I looked up recently and realized that I haven’t written much about what I’ve been doing for the past three months. The short answer is: I have been making, drilling, stringing, packing and shipping more mah-jongg jewelry than I ever imagined.

The longer answer is that Mah-Jongg Jewelry by Patty has grown tremendously—and so have I.

When I started this business, I knew I had something unusual. I have loved mah-jongg tiles since I was about 10 years old, when my mother played three times a week. There is something special about taking vintage tiles—some from the 1930s and 1940s—and giving them a new life as jewelry.

What I didn’t know was whether other people would see what I saw in them.

Now I know they do.

May/June: Wholesale Took Off

June was the month when this began to feel like much more than a promising little business.

I had started selling wholesale through Faire, and boutiques around the country were finding my jewelry. I created bundles to make it easier for store owners to try a ready-made assortment, and those bundles became an important part of my wholesale business.

By the middle of June, I had received 36 wholesale orders, including four reorders. One of those was a $700 reorder. I had worried because things had been quiet for a few days—and then that order came in.

That is one lesson this business continues to teach me: a quiet day does not mean the business has stopped growing. Orders are uneven. Sometimes nothing happens, and then suddenly everything happens at once.

By the end of June, I had shipped 435 pieces of jewelry and brought in more than $7,000, making it my best month at that point. I had multiple wholesale accounts, repeat buyers and hundreds of pieces to make and ship.

I also hired my assistant, Mo.

At first, Mo helped primarily with drilling tiles. Drilling vintage mah-jongg tiles is careful, time-consuming work. You cannot rush it, especially when you are working with beautiful materials that cannot simply be replaced. Over time, I began teaching her more of the jewelry-making process, although I still do the final tying myself. She has become an important part of this business, and she is very good at what she does.

Taking a Chance on Boutique Outreach

I also took a fairly big chance by putting together approximately 100 packets for boutiques. Between the folders, envelopes, printed materials and postage, I spent around $700 to $800.

At first, I did not receive any orders directly from those packets. Of course, I wondered whether I had wasted my money.

Then one of the boutiques I had contacted placed an order—and later placed a large repeat order. That one customer alone ultimately spent around $1,000 with me, which paid for the entire campaign and then some.

It reminded me that marketing does not always work immediately. Sometimes you plant a seed and have no idea whether it will grow. Then, weeks later, an order arrives.

Reorders Became the Real Story

New orders are always exciting, but reorders may mean even more to me. A reorder tells me that the jewelry didn’t merely look good to a store owner—it sold to her customers.

By early August, I had received 60 wholesale orders, and 15 of them were reorders. That meant one out of every four orders came from someone who had already bought from me.

One Idaho boutique eventually placed its seventh order. Another customer placed a second order before she had even received her first shipment. She called me, we had a lovely conversation, and then she ordered again.

I heard from one retailer who had purchased about $2,000 worth of jewelry. She told me that a man walked into her store and bought five bracelets just like that. She was thrilled—and so was I.

I also received an order from a Merle Norman cosmetics boutique, which surprised me in the best way. Mah-jongg jewelry is not limited to one particular type of store. Gift shops, boutiques, museum stores and other specialty retailers can all make it their own.

Growing Beyond Wholesale

Wholesale has been a major part of these three months, but it is not the whole story.

My Etsy shop continued to bring in sales, favorites and wonderful reviews. My Shopify website began receiving more direct orders, too. I also turned on Etsy’s offsite advertising and discovered that my jewelry was appearing in Google searches.

Imagine searching for vintage mah-jongg jewelry and seeing your own work at the top!

I have always known that this is a very specific niche. There are plenty of inexpensive, newly manufactured mah-jongg bracelets online, and occasionally you will find someone selling one vintage bracelet. But I have not found anyone else creating vintage mah-jongg jewelry on the scale that I am.

I am building something that is genuinely different.

Tournament Postcards and New Ways to Reach Players

This summer, I also had 1,000 postcards printed to distribute at mah-jongg tournaments. That felt like another leap of faith, but I wanted to reach the people who already understand how special these tiles are.

The postcards began going out at events, and before long I saw more orders coming through my website. I cannot prove that every order resulted from a postcard, but the timing certainly made me believe they were helping.

I am continuing to look for larger tournaments, particularly those with 250 or more players. For a large event, I am happy to donate a nicer piece of jewelry as a prize. I love the idea that a player might discover my work at a tournament and take home something made from the game she already loves.

New Colors, New Designs and Scarcer Materials

I have also been experimenting with new products.

I introduced bracelets made from new pink tiles and ordered black tiles to test next. The pink bracelets are fun, colorful and much more affordable than my vintage Bakelite pieces. I priced them at $25 retail and $15 wholesale, which gives customers another way to enjoy mah-jongg jewelry without buying one of the more expensive vintage designs.

If the pink and black bracelets do well, I may eventually try purple and blue. I am learning not to order everything at once. I can test the market first and let my customers tell me what they want.

I have also been creating tiny double-sided bone earrings, necklaces made with cherry-backed Bakelite tiles and bone-and-bamboo necklaces with several bead and coin combinations.

At the same time, the supply of genuine vintage Bakelite tiles has become one of my biggest challenges. These tiles are not being made anymore. Once they are gone, they are gone.

In August, I found and purchased three Bakelite sets at $500 each. I was thrilled to find them, but that price also meant I had to rethink what I charged. I made the difficult decision to raise the retail price of my Bakelite bracelets to $80.

I never want to raise prices simply for the sake of charging more. But I also have to price these pieces according to what the materials cost and how difficult they are to replace. Each bracelet is becoming a truly limited vintage piece.

August: My Biggest Month Yet

August was extraordinary.

There were days when the orders seemed to pour in faster than I could fill them. On one day, Mah-Jongg Jewelry brought in about $2,000. The next day brought another $868. In one week alone, the business made more than $4,000.

By the end of the month, my sales had passed $10,000 and were likely close to $11,000.

I took days away from my other work because I had orders to fill. That was an important moment for me. This was no longer something I squeezed in around the edges of my life. It was demanding real time because it had become a real, growing business.

I have worked some very long days. On one of them, I spent about eight hours on the business and made 22 bracelets. There have been tiles everywhere, jewelry everywhere, packages waiting to go out and a constant list in my head of what needed to be made next.

It has been exhausting at times.

It has also been exhilarating.

I Am Learning as I Grow

Not everything has worked perfectly. I have tried marketing services that were not worth the money. I have dealt with returns, shipping questions, technology that refused to cooperate and websites that used my photographs without permission.

I have changed jewelry cards, worked on bracelet holders, redesigned care instructions and experimented with better ways to package the jewelry for boutiques. I have learned that the smallest details—how a bracelet hangs, how quickly an order ships or how clearly I explain the natural age marks in a vintage tile—can make a difference.

I am still learning when to spend money and when to wait. I am learning which products deserve more investment and which ones need to prove themselves first. Most importantly, I am learning to trust my own judgment.

A Business Built from Something Personal

The best part of all this is that the business began with something deeply personal: memories of my mother and her love of mah-jongg.

Every time I turn an old tile into a bracelet, necklace or pair of earrings, I feel as though I am preserving a little piece of the game’s history. These tiles were held, played and enjoyed long before they reached my worktable. Now they get to begin another chapter.

And perhaps that is what I am doing, too.

I am 65 years old, and instead of winding down, I am building something. I am thinking bigger than I did three months ago. I can see the possibility that Mah-Jongg Jewelry by Patty could eventually become my full-time work and allow me to step away from the work I have done for many years.

That dream feels much more real today than it did in June.

And Then I Took a Vacation

After these whirlwind months, Gary and I spent five wonderful nights at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya in Mexico. I came home tired, happy and already wanting to return.

For once, I stepped away from the jewelry, the orders and the constant feeling that I should be doing one more thing. I swam, ate wonderful food, went parasailing, had an amazing jungle-spa experience and remembered that celebrating the life I am working so hard to build matters, too.

Of course, now I am home—and back to the jewelry!

What Comes Next

The holiday season is approaching, and I expect October through December to be busy. I am continuing to build inventory, reach new boutiques, support my repeat customers and develop new pieces without losing what makes this business special.

Three months ago, I hoped Mah-Jongg Jewelry by Patty was gaining momentum.

Today, I know it is.

I am proud of the business. I am proud of the jewelry. And yes, I am proud of myself.

Thank you to every person who has bought a piece, placed a reorder, shared my work, handed out a postcard or simply encouraged me. You are helping me build the next chapter of my life—one mah-jongg tile at a time.

—Patty

That doesn’t mean it’s bad. It just means we’re both nervous.

I’ve always said that if you find someone you like, stick with them. Seeing a new escort can be nerve-racking. You’re nervous because you don’t know what to expect. I’m nervous because I don’t know you yet, either. I don’t know your intentions. I don’t know if you’re kind, respectful, or someone I’ll enjoy spending time with. We are both taking a leap of faith.

When men are nervous, certain things don’t always work as well as they normally do. I’ll let you figure out what I mean by that.

What I notice, though, is that most men start to relax pretty quickly. As they become more comfortable, they stop worrying and start focusing on enjoying the moment.

The men who seem the least nervous are often the ones who have read my blogs. In some ways, they know me better than I know them. They’ve spent time getting a feel for my personality, my sense of humor, and how I think. That familiarity seems to make a big difference.

Another thing that happens when two people are nervous is that they tend to talk more. That’s certainly true of me. The first time I see you, I’ll probably talk more than I will the second, third, or fourth time.

The truth is that things get better over time. We become more comfortable with each other. We know what to expect. We relax. And when that happens, we’re both able to enjoy our time together a lot more.

So if the first The First Time Is the Worst Time

The title says it all: the first time we see each other is probably going to be the worst time between us.

That doesn’t mean it’s bad. It just means we’re both nervous.

I’ve always said that if you find someone you like, stick with them. Seeing a new escort can be nerve-racking. You’re nervous because you don’t know what to expect. I’m nervous because I don’t know you yet, either. I don’t know your intentions. I don’t know if you’re kind, respectful, or someone I’ll enjoy spending time with. We are both taking a leap of faith.

When men are nervous, certain things don’t always work as well as they normally do. I’ll let you figure out what I mean by that.

What I notice, though, is that most men start to relax pretty quickly. As they become more comfortable, they stop worrying and start focusing on enjoying the moment.

The men who seem the least nervous are often the ones who have read my blogs. In some ways, they know me better than I know them. They’ve spent time getting a feel for my personality, my sense of humor, and how I think. That familiarity seems to make a big difference.

Another thing that happens when two people are nervous is that they tend to talk more. That’s certainly true of me. The first time I see you, I’ll probably talk more than I will the second, third, or fourth time.

The truth is that things get better over time. We become more comfortable with each other. We know what to expect. We relax. And when that happens, we’re both able to enjoy our time together a lot more.

So if the first visit feels a little awkward or a little nervous, don’t worry. That’s perfectly normal. The first time is usually the worst time. After that, it tends to get better and better. visit feels a little awkward or a little nervous, don’t worry. That’s perfectly normal. The first time is usually the worst time. After that, it tends to get better and better.

And what better way to get those needs taken care of than by seeing an escort who is mature, patient, fun, and silly all at the same time? Much better than having an affair. No complicated emotions involved except maybe friendship. No contacting you after you leave because why would I? Just something to look forward to. Someone to look forward to.

The thing about the title is that if you look at the five love languages, the one that always seems to stand out for men is physical touch. And if you’re not getting that somewhere else, eventually you’re going to need to find it somewhere.

For some men, that’s simply massage and a rub and tug. And that’s perfectly fine too. The massage is usually very good, the release is nice, and you don’t have to do it yourself. Not quite the same as seeing an escort, but definitely a runner-up.

But seeing the same person repeatedly to get your needs met actually shows a certain level of maturity in my opinion. Which is why I’ve always thought of hobbyists as somewhat immature. It’s OK to form an attachment to someone who is providing you with a service, much in the same way you might with a massage therapist or a hairstylist. They’re giving you something valuable, and over time you naturally get to know them through that.

I suppose you can try to repress or ignore your needs, but I think that only works for so long. Human beings need touch, connection, affection, and release. There are only so many times you can take care of all of that by yourself before it starts feeling lonely.

5/21/26 Update on Me

You might’ve noticed that I haven’t written many blogs lately. That’s probably because I’m doing so well and staying so busy that I’m not thinking about writing blogs. Mah-Jongg Jewelry by Patty has really taken off. In fact, escorting is becoming my side hustle now. It still pays the bills, but MJP has been growing month over month.

Even during a time when people supposedly aren’t spending money on luxury items, they’re still buying my bracelets. And more and more boutiques are starting to buy from me too. A lot of my time these days is spent working on MJP.

Gary and I are doing great. We’re coming up on a year and a half together, and we’re going to Grafton this weekend to celebrate my recent 65th birthday. Grafton is very cute and touristy, and we love shopping and wandering through different boutiques. We’ll go out for a nice dinner too. He’s very good to me, and we’ve even started talking about when I might retire and move in with him.

And speaking of retirement, if MJP continues doing as well as it has been, I may retire from escorting in two years when I turn 67. I hope and pray things continue the way they have been because honestly, I’m very happy right now.

Now that I’ve lived in St. Louis for a full year, I can honestly say I feel fully acclimated to life here. I seem to drive a lot more now, mostly because I usually do the driving when Gary and I go out together. But I absolutely love having an electric car and spending about $10 a week on electricity.

I also love being closer to my sisters. My older sister and I are actually getting along much better these days, and she’s going to help me take my jewelry around to boutiques.

I’ve also reconnected with an old friend named Ronnie. Thirty years ago we were best friends, and I really tried my darndest to get back into her good graces. I think I finally have. I probably see her twice a month now.

I’m also thinking about joining the Y now that I have Silver Sneakers and really have no excuse not to since it’s free. I’d love to get back into the water and do some aqua exercise in the mornings. You know me — not that much into exercising unless it’s fun.

Well, I guess that’s it for now. I’m at a really good place in my life. I really should write a book about starting over at 65. exercise in the morning. We’ll see. You know me. Not that much into exercising unless it’s fun.

Well, I guess that’s it for now. I’m at a really good place in my life. I really should write a book about starting over at 65.

Sometimes, with certain clients, it feels like I’m just a hole. And I have to tell you—I hate that feeling.

I understand that there will always be a percentage of men who approach seeing an escort as nothing more than getting off. In their minds, it’s purely transactional. Honestly, if that’s all they want, they could use a glory hole and accomplish the same thing. But that feels…empty. Detached. And yes, a little gross.

What I don’t understand is choosing to be with a real woman—someone with a face, a personality, a presence—and still treating her like she’s invisible.

Now, to be fair, I don’t see many men like this. My ads are very clear: I’m offering connection, conversation, and chemistry along with the physical experience. Because without that context, sex becomes mechanical. Get in, get off, get out. Done.

That doesn’t interest me.

To me, when a man sees you as “just a hole,” he’s not seeing you as a person at all. He’s seeing a role. A label. Something he can use and walk away from without a second thought. Maybe I’m wrong, but I tend to think of these men as emotionally shallow—or at the very least, disconnected from intimacy. Some may even be struggling with compulsive behavior, where connection isn’t the goal at all.

The reality is, because of what I do, I know I’ll be seen in different ways by different men. For some, I’ll never be more than that. But interestingly, those are rarely the men I see again—and not because I block them.

They just move on. And honestly, so do I.

4/3/26  Hobbyists 

I had to write this after the last blog, because there’s an obvious overlap.

Hobbyists.

For those who don’t know, hobbyists are men who make a “hobby” out of seeing different escorts. They’re not looking for consistency or connection—they’re chasing variety. The next new experience. The next “flavor of the month.”

And yes, I’ve been that flavor.

Will I see a hobbyist twice? Almost never. In over ten years, I honestly can’t remember a single one who came back.

Do I enjoy seeing them? It depends. Some are perfectly nice. Some are not. But overall, it’s not my favorite experience. There’s something inherently unsatisfying about spending time with someone when you both know it’s a one-time encounter—especially when connection is important to me.

What I struggle with most is the mindset behind it.

To me, being a hobbyist feels a lot like chasing something you can’t quite catch. Always looking for better, newer, different. And I can’t help but wonder—what are they really searching for?

I would genuinely love to hear from men who identify this way. What is it about constant variety that appeals to you? What does it give you that one consistent connection doesn’t?

And yes, I’ve wondered if there’s a link to addiction. Not in a judgmental way—just observational. Because that constant need for something new can feel less like enjoyment and more like compulsion.

Do I have something against addiction? No. Not at all. Addiction is real, and it’s hard. I’ve seen it in many forms, and I have compassion for it.

I don’t screen clients based on whether I think they might be struggling with something like that. Truthfully, you often don’t know. And as long as someone respects me and my space, I’ll see them.

But there is a part of me that feels a quiet sadness for anyone who can’t slow down long enough to actually connect.

Because in the end, that’s the part that matters most—to me, anyway.

She knows you still have needs. She’s not naive. She may not know how those needs are being met—or maybe she tells herself you’re just taking care of things on your own—but she knows they’re still there.

And I have to believe that for many of these women, especially those who have completely and drastically shut down that part of their lives after menopause, there is a quiet kind of pain that comes with it.

Because on some level, they know they’ve lost something.

Not just the act itself—but the ability, the desire, the connection… the role they once played in your life in that way.

And that loss doesn’t just belong to you.

It belongs to them too.

I don’t usually respond to forum posts, but since my name has come up I thought I would say a few words directly.

First, thank you to those who have seen me and shared their experiences. Anyone who has met me knows that what you see is exactly what you get. I show up on time, I look like my photos, and I do my best to make the time we spend together enjoyable.

A couple of comments mentioned that I “talk a lot” or ask personal questions. That’s true—I’m naturally curious and conversational. Many of the men who see me appreciate that because it creates a relaxed and genuine atmosphere rather than something that feels cold or mechanical. Of course, everyone has different preferences, and that’s perfectly fine.

I also noticed some discussion about certain activities that I do not offer. I’ve always been very clear about my boundaries and about maintaining my health and safety. Those boundaries are not negotiable.

If someone is only looking for a body, there are plenty of options for that. What I offer is a genuine experience with a real person, clear boundaries, and mutual respect.

As for remarks about my age or appearance, I’m very comfortable with who I am. I’m proud of the life experience and confidence I bring to the table. Many wonderful men appreciate a confident, mature woman, and those are the people I most enjoy spending time with.

At the end of the day, the best way to know someone is to meet them yourself rather than relying on second-hand opinions on the internet.

Wishing everyone well,
Patty

I don’t usually blog about my encounters. Mostly because there isn’t that much to say beyond, “It was nice.” But today? That would not be true.

I met with an Aussie man who made me giggle with delight and scream with fear — the good kind. You see, he had me in every position imaginable, and at one point I swear he twirled me in the air. It was pure fun. Pure passion. And I don’t think I’ve ever felt that level of intensity in a session before.

We started the way I often do — me on top. Easy enough. But then he had what I can only describe as a very creative idea. He lifted us into a kind of lotus position — me sitting on him while he sat upright — and before I knew it, he had picked me up and twirled me toward the side of the bed with my bottom hanging off the edge. By this point I was giggling uncontrollably.

Then he lifted me again — and this is where I think he twirled me (I honestly can’t be sure; it was all happening so fast) — and tossed me back onto the bed like he had choreographed the whole thing. I mean, this man was masterful. It felt planned. Practiced. Or maybe just instinctive. Hmmm.

We tried a few more positions — some I had never done before. One I’m not sure I need to repeat. But overall? It was exhilarating.

And here’s the thing: he made me feel light as a feather. And from a woman’s vantage point, there is absolutely nothing wrong with feeling like a feather.

It’s too bad he lives in Canada and I’ll likely never see him again. But I won’t forget him. No way. No how.

And I can almost hear her saying:

Sakes alive I’m 95

Now I would rather be where you’re at

But that is neither here nor that

I tell you what it’s not so bad

To be with Arthur, Jim and Dad

And don’t you worry your sweet little hearts

Cause even in heaven, there’s nothing worse than my farts

Fooey nuts is all I can say

And I’ll be here on your judgement day!

That was her.

A little dramatic. A little irreverent. Completely unwilling to let anything get too sentimental without poking it with a stick.

She’d remind us she’d rather still be here — and in the same breath reassure us she’s fine where she is. She’d name the men she loved. She’d make heaven sound like a reunion instead of a mystery.

And then she’d ruin the holiness with a fart joke.

Because even in heaven, you’re still you.

The line that stays with me is this:

And I’ll be here on your judgement day.

Still watching. Still mothering. Still loving.

If she were 95, she’d be laughing while we cried.

And somehow, that makes me feel better.

I find a client who will later become my friend.

It always starts innocently enough. A simple half-hour appointment. Nothing dramatic. Nothing overly charged. Just two people meeting, spending time together. But sometimes, even in that short window, you can tell there’s something there. A comfort. A curiosity. A sense of ease.

The time is well spent — for both of us.

So I see him again.

Maybe once a month for three months. By then, I start to think of him as a regular. After six months, we truly know each other. We remember details. We follow up on conversations. We know what’s happening in each other’s lives.

And after nine months?

We’re friends. Plain and simple.

I care about what happens to him. He cares about what happens to me. When we see each other, we check in. Not just physically, but emotionally. We celebrate wins. We talk through struggles. There’s a real connection there.

This is part of what makes me special as a provider.

I don’t doubt that there are other women who work the same way I do — and are just as successful, maybe even more so. But I will never give up my quest to have a whole bevy of good friends and lovers. That’s what fulfills me. That’s what makes this meaningful.

Once we cross that line from client to friend, the only direction is either up or out.

By up, I mean it deepens. It gets richer. The trust grows. The vulnerability grows. The exploration grows. The friendship strengthens. We raise each other’s sexual consciousness because we feel safe enough to do so.

By out, I don’t mean something bad.

Sometimes it gets so good that it naturally ends. Life changes. Circumstances shift. People move. Relationships evolve. The connection has served its purpose beautifully — and it’s complete.

But I will never stop striving for that connection that turns into friendship.

Because only when there is real trust, real care, and real openness can you truly explore different avenues together. Only then can you push boundaries thoughtfully. Only then can you raise each other’s awareness — sexually, emotionally, spiritually.

That’s what I’m after.

Not just time.

Connection.

And when I find it, I treasure it.