Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Daniels.
Hi Mary, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Hello, I’m Mary Walls Daniels, business owner of chokeHerskins. I’m a Leather Jewelry Designer, and my one-of-a-kind leather accessories are uniquely handcrafted never duplicated in color or design. I started my leather art journey in my later years with the knowledge of design and tailoring skills already firmly established. During my earlier years, I watched my mother take pride in decorating and transforming our home from the inside out into a beautiful place to live. She also wanted her children to experience various forms of art by means of knitting, music, and sewing. Her loving disposition and attentiveness laid the foundation for each of us to have a unique creative flow. Of course, I was the one who latched on to the art of sewing. My mom would got to the weekly sewing classes, and I begged her to let me go as well. She knew my mind was set on the art of creating, and she continued to allow every resource available to come my way. In school, I excelled in designing and sewing. I was always active in fashion shows in school and on my own at different establishments. Throughout my school years, I was able to attend a one-on-one course with a German teacher whose knowledge was very precise and strict this taught me to believe in my art and take pride in my craftmanship. I was assigned my own sewing class at a lucrative private school, where I taught young minds to embrace their creativity behind the power of a machine and express their individuality through design. As time went on, I continued to keep my sewing and designing skills close throughout my change in marital status and switching careers. My three children were my number one priority in life so having my solid knowledge behind the machine always allowed me to have something to serve as a second income to take care of my household now as single mom. I never swayed away from the ability to create, so every layer of my life from my home to accessorizing clothing was always in the forefront. As my children turned into young adults my responsibilities as a mother freed up my time to really put love of creating on the table. I took an interest in vintage leather; it was something about the smell and history behind the natural skins. So, I started maneuvering the leather into different shapes and sizes and forms of design that would create a piece of wearable art. My collection of leather art and design started to grow until, eventually, my family members encouraged me to share with a new audience. Actually, a social media platform was created by my niece that included photos of my unique leather chokers. The response was welcoming, and my business was now live on every platform of social media. Throughout the time I knew someone would need to represent and showcase my growing business. Sharing my chokers was very personal because each one was inspired by something I witnessed visually or felt a connection to emotionally. My now brand ambassador Shandera Dawson saw my pieces and immediately obliged to represent my chokeHerskins brand. Her creative vision of fashion and style continues to tell the story of each of my designs. My collection of leather art is made up of ChokeHers which are wrapped gracefully around the neck with dope and unique style, HipHers that enhance your waist or hip area, ChestHers which is a designed ChokeHer and breast area leather piece, and my WristSprout or Cuff for the arm area. Many ask what’s the meaning behind the chokeHerskins name I always reply what does it mean to you especially when one of my designs are decorating their presence. I get some interesting answers, and I love to hear what the chokeHerskins name can create when being defined. Here’s the meaning collectively. Choke-to wrap around in my case as a specific area of designing the neck. Her-a woman/female, but I have a large male group, and fashion is for anyone to enjoy and wear. Skins-raw skins and hides also our natural human skin. My chokeHerskins brand wraps itself around each person in a personal way. Creating a skin-to-skin experience so that we all feel uniquely beautiful. I want those who touch and see my collection of leather art to feel something that only they can experience personally. I’ve been able to share humbly my journey with many, whether up close and personal, locally and internationally, through wonderful platforms such as this magazines at events and collaborations in different countries. I’m presently in partnership with Natasha Lee with exclusive designs for her brand. As I continue to grow my chokeHerskins brand I hope to empower women, men, and young ones to let their creative minds beautify our surroundings and give those who may feel different and not what this world perceives as beautiful a unique view of Artistry. Through the eyes of a Leather Jewelry Designer. -MaryD.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obstacles and challenges never come at a good time but going into a business and displaying an art or talent is going to create transparency. Your visions and beliefs will become open to the world to see. Personal opinions and views will be uninvited some with good intent and others with a different agenda. This can be discouraging, and it may cause doubt and a desire to appease or adjust your business away from your original purpose. I knew what my journey as an artist from the beginning originated from so I kept my focus on how I wanted to remain loyal to my vision of designs. My story is full of challenges that I had to overcome and accept. One being the acceptance that my brand and view of leather material may be sensitive to certain audiences even though they may love my artwork many are eco-friendly and sensitive towards certain materials used while I’m designing my leather jewelry. Faux leather with certain designs are used, but my choice is leather hides and skins. I also upcycle and recycle vintage leather that has withstood the time of wear and tear. Therefore, instead of going into a landfill it’s being repurposed and created into something beautiful that can be passed down even longer throughout generations. My biggest and ongoing challenge is my health that I’m actively maintaining. Diagnosed with a chronic lung disease and Lupus were a double whammy in 2015. I had to adjust my home and prior business to fit my health maintenance. My children were older and independently moving into adulthood, so with their continued support, I could remain focused designing leather pieces around my daily challenges associated with my health. I had to undergo Lung surgery and other obstacles, but my positivity and belief in my chokeherskins brand is such an amazing burst of energy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Leather Jewelry Designer. My leather pieces are never duplicated by color or design. Therefore, just as we all have a unique DNA not one being the same likewise, my leather ChokeHers and collections each manifest their own identity. My work is included in collaborations with other creative artist locally and internationally. My designs can be found in Inspire Marketplace here in Michigan in partnership with the amazing Natasha Lee of ThatGirl corporation and mydct_corp. My spirit remains humble despite my confidence in my chokeHerskins brand. I continue to donate my time and designs for various causes and health awareness groups. Fulfillment and contentment with your business stems from good intentions within your business.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Lessons come from things experienced while in business. We can only grow if we acknowledge what the crisis is and how it can be addressed. One step at a time or all at once. I’m not perfect, and every design I create may reflect my imperfection. But I’m consistent and take pride in all my leather art, knowing that it brings joy to my collectors and audience. I’m uniquely made, and my art reflects my designs. Art is everywhere; it’s so beautiful and allows any obstacles, challenges, or crisis to stay in place allowing me enough time to create my chokeHerskins brand. I’m HAPPILY ‘Choked Up’ about It!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chokeherskins.com
- Instagram: @choke.her.skins
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/choke.her.skins
- Other: www.linktr.ee/chokeherskins
Image Credits
@shotzbykd
@canonportaits
