Local Designer Series: Jewelry Designer Helps and Empowers Abused Women With Her Nonprofit

Joanne Ewald created Mend on the Move to help women who have been abused by employing them and giving them more opportunities. She's been making jewelry for 10 years but decided to combine that with her love of helping out to launch this nonprofit. Find out more about the company and Joanne in our interview!

Photo c/o Mend on the Move Facebook

DGG: Tell us about yourself, Joanne.

Joanne: I have been making jewelry for 10 years, always with a mindset to combine my two passions of creating for a cause.  I’ve always donated a portion of my proceeds to nonprofits, but it became clear that it was the social enterprise aspect that really appealed to me and that a nonprofit was the route to take.   Its more than just jewelry making it’s helping transform lives through the creative process.

DGG: Tell us about Mend on the Move.

J: We employ women who are survivors of abuse to create jewelry to provide them with an income while they are in recovery programs.  Many of our Makers are also recovering addicts and on probation from jail or prison as a result of their abusive pasts. We are not social workers, but are one component in the recovery process.  Our hope is to help our Makers become self-confident, learn accountability, become comfortable working in a group setting and earn a fair income (our Makers start at $9 hr.)  We are passionate about nurturing their individual skills and treating them with the respect and kindness they deserve.

DGG: What inspired you to create Mend on the Move?

J: I was sexually abused as a child and it has taken most of my adult life to heal from this. I have learned that most women who are abused through sex trafficking, domestic violence or other forms of abuse were first abused as children.  The trauma of untreated child abuse leaves victims vulnerable to further abuse later in life.  Fortunately that was not my story, which is rare.  At the age of 40 I embarked on a journey of faith and healing  that finally enabled me to forgive and move forward with my life.  Mend on the Move is where this journey led me so  that I can share my story and find a way to help others heal and find their voice too. 

DGG: What brought you into making jewelry?

J: This is going to sound a bit hokey, but I literally had a dream of breaking open a watch face with a hammer and in the dream I thought “wow, I could put something inside here.”  The dream stayed with me and the next day I started tinkering around with old watches.  Before long, I was filling the inside of watch faces with original collages and found objects and sealing them with resin.  I experimented with an art show and it amazed me when people actually started buying my creations!  My business was born.  

Photo c/o Mend on the Move Facebook

DGG: What do you hope to achieve with the company?

J:  The most immediate goal is to find sponsors for the 30 foot RV that was donated to us recently.  From the start, I envisioned Mend to be on the move with our makers creating from a mobile studio.  It is more efficient then packing and unpacking supplies and tools each time we go to our locations.  We want to also sell from the vehicle at shows and markets.   Long term, I want to just continue to listen to the women I employ and let them direct  me in how I can best serve them as we evolve.

DGG: Where do you see the company in the next 5 years?

J:  I honestly don’t have a 5 year business plan.   I let God take care of that.   But I’m very interested in adding up cycled clothing and inspirational T’s to our product line that our women can create.  We’ll see!

DGG: If you could have anyone wear the jewelry and support the company, who it would be?

J: I hugely admire Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms in Nashville, a recovery/social enterprise program  where survivors of abuse make bath and body care products.  Three years ago I attended a workshop there and became fully committed to starting my own social enterprise upon seeing first hand the success stories.  Becca is my hero!

DGG: What is your favorite piece in the collection?

J: I guess I would pick the Safe Place necklace because I grew up longing for just that … and I’m grateful today to be a part of a support system that can provide this for our Makers.  I’m also loving the Mending necklace right now.  It’s  just so simple and effortless and I keep it on most of the time because it seems to work with everything. 

DGG: What is the most meaningful piece of jewelry you own?

J: My silver wedding band.  It’s the only piece of jewelry I wear consistently because the terrific guy I married actually had it custom made for me after I lost my diamond.  And really diamonds are not my thing.   I’m an unconventional jewelry kind of gal. Just adorn me with car parts and I’m happy!

DGG: How do you take your coffee?

J: With cream for that perfect caramel coloring.  It’s just as important as the coffee :)

DGG: Describe your style.

J: Evolving.  My daughter has recently opened my eyes to the perils of fast fashion.  As a result, I’m trying to be a more conscious and smart buyer, choosing simple more timeless pieces.  But this is most definitely a process because the latest trends always catch my eye!

DGG: Independent jewelry makers or larger companies?

J: Independent of course!  I love jewelry with a story.

Photo c/o Mend on the Move Facebook

By Alex Donlin