Flame Sprite Necklace from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 17, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

As the heat of summer wanes
and we huddle around our fires to keep warm through the cold of autumn,
we often watch the flames flicker and pop,
perhaps unconsciously deciphering the images in the flames.
Some of us see dragons curling through the logs…

Flame Sprite Necklace

Flame Sprite Necklace

More often than not,
I have seen the presence of the fire elementals:
the flame Sprites dancing in the fire place or the fire circles.
Composed of fire herself:
she catches tiny sparks
and releases them up into the pops and sizzles
of the surrounding flames
I have attempted to capture the heart of the Flame Sprite’s dance
in the flames and freeze her in sterling silver.
The Flame Sprite holds a flame in one hand
and releases it in the other.
I have placed her on a flame chain:
a hand fabricated chain composed of flame shapes
long enough to fit an 18 inch length.
For those that want an additional flare,
I can create a custom setting
and extend the motif of the fire:
holding a flame stone.
I have also created Flame earrings,
bracelet or the Flame Chain
that may be worn sans the sprite.
Fire is consuming,
transforming and passionate.
This is a necklace designed for the fiery personality,
the warm hearted, and dancers of the fire circle.

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

Peaceful Mushroom Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 16, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Peace Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Years ago (back in the 1980s)
I lived in Southern California.
Being an avid listener to KPFK’s “Something’s Happening”
one of the regulars was Terrance McKenna:
and Ethno-Botanist who spoke long and glowingly
about his trips into the Amazon and his research of various ideas that involved 2012,
the I Ch’ing, Mushrooms, DNA,
the Mayans and a host of other ideas.
In the course of listening to these late night broadcasts
I created and amulet the closely resembles amanita muscaria mushrooms
growing into a peace sign.

Peaceful Mushroom Amulet
Peaceful Mushroom Amulet

In the early Nineties
Terrace visited the Bodi Tree bookstore in Los Angeles:
a very large alternative shop.
My Buddy Russ and our Ladies visited the store to pay our respects,
however due to other issues the connection wasn’t made.

Late in the Nineties I attended Starwood
where Terrance offered lectures.
I was honored with a visit to my booth that the Man Himself.
After examining my work I presented him
with a copy of the Peaceful Mushroom Amulet
as a “thank you” for the hundreds of hours of lectures
I was able to listen to the KPFK.

“My God!” he exclaimed.
“The usual response I get from folks is:
‘I taped them from the radio and gave them to all my friends!’”
then he laughed.

Although I never saw him again
(he passed away some years after that)
What struck me about him was his laugh:
infectious, kind and full hearted.
When I make the amulet,
I can almost hear his guffaw.

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

Custom Dragon-Butterfly Cloak Clasp from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 15, 2015
Posted in: Cloak Clasps, Custom Jewelry, Dragon Jewelry, Jewelry design. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

A Lady requested a cloak clasp combining her two favorite things:
Dragons and butterflies.
With a rather limited description we worked through a series of renderings
and then developed the final piece.

Dragon-Butterfly Cloak Clasp

Custom Dragon-Butterfly Cloak Clasp

The main wings are in Bronze
while the body of the Dragon is of Sterling Silver.
Opals were places in the tips of the wings
with garnets and amethysts set into the Mandala of knot work and spirals.
Amethyst and garnets are set into the body of the dragon.
The stones were set with sterling tube and prong settings.
The piece was made to clasp with two hooks to steady the design
while wearing it.
Three button loops were placed on each side of the wings.

The proud owner of the one-of-a-kind Dragon-Butterfly Cloak Clasp
displays her creature on her cloak at DragonCon every year!
See the website for the close ups of the mechanism!

If you have a concept of a piece that you want created,
you need only ask!

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

One-of-a-kind Ouroboros Penannular Brooch from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 14, 2015
Posted in: Brooches, Celtic Jewelry, Custom Jewelry, Dragon Jewelry, Multi Faith, Ouroboros, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

One of my favorite activities
is to create things never made before;
this was one of them!
I have already been producing the Ouroboros Ring for some time,
however a fellow wanted to have something specially made
that touches both his Celtic Heritage and his love for the Ouroboros:
the Ouroboros Penannular Brooch!

Ouroboros Penannular Brooch

Ouroboros Penannular Brooch

The Worm Himself
is a solid carving with the ability to be viewed from both sides,
a fully detailed face and the traditional diamond scalded spine.
Unlike the Ladies’ Penannular,
this is a solid ring with a “free” pin.
By his request I created the pin without a head and to replicate a sewing needle.
The way it is worn is that the ring of the Ouroboros is placed on the cloak
(or Great Kilt)
and the needle pierces the material underneath after bunching it up
though the ring thus securing the Brooch and cloak together.

This is a one-of-a-kind piece
with no mold taken for reproduction,
however
if you wish to have something similar made
(or anything of the kind) simply ask!

Rite Way Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 13, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Humor, Pagan Jewelry, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , . 1 Comment

The classic image of a “witch on a broom”
is much like the picture at the beginning of the TV series “Bewitched”:
a lovely woman in a witch costume riding sidesaddle
(see “Witch on a broom”).
However some years ago it was pointed out to me
in the old Rites the use of the Besom was with the bristles up.

The Rite Way

The Rite Way Amulet

Keeping in mind the more traditional
use of a broom is cleansing a home
(or other space) while you are actual sweeping
you are blessing your home and driving out negativity.
Hence the actual “business end” of the broom is the bristles.

To celebrate the “use” of the broom
I have created an amulet of Blessing:
“The Rite Way”.
The Lady holds her besom with the bristles up
blessing and protecting Sacred Space.

The Rite Way Amulet
is intended for those that are both serious about their efforts
to make the world a better place
and a sense of humor that one would wear
a “witch on a broom” that would be more “authentic”.

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

Dark Angel Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 12, 2015
Posted in: Amulets. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

In the spine the second vertebrae is the axis vertebra (C2),
nick named “The Dark Angel”
commonly because of its position:
It forms the pivot upon which the first cervical vertebra
(the atlas),
which carries the head, rotates.
Also because of when viewed in an isometric position,
it looks like a head and wings and is never seen
unless in autopsy or considerably after the demise of the subject.
For such a small bone,
we rely on its position for movement nearly every minute of our waking
(and at times sleeping)
lives.

The Dark Angel

The Dark Angel Amulet

Dark Angel Amulet

As a subject for an amulet,
this represents many things:
health and healing, vitality, protection
and the ability to “pivot” both literally and figuratively.
Being as that it is so rarely seen while “in use”
it may also represent assistance
we both rely on
and never see.
It connects the Mind to the Body in a very physical way.

The Dark Angel Amulet is intended
to be of assistance to those in Health care:
Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Nurses
and all care givers and body workers.
Here is an amulet that is rooted in reality
and extended into the realm of the arcane
for those who wish to bring healing to a troubled world.

more of Merlin’s Amulets may be seen at the
Merlin’s Amulets
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

Witch on a Broom Pendant from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 11, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Moon Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

One of the classic images of Halloween
is a witch riding on a broom stick.
However since the sixties
and the hit series “Bewitched”
the images turned from the “old crone”
to a beautiful woman riding side saddle on her besom.

Merlin's Witch on a broom Amulet

Merlin’s Witch on a broom Amulet

Like most people in my age group,
the icon stuck with me for years:
the sense of freedom to ride with ease across an inky sky
with the full moon framing a beautiful face,
a Witch to remember!

In my later years
I have met many women that have “come out of the closet”
most of them tend to resemble Samantha:
beauty, talent and a great sense of humor.

As a dedication to this vision of loveliness,
I have created the amulet: “Witch on a broom Amulet”
1 5/8” by one inch tall with a bail behind the moon:
positioned to give the sense of “floating” on your chain or cord.
Not just for Halloween,
the Beauty may be worn year around to spice up your day
“I’m feeling Witchy!”

more of Merlin’s Amulets may be seen at the
Merlin’s Amulets
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

The Blossom Star Amulet from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 10, 2015
Posted in: Amulets, Celtic Lore, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

I make a wide variety of Pentacles:
a symbol that is found in every culture.
The five pointed star has been seen in nature
forming the core of the apple, blossoms, and minerals
and in the random patterns of branches and trees.
It has been adopted as a symbol of strength and purity:
featured in the drawings by Leonardo da Vinci
of the “first man” representing “life in balance”
even associated in renaissance paintings with Christ.

Blossom Star Amulet

Blossom Star Amulet

The individual points represent the four elements:
fire, water, air, and earth
with the point of spirit pointing up,
again illustrating the balance of nature
with the perception of spirit.

In celebration of the five pointed star,
I have developed the symbol made of the branches of the apple tree.
The branches are woven as a sign of eternity.
The weaving of the branches is in the sequence of
creation, starting with the top point of “spirit”
and proceeding to the point of “transformation (fire)
then Wisdom (air),
Consciousness (water)
then grounding in the material world (earth)
and resolving in Spirit.
An apple blossom on the side: the promise of fulfillment.
The apple is often a symbol of living knowledge,
wisdom and abundance:
though knowledge tend to foster options that tend to lead to trouble,
it is up to the individual to choose to be “right minded” when choosing a path.

I offer the Blossom Star as “the Teacher’s Star”,
perfect for those on the path of all faiths dedicated to truth,
wisdom and virtue.

more of Merlin’s pentacle amulets may be seen at the
Merlin’s Pentacles
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

One in Spirit Sculpture from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 9, 2015
Posted in: Drum Circles, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

There are few things in life that can inspire such joy.
It is one thing to perform while an audience watches:
expectations, stage fright, critics…
it is quite another when a group of people create music
for the sole purpose of making each other happy.
Many music groups describe sessions
where it was “just the band”,
pure beauty and healing in just the experience.
In a healthy Drum Circle,
one can see an entire community gather together
to create something fresh,
unique and joyful.
Each drummer “holds” the down beat
providing a “floor”
where the community dances both figuratively and physically.

One in Spirit Sculpture

One in Spirit Sculpture

I have taught “Drum Circle Dynamics” to children for years,
helping them to realize how to interact through rhythm.
On more than a few occasions
a little one would approach
and want to play my drum with me.
In those moments I felt a bonding with the younger generation
transcending nearly every other experience.

In an attempt to capture these moments,
One in Spirit”
featuring a drummer and a small boy learning the down beat,
a moment that erases gender,
age, generational perspective
and sync the two into a single moment:
Playing as One in Spirit.

This sculpture
features details in the hair,
ropes on the drums,
texture in the clothing
and joyful expressions of the participants.

Seven inches high
cast in bronze upon request.

To get your copy please visit my
One in spirit Sculpture page

more of Merlin’s Sculpture may be seen at the
Merlin’s Sculpture Gallery
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

The Drum Mom Sculpture from Amulets by Merlin

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on October 8, 2015
Posted in: Drum Circles, Sculpture. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

If you have never attended an Open Public Drum Circle,
you have missed a great deal of fun!
One of the many things to watch is how children respond to the experience.
They naturally move with the beat and want to participate in every way they can.
As the older ones can dance and drum just as well as many of the adults,
some are still a bit too little
and could be easily stepped upon by spinning bodies and the like.

Drum Mom Sculpture

Drum Mom Sculpture

Typically, the Drum Mom is a position held by one of the mothers attending.
She supervises the water and snacks
and watches over the health and welfare of the Drum Circle:
as drummers tire and take a break through out the night
(even if we are not doing an “all nighter”)
the Drum Mom makes sure that they are cared for
and makes a safe place
for the dancers to gather to share drink, snacks and words.

I have attempted to capture
the many aspects within the Drum Circle
through my work:
mostly jewelry, however I still love to revel in my first love: sculpture.
I indulged myself in this one:
The Drum Mom.

This piece holds an aspect of the tiny struggle
between the Drum Mom and a pair of little ones
who are more exuberant then for their own good.
One struggles to climb into her lap
while the older of the two wants to break away into the circle,
armed with a shaker.

The Sculpture is a tiny moment,
a single beat in the Drum Circle,
in fact in one’s life;
yet it is an iconic position,
one of honor.
Every healthy Drum Circle has such people
looking after each other;
in this way the drummers and dancers
may focus on their purpose:
to generate Joy and Bright Blessings.

more of Merlin’s Sculpture may be seen at the
Merlin’s Sculpture Gallery
created and developed
by Kirk McLaren
of Amulets by Merlin

If you wish to commission a statue,
please visit Merlin’s how to order custom page