Verona chainmail artisan Bill Anderson fights chronic pain link by link

Connie Allardyce | Aug 17, 2016

When asked how he started creating chainmail jewellery, Bill Anderson said, “It wasn't my choice - my wife bought me a lesson package to try. After I started, I took to it like ducks to the water and wanted to learn more. So I started watching videos and taking advanced classes."

When blood clots in the lungs left Bill Anderson with chronic pain that traditional medicine could not erase, his wife Nancy encouraged him to use alternative medicine through art therapy. She was concerned about the effects of persistent, chronic pain and the resulting inactivity.

Bill found that he prefers to work with the 16 to 18 gauge of wire when weaving, as the finer 10 gauge was harder on his eyes and more difficult for a man with large hands. He says that working with the wire has, "increased my dexterity and reduced my arthritic pain."

Most surprisingly though, Bill Anderson found that while weaving these creations, “The hours flew by and I never noticed the chronic pain”.

The process of personal growth through creativity also involved Bill in lessons and mentoring with other chainmail artisans. It gave him a creative will and dream to pursue and as Bill says, he was able to keep his three lovely daughters and wife in jewellery.

The impact of pain on a chronic level can be considerable, affecting self-image, decreasing physical and mental ability, creating feelings of lifestyle loss and leading to memory deficiency, depression and anxiety.

There are many theories about pain and chronic pain. One, put forward by the research team of Butler and Moseby in 2008, speculates that as far as the brain is concerned pain is initiated by fight or flight, and fear and avoidance. Perhaps while Bill is concentrating on the calm, focused fabrication of these beautiful, intricate designs, his mind does not detect danger or radiate pain.

Whatever the reason is, Bill says, "I never notice the pain while working."

The chain of events following Bill's pursuit of his art has had some other very positive side effects. He says, "It caused me to vastly expand my list of friends. "

Once Bill's entire family had all the jewellery they could use, he began his business - Chainmail Jewellery by Bill. He started a website in the same name and has now sold and shipped his chainmail jewellery worldwide.

He exhibits at art shows such as Art in the Sawmill on August 6 & 7 in Verona. He also keeps a facebook page and can be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

His work is also available at Passionate Artisans on 28 Bath Road in Kingston, Ontario.

From the initial suggestion by his loving wife Nancy that he try a course in chainmail, Bill Anderson has fought back chronic pain link by link and moved on to an exciting new chapter in his life.