"MJÖLNIR MEAD"

CLOSE UP VIEW OF THE "MJÖLNIR MEAD" DESIGN

Mjölnir, the mightiest of all mythological weapons. The war hammer of the god of thunder, Thor! The powerful symbol of the strongest of war implements has been worn by warriors and those looking for strength and protection for centuries.

"Forging Mjölnir, Thor's Mighty Weapon"

Most are familiar with Thor, god of thunder, and his war hammer, Mjölnir, but from whence did this mighty, magical mallet materialize?

Mjölnir was forged by two bristly dwarf brothers who lived deep in the caverns of the dwarf homeland, Svartalfheim.

The dwarf brothers, Sindri and Brokkr, were exceptional metal workers, and they are responsible for the creation of several magical items throughout Norse mythology. Unfortunately for the brothers, the notorious trickster god, Loki, paid them a visit and taunted the poor brothers. They were going about their dwarf lives not bothering anyone, and Loki decides to start talking trash about how they can’t make stuff as good as the other dwarves , and the stuff they do make is crap, and on and on. Loki even went so far as to bet his own head on the fact that the brothers could not manufacture a single piece worth a jotun’s dung!

Dead Rabbit Brawler Tees

The Dead Rabbits were a notorious Irish-American gang that roamed the streets of old New York in a notorious slum known as the Five Points. It was a time when only the tough could survive.

Personal grievances, business competition, and even political differences were often settled with fists.

The Dead Rabbits’ nemesis would be a Nativist gang known as the Bowery Boys. Violence was golden as America struggled to define itself, but the struggle helped shape the character of the USA, and came to define the hard-working, hard-fighting, hard-drinking American immigrant.

Samhain 2016: "Black Jack Pumpkin Ale"

"Black Jack Pumpkin Ale" Vintage Beer Label Design

"BLACK JACK PUMPKIN ALE" SAMHAIN APPAREL

MEN'S TEE

Days are getting noticeably shorter, the nights cooler, and a few leaves have started to drop from their branches. The ancient festival of Samhain approaches.

New Mjölnir Design!

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The Norse/Germanic god of thunder, Thor was one of the most popular deities in the Medieval world. His popularity continues to the present day. In fact, you may even say that Thor is seeing a resurgence of popularity, and not just because of the Marvel movies that portray him as a sort of awkward frat boy from outer space. TV shows such as the Vikings, Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, etc. have stirred an interest in Thor and the other gods of old.

The Hop & Barley Green Man

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Do you love beer?? I do! Are you fascinated by the mysterious legend that is the GREEN MAN? You should be! For those that don't know, carvings of mysterious, leafy faces dot the corners, crevices and doorways of many medieval churches and castles. Is it just merely a decoration, or something more?

Jörmungandr

Jörmungandr

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Jörmungand (pronounced YOUR-man-gand), or Jörmungandr in Old Norse is the "Midgard (Earth) Serpent". He is a tremendous snake whose body is so long that it stretches around the Earth completely! Jörmungandr lurks beneath the waters of Midgard where Norse hero Thor is in constant pursuit of this slippery beast.

New Celtic Cross Designs!

This Celtic Cross design looks as though it was carved from stone! Click for a closer look.

SHOP ALL CELTIC CROSS APPAREL

The Celtic Cross is one of the most popular and enduring symbols of Celtic identity and culture. In the Dark Ages, as the Celtic populations of Britain and Ireland were converted to Christianity, they brought some of their older, pre-Christian  style to the symbols of Christianity. What was born was the Celtic Cross. A unique blend of the Old Celtic religion and the new Christian religion.

'Grunge' Celtic Cross

"GRUNGE" CELTIC CROSS

   The Celtic Cross is one of the most recognizable symbols of Celtic culture. In this design, the Dark Ages meet the Modern Age by combining the Celtic cross with some stylish "grunge" effects. Splatters and smears create a stylish weathered look to the Celtic Cross.

Keltic Krampus II

"Keltic" Style Krampus

Ah, Christmas. Mother in her kerchief, and Father in his cap. The children swimming through a sea of wrapped gifts. Stockings stuffed with chocolate hang neatly above a blessed Yule log crackling away in the fireplace. So cozy. So joyous. The fear of possibly receiving coal in your stocking is long gone. The biggest fear children have around Christmas time these days is "Elf on a Shelf", and, boy, is he an intimidating figure....

'The Green Man', or 'Jack o' the Green'

Is he a symbol of nature, and the rebirth of nature once winter has retreated and the sun has returned, or is he a symbol of Anglo Saxon resistance to Norman invaders....

THE GREEN MAN

The mysterious Green Man continues to captivate people

This latest design is of the GREEN MAN! This frondescent fellow is very much a mystery, but it is widely accepted that he is a pre-Christian, Celtic nature spirit representing the cycle of life, and the rebirth of plants and nature in the Spring. The green man went into hiding with the spread of Christianity, but vestiges of his viny visage continued to appear in the carvings of churches, chapels, and cathedrals. In fact, there are more than 110 green men carved into the crevices of the esoteric Rosslyn Chapel (the cryptic chapel associated with the Knights Templar after they were disbanded and went into hiding). 

Cernunnos, 'The Horned God'

"Cernunnos, 'the Horned God'"

In Celtic culture, the mysterious image of a horned being permeates from the Iron Age in the Gaulish La Tène culture all the way up to 19th century England in the legends of Herne the Hunter. In spite of several depictions of a “horned god” in Celtic artwork throughout the centuries, the answers to exactly who this horned being was is not clear.

The name “Cernunnos” is found on an artifact known as “the Pillar of the Boatman”. It’s a carving from the first century CE, and it is the only time the name Cernunnos appears in reference to this horned being. However, the oldest image of Cernunnos is found on the Gundestrup Cauldron, an Iron Age relic of the ancient Celtic people of mainland Europe. Modern interpretation speculates that Cernunnos was a god of nature and fertility. In spite of the uncertainty behind this arcane creature, one thing is clear, his importance to the Celts must have been great in order for his legend to endure for so many centuries.

Celtic Harp

While the shamrock gets most of the glory in modern times, it's actually the Celtic harp that has been the major emblem of Ireland throughout history! The history of this emblem of the Emerald Isle stretches back into ancient times. It was the most sought after instrument throughout all of the Celtic lands, not just Ireland. Scotland, Wales, Brittany, anywhere there were vestiges of Celtic culture you would find the Celtic harp.

New "Fenrir: The Monster Wolf of Norse Mythology" Design

Initial Sketch

COMPLETED DESIGN

"Fenrir: The Monster Wolf of Norse Mythology

The legend of Fenrir has many interesting  stories attached to it, but perhaps the most well known is how Fenrir came to bite off the hand of the Nordic god, Týr (from whom we get "Týrsday, or Tuesday as it is now known). Týr was brave enough to place his hand INSIDE the mouth of Fenrir while the other Nordic god's bound Fenrir with a magical ribbon made by the dwarves. Fenrir, who was able to break every other chain up until the magical dwarf ribbon was unable to free himself, and bit off Týr's hand in a rage! Týr is now most commonly depicted as missing a hand.