Custom Amulet

All posts tagged Custom Amulet

The Solon Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on September 14, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Custom Jewelry, Music Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Two dear friends of mine live in Las Vegas.
Periodically they “throw a little soiree” in their spacious home,
inviting some of the best hidden talent in town.
Traditionally, Solons were parties developed by the noble,
talented and well educated in Europe
(and championed by Thomas Jefferson)
who entertained each other with good food,
conversation and musical interludes.
For my friends in LV,
the concept is simple:
many of the professionals perform nightly
at the Mystere and other Circ de Soleil entertainments,
yet wish to expand their talent into new and inventive ways.
The result is beautiful: song and dance,
even visual art of paintings and sculpture are presented to each other
in a safe environment where all are experimenting
with new and unusual expressions of their talents,
even stretching into each others art.
They are so supportive of each other that the stretch into water ballet,
performance art of dance and original compositions.

The Solon Amulet

The Solon Amulet

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Drum Stick Pentacle Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on August 25, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Music Jewelry, Pagan Jewelry, Pentacles, Wiccan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

Recently, I was asked to create a Drum Stick Pentacle.
The Lady Drummer wanted to have a special piece
representing the two major aspects in her life:
combining her faith and her musical endeavors.
Taking care to texture the piece to resemble wood,
five drum sticks inter weave together to create a pentacle.

Drum Stick Pentacle Amulet

Drum Stick
Pentacle Amulet

This piece is one inch in diameter with a jump ring at the top.
No mold was taken,
made to be a one of a kind piece for a one of a kind musician!

If you are interested in having a piece made for you,
please visit my “How to order custom” page.

Keepers of the Flame Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 22, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Pagan Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , . 4 Comments

Periodically, I find a stone that seems to call for a sculpture.
I found a piece of jasper some time ago and could see the shape of flames within.
As if the piece was complete,
I kept seeing a pair of flame spirits embracing the stone.
It was then I decided to create the Flame Spirit Amulet.

Keepers of the Flame

Keepers of the Flame

The original carving itself was that of wax:
I built up the shapes as if unbidden, as if they formed themselves around the stone.
Once completed, I cast the carving and set the jasper as a one of a kind piece.

Being as I was on the circuit at the time,
I placed it in my cases.
It only resided amongst the other amulets for a day before a lovely lady purchased it.

If you wish for something like it and found a stone that seems to speak to you,
I can create an amulet,
ring or brooch as a one-of-a-kind-creation.
We can start with a rendering:
images of the design for your approval,
or if you simply wish me to create “something like it”
and you have the stone you wish to guild
(or you want me to find one for you),
simply go to my custom page
where you can learn more about how we can get started
with your one-of-a-kind creation.

The Chakra Tree

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 10, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Multi Faith. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 7 Comments

A few years ago
a friend of mine decided to have an amulet created
reflecting her perceptions of the chakras.

The chakras in classic yoga
are a series of seven places in the body
considered as energy centers.
Each place is a kind of akashic organ
imbued with certain qualities.
When trained properly,
one may tune and strengthen them to achieve health,
balance and spiritual clarity.

The Chakra Tree

The Chakra Tree

For example
the heart chakra,
located approximately where the physical heart is in the body,
only more in aligned with the spine.
The heart chakra’s quality is compassion,
healing and love of all things.
Illustrated in Hindu art as well as renaissance paintings of Christ
(the sacred heart) the heart chakra is recognized in many cultures.
Those who naturally have powerful heart chakras
are healers and peacemakers.

In chakra lore,
it is best to train each of them equally
so they may balance naturally.
Doing this often requires practice in concentration,
visualization and breathing techniques
accompanied with a physical training which stimulate the chakra centers.

Beyond traditional Yoga,
many people have harnessed the studies of the chakras
by adapting the knowledge to their own traditions.
My friend’s vision encompassed her love of nature
and infused the imagery into a series of sketches and renderings.
The ultimate design transcended
beyond a conglomerate of simple geometric shapes
into an almost story book mural of metal and stone.

A raven flies overhead symbolizing transcendence,
wisdom and knowledge just beyond reach.
Stones aligned by the chakra formation down the trunk of the tree,
each stone of the kind associated with each chakra as per her choosing.
The amulet is four and a half inches made of silver
(the leaves, secondary branches and roots)
and bronze (main trunk and primary branches).
The rough bark extended into the settings
give a feeling of the stones being in the tree itself,
the top two chakras (third eye and the crown)
in contrast made smooth to accentuate
the higher level of consciousness.
Leaves extend the growth of the tree into the chain.
Below is an opal symbolizing the pool of consciousness,
much akin to the Star Card of the Tarot.

The Chakra Tree Amulet
was made as a one of a kind,
special commission and now resides in a private collection.

If you wish to have something special made for you,
Please visit my How to order Custom page

The Charm Holder

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on April 7, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, Multi Faith, Skull Jewelry, Totem Jewelry, Zodiac Amulets. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

A custom “Charm Holder” and necklace.

The Charm Holder

The Charm Holder
A custom necklace
to hold various amulets

After searching “high and low” (as she put it) for several years,
such a thing was not to be found.
Apparently my client had a charm holder made in the ‘70s,
but due to her allergy to gold and the problem of breakage,
she sought a jeweler to re-create the piece.
After sending me a rather blurry image with a written description
I created a rendering fro her approval.
Because of her purposes for the piece
I added the triple moon at the top harnessing a hinge and clasp for the armature to swing out,
change the amulets out as needed and clasp again behind the triple moon shield.
I did not add stones because it would “color” what it is
holding to a narrow spectrum of purpose.

Shown here are three amulets in combination:
the High priestess, Leo and an ancestor skull bead.
This combination holds the vitality and perseverance of Leo,
the qualities of the Akashic amulet of the High Priestess
and the wisdom of the ancestors.
As the bearer of this Charm Holder,
she is able to construct a pattern of influences
needed for a specific purpose
or to develop a matrix of intent
for a period of time
and then reconstruct the holder for other purposes in the future.

Although this piece is a one of a kind,
I can create a charm holder of similar make and construction for you
with your choice of symbol at the top and size of armature.
Custom work is one of my favorite things to create,
so all you need to do is ask.

The Fellowship of the Celtic Cross

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on March 31, 2010
Posted in: Celtic Jewelry, Christian Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

One of the last efforts my Father worked on was to return to his favorite project:
the education of young men and women.
A devout Presbyterian Minister,
professor of Philosophy
and a member of the Humanities Department in Cal State Fullerton,
Dr. Robert B McLaren began his quest of promoting virtue
by working with the youth in Boys town of Chicago.

The Fellowship of the Celtic Cross

The Fellowship of the Celtic Cross

In each of the churches he served with in Illinois, Montana, Texas and California,
he worked closely with the youth with scholarly lessons of the New Testament,
often focusing on the book of Luke.
His method was to first go over the text,
then re-discover the context by studying the politics, technology
and social conditions of the period to help them understand the milieu of the work.

For a period during the 70 and 80s, Dr. R. B. McLaren took a break from youth fellowship
and focused primarily on his University Efforts,
finishing his Doctorate
and moving ahead in his service with the Academy of Judao, Christian and Islamic Studies,
the World Council of Churches and the Parliament of World Religions.
After his “retirement” he was asked by the local Church
to return to his teaching the Youth of his community.

We had several conversations over the matter
and he decided that it would be helpful to have crosses made for them.
Noting if the cross was to have a special meaning for them
I recommended that the group design the piece.
This experience of creativity would mark the moment in their lives,
help them recall the ideas that they were working with at the time,
empower them and give them the experience of collaboration
both with each other and with their instructor.
The members busily drew a host of images,
then created a composite of the designs.
From the images of the Youth Group,
I created their Cross Amulet. On the completion of their studies,
they were then blessed with a copy of their own design.

In each of his talks,
classes lectures and sermons the main focus of his message was to celebrate life,
each other and joy.
In every conversation his salutation was:
“Be of Good Cheer!”
I find great comfort in knowing I was able to contribute to his legacy.

If you are interested in a specially designed piece for your church, circle, grove or organization,
Please view my How to order custom page

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 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.

A Tree Amulet

Posted by Amulets by Merlin on January 9, 2010
Posted in: Amulets, Jewelry design, nature Jewelry. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

A new one of a kind Tree Amulet, featuring a hematite to develop a “null field”.
The purpose was to create a piece that would assist in my client’s problems with EMF
(Electro-Magnetic fields).
Many of us are plagued with EMF sensitivity.
The design is the meditation illustrated in the amulet.
An evergreen tree is rooted into the stone,
just as the bearer of the amulet visualizes being rooted
into the null field itself.

The stone was imported from Australia
via Simon of Unlimited Exotica,
specifically selected by the stone carver for this purpose.
We cast the sculpture (two sided) in bronze,
a relatively “non- conductive” metal so as not to tamper with the null field:
natural to hematite.
It was sculpted as a two sided piece so he may wear it
with the stone touching his chest and roots exposed to the front:
visible to those that see it.
In reverse it is directed to specifically shield from that which is in front of him.

Tree Amulet

Custom
one-of-a-kind
Tree Amulet

One of a kind pieces, especially trees are one of my favorite things. This is the first evergreen tree I have made; others have included: oak, elm, maple monkey pod and willow, to name but a few.

If you are interested in ordering a custom piece,
simply go to my how to order custom page,
check out the questions and pop me an email
with your specific instructions and we may go from there.