Needlework traces back to Egypt in the 1500s, while mahjong emerged in China in the 1800s. Each has endured because it is taught, practiced, and loved across generations.
Though separated by time and geography, both traditions ask for our attention.
Every St. Clare piece begins with study. We look closely at form, proportion, and symbolism to understand what has endured and why, then translate those influences into original designs created with intention and respect.
The needle guides our hand.
The tile gives us structure.
Our designs are created at the intersection of needlework and mahjong, two traditions born in different cultures yet built upon the same foundations: patience, precision, and community.
This is the art of St. Clare.
Craftsmanship
The Origins Collection was designed with one guiding principle: to honor the traditions of needlework and mahjong.
From the beginning, we imagined tiles that reflected the language of stitching — slender lines of thread, needles passing through canvas, and flowers composed of individual dots like tiny stitches. Achieving that level of detail required careful consideration of how the tiles would be produced.
Traditional hand-painted mahjong tiles require approximately 0.5 millimeters of space between each color. This spacing ensures clean application of paint, but it also limits the level of detail that can be achieved. Designs with thread-thin lines, intricate layering, or closely placed colors are not possible within those constraints.
Many of the defining elements of the Origins Collection — the Kingfisher, thread passing through the eye of a needle, and the stitched flowers — would not be possible using traditional hand-painting techniques.
For that reason, the tiles are produced using a process that allows for greater precision. This approach preserves the fine detail of the designs while also enhancing durability over time. Each tile is carefully cut and shaped before undergoing a multi-step finishing process. The surfaces are laser etched, UV painted, and sealed to preserve color and sheen while protecting the tile from wear.
While some collectors associate hand painting with higher value, the most important consideration for us was longevity. These tiles were created to be played, gathered around, and eventually passed down.
The materials and finishing methods were chosen so the tiles maintain their structure and color for generations. They resist scratching and chipping under normal play and are designed to remain intact and vibrant for decades.
Like a treasured piece of needlework, the Origins Collection was created with the hope that it will be used often, cared for thoughtfully, and one day placed in the hands of the next generation.