As an exhibiting Artist and Witch, I found myself faced with an opening night and nothing to wear!A trove of beautiful jewllery, but nothing that connected the energy of the journey to my first major opening in a high end city gallery.
The answer? A TALISMAN necklace.
I had little boxes, as I’m sure you do, of things that I’d found and kept because they meant something. Feathers picked up on special walks, ticket stubs that bring a smile, mateless earrings too important to ditch, broken adored teacups, treasured buttons from long gone clothing, silk ribbons with no purpose at all, tiny shells from distant beaches. It was from these I created my opening night talisman necklace.
It received as much attention as my artwork and my show sold out. I attributed this to the necklace. It was created with clear intent, that my show was a success, and it contained elements that symbolized the occasion.
So how do you create a tailman necklace? It’s all about connections. No not who you know, but I guess you know me now and I’ll share the secrets. It about how you connect objects to each other. Much the same as my sculptures I learnt how to get things to stick.
We can build on this at a latter date but today lets look at the two most basic and most often used connections, jump rings and ribbon closures. These are brilliant to not only create your own pieces from scratch but to add pieces to existing jewellery.
Air Magick Feather Talisman Pendant
Creating this necklace with found feathers will bring you the Air Magick of communication, thoughts, study, thinking and ideas. Feathers are intense energy focusers so check the lists below for feather correspondances. Feather colour can be taken into account and fabric and ribbon in the colours listed can also be added to strengthen and add extra intent to your necklace.
It is far better to find your own feathers rather than use store brought ones as these will be gifts from the earth meant for you. NEVER take a feather off a bird. Not only is it unethical, it’s incredible bad luck.
Materials
found feathers/pieces of fabric/ribbon/twigs
ribbon clasps
jump rings, medium
large decorative chain link/ring
plain necklace (chain, leather, ribbon)
Tools
3 in 1 jewllery pliers
optional, glue
1.Cleanse and charge the air with a smudge stick or insence and you may like to play music. Goddess/Gods you may wish to work with include Athena, Mercury and Hermes.
2. Lay end of each feather in ribbon clasp. A dot of glue can be added if you like. Fold one side of clasp over (A) and press tightly with pliers, then the other over that. (B)
3. Open jump ring by pushing one part back and the other forward. (C).Never open them by pulling apart like goal bars. Slip end of ribbon clasp onto jump ring
4. Attach other feathers/ribbons/fabrics in the same manner and and attach to large ring.(D & E)
5. Thread onto chosen neckla
ce.(F)
Here are some feathers you might find and some meanings. A quick internet search will assist you in identifiying others. I was taught by my Mum to only pick up those feathers that you ‘know’ are meant for you and to listen to your own heart for meanings.
Bird Feather Meanings
Dove: Happiness, peace, joy and love. Immunity from curses.
Eagle: Positive energy, peace happiness. The most sacred of birds.
Curlew: Messagers of the future, communication with spirits.
Crow Feathers: Negative energy released. Ridding unwanted feelings and situations.
Kingfisher: Extreme good luck.
Magpie Feathers: Bring negative situations/spirits to light.
Owl: Insight and wisdom. See into the future.
Kookaburra: Insight, joy to come, brightness through adversity.
Cookatoo: New beginnings,
Peacock Feathers: although many believe these are unlucky, they are actually bringers of powerful luck if given to someone else as a gift.
Colours Meanings
Red: life, courage, vitality good
Orange: ideas, success, creativity
Yellow: sun blessings, reasoning, playfullness
Green: harmony, unity, fertility, nature spirits
Blue: Psychic abilities, peace, health
Violet: Spiritual awakening, intuition
Pink: love, romance, feelings
White: moon magick, hope,purification,
Gray: peace, neutrality, being invisible
Black: protection, energy repelling
this article appears in "Goddess" Magazine Issue 2 available from August 2010.
A bit of fun, a spell of protection and a look at the world of Steampunk.
The Arty Witch blog is updated each Sunday with a new "Weekly WitchCrafting" project. Drop by during the week for more articles, links and ideas, posted as found. Cheralyn xx
