New Designs from The Silver Bough

The Silver Bough is happy to soon be introducing new pendant designs in fine silver.

We’ve been working hard to come up with new thoughts and ideas to offer to our wonderful public.

Currently we have put a silver Troll Cross up in our shop which is beautiful and has been receiving excellent reviews. Troll Crosses were originally ancient Norse amulets made in iron to protect against Trolls and Elves (as if we’d want to). Iron is traditionally abhorrent and dangerous to the faerie folk – not your usual traditional pretty little winged creatures but a race of peoples who do not follow the laws and morals of us mortals but adhere to their own laws which often has included some which can be defensive against the folk (us).

Our Troll Crosses are made of silver which means we cannot guarantee that any Trolls or Elves will be repelled but still they are beautiful.

Silver Troll Cross

Our second completed design is a stylised silver serpent. It is very fluid and loosely based on an actual artefact.  This serpent has a concealed ‘D’ ring behind his head which hangs beautifully on a cord (which we supply).

Silver Serpent Pendant

We have also made models for a new original design of a serpent. This delicate, smooth, flowing creature will be perfect as either a small pendant or a pair of earrings.

The second model is a simple Mjolnir (again based on an artefact) which will hang again with a concealed ‘D’ ring. This will reflect the Silver Bough's use of simplicity and fluidity creating a pendant which is tactile, simple and stylistic in nature.

The final model we have created was inspired by myself going mad at an odd hour of the night. Inspiration or a kick from my ‘muse’. Think I know who he is in this case.

Based again on my interpretation of Norse and Celtic wolf designs, we’ve created a rather complicated Fenris Wolf head, son of Loki and Angraboda of Norse Mythology. He is mean and meant to look that way which is reflected in the hours of sculpting and modelling. We hope to offer this pendant soon in silver. Any requests are welcome.

All of our new designs are inspired by artefacts and designs from the past and mythology.

And we’ve worked on our Silver Boughs. One made from layering silver on a tiny wooden bough – a one off. One moulded from again a natural tiny bough, which unlike the first is solid fine silver. Again, these are made with concealed hanging rings at the back.

More to follow.

Everything we make is in its way unique. There will be no two designs which are the same.

We hope you will like them.

Many thanks to Joanne Harris http://joanne-harris.co.uk/v3site/books/index.html for friendship and inspiration, Karl Seigfried http://www.norsemyth.org/ for support and interesting articles, of course to the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda for much of our inspiration and to all the love of Celtic and Norse mythology and history which we have the pleasure of offering to a wider scope of understanding and mutual lovers of our wonderful past.

Aesk Rune Pendant

Norse Dragon Pendant

Algiz Rune Pendant

Jera Rune Pendant

Yggdrasil Card

Thurisaz Rune Pendant

Kaen Rune Pendant

Sol Rune Pendant

Winners - Runelight Competition Winner for November and New Designs

The Silver Bough are thrilled with the rune pendant ‘Aesk’ (Maddy’s rune from Runemarks and Runelight) which we created for competition winner Ellie. We were very pleased as when we posted the pendant to Joanne Harris she too loved it. Congratulations Ellie on a wonderful video!

The Silver Bough has officially added new designs to our shop: A bas relief large oval pendant (the same size as our large rune pendants) based on a stylised ancient Norse ‘dragon’ (a similar authentic design can be seen at the British Museum) and runic earrings (which are quite light and will not pull on the ear lobe). Although we love the more ‘antique’ oxidised finish of both the dragon pendant and the earrings, we will offer these in either an oxidised finish or a polished finish depending on our customers’ preference. The dragon pendant will have the actual bas relief dragon polished if desired.

In the case of the earrings if the oxidised finish is preferred we can also oxidise the earring wires (pierced) and will be soon offering the option for non pierced ears. As with our rune pendants, the choice of runes is dependent on our customers. If a customer prefers two different runes, that is also possible.

We will soon be working in bronze and copper – very beautiful metals and the cost will be lower than with 99.9% silver although we will always adhere to our top standards of hand craftsmanship and hand finishing.

We have completed and posted our first pendant to Australia. This has brought us around the world. Our sales have been UK based, North American based, Mauritian based and now Australian based. We are proud that each order has been loved by the people who have bought them.

The Silver Bough has also added to Joanne’s interpretations of ‘The old Script’ rune (which Joanne has drawn on from ancient Norse and Old English sources) from Runemarks and Runelight, along with her interpretation of ‘New Script’ runes. Readers of Joanne’s books now can have the rune pendants which coincide with her books. We happily await further sequels (and a prequel).

Of course I am so honoured and proud to be acknowledged in Runelight. Thank you Joanne! A very special book to me as she knows..And the characters are friends to me.

Our original photograph cards will soon be available and more will follow. Although these are not necessarily related to Norse or Celtic history/mythology (some of ancient sites are of course and some have that certain ‘flavour’) all photographs are beautiful. The cards are top quality and provided with an envelope and in a plastic sleeve to protect them.

If handmade rune cards (aside from our Yggdragsil cards) are desired these can be created as an individual rune or as a ‘Sigil’ which is a combination of runes. Any subject is explained on the back of the card.

We hope soon to be working in glass as I studied stained glass and we plan to launch votive lights (free standing and hanging), ‘sun catchers’ and sun catching mobiles in various themes.

The year is winding down. We will soon have ‘Christmas’ posting guidelines on our site.

All of our best.

B

Runlight's Release and News from The Silver Bough.

23 days until the much anticipated release of Joanne Harris’ ‘Runelight’ the sequel to her original exciting novel ‘Runemarks’. Continuing on from the adventures of Maddy Smith, Jed Smith’s daughter who discovers that in reality she is the daughter of the Norse God Thor and Jarnsaxa of the Jotuns. Her life as an outcast amongst the Folk is turned upside down by the friendship of her mentor and friend, One Eye (Odin) and the crafty revelations of Loki, his blood brother. The adventures continue three years on whereby the Gods, bereft of much of their power once again must face the potential destruction of the Worlds by Chaos released by Loki via Dream in Runemarks into the world and they must also attempt to prevent a strange new alliance whose actions threaten to fulfil the ancient prophecies which would exacerbate this ruin. Who will die? Who will live? Who will come again? Will Asgard be reborn?

ttp://www.joanne-harris.co.uk/v3site/books/runelight/index.html

This Runemaker is looking forward to her invitation to Joanne’s introduction to Runelight in York at the Merchant Adventurers' Hall on 27 October (2pm), and seeing the ever mystic Posh Shed of creativity.

http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/event-calendar/88-Joanne-Harris-introduces--Runelight/

Of course we are also looking forward to the release of Runelight which is a very special novel to me. Joanne has been a great friend and very inspirational in The Silver Bough’s evolution and of course in her support.

I promise our blog readers and Joanne’s readers that Runelight will not disappoint – it will however leave you craving the next book in this series.

On the Silver Bough news front the evolution seems to have accelerated from new techniques to new items offered on our site: Beautiful handmade Yggdrasil cards which have already proven popular in private commissions, followed soon by a selection of eclectic original photograph cards. We hope that these cards may be worthy not just as a beautiful card suitable for any occasion but something that the receivers will want to keep.

We have also created a Norse inspired stylised dragon bas relief pendant and this new method opens the door for many new design applications both as pendants, necklaces and rings. The finish on this pendant is more in line with actual finds as opposed to the smooth polish of our silver rune pendants, being oxidised a dark charcoal colour with hints at times of iridescence. However if requested the relief of the dragon could be polished along with the smooth back of the design. We love the feeling of antiquity this design and finish evokes. This pendant is 99.9% pure silver as are all of our silver designs.

The Silver Bough has been researching actual ancient Norse and Iron Age/Bronze Age/Celtic artefacts and trying to closely reproduce these. The first design has been a Mjolnir (Thor’s Hammer) found at a Viking grave site in York. We are also in the process of creating a Celtic ‘serpent’ ring based on an original find – although we have used a bit of our own artistic interpretation on this ring.

We also have ideas for a Norse Shield. There is always something new and exciting for us to enthuse over and hopefully for our customers to desire and appreciate.

As we are soon to be also working in bronze, larger designs will be more affordable as silver is currently at a premium and the costs rising quickly and regularly.

Next step? Setting gem stones in our designs; working in silver/bronze/copper sheet metal.

As they say – The World is our Oyster and it seems ‘pearls’ come in many shapes and sizes.

We thank all of our loyal customers who have purchased our designs and have expressed such appreciation and love for what they have received. It doesn’t get much better than that!

SEO - Seriously Enormous Overhaul

We're back. Yes it has been a while, we're sorry.
So the first thing you want to know is, did we get the website online on midsummer's eve? Well, yes, we did!
And since then it's been all about tweaking it and refining it and getting it to work with as many different types of browser as possible (AOL, we're looking at you!).

So anyway, the website is online, but we aren't actually in business yet, though if someone stumbles across our site by accident and orders something then we are fully equipped to fulfill their order.
What we are doing now is that wonderful process called Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This has revealed itself to be an art form in its own right and has necessitated the buying of several books on the subject. Once we have fully implemented SEO though, it should be well worth it and we will sit back and watch the orders flooding in.

If anyone wants to have a look at the website the URL can be found below. Enjoy!

The Silver Bough - Rune Pendants & Rune Sets

Runemarks

Joanne Harris’ Runemarks is a marvel. Melding her amazing imagination with references to The Prose Edda and Poetic Edda, she has captured the personification of the Norse ‘Gods’ along with the importance of Rune Lore. Her depiction of the Aesir and Vanir as fallible with virtues and faults, with humour and remarkable style has adhered to the original prose while adding her own take on their futures after Ragnarok.

The influence of Runes in Runemarks brings an individuality and true authenticity to the use of Runes as more than an alphabet but as an ancient mystic tool. Dismiss most previous stereotypes of the ‘Gods’ through modern culture and modern ‘belief systems’ and meet them as they were: flawed, true and a strange and very special ‘dysfunctional’ family who will take you in.

Rune of the day

Kenaz

Modern letter = C/K

Kenaz signifies a torch, light after a period of darkness. Order from chaos, creative fire.

The Runes

Today we would like to give a short description explaining the three main runic systems that we have drawn inspiration from when creating our jewellery and rune sets.

The Elder Futhark

The Elder Futhark is the oldest form of the runic alphabet, used by Germanic tribes of the 2nd to 8th centuries for inscriptions on artifacts such as jewellery, amulets, tools, weapons and runestones.
Unlike the Younger Futhark, which remained in use until modern times, the knowledge of how to read the Elder Futhark was forgotten, and it was not until 1865 that the Norwegian scholar Sophus Bugge managed to decipher it.

The Younger Futhark

The Younger Futhark came into use in Scandinavia around the eighth century, when changes in the Old Norse language required corresponding changes to the runic alphabet. The number of runes was reduced from 24 to 16 and several runes came to represent multiple sounds.
'th' was used for þ and ð; 'u' for u and o; 'k' for k, g, and ng; 'i' for i and e; 't' for t and d; and 'b' for b and p. The new letter, 'r', was originally used for an 'er-like' sound in Old Nordic but became y in later Scandinavian languages.

Runemarks

For her novel Runemarks, best selling author Joanne Harris uses a slightly altered version of the Younger Futhark, while incorporating some elements of the Elder Runes.

Rune of the day

Ansuz

Modern Letter - A

Ansuz signifies Ash, Yggdrasil, The World Tree. The Asa-Gods, The Aesir. Divine inspiration.

The power of stone

It was said by Jan Fries, author of Helrunar, that people should make their own rune sets. We agree, and yet we don't. We decided as a unique idea to make our pebble rune sets. To date, all pebbles have been hand picked from Epping Forest. The size, shape and type of stone are important. The carving technique is not in and of itself difficult, although we go through two bits per set.

The pebble sets are tactile. The weight feels right in one's hand. The natural variations in the individual pebbles add beauty and a natural 'power' to the sets. We choose each pebble as we feel is appropriate to the various runes.

Although gathering pebbles and carving the runes is time consuming, we feel that these sets are worth the effort as they truly are things of beauty. Whether your interest is casting runes, or simply putting them on display in a bowl they are things of wonder.

Most other rune sets have been created according to modern guidelines. Often these sets contain a 'blank' rune which was never used in the ancient runic systems. The descriptions of the meanings are often loosely based on authentic runic lore, however are also often infused with a more 'new agey' twist.

Our pebbles are based on the Elder and Younger Futhark and we also do a set based on Joanne Harris' own interpretation from her best selling novel Runemarks (which in itself is based on the ancient systems).

The carving, as opposed to painting, in a hard natural material adds to the authenticity of these rune sets.

Rune of the day

Uruz

Modern letter - U

Uruz signifies the wild ox, which is usually seen as a symbol for strength, power and primal force. It can also mean a renewal, as in out with the old and in with the new.

With a little help from our friends

We are discovering that by simple enquiries we have developed excellent contacts (including friends) and cooperation from various suppliers.

The Silver Bough will include a prominent link to our friend Joanne's magnificent book, Runemarks (a great inspiration to us) and the sequel which fingers crossed shall be out very very soon! Joanne has offered to link The Silver Bough site to her website.

The publisher of Helrunar (by Jan Fries), a comprehensive reference book to the history, mythology, meaning and use of runes from prehistory to present has also said he will post a link to The Silver Bough on the Mandrake Publishing website along with the very kind offer of an online discount to our 'visitors'.

When enquiring about sundries (bags, cords, etc) we have found the cooperation of suppliers very enheartening. It proves that there is pride in quality and in customer service. The last offer of a sample of a velvet bag has been gratefully received. As our goal is top quality and prime customer service, we are sourcing only the best packaging and findings/cords we can.

Still waiting for a sample of goat suede which is currently out of stock. This is a very fine and soft suede which we hope will be ideal for the adjustable cords which we are including with our rune pendants. Unfortunately it seems that goats are extinct as weeks later they have not been able to restock. Maybe men have been staring at them too much.

We press on...