Mah Jongg Remade: Using Vintage Mah Jongg Tiles In Hand Crafted Jewelry And Gifts

Making Jewelry And Home Decor Out Of Old Mah Jongg Tiles

Who would ever believe that I would find two baby boomer artisans, Eda and Roberta who make jewelry and home decor out of vintage Mah Jongg tiles exhibiting in a summer craft show in  Cotuit, Massachusetts (Cape Cod). I mean we are not talking the Borscht Belt here, the only thing Cotuit has in common with the Catskills back in it's hey day is that both offer a  quiet country setting and lots of fresh air and pretty summer flowers.  If you are wondering where Cotuit is, it's near Osterville which is between Mashpee and Hyannis. Nearby charming Osterville village is a must visit, with lovely boutiques and art galleries.


Introducing 
Mah Jongg Remade

So when I read that Eda and Roberta of "Mah Jongg Remade" were exhibitors at the Cotuit Craft Show, I just had to stop by. As I schmoozed with the gals, I learned that they had a common interest ...Mah Jongg and had became friends over the years.  Eventually,  Eda and Roberta started a business repurposing vintage Mah Jongg tiles into one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift items.

Finding Old Mah Jongg Tiles


They are lucky to have people save extra tiles for them or to find tiles online or at tag sales.  Old Mah Jongg sets are hot now, and very difficult to pick up cheap anymore, but Eda and Roberta say they have plenty of beautiful tiles to work with.

Business is good now, because, so many young women (and even some men) have re-discovered this  challenging game and enjoy Mah Jongg themed jewelry and gifts. I have seen many crafters use vintage Mah Jongg tiles in their work, but I must say, these two women (and one husband helper) have really done a nice job with their  creations. You can find Mah Jongg Remade on Etsy.com, here is the link http://www.mahjonggremade.com/   


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Jewelry Made From Vintage Mah Jongg Tiles

Where Have All The Mah Jongg Tiles Gone?

Did you notice how all the Mah Jongg sets and tiles are disappearing? While there has been a renewed interest in this ancient game which was brought back to America in the 1920s, that is not why the "Dots", "Bams", "Cracks", "Soaps" are in demand.

The answer may be that artists and crafters have discovered that these wonderful tiles make great jewelry and mixed media objects. Photos courtesy of Burlington Inn Antiques, Burlington, Connecticut.

You will find Mah Jongg earrings, bracelets necklaces, eye glass holders and so much more made from original vintage Mah Jongg tiles. While there is plenty of Mah Jongg jewelry designed out of older tiles (made of Bakelite, Catalin, Pyralin, Bone, Ivory, Bamboo and Boxwood)...there is also plenty of newly made pieces. Be sure the price represents the true value. Rarer tiles are valued higher.

Of note.... many gals who still play the game of Mah Jongg also may look for tiles to complete their game sets.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Project Mah Jongg: Exhibit At Museum Of Jewish Heritage

"Crack", Dot", "Bam", "Soap"

I am so excited to tell you about Project Mah Jongg opening at Museum of Jewish Heritage, Battery Park, New York City, May 4th, 2010. Oy, I can already hear the tiles clicking and the women shouting out "Mah Jongg! I knew the symbols on the Mah Jongg tiles before I could read. (My mother was a seasoned player).

"Mah Jongg Lady"

The photo shown of "Mah Jongg Lady" was a whimsical three dimensional figure ( styled like a Mah Jongg tile) that I created out of a painted brick for a local Cancer charity auction in Connecticut. (We had to create "art" out of a brick". ) By the way, never will I attempt epoxy glue again.

Mah Jongg Lady evolved in my mind quite easily as I grew up surrounded my Mah Jong ladies, including my mother and all of our neighbors in Brooklyn and than in Fresh Meadows, New York.

Mah Jongg In The Catskills

I remember my mother getting ready to play Mah Jongg in the 1950s. She played both evening games and daytime games during the summer (in The Catskills).

During the weekly evening games, mom would pull out the bridge table and chairs and cover the table with a plastic quilted cover and tablecloth. I can't believe I now sell similar items in my shop , "Kitsch n Stuff".

Mah Jongg Night: Candy And Refreshments

The best part of Mah Jongg night for me ( as a child) was the refreshments. What would Mah Jongg night be without filled candy dishes, cakes, soda etc. Mom would let me sample the goodies before I was tucked in for bed. But, of course I could still hear the gals calling out "bam", "dot", "crack", "soap,. the names of the tiles which form suits.

Project Mah Jongg At Museum of Jewish Heritage

The upcoming exhibit "Project Mah Jongg", takes place in a 1000 square foot hexagonal gallery and will chronicle the artifacts associated with the game as well as Mah Jongg's social and cultural history for Jewish women in America. According to The Museums website visitors to the exhibit will experience the ambient soundscape created by sound designer Timothy Nohe who has reproduced the sounds and voices of women playing the game.

The exhibit, designed by Abbott Miller of Pentagram, features artwork by Christoph Niemann, Isaac Mizrachi, Maira Kalman, and Bruce McCall and was curated by Melissa Martens. An accompanying publication called "Mah Jongg: Crak, Mam, Dot", edited by Abbott Miller and Patsy Tarr is available in The Pickman Museum Shop


About The Museum: From Their Website:
"The Museum of Jewish Heritage is A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. "Created as a living memorial to those who perished during the Holocaust, our Museum honors those who died by celebrating their lives - cherishing the traditions that they embraced, examining their achievements and faaith, and affirming the vibrant worldwide Jewish community that is their legacy today" .

Learn More About The Exhibit, Museum And Mah Jongg:

http://www.projectmahjongg.com/about.html

To Read More About Mah Jongg click on this link: http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2009/10/mah-jongg-and-martinis-vintage-mah.html
Group photos shown are the courtesy of http://www.projectmahjongg.com/about.html

Books About Mah Jongg

Mah Jongg - Companion Volume to the Exhinbition " Project Mah Jongg" Published by the 2wice Arts Foundation http://www.pickmanmuseumshop.com/mahjocovotop.html

A Beginner's Guide To American Mah jongg by Elaine Sandberg http://www.pickmanmuseumshop.com/begutoammahj.html

A Mah Jongg handbook: How to Play, Score, and Win by Eleanor Noss Whitney http://www.pickmanmuseumshop.com/mahjohahowto.html

Mah Jongg Made Easy by National Mah Jongg League http://www.pickmanmuseumshop.com/mahjomaeainb.html

The Great Mahjong Book: History, Lore, and Play by Jelte Rep http://www.pickmanmuseumshop.com/grmabohiloan.html

References And Articles About Mah Jongg Collectibles

An Interview With Antique Mahjong Set Collector Carol Ann Harper http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/an-interview-with-antique-mahjong-set-collector-carol-ann-harper/

Mah Jongg Musuem: http://www.mahjongmuseum.com/

Mah Jongg Sets http://www.collectorsweekly.com/board-games/mah-jong

Mah Jongg Gifts http://www.funwithmahjongg.com/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.