The Story Behind Claymeleon Jewelry

Not all disabilities are visible

Hi there! I’m Susan, the founder of Claymeleon.

I was 25 when I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that turned my life upside down. Even though I looked the same on the outside, I was facing huge mental and physical health issues.

Talking about it has always been hard for me. It brings up a lot of painful emotions and my situation is so complex that I often don’t know where to begin.

Creativity as a coping mechanism

Forced to go on sick leave, I began making gifts out of polymer clay to pass the time. It helped me feel fulfilled despite being stuck at home and became a creative outlet to cope with my illness.

I felt potential to create work for myself within my limitations, and that is how Claymeleon began: a hobby turned coping mechanism turned small business.

Visualizing invisible struggles

I quickly realized that I was telling the story of my illness through what I created. It became an easier way to open up and show how my daily experience was affected by illness.

This is why I tell part of my story with each of my collections. It helps me make sense of my own experience and I hope that it can help others with invisible illnesses as well.

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You are not alone

Opening up about our struggles is terrifying. However, sharing my story has played a huge role in my ability to accept my new reality. It has made me realize that I am – by far – not alone.

If you have an illness, I hope you can wear Claymeleon jewelry and know you are not alone. If you want to, use it to start a conversation about your struggles. Or give a gift to a loved one and let them know that you acknowledge their struggles.

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