Jewelry designer Sam of Eclectic Elements is known for her colorful, funky and daring Mahjong tile stretch bracelets. After picking up a chunky-chic grape and lemon hued bauble for myself, I had a chance to ask her some questions about her designs and her life as a jewelry designer.

Bella: What originally led you down the path of jewelry design?

Sam: As with most things in my life it was by chance. I have always dabbled in writing and art, but it was never with the idea of selling or becoming an "artist." I am a film and video producer by trade and that business slowed down for me. The term "what next" comes to me at times like this, so I broke out the art supplies one more time.

Bella: What inspired you to create jewelry using Mahjong tiles?

Sam: I am a hunter-gatherer in terms of art supplies. I find interesting items, move them from place to place in my home/studio, look at them occasionally and trip over them for 2 years until finally one day figure out how to use them...

The Mahjong bracelets started by accident. I saw someone throwing out a half set of Mahjong tiles...Yikes! They were too lovely to wind up in the trash so I offered to give them a good home and left. They sat in a box in my studio for over a year until about 2 years ago. I found them again while hunting for new materials to work with and laid them out on my work table to contemplate their future. A few days later I decided that they would make fun jewelry.

I focus on Mahjong piece jewelry due to my affinity for all things Asian, but also make vintage Domino and Checker jewelry.

Bella: What is Mahjong, anyway, and where do you get the tiles?

Sam: Mahjong is an ancient Chinese game that is very popular in the Jewish community in the United States. It is gaining popularity again. The most basic form of the game is similar to Rummy, but is also a complicated gambling game in which certain "hands" are valued with certain points. There are many rules to play by and some are related to the country in which the game is played. Chinese rules are different than Japanese rules which are different than American rules which are different than Vietnamese rules, etc.

I have family and friends around the country keep their eyes peeled for old Mahjong sets at flea markets, garage sales and antique shops. If the set is full or nearly full I add it to my collection - my infamous "Mahjong closet" - and I sometimes sell the full sets locally or online.

If the set is only missing a few pieces I can usually find "orphan" tiles to complete the set. If many pieces are missing I use the tiles for jewelry and other collage and assemblage art.

Bella: What are the sizes, colors and materials of the Mahjong tiles you use in your designs?

Sam: Tiles range in size, but are generally 1 1/4" x 7/8" x 1/2." The vintage materials I work with are (approximate years are noted):

Bakelite tiles are for the most part amber or butterscotch. Catalin - which is a thermoset plastic very similar to Bakelite - tiles are buttercream color and also have a more shiny finish than Bakelite. I have some Catalin tiles that are aqua which was an interesting discovery.

Marblelite tiles are more colorful and the colors more saturated. I use primarly red, black, periwinkle, royal blue, pink and purple. I have used two types of Celluloid - French Ivory and Pyralin. The French Ivory Celluloid tiles have a surface design intended to look like real ivory, and the Pyralin tiles I have used have two layers of black and cream.

I also use Bone & Bamboo tiles. The two layers are dovetailed together, hand etched and hand painted. They are tiny works of art!

Bella: How do you turn those solid little tiles into eye-catching jewelry?

Sam: I use a drill press to turn the tiles into beads. Each material has different properties which dictate the speed of the drill bit, the protection I need when drilling and the "clean-up" necessary after the drilling is done.

When I drill Bakelite and Catalin I must be sure to have a mask to protect myself from the fumes and dust, gloves so I am not exposed to the dust, I have to use a compressor to blow out the dust from the holes and then I use a water-pik to clean out the holes...it is quite a process!

The other plastics are less of a challenge, but there was still a "learning curve" to figure out the best way to handle them. I must adjust the speed of my drill for each material and the pressure I use on the drill press while drilling. Some of the Catalin tiles I drill explode if I use too much pressure! If I drill Bakelite and Catalin too fast, the drill bit blows a chunk of the material out when the drill bit exits.

Bella: What are people's general reactions when they first see your Mahjong designs?

Sam: At the Arts & Crafts Shows I participate in, people are drawn to the bracelets. They wonder what they are, they tell me stories about how their Grandmothers taught them to play the game when they were children, they smile and laugh and try them all on! It is a wonderful experience to watch...life can be so serious, I love being able to bring a smile to someone's face or bring back a fond memory!

Bella: Although your Mahjong designs probably steal the show at times, I know that you also design other styles of jewelry. Tell us about them.

Sam: I also make dice jewelry. They are a big hit as well. Last summer I had an order for a Las Vegas wedding. A friend of the bride bought a necklace, bracelet and earrings for the bride to wear during the ceremony. I wish I had asked her to send me a photo.

I sometimes make checker and domino jewelry, but they are not as popular as the dice and Mahjong jewelry.

I have also added chunky semi-precious gemstone necklaces and men's chokers from natural materials such as bone, horn and shell, and gemstones this past year.

Bella: In addition to your Internet shops, where else are your designs available?

Sam: I sell online all year long, but in the summers I participate in the Downtown Grower's Market in Albuquerque, NM. The Market runs late June through mid October and meets every Saturday from 7-11. I also participate in shows in the Albuquerque area from time to time. Most recently I exhibited at the University of New Mexico holiday show.

Bella: Which piece was your favorite of all the jewelry pieces you have designed over the years?

Sam: I don't have one favorite. My mood, available materials and state of mind dictate what I design and that changes all the time. Generally the Mahjong bracelets are my favorite. They make people smile with a memory or encourage them to ask questions. They invite the most interaction.

Bella: What are your jewelry design plans for the future?

Sam: I enjoy making the bracelets, but will be focusing on game piece pins and brooches in the next few months and also branching out to mixed media, collage and assemblage work. My partner is a contemporary outsider folk artist and we plan on collaborating in the next few months.

A special thank you to Sam of Eclectic Elements for granting us this fun and informative interview!

Visit Eclectic Elements online at www.eclectic-elements.com. In addition to her pre-made designs, Sam also takes custom orders. Click here for her contact information.

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