Meet Chloe Ray

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Ray. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The journey to where I am today was not an easy one, but I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I’m very grateful for everything that has happened to me. If it wasn’t for my chronic illness and all that it put me through, I wouldn’t have found my career. 

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age thirteen. Unbeknownst to me, that diagnosis would rob me of my teenage years and completely turn my life upside down. 

At age sixteen, the nurses and doctors who fought hard for my quality of life made the executive decision to give me a total colectomy, leaving me with an ileostomy bag. This was devastating for a sixteen-year-old. I was dealing with extreme body image and self-esteem issues…this surely would make me even more of an outcast. 

My surgery was a given; it had to be done. I had no say in the matter. I was angry, and I was sad. Why did I have to be sick? Why did this have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? 

I hated my ostomy. It was ugly. It made ME ugly. I wanted to hide it. Nobody could know. I was convinced that it would deter me from making friends, from dating, from living a “normal” life. I was ugly because I looked different. Why, though? Why were those my immediate thoughts? Why was I so afraid of the medical device that saved my life? 

Life with an ostomy soon became second nature for me, despite my feelings towards it. Maybe this isn’t so bad? I could feel the shift starting to happen, but I needed that final push to get me there. 

I decided it was time for a change. A nose piercing, I thought. That would make me fit in with everyone else. A nose piercing turned into a septum piercing, a septum piercing turned into a lip piercing, and a lip piercing turned into my first tattoo. 

I began to have an interest body modification because of the consent. I got to decide what I did to my body. I didn’t have that with my surgery. 

As my interest peaked and my confidence grew, it finally happened. Is this self-love? I didn’t have to hide this part of me; I was beginning to love and accept this medical device that saved my life, all thanks to body modification. 

I was offered a job as front of house at a well-known and respected studio in Ann Arbor, where I began to learn the ins and outs of the industry. I got to see people’s reactions to their new piercings. If they’re not ashamed of looking “different,” why should I be? They’re happy to stand out. It was coming together for me. 

From there, I found what is now my home studio, Origins in Flint. I was offered an apprenticeship to pierce. To be in charge of someone’s body, to show them the power of consent and self-love… I finally understood. To help others feel good helped me feel good. Self-love. I’m living in it. 

I’m not afraid anymore. I am not me without my ostomy. It deserves to be shared, to be praised. I love my ostomy. I thank my ostomy. 

Being a body piercer is such an incredible honor. To be able to give somebody the choice to put something new in their body, to see their reaction when they look in the mirror. The smiles, the selfies, even the occasional hug. The euphoria a piercing can bring somebody is so, so powerful. I want everyone to feel good in their bodies. 

I want everyone to have their awakening, just as I did. I want everyone to feel love and warmth towards themselves. Being different is fun. Being different is beautiful. 

I believe that body modification is a tool that aids not only in self-love but in self-expression. My goal as a piercer is to provide folks with a safe and inclusive environment while providing them with safe and professional piercings. 

Through body modification, there is self-love. There is consent. There is beauty. There is being different. There is being unique. There is being you. Really, truly, unapologetically, you. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh, definitely not. There’s obstacles every day, both good and bad. On the chronic illness side of things, you have to take into account your bad days. The flares, the pain. Everything in between. You have to understand that you’re going to have those bad days and how to navigate through them. It can be hard to admit that you don’t feel good, that you just need a day to let your body rest. Through that difficulty, though, it’s important to remember that the bad days don’t diminish any progress you’ve made. 

I’m incredibly lucky to work for someone who is very understanding of my illness and allows me time off or rest during my work day if I need it. 

Being chronically ill and working a full-time job is not easy, but it has absolutely taught me a lot about myself and what my body is capable of. I’m a lot more resilient than I thought. 

Having a support system in daily life and a job in an industry filled with folks that are so accepting and understanding has helped me out a lot. 

On the business side of things, there’s always obstacles to overcome. Comparing yourself to other piercers, to other apprentices. There’s lots of self-doubt. Why can’t I understand how to perform this piercing? Why am I not good enough? Will I have a steady clientele? 

It’s easy to compare yourself to others. It’s easy to become frustrated or disappointed, to feel confused and angry. As an apprentice, I have to remind myself how lucky I am. My mentor(s) or other piercers I look up to have probably said or thought the same things at one point or maybe even still do. It’s human to think this way. 

I’ve been lucky enough to have mentor(s) and other incredible seasoned piercers who care about me and my career, who have sacrificed their time and their days just to teach me. To make sure I’m equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to advance in my career. A lot of piercers can’t say they were in that same position as I am. 

Making friends in the industry is important, too. Having the opportunity to get to know and shadow these other amazing folks is beneficial to the both of us. It’s important to remember that we all start somewhere, and I’m very grateful that my start is with great teachers who provide me with education and knowledge that is only going to help me in the long run. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a body piercer, currently still an apprentice. That means there are some piercings I’m offering full service and others that I’m still learning how to do. I’m always looking for volunteers and folks who are looking to get pierced! As a piercer, I’d say that I specialize in making folks feel good about themselves. I’m known for being able to provide my clients with safe piercings and an inclusive environment. Origins is a safe, professional space. 

I am most proud of my resilience and of my progress. There was so much to learn. It was incredibly overwhelming at first to realize folks are putting their trust in you with their bodies. That is a big responsibility and one that takes a lot of confidence, responsibility, and effort to do. 

I’m very proud of myself for where I’m at today and for the piercer, I am and will become. I’m very grateful for my clients who trust me with their bodies. 

I work hard to understand what my clients want while still being able to effectively and professionally communicate what I’m comfortable doing, both logically and safely. I strive to give my clients a piercing or assist them in finding a piece of jewelry that exceeds their expectations, that makes them smile and feel good when they look in the mirror afterwards. 

I think what sets me apart from others is my willingness and drive to learn. But we all do that as piercers. I like to ask questions and further my education any chance I get. Whether it be taking classes through the APP, shadowing other piercers, or even just learning more about the jewelry we carry. 

Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Folks can support me by sharing my work, visiting my website, or being a volunteer as I continue to learn. I’m frequently on the lookout for folks who are down to get a piercing at the apprentice discount (free piercing, you cover jewelry). 

Another way to support me is to just be kind. Educate yourself on IBD, Crohn’s Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. Familiarize yourself with colostomy and ileostomy bags. Ostomy isn’t a dirty word—ask questions, be supportive, be kind. 

Contact Info:

• Website: chloe-ray.com
• Instagram: fvtherchloe

Image Credits
Brooklyn Caldwell
Chloe Ray
Matthew Borsa