dogwood tree in Virginia, the California Oak is protected by the state: rare, many ancient trees with massive trunks, powerful branches that are able to span great stretch of ground. In some groves they are deemed hundreds of years old with branches that are well over ten feet thick.

California Oak Tree Sculpture
Oak of California

My friend commissioned a sculpture that was to serve a purpose: an earring tree! Her daughter’s earring collection is apparently quite massive and her mother wanted to help her keep track. She wanted the tree top be large enough to hold as many earrings as possible and so she asked for the sculpture to be 12 inches across.

The result is the Noble Oak of California sculpted in bronze and set on a stone. I included in the design a portion in the center where a candle may be nested within the top and many branches around the edge able to hold dangling earrings.

All mounted on a large stone and wood base, this solid bronze statue came to 23 pounds of Carnival Bronze with a light patina. Now currently residing in a private collection.

for more information about custom sculpture pleae visit
How to order custom Page
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin