what we do

We make jewelry with a fun & light-hearted twist. YEAR 901 uses traditional metalsmithing techniques including wire wrapping, hand forging and lost wax casting.

Our jewelry is inspired by bright colors, organic shapes, and playful details that are often overlooked in everyday life.

With a focus on sustainability, we take pride in crafting each piece by hand with locally sourced items and recycled metals & materials as much as possible. Our work is created with our hands, not machines and we embrace the variations that make them unique. Our goods are proudly made in the USA.

About the maker

Benh is a Viet-American metalsmith and ceramic artist based in Austin, TX. She is the owner and doer of all things at YEAR 901. Her art is inspired by vibrant colors and playful details, reflecting her goal to infuse joy and wonder into her work, each piece telling a story of her creative journey.

With a studio ethos rooted in exploration and embracing imperfection, Benh continually seeks new techniques and materials to expand the boundaries of her craft with sustainable and mindful intention.

What does YEAR 901 mean?

The most common question I get asked is “Where does the name YEAR 901 come from?” The 901 came from an old mentor of mine. It was part of the street address of my first “big girl job” and we used that number in all of our projects. As I moved on and did different things, I would continue to use 901 in all my jobs. The number started to symbolize all the work I was creating. A few years later, I moved into an apartment that just so happened to be numbered 901 as well. That’s the place I really started making jewelry— on an IKEA table in the corner of the room. I would sit in that apartment thinking, “This is my year. This is the year I make this my full-time job.” And that’s how YEAR 901 was born.💘