TRAFFICKED Designs Jewelry Workshop at New Braunfels Art League

On Monday, October 14 TRAFFICKED Designs joins with jewelry maker Lynda Medore to provide a jewelry making workshop for the benefit of victims of human trafficking at New Braunfels Art League at 239 W San Antonio St from 1pm-4pm.

There is a fee of $10 charge to cover supplies for two bracelets (one to make and one to donate) for each student. The class is free to trafficking victims. Supplies for the bracelets will be provided for each student. Students need to bring basic jewelry pliers and metal cutters. Workshop leader, Lynda Medore will be assisted by fellow Art League member, Brian Moreland. To enroll in the class, please call Lynda Medore at (830)358-0186. (Class size is limited to 12 students)

The design of the bracelet symbolizes the chains, with the lock and key of enslavement, and the braided faux leather inset represents the Silver Braid Organization which assists survivors of the sex industry. The Silver Braid is a symbol of reintegration and spiritual healing, for both the survivor and the community.

Dottie Laster of Laster Global Consulting and Bernardo Kohler Center heads up the TRAFFICKED Designs project with the idea that it will generate enough funds to support those who need it most. Laster is one of the nation’s leading advocates for human trafficking victims, a certified and experienced trainer to law enforcement and advocates across the country, and one who has clearly taken up the issue of awareness and education of human trafficking globally.

“The inspiration for TRAFFICKED Designs is”Lisbeth” who was rescued by me and my team on Sept 15 2010- she reported being held as a victim of sex trafficking.

In her recovery she learned to make and sell jewelry- when she came to live with me it reminded me that I had made jewelry for my cousin when I was younger- he eventually grew his business to employ many people- I am hopeful that TRAFFICKED Designs will employ victims of trafficking and others who need a way to enter the economy.”

Lynda Medore has been a member of the New Braunfels Art League and displaying jeweler since 2000. She is originally from Beaumont, Texas where she worked in such left-brain fields as dental hygiene and flow meter engineering. She moved to the Texas Hill Country in 1991 where she discovered her creativity. Her earlier work was focused on making jewelry with gemstone beads, mostly for herself and for gifts. Then in 1993 she learned glass blowing in Wimberley, Texas and lampworking (forming glass with the heat of a torch) at Penland Craft School, in NC. There she studied with Kari Russell-Pool, making intricate flower petals and stems and “welding” them together with the torch. While there she met Allison Schaefer who was one of the first glass beadmakers.