The Art of the Perfect Mahjong Tile

There’s something magical about Mahjong—the rhythmic shuffle of the tiles, the cool smoothness of acrylic in your hands, the hum of strategy and laughter around the table. When I first played 15 years ago, I was instantly hooked. But it wasn’t until I started teaching that I truly understood what players needed—and that’s when The Mahj Club’s signature products began to take shape.

After teaching hundreds of players, I noticed the same questions popping up: What’s the deal with the deal? What are the steps to The Charleston? I wanted a way to make learning easier—and more stylish. The first version of our Cheatsheet Tablecloth was handmade with a Cricut machine, designed to guide new players while elevating the aesthetic of game nights. When players started asking to buy it, I knew I had something special. I spent months perfecting the design, sourcing vegan performance leather from Chinese fabric markets, and ensuring it was stain-resistant, wrinkle-free, and completely wipeable. Now, players can "Mahj-On" in style—no fuss, just pure gameplay.

Next came the tiles. I didn’t just want another set—I wanted an experience. The sound of the shuffle, the weight of the acrylic, the beauty of the art—every detail mattered. I dreamed of collaborating with an artist whose work matched the joy of the game, and that’s when I found Emily Nichols. Her confetti-style brushstrokes were the perfect match. We chose a soft blue-grey custom acrylic layered with clear acrylic which truly elevates the tiles. Emily’s existing magnolia flower became our 8 Flower tiles. The Queen Bee was the natural choice for the Jokers—after all, in a hive (or a Mahjong game), she holds all the power! The Winds feature a delicate beehive with directional gusts, but the Dragons took more thought. What’s a bee’s greatest enemy? A bear, of course! Emily’s Bear-Dragons are adorable, but my personal favorite is the happy little Soap tile—pure joy in acrylic form.

TMC x Emily Nichols Soap Tile

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