The Rune Casters

After completing the Tarot Casters I began to consider the Runes. In most cases one finds Rune sets with the various glyphs painted on stones or carved into wood. I began to visualize the various possibilities and Tony suggested what was needed: simply the Runes themselves, letters with no borders cast in bronze of silver. In this way one could use them much like the Tarot Casters: simply drop them and see how they fall.

The first set I created was the basic twenty four letters from the Elder Futhark. When the Set was first released, Laura Jackson found me on the internet and was quite take by the work. Following a review on her website she later asked me about expanding the set for those people who wished to develop new reading techniques. By her prompting, I then “finished the set” to include the Younger Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and the Northumbrian/Frisian Runes, the Expanded Rune Caster Set; 42 in all.

Because the set is “simply the runes” cast in metal, the reading techniques have expanded to many forms: from throwing the entire set, taking a “pinch” of runes and dropping them to simply pulling one at a time and placing them in patterns to create “words”.

The set includes a hand made casting cloth with a pouch in one end to keep the Runes safe; this may be rolled up for traveling or spread out for a reading, just like the Tarot Casters. A book with a very brief summery of the names of the runes is included.

I would recommend looking to the Rune Masters to study the Lore of the Runes for a more complete understanding of the subject. As always, I invite those that use the tools I make to write of their experiences and insights. Like the Tarot: the Runes are a “living system” and are improved upon with every generation. May it be so with yours.

The Drummer Amulet

I know you have seen this guy at your drum circles, I have! He is the guy that walks into the circle, straps on his drum and changes the sound from a basic pulse to music that sends the dancers flying. Other drummers crowd around him as he plays that Djembe like it as a full orchestra. Dancers prance before him as if filling themselves with his rhythm – yet he seems unconscious of the fact he is drawing so much attention, caught in a wave of music himself. I saw him too…

In my attempt to capture the moment in a tiny piece of jewelry I created this three dimensional sculpture of the Drummer is only three quarters of an inch tall. I tucked a lock of hair behind his head to create a bail so you can wear him or hang him on your drum. His hands are in the midst of playing a roll as his palms stroke the goatskin drum head, invoking the sound of the drum circle.

This amulet is the first of many tiny drum circle drummers, dancers and guardians, each of the same scale, all three dimensional sculptures, all may be worn as amulets or charms on a drum marking a particularly good drum circle or as a dedication to music itself.

Gye Nyame Set

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. 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). 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; the symbol of the Omnipotence and Omnipresence of God.

In the development of the Gye Nyame Set, I made the earrings “flat” to frame the face with a flash or two; the main pendant holds the curves to accentuate the flow of the Gye Nyame Amulet; a deeply carved three dimensional amulet (both sides) with a bail through the top point allowing a chain or cord to pass through.

Wearing these amulets connect one to a tradition that is well over 5000 years old from the continent of humanities’ cradle.

DNA Jewelry

Based on the molecular theories of DNA construction, Amulets by Merlin has created a line of jewelry harnessing the double helix motif. Instead of using the classic construction of sugars and phosphate groups joined by ester bonds, the pendant, bracelet and earrings are made of silver (or gold if you prefer). Using the classic shape of the balls and rods, the pendant is over two inches long with the pattern moving up over the bail; the earrings resemble icicles tapering down fro the ear and the bracelet is created with tiny interlocking hinges allowing it to flow over supply over your wrist.

DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints, recipe, or code, containing instructions needed to assemble other components of cells. Metaphorically DNA may also be considered as a way to keep and transmit information or perhaps messages in small and compact places.

Dina Emerson’s nickname is DNA and upon commissioning a ring for her partner we developed a DNA ring. Originally intended as a “one of a kind ring” for her “one of a kind Bo” but we thought it an interesting idea to extend the ring into a full line of jewelry. A new ring design for public release is forth-coming.

Dina is a Force of Nature with the Art of the Theater: on and off stage she blends into the fabric of Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère as if conjuring the images with her voice.
Twice nightly she sings mezzo-soprano across the theaters of Treasure Island in Las Vegas and the miracle of Mystère manifests fresh as an opening night. She is accompanied by the beautiful Silje-Marie Norderhaug who carries the soprano.

With the blessings of Dina Emerson, Amulets by Merlin now presents a full line of jewelry: the DNA Sequence: pendant, earrings and bracelet. Perfect for Microbiologists and other folks who work with the tiny encoders.

The Tarot Garden in Metaplace

I have created a video illustrating the Tarot Garden: a virtual world in Metaplace: a social hub of various VR worlds where people create games, demonstrations, exhibits and other Virtual experiences. The Tarot Garden is a series of environments featuring the Tarot Casters. Each of the Tarot pieces has its own point of interest, description, associated tone and short video demonstrating it’s location on the Tree of Life.

The video is embedded in my website for your review. It demonstrates the functions of the Garden including animation, environmental sounds and videos teaching aspects of the Tarot.

Metaplace is free to join and browse the various worlds created by its users. After a brief introduction to the VR platform, you may see the Tarot Garden and experience its sights and sounds. Experience the first Tarot Virtual Reality at Metaplace!

Pan Pipe Penannular

Mixing metaphors (and cultures) I combined ideas that seem to go well together: Music, Grapes and a Celtic Cloaking Device. It is said that the grape was on of the gifts of the gods ( Southern Europe is notorious for embracing the Grape and the Olive) Grapes produce a fine fruit that may be pressed into juice and in turn fermented into wine producing spirits. The Grape also creates a leaf that may be used for a variety of uses, even served in dishes…. The cane it creates tells stories all of their own.

The Penannular is a piece of jewelry used by the Celts in traditional garb. It was incorporated as a fastener for fabric: from light scarf to heavy cloak. For Men it is a solid ring where a tuft of cloth was drawn up and a pin was thrust through the tuft: the ring securing the pin. For Women: a horse shoe shaped frame is created and a pin is fastened to the frame. The pin travels on the frame to capture, hold and release the fabric. Still used today in both re-enactors and SCA, the Penannular is a brooch that stands out from the more common pin.

The Pan Pipe is unusual for a Penannular because of the design. Unlike the traditional Penannular which has bold lines, knot work and stones: this brooch harnesses the ancient technology of the fastener enhanced with detailed grape vines on an arbor; loaded down with the fruit. The pin head itself is the pan pipe with still more leaves and grapes. Highly detailed, this is both a work of art and a fully functional Penannular brooch. The page I created for the Pan Pipe Penannular contains a description and a short video demonstration of how to use a Penannular for your cloak, jacket or cape.

Being a class project

When Allyn was attending collage, he received an assignment to create an educational video. Allyn has been helping me in my shop off and on since he was 11 years old, so he knows the process quite well. One evening he burst into my home with a borrowed Video camera and told me of his assignment.

Within minutes I found myself the subject of a class project, first sketching a design (Toasting the Moon) and then under the glare of a lens and I carved the piece. We were letting the investment set up when we noticed it was 3am.

The following day Allyn was at it again, this time balancing precariously in the rafters of my studio as I melted the silver and cast. Laughing the entire time we finished up weeks ahead of his deadline and he was pleased with his grade!

I came across his footage and decided to clean it up a bit. A little lute music, new titles and a logo, a short tutorial for your pleasure. To view it, please visit my: “How to order custom jewelry and sculpture” page. It clarifies the lost wax process and perhaps a peek at the rhythm of this art.

The Pixie Flame Chain

After designing the Phoenix Head piece (now an amulet and brooch) I wanted to expand the motif to a necklace. I carved a series of six flames: each a tongue of fire, each holding loops at each end to be joined into a chain. The result was very interesting: after assembly the feel of the chain as it glides over the hand gives the allusion more of water than fire: smooth and silky.

After attaching it to the phoenix, I then developed the flame sprite from the chain, laying down the links and seeing what was being suggested. The flame sprite was one of my first “free form” pieces: instead of the normal process of sketching out drawings and mulling over design, I simply took up wax and carved her.

I also experimented with earrings and bracelets with the flame chain. Each time I worked with the links they suggested even more ideas. Years later I saw that the links could be modified into tiny sprites and thus the Pixie Flame Chain was born. I took the separate links and worked the design into tiny figures of the sprites, sizzling and extruding from fire. Again, no sketches were developed before carving: and I didn’t use “carving wax”; I used simple soft injection was – something that the “jewelry industry” frowns upon.

Most of my training I received in art was through my family: both of my Parents were educators in the Humanities: both trained musicians, scholars and in the case of my Mother: artist. One of the more pragmatic approaches I was taught was “what ever works: works”. Even though I follow the formula as taught in “old school” art (first you create a series of renderings and examine the concepts and then re-create drawings that work out details and over come obstacles), there are times when the wave of inspiration catches you and you ride it until you are done. It is often so with sculpting. One learns to “think with your hands” in the creation of art.

One finds this in all the arts, music is the same way: the basic melody or rhythm sets a foundation and the process of working the pattern with your hands will then yield new and interesting ways to develop design. I have found that switching media helps me to develop new ideas that would not occur to me otherwise.

One way to circumvent this obstacle is to develop several works in different media at the same time: imagery seems (at least for me) to require sound and touch to manifest completely: I listen to music and stories while I sculpt; I play the piano to think about shapes. I also use time to set aside one project and work on another, all the while the incubation process continues while I go for a walk or talk to a friend.

Art itself is a way of life: continually developing shapes, colors and sounds that amplify each project, developing hybrids of expression; forming experience into tactile objects, sounds from inspiration that in turn inspire.

The Phoenix Amulet

This is one of my first pieces. Originally designed to be the front portion of a circlet, this design highlights the Double Headed Phoenix: a creature that rises from the ashes of the previous incarnation; a two headed manifestation; much like Janus the God that sees into the past: learning from the lessons of experience; looking into the future. The God of the gates and passages; of beginnings both abstract and concrete.

These ideas are combined into a single piece to produce a hybrid of ideas: renewal, vision, knowledge from experience and the ability to begin again with vitality and the promise of success.

The Phoenix amulet is 2 ½” across and is available as a brooch or necklace. The brooch has a long pin between the win tips for a secure fastening while the necklace harnesses the flame chain: completing the motif of fire and renewal.

The somewhat massive piece is for those that are working on the steps required in starting a new life, beginning a new project or career or simply taking a new look to life and the possibilities it holds.

Flame Sprite Necklace

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…

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 concept 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 the dancer of the fire circle.