Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Meaney
Hi Chloe, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From the moment I could hold a pencil, I was enchanted by the power of art. My childhood was a canvas of continuous creativity, leading me to enroll at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) at the age of 18. I always was drawn to the traditional forms of art; drawing with graphite, pens, and watercolors. I wanted to push myself beyond what I already knew, and decided that graphic design would be a good choice in order to propel myself into the online design world. While I thrived in this new digital landscape, I missed the tactile joy of creating with my hands.
To reconnect with this element of art, my friend and I began creating jewelry during breaks from schoolwork. What started as a casual diversion to relieve stress soon blossomed into a full-fledged passion. I continued to develop skills and learned how to work with metal and wire, leading to the creation of rings, earrings, and more. As a college student, I didn’t have the resources to start my own business, let alone invest into valuable metals in order to take my jewelry to the next level. I also was strongly against going to an art supply store and buying their new beads; where a small, sad string of 12 beads can exceed $10. I knew there had to be another solution.
As an avid thrifter, I often visited local thrift stores, and became very familiar with the thrift scene. I noticed after a while, that there would be piles of jewelry in every store, often dismissed as outdated. Sometimes after 2-3 months of visiting the same store, it seemed like the same jewelry was still there, collecting dust, simply because it was out of style. One day, I asked the woman who was working the register behind the glass jewelry display case what would happen to everything in the store if no one bought it. She replied, “All that you see here will end up in a landfill one day. This is their last stop.” After realizing that everything in the thrift store will one day be literally thrown away, it awoke something inside of me. I knew I had potential to reverse this unavoidable fate for the pearls that caught my eye, glistening in the case. I responded, “How much for all of them?” I told her my idea, and we worked up a deal in order to help achieve this goal. (Shoutout to Cheryl from Old City Mission Thrift) This thrift store, alongside Starlandia, have been instrumental in my jewelry creation beginnings, offering quality materials and unbridled support.
Seeing potential in these forgotten treasures, I began to buy them and transform them. Back in my studio, I would carefully deconstruct these pieces, salvaging beads, chains, gemstones, watches, etc. and reassemble them into chic, contemporary designs. This process wasn’t just about creating something beautiful; it was about sustainability. Each piece of jewelry I created was a statement against the throwaway culture that plagues modern consumerism.
When I told my family about my idea, they absolutely loved it, and some relatives started giving me piles of their forgotten jewelry. Some of the jewelry was broken, yet they still had been holding onto it for decades. They couldn’t seem to throw it out, because of the sentimental attachment to these pieces. This fueled my ambitions to re-work vintage jewelry, as each piece has a unique life and story of its own, passed down from generation to generation. I was able to rework these jewelry pieces and return to them to my relatives who graciously donated them to me. They were ecstatic that they can now finally rewear their beloved jewels and pearls in a new way; a way to bring the past back to life with style, ready to tell new stories.
In 2023, I launched “Mean Jewels,” a brand that epitomized my commitment to environmental consciousness and artistic innovation. The brand quickly garnered attention for its unique approach to sustainability, turning what was once considered waste into coveted fashion statements. Each piece tells a story of transformation—of giving new life to what was once destined for landfill. In addition, I take custom orders at no additional cost, if an individual has their own jewelry they need fixed or in need of reworking.
Today, “Mean Jewels” stands as a beacon of creativity and sustainability, inspiring others to see the hidden potential in the overlooked and the ordinary. I continue to draw and design, my graphic design skills coming in handy to create the brand of my dreams. My goal is to continue to use my talent to make a difference in the world, one necklace at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t always been smooth, and one of the biggest struggles has been changing people’s perception of second-hand goods. Many assume that upcycled jewelry is low-quality or overly used, which can turn them off before they even see the pieces. However, what many don’t realize is that vintage jewelry and beads—even those made 10 or 20 years ago—are often crafted with far superior materials and attention to detail compared to many mass-produced items today. For instance, vintage pearls or glass beads often have a richness, weight, and durability that you simply don’t find in fast fashion accessories or mass-market retailers. By using these components, I’m able to create pieces that not only feel unique but are often of higher quality than something brand new. The challenge has been showing people that “upcycled” isn’t a downgrade—it’s an upgrade, blending sustainability with exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design.
We’ve been impressed with Mean Jewels, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mean Jewels is a brand built on creativity, sustainability, and the belief that every piece of jewelry has a story to tell. Specializing in upcycled and repurposed jewelry, we take vintage, second-hand, and forgotten pieces and give them new life, transforming them into one-of-a-kind designs. What sets us apart is the craftsmanship and thought that goes into each creation—many of the materials I work with, like vintage beads and components, have a quality and charm that modern mass-produced jewelry often lacks.
I’m most proud of how Mean Jewels blends sustainability with individuality, offering unique pieces that aren’t just accessories but conversation starters. It’s more than just jewelry—it’s about rethinking waste and turning the unexpected into something beautiful and timeless. Our readers should know that every piece is designed with care, with the aim to elevate second-hand into something extraordinary while supporting a more eco-conscious approach to fashion.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
As someone who is still relatively new to running a business, I’m definitely learning as I go and taking advice from others along the way. That said, the biggest piece of advice I can offer is to stay consistent. This is something I’ve struggled with myself, but I’ve learned that if you have an idea or a vision, you can’t let it fade away. Don’t allow doubts—whether they come from others or from within yourself—to dictate your path. Stay focused, trust your instincts, and do what you need to do to bring your idea to life. Consistency and perseverance are what make the difference between a fleeting dream and a thriving reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chloemeaney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meanjewels?igsh=MTZqYmxueDJodWU5Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
