The far-reaching San Diego-based nonprofit Invisible Children has given rise to activists and critics alike. Although founders of the organization have been raising awareness for their cause since 2004, interest in Invisible Children’s advocacy efforts exploded with the release of its documentary film “Kony 2012,” which was launched online March 5 and went viral in a matter of days. The film, directed by Jason Russell, aims to raise awareness of atrocities allegedly carried out by international war criminal Joseph Kony and his Ugandan guerilla group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Along with an onslaught of popularity came criticism about the nonprofit’s handling of finances and its strategy to end the LRA threat in central Africa. Its founders were prompted to address criticism on their website — going as far as itemizing financial statements. Now, one local merchant is adding another claim to the nonprofit’s list of critiques. Corine Grant, who runs her own jewelry business called Hammered, said Invisible Children is profiting from her jewelry design with its $10 wax string bracelet, which holds a silver medallion stamped with “Kony 2012” on its face and “Stop at Nothing” on its backside. “I designed a line of bracelets five years ago that grew into a very popular item sold at several luxury boutiques across the county,” Grant said, listing Capricorn Boutique, Kerut, Pure Barre, Pink Lagoon, Mimi & Red and Sharp Hospital as regular retail buyers. Grant said a group of representatives from Invisible Children approached her at her Horton Plaza kiosk last November with a proposal to partner with the nonprofit. “They were very interested in my bracelets, and I told them the story behind the bracelets and why I make them. They asked a lot of questions — I showed them the stamps I use and the wooden maple cards that the bracelets are packaged in. I was asked if I could make custom pieces, and I told them that I do that very often,” she said. “They asked if I would be interested in collaborating, and I said, ‘Yes.’ We exchanged information, and I never heard from them again.” Then, on Dec. 19, Grant received an email from Invisible Children representative Chadwick Gantes, who requested a bracelet for his wife for Christmas — “Just a silver medallion with something lovey dovey on it that I would be able to give to my wife,” he wrote in the email, which Grant provided to the La Jolla Village News, along with a receipt for his purchase. Until recently, Gantes’ purchase was just another ordinary exchange. It wasn’t until Grant saw the Kony 2012 video on YouTube in March that she recognized what appeared to be her bracelet design on the wrist of someone in the video. “[I] was shocked to see what looked like one of my bracelets in the video. I went to their website and found that they were selling an identical bracelet with a different message on it and very similar packaging. I contacted them twice and they claimed that it was just a coincidence,” she said. “They say that this is all a coincidence, but when you add it all up, does it sound that way to you?” Grant has since hired her own attorney who sent a letter to cease and desist. “We haven’t filed a lawsuit yet,” she said. “I understand that they have a lot on their plate right now, and I plan to give them more time to reply before we move forward.” At the time of publication, a spokesperson on behalf of Invisible Children said the organization has not heard from Grant’s attorney. “The design process for the Kony 2012 bracelet started in November 2011. The bracelet is a small part of a larger advocacy and awareness campaign to bring Joseph Kony to justice once and for all. Invisible Children does not believe any valid claims exist, and has yet to hear from Ms. Grant’s attorney. We will respond accordingly if and when we are contacted,” the spokesperson said in a statement. What might be a “small part” of the nonprofit’s campaign is a big deal for the viability of her livelihood, Grant said. “These bracelets started out as a small side job, but over the years it’s been a full-time job. This is how I earn a living and pay my bills,” she said. “What was once a growing business has taken a dive since this video has come out.” Since the release of the video, Grant said she has only received one online order for a single bracelet and has lost accounts from the high-end boutiques and hotels that used to bring her business, she said. “I haven’t been able to attain one single account since this video came out,” she said. “The group behind Kony 2012 has mass produced something that was unique enough to catch the attention of luxury stores across the country. Now there are knockoffs all over the Internet and my sales have gone down the drain.” She said she is raising awareness about the incident not to draw in business, but to “force IC to do the right thing.” Grant, too, raises funds for nonprofit advocacy through her merchandise sales, she said, and she hopes that she can continue to help her own charities as well. “Giving back isn’t a gimmick. Working with nonprofits and volunteering is not something new to me,” said Grant. “IC did the wrong thing and they should be held accountable. What they did doesn’t affect only me, but my family, my friends and the people we were hoping to help.”