Mar 2, 2015
Dsenyo to launch student-designed jewelry collection in fight against poaching

Dsenyo is launching a student-designed snare wire jewelry collection as part of its mission to end poaching in rural Zambia.

Last fall, the brand sponsored its first “Design for Change: Help Make Poaching History” competition, inviting students from across the country to design and submit their own set of jewelry (earrings, necklace, and bracelet). Students were required to use imitation snare wire and other materials found native to the region, such as feathers or semi-precious stones, to compete for a coveted place in the brand’s S’15 line while supporting a charitable cause.

DsenyoAfter receiving numerous submissions, Dsenyo’s panel of five judges deemed Hayley Stewart, 19, and her Zimba Twist Snare Wire design the winning entry. Stewart is currently a student at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and hopes to pursue a career in jewelry design. Her twisted wire design represents uniting people all over the world to strengthen each other in the fight against poaching. For her grand prize, Stewart will travel to Zambia to meet the artisans of Dsenyo partner group, Mulberry Mongoose, and learn firsthand about the poaching crisis and how local organizations are addressing those threats, including a photo safari to see the animals she will help save.

In addition, Stewart’s collection is currently in production and will be included in Dsenyo’s S’15 line made from actual confiscated snare wire to help to raise funds for further mapping of areas of high snare density, anti-poaching patrols, and removals of wire from ensnared animals. Each piece of jewelry sold will generate $5 for the two nonprofit organizations who are leading the fight against poaching — the Zambian Carnivore Program and the South Luangwa Conservation Society in Zambia, Africa. The Zimba Twist Snare Wire collection ranges from an MSRP of $38-$58 and will be sold on dsenyo.com and through select gift shops, including Casita International (Seattle), Clinton Museum Store (Little Rock, Arkansas), Ten Thousand Villages Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh) and Momentum (Boulder, Colorado).

All remaining student entries, including Stewart’s original design, were sold in an online auction last December where 100 percent of funds raised were donated to the aforementioned nonprofits. Both will work together to stop poaching and to mitigate the conflict between man and animals in the South Luangwa Valley.

To further the cause, Dsenyo plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign in March in an effort to expand its snare wire collection and continue to build awareness for the poaching crisis. The company hopes to raise at least $20,000, which will go towards funding production (materials and fair artisan wages) while increasing donations for key anti-poaching organizations.




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