Rising Stars: Meet Mary Daniels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Daniels.  

Hi Mary, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, I’m Mary Daniels, CEO of the ChokeHerSkins brand. I’m a leather jewelry designer here in Michigan. I’ve been a leather designer for 8 years but a seamstress/tailor for over 25 plus years. My story as a designer has definitely been a journey of satisfaction, happiness, and changes. I’ve always enjoyed creating from an early age being surrounded by women who did the same on various platforms. My Mom never backed down from learning new ways to create and beautify her surroundings. She continued to educate 6 children in the art and creative world. My siblings were never as excited about creating as I was; they all had their own interests, which was understandable. As for me, I was ready to tear and wear! Yes, that meant even if I had to tear up one of my mom’s aprons or Dad’s handkerchief, it was time to create. I started off by hand sewing, watching my mentor my mom stitch socks and buttons back into place. Such memorable moments to reflect on in the past of a foundation being laid down for me to become skilled in handcrafting and knowledgeable with the tools to grow and become a businesswoman and owner in my future. Textiles and drafting were another course I became educated in throughout my school years. I was taught under the canvas of Heinz Griesser a German teacher who opened up his school and business to a handful of potential students in this field. Fortunately, I was chosen and truly appreciated another steppingstone to becoming a skilled seamstress and designer of art and fashion. I participated in fashion shows and events that would make me known in the fashion world and also bridal wear that kept my calendar full of opportunities. As time went on, I was given my own little house next to a private school where I taught early childhood education. The bonus establishment was for teaching boys and girls basic sewing skills a School of Sewing for Young Adolescence. Along the way as my path grew wider in opportunities, I became even more convinced that my passion for constructing and designing was truly natural, and my love continued to grow even more with designing and creating unique fashion. Introducing myself to various textures of fabrics from different countries was something I never was shy to try in constructing new items and products. I knew that allowing myself to stay open-minded when designing would identify me as a uniquely free creative soul. The freeness to create with only my vision in mind was an amazing feeling! As time expanded, I became interested in the construction of jewelry making especially since it could be created with just about anything you could imagine. One man’s trash would become another man’s treasure which comes under the category of upcycling, recycling, vintage versus new materials. Whatever one can imagine using jewelry making is endless. I chose Leather! Hides and skins were in for me. I remember not wanting to discard a leather item because the skin was still in perfect condition, so I started taking it apart and once I saw these beautiful pieces just laying before me, I started to form them into these interesting designs of curves and pinches that started to look like shells and flowers, and I said WOW this is natural art made from something that was about to be thrown away into the wasteland which wouldn’t be eco-friendly. But now I had to decide how will it be worn to visibly be seen as a piece of jewelry? Well, I’ve always chosen the necklace itself as my accessory, but I wanted something closer to how I was feeling about my skin and the connection I was having even with the smell of the leather. Just how close can I wear this beautiful and meaningful piece that’s really taking on a personal moment for me. A choker! I decided that all my designs will be made as leather chokers. My vision of handcrafted chokers uniquely made one at a time and never duplicated. ChokeHerSkins was born July 2015. What’s the meaning behind the name? CHOKE (a wrapping around the neck area that holds up our individual crowns) HER (female) SKINS (leather that touches our natural skin). I believe every woman should feel completely wrapped in her own beauty without being identified by anyone else in likeness such as her DNA. Therefore, even though my designs have details that identify my work, such as tassels, floral arrangements, and butterflies, I never duplicate my handcrafted creation by color or design. Inspired by so many sights of God’s creation or something I experienced, heard, or seen an emotion or feeling the vision becomes an expressive choker uniquely created one at a time just for HER. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Were there challenges and obstacles along the way as a Leather Jewelry Designer? Most definitely! In that same year, I was hit with pneumonia; it knocked me off my feet and into the hospital bed for two weeks. The doctors started to question the extent of my illness since prior to this, I was healthy. I returned home on oxygen this was a true blow to my daily life and being a businesswoman. Eventually, I was diagnosed as having an existing chronic lung disease called ILD (Interstitial Lung Disease) that led to shortness of breath and inflammation sometimes causing excruciating pain on my joints. Also, an autoimmune disease Lupus. I had Robotic Lung surgery to pinpoint my weak spots on my lungs all of these actions caused depression. Who wants to be sick when we were created to thrive and enjoy our creative works! I decided to really take into consideration what my chokers meant not only to me but those who would rock them. Since these challenges weren’t going away, I said let me solve them in a creative way. All my chokers would be connectively closed by straps only, which was easier than trying to pinch or grasp a clamp. Also, with swelling from the inflammation my straps would adjust to any neck size, and I’ve had many women express their concern about my chokers fitting around a small or larger neck. Well, problem solved the leather straps tie to adjust comfortably for each individual. My collection of leather designs with strap closures includes the CHESTHer which is a choker and chest piece combined to wrap under the breast area, the HIPHer that is compared to a large belt but is designed to fit at the waist and down to the hip its adjustable as well. My WristSprouts, known as cuffs are snapped. A recent health issue that I unexpectedly experienced was a mild stroke that caused my retina to hemorrhage, so my vision is temporarily limited. Determination is the key for me to keep moving forward as a businesswoman and not allow debilitating discouragement or even fear to stop my journey as a global leather jewelry brand. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work will continue to grow as a designer. I’m constantly working on different inspired collections. My SNAPHer collection is in the making which will allow my collectors to create their own choker and look for the day or evening by interchanging removable extensions; so excited about this one! Improvement and growth are words that never expire, so ChokeHerSkins will continue to do just that with so much to learn and grab onto while designing as an artist. My Brand Ambassador, Shandera Dawson, is the representation of ChokeHerSkins. Her creative style and loyalty to my brand along with the Flyness and Dope energy she brings before the camera when displaying my leather jewelry are unmatched. Our collaboration of earrings designed by Shandera will be coming out this year 2023., I’m really grateful to have her on my team. 

What do you think about happiness?
Happiness is defined as having a positive state of contentment, joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Am I completely there yet? Have I experienced any of these expressions? Yes, I have. It’s so much more to come for me, and I’m happy to keep enjoying my business and building my brand. Magazines like Voyage Michigan and others who want me to tell my personal story make me happy, and I’m thankful. Invitations to work alongside other amazing Designers and Entrepreneurs locally and internationally on a wider scale are positively uplifting. Natasha Lee, a powerful CEO amongst us, has shared some of her platforms with me. I’ve experienced accompanying her in a Marketplace in Michigan with her #THATGIRL brand, a powerhouse of marketing and merchandise. She kindly invited me along with other local designers for a special request to have our creative designs of items displayed at the Little Caeser’s arena here in Michigan to set up a gallery during the Detroit Pistons games. On March 27th at The Little Caeser’s, I will be awarded along with over 25+ Businesswomen and Women making a difference all around the World- The 2023 Being That Girl Award! Do I have reasons to be happy as a Businesswoman and creating my own brand as a Leather Jewelry Designer? My answer is a solid YES! -MaryD 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chokeherskins.com
• Instagram: @chokeherskins
• Facebook: chokeherskins
• Linkedin: Mary Daniels

Image Credits
@shotzbykd
@shadedbyshandera