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Hello, I'm Karen—founder, maker, and weaver here at Sanctuary Studio.

I'm 64 years old, neurodivergent, and live with ADHD and metal sensitivity. For most of my life, I didn't have language for why my mind worked the way it did. Now I understand that what I once saw as challenges are actually part of my creative superpower.​

Jewellery is my armour. Not just metaphorically—though it is that too—but literally. Because of my metal sensitivity, I can't wear most mass-produced jewellery. So I learned to make my own. Pieces that are beautiful, yes, but also safe for me to wear. What started as necessity became obsession, then passion, then Sanctuary Studio.​

Weaving is my calm. When the world feels too loud, too fast, too much—I pick up my pliers. The repetitive motion of opening and closing rings, one at a time, settles my nervous system. It gives my busy ADHD brain something to focus on. And when I hit that sweet spot of hyperfocus? Time disappears. The chaos quiets. And something beautiful emerges from my hands.​

I've been creating chainmaille for well over 30 years, and still enjoy it to this day.

Every single jump ring I use is hand-coiled on mandrels, each coil is then precision-cut, and woven one ring at a time with patience (and often deep joy). Each piece is tumbled clean and polished before it reaches you.​

Chainmaille is one of humanity's oldest art forms—more than 2,700 years old, worn by Celtic warriors and Viking craftspeople. I like to think I'm continuing that tradition: creating armour for modern life. Protection you can wear. Strength you can feel.​

At Sanctuary Studio, you'll find jewellery as unique as you are—because it was made by someone who understands what it means to need something different , something yours .

Welcome to my sanctuary.

— Karen