A close friend of mine had studied Reiki who suggested to me to look at the Shrivatsa.
A Japanese study of healing has adopted the Shrivatsa as a symbol of their practice.
Srivatsa or Shrivatsa is Sanskrit for Endless Knot.
It is a mark on the breast of Vishnu where His consort Sri Lakshmi resides.
I has been suggested it may have evolved from an ancient naga symbol
with two stylized snakes signifying the dramatic interplay and interaction
of conflicting forces in the dualistic world
primary to their union and harmony of the universe.
This is reflected in the symmetrical form of the endless knot.
The intertwining of lines illustrates
how manifestation is bound together as a closed cycle of cause and effect.
Thus the knot is a pattern of simplicity and harmony.
The Shrivatsa Amulet
Since all phenomena are interrelated,
the Shrivatsa Amulet
is to establish a connection between the giver and the receiver.
At the same time,
the recipient is blessed with Virtue
and encouraged to practice Virtue themselves;
the knot represents a bond with our karmic destiny.
Although a favorite symbol of Buddhists,
Hindus and those that practice Reiki,
this amulet would be an appropriate for any one who welcomes balance,
harmony and eternal wisdom into their lives.
Years ago I had attend a few Renaissance Fairs
and I saw the employees break into a Drum Circle as the guests were leaving.
I wanted to join in!
Once I got into the business of traveling about to the Fairs,
I was able to attend a few and was enchanted.
Then, in the 1990s,
I began to sell my work at a variety of Events
and attended drum circles after dark.
After watching for several months,
a drum was thrust into my hands and I was hooked!
All my music background gave me a launch pad
into the fray of rhythm and dance.
The opportunity to drum with others was liberating,
I found myself being a part of music like I have never experienced before.
Drum Circle Amulets
I met Freedom:
a Drummer that taught me this kind of music,
then Bezel, Night Hawk and Tawny, Kelly and Miguel.
I found it hard to concentrate on my jewelry creations
between drum circles;
always leaning towards the down beat of every manifestation of sound.
Freedom inspired me to create the “Drummer”
The Drummer Amulet
a small amulet that is actually a tiny sculpture
of a little fellow drumming on a Djembe.
From there I created a host of dancers;
I created an entire set of these little people,
designed to hang on a chain or cord around your neck or bracelet
or attach to a drum.
And then finely a couple of years ago
a young lady requested that I make a “Drummer girl”
and so I did.
Drummer Girl Amulet
The dancers were inspired by people I have seen around the fire over the years:
The flowing Lady,
Man Astride, Amy, and more.
These Amulets of the Drum Circle
may be used as charms for your drum;
components to your charm bracelet hang on a jacket or as a pendant around your neck.
They are meant for those that love the drum,
rhythm and music in general.
They are meant to evoke exuberant cooperation,
spontaneous creativity and Joy.
Not finding what you are looking for?
you may have something special made!
please visit my How to order Custom Page
I first “met” Isaac Bonewits in the mid Seventies through the reading of his masterwork: Real Magic.
After reading so many other tomes on the subject
I found the book a breath of fresh air.
Instead of creating a mist of possible misconceptions about the subject,
Isaac developed a clear,
concise and easy to read volume which introduced the concepts
gave excellent definitions and ground rules as to what Magic is
and how it works.
Over the years I had purchased a dozen of these books
and gave them as gifts,
loaned them to friends and relatives
each time in hope that a little light on the subject
may bring a better understanding
and thus appreciation of those that are studding the subject.
Years later I had approached Isaac
for the opportunity to create something for him.
He found my work pleasurable and even purchased the Green Man Amulet from me.
I marked that day with pride.
For my favorite author to have blessed me in that way was inspirational!
The Large Awen Amulet
Some time later
I had approached him with the idea to create his designs.
Isaac is well noted for his skill in graphic art
and has developed several designs featured in his site.
After a bit of time he finally agreed
and we began to work on what was to be
the first of several Amulets by Isaac:
the Druid Sigil;
representing Druidism in general and the Earth mother (Gaia) in particular.
Following that he requested we make an Awen,
and the Dagda amulets: Dagda’s Shield
and Dagda’s Club.
During one of the elections he developed a Spells for Democracy amulet.
With each of these designs he worked feverishly
to produce the renderings
and sent them to me for carving.
Isaac’s Amulets are a beautiful combination of design,
comfort and concept.
Through his travels Isaac presented these amulets with his books and other items;
he even created a special portion of his website
to feature the work. Though Issac is no longer with us,
you may purchase these amulets through my site.
To learn more about Isaac Bonewits,
please visit his website.
You must have seen these huge brooches on the kilts and sashes
in Braveheart and other medieval period movies,
perhaps a few in Game of Thrones.
These Celtic cloaking devices
are the precursor to the safety pin;
quite ingenious technology for medieval period garb.
I was introduced to these pins
when I became associated with
the Society for Creative Anachronisms.
The SCA holds gatherings both small and large,
each attempting to recreate an event
(whether a baronial birthday or an all out war)
with the most authentic gear possible.
This Society has developed into world wide movement
of medievalist and renaissance period re-creators
which will (at the drop of a hat)
construct a Faire at the corner of a parking lot,
a duel in the commons
or a Grand Ball in a local Grange.
Upon my first SCA Event,
I was requested to produce a Penannular
not of the normal shape
but a piece that would fit into Medieval Scotland,
and functional:
like the real ones!
Hence, my first creation was the Knot Work Penannular.
A free-form knot shaping the C part of the brooch
and the classic knotted spear for the pin head.
Penannular Brooch of Knot-work
Following the first Penannular Brooch,
I developed other themes which were not period:
grapes, sea horses, stars and more.
I introduced the Penannular to folks
who only attend a renaissance fare once a year (if ever),
thus I created a video demonstrating the use of these
Brooches now posted in my website.
There you will see the Brooch in action
as it is placed on a Plaid!
Penannulars may be used to clasp capes,
cloaks and scarves.
The pins I place on the larger versions are stout:
designed for the heavy,
loose woven fabric like wool.
I also make lighter versions for finer cloth:
like jackets.
I have specially made Brooches for leather as well.
The smallest Penannulars are for very light pieces
and shirts, skirts and the like.
Whether they are simple or ornate, Penannulars make a great way to tack a loose scarf
or cover an emergency missing button, making it look like you did it on purpose!
As always,
if you want something specially made for you,
just ask,
I create everything in my site and only too happy to create it for you.
Are you looking for some one to make Custom Jewelry?
a piece they had dreamed of,
or perhaps a design you developed?
Amulets by Merlin Specializes in making one of a kind pieces,
pairs of rings, pendants, pins and many other pieces
for personal use,
clubs, organizations and fund raisers;
focusing on images important to you,
developing designs which reflect the ideas and intent of purpose.
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.
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 How to order Custom Page.
This unique and beautiful symbol is omnipresent in Ghana. It is the most popular in decoration: a reflection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people.
Symbol of the Omnipotence and the Omnipresence Of God. From the Akan aphorism: Abode santann yi firi tete; obi nte ase a onim ne ahyease, na obi ntena ase nkosi ne awie, Gye Nyame. Literal translation: This great panorama of creation dates back to time immemorial; no one lives who saw its beginning and no one will live to see its end, Except God.
Gye Nyame is a symbol meaning “I am afraid of none but God,” or: “Nyame biribi wo sor” suggests that good things come from above. More information about this symbol and it’s backlground may be found in an eariler article.
I have within my jewelry line the amulet in two sizes, one larger deeply carved piece, a smaller flat version and matching earrings. A client who has enjoyed her set requested the larger piece modified to accommodate a much larger chain. The result was to turn the Custom Gye Nyame Amulet into a more leaf-like shape.
This is a one-of-a-kind piece currently in a private collection. Because I specialize in custom, I am able to modify any of my pieces to fit your ideas and needs. To learn more about custom jewelry can sculpture please visit my How to order Custom page.
Some years ago I was commissioned to create a version of the Dragon Money Clip seen in the movie: “Face Off”. I developed my own version of money clip. Not quite a serpentine Eastern Dragon, nor the more “boxy” Western version but indeed my own kind of dragon complete with eyes of jewels and a working jaw to “bite” the bills.
Later I developed a second, larger version: Flame the Dragon Money Clip. I added a touch of the Eastern Look by including tendrils of flame along the face but it has the stylized scales for of cranium containing the spring that works the jaw. The Ocular cavities where the stones are set are a part of the design itself: the design is not detracted by an obvious setting.
A gentleman saw Flame the Dragon Money Clip and wanted an even larger version: four inches! The result is this vary large Dragon Money Clip. Like my original version it is a spring loaded clip with a working jaw to bite his cash. With a red stone to fit the iris the piece weighted out to nearly four ounces of sterling silver.
A gift I made for my Granddaughter:
The Clasp of Wisdom.
This year My grandchildren were to receive hand made cloaks
created by their Mother for Christmas.
I was honored by the task
of augmenting their gifts by creating clasps,
I found myself in a scene from a faerie tale…
In Tolken’s book of the Lord of the rings,
there is a scene where Fordo and his crew were given gifts
as they continued from Lothlorien.
The Hobbits received clasps for their cloaks
each made of a particular symbol sacred to the Elves.
I thought for a long time
as to what would be appropriate for the little ones.
With the two boys
(who are currently being trained as “super Heroes”)
the Thunder Clasps seemed appropriate.
However with my Grand daughter it took a bit of considering.
With two brothers and a Father,
she would be continually surround with with very strong male influences.
With her mother as a counter weight to both opinion and demand,
the Wisdom of Women will be dearly borne,
like a path of fire to find her own voice.
Clasp of Wisdom
It is within the tradition of my bloodline,
Scots use knot work as a way to develop pasterns of meditation and expression,
so I began with that:
each knot pattern holding the significance of thought,
woven about to provide the intricacies of knowledge.
At the point where the clasps meet,
are two profiles of “Wise Men” facing each other;
both in the process of speech;
thus the Knot work pattern is
of a classic Zoomorphic Style of Celtic Knot work.
Each of the panels are complete knots to themselves,
yet by hooking her cloak together
she will be unifying the wisdom of others:
developing a new perspective.
It is “she herself”
that may bring opposing views,
bringing a better understanding and Peace.
The knots behind the heads of the Wise Men
reveal their thoughts:
reflections of their own perspectives.
Truth is a quarky thing:
most of the time we tend to rely on our own perspective
to to handle the world’s challenges.
When one is able to understand the perspectives of others
we may begin to understand the Truth of a thing:
a single eye shows only a single view,
however two eyes provide the ability to see in three dimensions.
The symbolism of this clasp
is to provide a helpful hint
in discovering Reality Itself:
by listening to others,
conflicting views and seek a balance.
More often than not,
the two perspectives will reveal an object
in the way of our view.
In selecting two bearded Men for a little girl
I was attempting to represent what she is dealing with now:
two brothers and how to learn with them.
She will also grow up in a world
where Men will be a major influence on her,
by learning how to cope early in life
she will also develop skills which may
bring a better understanding between the Sexes
in her generation
and in the centuries that follow:
it is she “herself”
that provides the balance between all people
true Wisdom.
This clasp was developed as a one-of-a-kind piece
for a unique little girl.
This was conceived,
designed and created for my Granddaughter
as a Christmas Present
If you are interested in custom work,
please visit my How to order Custom Page.
For many years I was on the road, attending conventions and festivals and two of the most common questions was “How do you make this?” and “How did you start out?”
I started off as a child…
My first reach into jewelry was wanting something that I could not find. When I was seven years old I had asked Santa clause to gift me two badges: I pains taking developed sketches of that I wanted and offered it to him days before Christmas. The odd thing to me at the time was the careful “handing off” of the sketches to my parents while I was “being distracted” by a very tall elf.
After not getting the badges I asked for, my suspicions grew and I though about making the pieces myself. Fortunately my parents later gifted me with a copper enameling kit. I developed a technique of enameling by mixing color and design in the powder, however in the tiny kit the control over design was a bit hap hazard.
As with all things in our childhood, the kit was “over used” and eventually when the hot plate was borrowed and burnt up, I returned to other forms of art. My Mother was a professional artist and trained me in painting, sculpture and many other forms of artistic media and technique. Coupled with music (Piano and Guitar) I began to develop a way to reproduce and interpret what I saw, felt and thought.
I cannot remember a time when I was not sculpting, yet when the opportunity to take a jewelry class, I went into fabrication: working directly in the metal rather than casting. I will always be grateful for this because the broader the education in the field.
It was not until I was going through a rough patch in my life and found myself back in my parent’s home and access to a jewelry bench again that I went to an exhibit of Lalique at the LA county art museum that I found I was on the right track. In combination with my studies in metaphysics, (focusing on the art) I decided to bend the boundaries of my work to include esoteric imagery and use of my art.
For years I had attempted to develop a Tarot Deck, however these adventures into the project kept solidifying into “logo” like pictures rather than paintings. Seeking the work of a master who bent the rules as to what was to be jewelry and what was art, I was inspired.
In order to work on the project, I started to create custom jewelry for folks, building my bench of tools and honing my skills, I began to work out of a shop: the Crystal Cave, at the time in Santa Anna, California. Karen, the owner of the shop was extremely supportive and began to display my work in her cases; all the while I was driving a truck.
In 1992 I went full time into jewelry, moved to Newport News, Virginia and completed the Tarot Caster Set: the first (and only) three dimensional Tarot Deck of it’s kind. Yes, each of the Major Arcana may be used almost pharmaceutical, however when used together the set is a deck which may be dropped and read as they fall. I developed the name “Tarot Casters” because the process is much like casting a net. In some of the more esoteric writing, Tzaddii (the Hebrew letter attributed to the Star Card) is the fish hook: one drops one’s mind into the great waters of the unconscious to see what would bite. By using the entire major arcana, one is using a much broader casting for ideas, inspiration and (perhaps) answers on one’s troubles.
Within a few months of being on the East Coast, I was introduced to a more esoteric community which appreciated what I had accomplished and rewarded me with praise and commissions for more work. I began with creating jewelry for circles, covens and groves as well as Churches and other religious organizations, focusing on Serving Spirit rather a specific religious trend. The only criteria I’ve maintained is that all is focused on Good Intent.
Thanks to a commission by my land lord, I developed a Tap Handle for his private reserve, thus I returned to sculpting, one of the first steps in training in my youth. I sculpted in in pieces, then assembled them after casting – a technique used in much larger pieces, however when casting with a jewelry centrifuge you are limited in how large one can go. For several decades, I focused on tiny pieces rather than the large ones, however after working so small, the larger pieces came easy, but they required me to look to a foundry rather than relying on my tiny set up for rings and pendants.
It was when I sculpted a pair of motor cycle mirrors that I turned to a local artist for help. He (who as asked me to omit his name0 taught me the gaps I had in casting larger pieces, then introduced me to his buddy who had a foundry at his disposal.
At this point, I have the ability to cast at any size: even life size (and bigger). I continue to serve those who want jewelry through my website. I do not have a “store” but rather I do show my work at the Mystic Moon in Norfolk , Virginia, should anyone wish to drop in and see it . As always, I have a full catalog for your review and a gallery of some of my work. Most of the images of the pieces made in the past are “lost” in that I have not had a digital camera the entire time, so only in the pat ten years do I have pictures worthy of display.
If you wish to have something made for you, please view my website and don’t hesitate to email me with any questions.
In making custom jewelry,
I am sometimes challenged to re-create
the vision of someone’s dream.
In the case of the Dream Catcher Amulet,
an artist manifest her idea into a painting
and wanted the design to be re-created as an amulet.
To accomplish the effect I was requested to cut stones into delicate shapes.
Unfortunately some stones simply do not hold up well
when cut into tiny shapes:
the corners get caught
or easily chip due to their nature.
Dream Catcher Amulet
For this Amulet,
I had to shape Turquoise into a star shape:
however turquoise crumbles easily
once it gets small enough.
She also wanted a small crescent moon of Lapis Lazuli,
also a problem.
Once the design was developed for the piece
I had suggested we shape the amulets “face”
to provide the stones to be set from the back,
giving the illusion of the various shapes
and still keeping the integrity of the stone and setting:
this gives the amulet a much longer lifetime.
A blood stone was also set below the frame of the catcher,
it too has a special custom setting
individually cared and cast for the amulet.
With Phoenix and stones set into the “web” and hoop of the Dream Catcher
(matching the sketch she developed and sent to me),
the Amulet was complete
and now resides in her private collection.
Amulets by Merlin's Blog 
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