CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the weather heats up, so does the art scene. Gallery crawls and art festivals are popping up in communities throughout the state.

BraveWorks, a Charlotte nonprofit, celebrates art each day by showcasing and selling handmade works by local and international artisans. However, it goes deeper than that.

What You Need To Know

• BraveWorks is a Charlotte-based nonprofit that sells handmade works by local and international artisans 

• BraveWorks also teaches women skills in jewelry production and other artisanal creations 

• The women creating, called artisans, are referred by nonprofit community partners as they seek to overcome situations, such as human trafficking, incarceration and even ethnic persecution 

• Jennifer Brown completed the jewelry-making program two years ago and is now preparing to graduate from college

The products are more than just decorations. The creation of them also helps to change lives.

“It’s that abundant and purposeful living that we are hoping for each of our artisans. So, they are coming in and learning new skills and to make beautiful items that we then sell to fund our mission. But, it’s so much more than that. They are learning purpose and purposeful work, but also finding purpose in their lives,” said Executive Director Beth Bell.

The organization does it through the craft of jewelry-making, using hundreds of beads to help hundreds of women, like Jennifer Brown, be their best.

From handmade skirts to jewelry and everything in between, Brown’s shopping options appear to be endless.

Meticulously browsing each room of the boutique, she said: “There’s so many things that you take for granted in your everyday life.”

She’s truly a loyal customer, but not just because of these colorful pieces. She is drawn to each of the creators behind them.

“It’s empowerment. Like, people like me made everything in here, and it’s something that we can be proud of,” Brown said.

When she says “we,” she’s talking about women who have taken the steps to come to BraveWorks and take part in its jewelry-making program.

It’s an opportunity for them to overcome obstacles, such as human trafficking, abuse, addiction or poverty and change their lives for the better.

“I spent a little over a year and a half making bracelets, necklaces,” Brown said.

She decided to change her life two years ago following a five-year stint in federal prison.

“I was a very good worker prior to my criminal lifestyle. I had earned promotions to management, awards, things like that. And then I got in my addiction, and then I started selling drugs,” Brown explained.

She destroyed her family and lost custody of her only child.

However, after joining the program following a friend’s recommendation, she soon discovered that amid all the stringing, wiring and beading, crafting built character.

“To most people, it’s just making jewelry. It’s no big deal. But it is time management, accountability, responsibility, earning honest wages,” Brown said.

Brown is one of hundreds of women, or “artisans,” BraveWorks serves and has served since 2012, not just in Charlotte, but all over the world.

Last year alone, it helped nearly 600 women worldwide. Ninety-two of them were local. Nearly all of them achieved the life-changing goals they set for themselves.

Gloria Robinson works as the organization’s program director.

“Women come in for four hours each week. When they come into the program, we sit with them. We want to understand who they are. What do you want? So, working with them, we establish goals,” Robinson said. “When women come in, they’re often broken, not confident. When we see them leave our program, they’re courageous.”

Like many of the women, Brown continues her journey of transitioning from pain to progress.

The 41-year-old is now preparing to graduate from college and has her sights set on law school.

With a steady job and working to re-establish a relationship with her daughter, she says she’s proud of her accomplishments. She also has newfound confidence and hopes to positively impact others the way jewelry-making has impacted her.

“I have learned that you have a bunch of pieces that don’t really look like much, but you put it together and it makes something beautiful,” Brown said.

You can find all of women’s products, locally and internationally made, on sale at BraveWorks.