Meet the Creative: Chaind Jewellery
- Hannah Kate
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
Welcome to the next in this series of Meet the Creative interviews offering a glimpse into the world of some of my favourite creatives.
This time, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a vibrant and innovative queer-run business creating alternative designs that celebrate self-expression and individuality. Please meet the brilliant founders of Chaind Jewellery, Anya and Nick.
Please introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about Chaind Jewellery and how it came to be.
Anya: Chaind Jewellery is a small queer-run business run by two weirdos: Nick and Anya.
Chaind came about sort of accidentally, when I was laid off from a job and wanted to get my cousins some gifts, but found that most things that would suit them were either very expensive or of a quality that wouldn’t last, so I decided to make the jewellery myself and since it was cheaper to buy materials in bulk and I was dreading going back to the more standard workplace, we ended up with a brand.
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in jewellery design and who or what have been the most important influences on your creative lives and career?
A: I’ve worked in and around various art and design roles my entire life, from an art education to studying fashion design and architecture and working 10 years in interior design, for my family’s firm, design was always there. However, jewellery was something I had not done much of, so it didn’t come with the usual emotional baggage and blocks, as there was no internal judgement, which allowed me to feel more free creatively and Nick believed in me, so here we are.
Growing up closeted, autistic and a people-pleaser didn’t do wonders on my self-expression as a teen, I used to save alternative and grunge looks on my Pinterest, while I hid in oversized hoodies, Chaind has allowed me to find myself and to create pieces I would have loved back then, pieces that fit various alternative looks from my Pinterest and signal queerness.
How would you describe your style and your products?
A: We usually just say ‘alternative’, like an umbrella term to encompass all the different aesthetics that inspire us and also to highlight that our jewellery is for everyone who doesn’t fit the mould and wants to express themselves. And I mean we’re both neurodivergent and pansexual and don’t fit the gender binary, boxing ourselves in was not an option, neither was making a binary decision :)
Chaind covers all sorts of styles from more punk and grunge designs with lots of chains and spikes to more whimsical designs with natural crystals, moths and moon charms, industrial pieces with lots of nuts, carabiners and washers to your more classical goth pieces with lots of obsidian, spider webs and skulls and everything in between. I just make the sort of stuff I wanted to wear as an angsty teen and the stuff that fits me now and helps me feel euphoric in my outfits.
What was your first Chaind Jewellery piece and how have you progressed to the pieces you make and sell now?
A: This is quite difficult to say, as when we decided that this was to be a brand, I was working on multiple pieces at a time. We launched our first collection in January 2023 with I think about 20-30 designs, including our ‘Crashing Ships’ carabiner necklaces, which remains a staple Chaind piece to this day.
We initially did start with a lot of industrial pieces and have now expanded our range to include more fairycore / whimsygoth designs and our newer pieces are often a lot more maximalist, featuring more components and layering.
How do you start the design process and where do you get your design inspiration?
A: I start a lot of our designs by thinking what I think we need to have more of - so from a gap. For example we currently have 3 trouser chain designs, but none of them go with the more whimsical moon and star pieces, so I am working to make one that would go with those. This allows me to narrow down a concept/brief and then I either sketch bits or just get my findings out and start playing around with those.
For inspiration, I tend to spend copious amounts of time getting lost on Pinterest looking at fashion and jewellery, which often leads me to get lost in a random craft I don’t even do, but sometimes helps me come up with new ideas.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
A: That I get to make designs by hand and that these pieces resonate with others and that I don’t have to work in an office with other people.
Nick: That I get to spend every weekend working with the person I love the most whilst manipulating people into giving me their cash!
When are you at your most productive?
A: First half of the day, so before lunch and then after dinner. Any time between lunch and dinner is mostly reserved for disassociating.
N: Somewhere around 11 and then somewhere around 4 food causes me problems. Sometimes I get super in the zone around 5 and can't stop working till well into the evening.
Do you have a best seller or favourite to make?
A: I love making Crashing Ships, just because it was one of our first proper best sellers and is still popular today and one of my personal favourites and it’s chunky and comfortable to make. One of my favourite best sellers is our ‘Zombie’ modular multi-pierce earring. I love the design and it’s one I wear regularly, but I absolutely hate measuring and cutting the dainty chains involved - too fiddly.
What’s on your workbench today and could you let us take a peek at your workspace?
A: Today on my workbench, which is just a regular desk, we have a mess of things: chainmaille practice chunks, a stockist restock ready to be labelled and go out and also a bunch of beads that are for making a bead curtain for the corridor, so that I can film content in front of it, as well as new bits I’m working on.
A: Workspace explained (as it’s very chaotic in the most AuDHD fashion):
(and yes there are drumsticks sticking out of my paint brush stand).
What are your favourite materials/tools to use?
A: There’s not much variety in the tools that I use - it’s mostly the same 3 or so tools day to day and as I only work with stainless steel, we’ve got the material bit covered, but out of the type of findings, I absolutely love using industrial nuts and washers and chunky chains, like the Cuban chain - it’s just neat.
What do you listen to/watch when you’re working? (If anything).
A: I often have comfort TV shows like White Collar, Castle, Suits on loop in the background when working, which drives Nick mad, as I have seen Castle like 8 times in Autumn 2025 alone :)
Do you have a motto or favourite quote for inspiration?
A: Not really (sorry).
What have been the greatest challenges of Chaind Jewellery so far?
A: Accounting - I get really stressed out by maths and do not understand any of this, so this has been a constant source of stress.
Crashing a car. It was easy but the fallout was hard.
N: Keeping the energy up all the time at a market: it's hard to face lots of people turning away from you or showing indifference to things you think are awesome but then you've got to be “the best version of you” to the next person you see.
What is it about Chaind Jewellery that you are most proud of?
A: That there are people out there who collect and cherish things I made. This may sound a little silly, but being able to create things that resonate with other people and become a favourite makes me so proud and just squeals in uncontrollable joy.
N: I'm so proud of every design Anya has put together round of applause please. Also the fact it pays the bills and is fun.
What myth would you like to bust about running a creative business?
A: ‘You manage your own time, you must have so much free time’ - this one is a polarising one, because very much depends on your own time management and priorities, but I have never worked as hard or as much before this, because my own success and income depends on this. There’s no standard pay per hour, it is dependent on how much I make and how much I put in.
N: That you can do it all on your own. My lovely partner is amazing and does so much but in the end you need support and partnerships to make a business thrive.
What tip or truth would you tell yourself at the beginning of this journey if you could go back and give young Anya and Nick a heads up?
A: Wait till your second event, before freaking out and wanting to call it quits. So essentially give it time and trust the process.
N: Don't drive to Cheltenham, that turn is sharper than you think and that's a tree not a bush.
What do you like to do when you’re not creating awesome jewellery?
A: Upcycle clothes, embroider, draw and karate.
N: Gaming, writing and climbing.
What are you looking forward to next?
A: Currently super excited about spring, just being able to go on mental health walks, when it’s light and without wearing multiple layers. AND this means that we’ll be able to photograph new designs and bits in natural light and upload them!
N: Going out to dinner with my wife! Seeing Anya in their new broke boutique top! Planning a holiday with Anya going skiing again next year!
What are your plans or ambitions for the future?
A: I would love to make more maximalist pieces that I’m extra proud of, like statement harnesses and also to work on more designs that incorporate my art into the jewellery. And my grand goal for the future is to design charms from scratch and learn how to do 3D models for casting in stainless steel, so I can design my own rings.
N: I want to write my novel, it's about gods in the modern day something along the lines of American Gods but with a bit of a twist!
Oh for Chaind?... I'd really love to do satanic flea market! Yeah more big, weird and wonderful markets, I want to do a comic con, a Ren faire and other big events that aren't currently our main target but would be fun and could be great!
How can we find out more about you?
You can find us on Instagram, but be warned it isn’t a very serious account, after all it is run by two silly individuals: Chaind (@chaind.jewellery)
You can also shop our designs on Etsy: ChaindJewellery - Etsy UK
