Private Commissions

Czech Necklace and Box

2004

Commissioned by Jason Meyer, Brooklyn, New York
Medium: 16th-century Czech trading beads, glass seed beads, thread, silver SW clasp, archival board, cotton velvet, fiber, thread
Dimensions: Necklace approx. 27 1/4 x 3/8 x 3/8 in.
Box: Approximately 8 in. diameter x 1 1/2 in.
Photograph: Courtesy of the artists

Commission Overview
This work was created as a birthday gift for Jason Meyer in 2004, one of our earliest supporters and a close friend. It reflects a moment when we were still experimenting with materials and construction techniques, transforming fragments of history and memory into intimate, wearable artworks.

Artistic Approach
The necklace was composed of 16th-century Czech trading beads, purchased from bead dealer Myron Tobac. These striking chevron-patterned beads interlock to form a continuous chain. William added seed bead terminals using tubular peyote stitch, attaching them to our custom silver SW clasps.

The accompanying box is one of the rare occasions we used cotton velvet for an exterior covering. While elegant, the material proved bulky and difficult to sew, and we soon moved away from it. Built in a clamshell structure with a connecting tab and stitched entirely by hand, the box reflects our commitment to craft and our early explorations in housing jewelry within sculptural containers.

Engagement and Impact
For Jason, the necklace was a personal and celebratory gift. For us, it marked a moment of experimentation—blending historical materials, technical innovation in clasp design, and our evolving box-making practice.

Context and Legacy
The interior of the box was likely reinforced with corrugated cardboard salvaged from a Neiman Marcus photoshoot we worked on with MAK. During that shoot, we were approached by the editor of the Exclusives catalogue, which became a turning point: it led to discussions about featuring our work and ultimately prompted us to formally incorporate our company in 2001.

Seen now, this necklace and box sit at the crossroads of several formative experiences—friendship, early commissions, the influence of fashion production, and our fascination with reinterpreting historical beads. Jason has remained a close friend and supporter, and this piece remains a reminder of how those early years shaped both our artistry and our relationships.