Some creative journeys begin with a single spark—others are shaped by deep-rooted curiosity, unexpected turns, and the resilience to adapt. For the designer behind Chainsself, Oleg Chekalin, a childhood spent immersed in nature and biology laid the foundation for a unique artistic vision. From collecting insects in the Ukrainian countryside to crafting intricate, chain-based jewelry that merges organic inspiration with industrial aesthetics, their story is one of passion, transformation, and survival.
In this Q&A, we dive into their earliest fascinations with the natural world, the evolution of Chainsself, and how they’ve navigated creative reinvention through personal and geopolitical upheaval:

Q: When Did Your Interest in Biology Begin?

It all started in a pretty ordinary way—back in childhood. My grandmother was a biology and chemistry teacher. By the time I was born, she had already retired. Every summer, my parents would send me to Ukraine to stay with my grandparents for three months. When I was five, I actually lived with them for an entire year while my parents were away on military service. During that time, my grandmother and I spent endless hours reading biology books, exploring the forests, wandering through fields, collecting insects, and making herbariums. A child’s brain is incredibly neuroplastic, so I soaked up everything like a sponge.

As I grew older, my interest in biology only deepened. In school, I consistently placed first in every biology and chemistry competition. My greatest passion was the world of insects and the underwater realm—evolution has truly outdone itself in both cases, producing an insane variety of forms, colors, and adaptations. Evolutionary biology holds a special place in my heart because it helps me rationalize and understand the essence of all living things—where we come from and where we’re headed. Over the years, after watching countless documentaries and studying endless materials on the natural world, my mind became a kaleidoscope of different forms and patterns. This, in turn, inspires the designs I create. In the future, I see myself going on expeditions around the world—I want to study, touch, and see with my own eyes everything that I currently only observe online through social media.

Q: How Did concept beget brand?

Originally, the idea behind my brand, Chainsself, was to create accessories and clothing from chains. My first piece of jewelry was something I made for a themed party in Moscow about four years ago. It turned out pretty well, and soon, people started showing interest. Photographers, stylists, and bloggers began reaching out to use my pieces in photoshoots. That’s how I gained my first audience, and my account naturally filled up with stunning visuals. At the same time, I started showcasing my work at various city events, where my designs gained some recognition. All of this fueled my confidence—I knew I was onto something and didn’t want to stop.

Then, the war broke out, and I ended up emigrating to Georgia under extreme circumstances. I never even returned from my vacation—it was absolute chaos, a ton of stress. Looking back, I still don’t fully understand how I managed to survive that period, considering my entire business was based offline in Moscow.

That marked the beginning of a new chapter—one filled with metallic creatures made of chains. Suddenly, I was surrounded by nature, mountains, and the sea. Georgia is an incredibly diverse country in terms of landscapes and climate. I’ve been living here for almost three years now, and I’m still constantly amazed by new places and discoveries. This shift unlocked a new level of creativity in me. My works became larger and more ambitious. More and more people found my designs intriguing, and more photographers wanted to incorporate them into their shoots. That led to my first magazine features.

Then came Instagram Reels. I had never made video content before, but as they say, life teaches you everything. People especially loved my facechain jewelry.

Photo courtesy of Oleg Chekalin and Chainsself.

Q: where Did You Learn to Solder?

At one of the markets, I met some jewelers, and that was a turning point. Around the same time, tin soldering and handmade jewelry were blowing up on Instagram. Someone offered to teach me the basics, and I jumped at the chance. But, wow, it was a struggle—so many nerves and so many failed attempts before I finally started making something decent. Little by little, my designs became more complex.

Working with tin made me realize I could bring even more of my ideas to life since chains, by their very nature, limit the possibilities of design. But after five or six months of tin soldering, I knew I wanted to create finer, more intricate pieces. Tin work is a pretty rough process, after all.

That’s when I transitioned to silver and semi-precious materials. I’ve been practicing silversmithing for over a year now, refining my skills. I also found a business partner, and together, we launched a website. Challenges are everywhere, but we keep pushing forward. Constant learning and skill improvement aren’t just options—they’re necessary for survival and growth.

Q: How Has Your Online Presence Helped Grow Your Brand?

My face jewelry designs helped me gain a lot of views and followers worldwide. Orders started coming in from different countries, but right now, most of my sales are in the U.S. and locally in Georgia. My business partner and I are working on expanding our website and hope to establish a steady global shipping process soon.

This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see where the journey takes me next.