Handfasting Jewelry

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 17, 2009
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Jewelry design, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , , , , . 4 Comments

For centuries,
Handfasting was practiced in Northern Europe
as a primary stage to marriage
and is still practiced into modern times.

“Handfasting” is derived from the verb
“to handfast”,
used for making a contract of marriage.
The couple is promised for “a year and a day”
as they hand-festa
(Norse:” to strike a bargain by joining hands”).
The rite varies between practitioners
but usually incorporates the participants
to bind their hands together with ribbon or chord;
a physical extension of promises made and kept.

Handfasting Bracelet

Handfasting Bracelet

I have created Handfasting Bracelets
using a design of two strands creating a combined knot
stronger than the sum of it’s parts.
The bracelets are to be put on during the ceremony
and worn for the “year and a day”;
then cherished as a keepsake when the marriage is preformed.

Many have chosen the bracelets for handfasting
and the rings for the marriage.
The Handfasting Rings
hold the same knot work design
for those people that find the bracelet too cumbersome.

Lovers Knot Ring

Lovers Knot Ring

I have made another version of the Lovers Knot,
giving it a more “Celtic” feel:
weaving the knot work in to a more intricate design.

Celtic Lovers Knot Ring

Celtic Lovers Knot Ring

If you are looking for a custom knot to be created for you,
I can design a knot work for your Wedding
or Handfasting that would be a “two of a kind” set.

Pentacles as Amulets

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 16, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Druid Jewelry, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

Pentacles often had no connotation of “five” in the old magical documents,
but were magical talismans inscribed with any symbol or character.
The most common “pentacle” is the five point star.
In one of it’s earliest forms the Pentacle symbolized the first “ADAM”,
signified in early art as “Human Perfection”,
the “First Man” in the Garden of Eden.

Grape Vine Pentacle

Grape Vine Pentacle

Pentacles are used in the Tarot
to signify Matter or the Material World.
Each of the Pentacle cards represents a scenario and lesson about money,
influence and decisions.
The five pointed star is found everywhere
from a Sheriff’s badge to a countries’ flag;
it is found in nature within apples,
in flowers and trees.
The Pentacle as a five pointed star
represents the balance between the Elements
(Fire, Water, Air, Earth)
under the Spirit
(the top point).
When presented with the top point up,
this is a symbol of health, wisdom,
balance and good fortune.
When inverted,
like any symbol reversed
it is no longer in balance but rather oppressed:
the elements are over powering the spirit.
When both are shown together
it represents the cycle of life:
the “ups and downs” of one’s existence.

Because I have been creating amulets of many sorts,
I have dedicated my own collection of Pentacles
as five pointed stars
and left the rest to be listed under other categories.
Each of my pentacle amulets are focused on a different aspect of health:
brotherhood, environment, healing, friendship and love.
With over 20 designs to choose from
I have versions that include rough textures,
women’s forms,
the caduceus,
moonstone, caldrons, a pin design for wiccan clergy in the military and much more.
If you cannot find the Pentacle you are looking for,
have no fear.
I can create your design by way of your drawing or description.

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

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The Ouroboros Ring

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 13, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design, Multi Faith, Pagan Jewelry, Rings, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

The Ouroboros (also spelled Uroboros and Oroboris),
is an ancient symbol illustrated by a serpent swallowing its own tail,
forming a circle.

From 1600 B.C. in Egypt to the movie: “the Never Ending Story”
the Ouroboros has been found in cultures through out many ages.

The Ouroboros Ring

The Ouroboros Ring

Ouroboros Ring

The Ouroboros often represents self-reflexivity or cyclicality,
something constantly re-creating itself,
the eternal return,
and other things perceived as cycles
begin anew as soon as they end.
It can also signify
the concept of primordial unity
persisting from the beginning
with such force and quality
it cannot be destroyed.

The Ouroboros has been important
in religious and mythological imagery,
used in alchemical illustrations,
where it symbolizes the circular nature of their work.

The Ouroboros Ring for your finger.
This version has a small diamond shape cut into the forehead
symbolizing the “third eye”
adding the concept of perception through illusion;
lightly textured and smooth for comfort and wear ability.
Each ring is made as it is ordered,
providing the recipient to request unusual sizes.

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

Custom Jewelry from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 12, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design. Tagged: , . 10 Comments

When most people think of Custom Jewelry,
they think of a piece they had dreamed of,
or perhaps a design they developed.
When approaching a Jewelry Designer with their ideas
they discover Custom Jewelry in the industry
refers to a choice of stones
in a pre-made ring,
pendant or brooch.

Not here

I start with your ideas.
If you do not already have an image,
I can create a rendering
(an illustration of the piece)
and send it to you for your review.
Once approved,
I create the piece
to your specifications.

Custom Jewelry means True Custom,
the way you want it.

Dragon Butterfly Cloak Clasp

Amulets by Merlin
specializes in one of a kind
and limited edition pieces for personal use,
clubs, organizations and fund raisers;
focusing on images important to the client,
developing designs which reflect the ideas and intent of their purpose.

I have been creating pieces for well over 30 years
and provide examples of my work.

For more information on how to have
jewelry made the way you want it,
please visit the Amulets by Merlin
Custom Page.

The Green Man Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 10, 2009
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Lore, Druid Jewelry, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The Green Man as a work of art has many interpretations.  In western culture it is found primarily in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  Found from the ruins of ancient times carved in stone, there are many variations: a humanoid face with a wreath of leaves and at times the face is composed of foliage: branches and leaves coming out of the nose and mouth.

The Green Man Amulet

In modern times one can find renderings of the Green Man as an architectural form: paintings, sculpture and amulets; considered as a manifestation of youth, re-birth and rejuvenation.  In the modern lore of western traditions it has been adopted as the first stage in a man’s life.  The succession follows: the Green Man: the Youth; the Hunter: the Father and the Sage: the Wise Old Man.  By wearing the Green Man Amulet, one is acknowledging this early stage and supporting the youth in ones own life as well as the vitality of those around them.

In my own work I have developed the Green Man Amulet.  Using oak leaves and acorns to adorn the face, I have placed an opal in the forehead: signifying vision and possibilities. For those who want more than the amulet I have a necklace version: the Green Man Amulet hung on a chain of leaves linked together.

You can view this and many other creations at the Amulets by Merlin Website.

Skull Jewelry

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on June 9, 2009
Posted in: Jewelry design. Tagged: , . 19 Comments

When many people see skulls in flags, posters or what not they either think of Halloween or pirates.  The United States tend to categorize Skull “anything” as spooky.  Not so!  Skulls are being found on everything from bandannas to Hawaiian shirts.  In Mexico Skulls are a part of religious holidays honoring their ancestors.  After only a second’s hesitation, I decided to give the image a go myself.  In fact on of the very first pieces of sculpture was a skull, back in my preteen days.  What started out as a Halloween thing ( yes, I live in the States) turned out to be a study in the shape of the head, proportions of the face and a good familiarity of how a portrait is put together.  My Mother (a collage level art instructor and founder of the McLaren Studio Academy) took the opportunity to point out the connective tissues, the way the muscles are aligned and how expression is developed with the foundation of the essential bones.

Skull Money Clip

Now that I am making jewelry and sculpture professionally, I have developed an entire line of jewelry based on the Skull.  So far I have created Skull beads that can be woven into the hair for those that dread their follicles to a cord, or used as dangles for woven rope or strings.  I have seen folks use the skull beads as charms for bracelets, necklaces and charms placed on their drums and other items.  Attempting to be a versatile as possible, I have also created the Skull chain: loops on each end that are then chained together for bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more.

Lately I have gone one more step: Skull money clips!  One is simply a skull; other versions include stones in the eyes, a skull and cross bone design and a Jolly Roger, the skull with crossed swords.  Each with a working jaw, spring loaded ready to hold your cash; I carry one myself and enjoy it immensely.  If you would like to see some of my Skull Jewelry, please take the time to visit Amulets by Merlin