Sometimes beautiful things can come from struggle and hard times. Between 1999 and 2001, Kenya suffered from a severe drought that wreaked havoc on families and their livelihoods. Philip and Katy Leakey, the designers behind the Leakey Collection were struggling to financially support many Maasai families, and needed a long-term solution. Inspiration struck when Philip Leakey noticed an abundance of a hollow and tough drought-resistant grass. Dyed to many different colors and combined with Czech and Japanese glass beads, Zulugrass beads are now used to create beautiful and sustainable jewelry.
About The Leakey Collection and Zulu Grass
Based in The Rift Valley Kenya, East Africa, The Leakey Collection founders Katy and Philip Leakey, combine their talents in interior design and the arts with their love of nature to develop stunning handcrafted products for an international market.
Using natural elements such as fallen wood, grass and porcelain, these renowned designers create unique products while protecting the environment and providing economic opportunity to the local communities. Zulugrass and Zuluwood beads, bracelets and necklaces are sold in stores worldwide. The entire collection is now available on LeakeyLife.com, their online retail site. From high fashion jewelry to home interior design accessories, The Leakey Collection’s natural elegance distinguishes this high end product line as one of the world’s premier offerings.
The Review
I don’t know of very many jewelry items that come with the story that Zulugrass items have. The creation of each jewelry item is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and the will to thrive of the Maasai women of Kenya. The process begins when the grass used to make Zulugrass beads is hand-cut — blade by blade. Naturally hard and strong, the grass is already hollow, making it ideal for the creation of the Zulugrass beads. The grass beads are then dyed and then strung onto a strong elastic with hand-blown glass beads to create earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other items.
What impressed me the most about the Zulugrass necklaces were the vibrant colors of the grass. From grays to reds to blues, Zulugrass comes in a variety of colors with matching beads that make them a great accessory item. The beads are unique in size and there are very slightly variations in the color which (I think) gives the necklaces tons of personality. Not only that, but because of the elastic, you can convert the necklace into a bracelet, arm band, headband, or maybe even a belt, which makes the Zulugrass necklaces incredibly multi-functional. If you have multiple strands of different colors, then you can combine them to make for really colorful necklaces or bracelets with more than 250 color combinations.
What initially started as an effort to support a few families has grown into a company that employs over 1200 Kenyans. The Maasai women can set-up their mobile workstations to create these jewelry items, helping to support their families and communities. I love that the creation of this jewelry is not only carrying on the Maasai tradition of beading, but it is also providing a way to help sustain the Maasai culture. Sustainable grass, sustainable business, sustaining a culture.
The Leakey Collection Online
- Visit The Leaky Collection Website
- “Like” The Leakey Collection on Facebook
- Follow The Leakey Collection on Twitter
The WiC Project The Leaky Collection Zulugrass Giveaway
The Prize:
One winner will receive a lovely Zulugrass blue cross pendant necklace.
To Enter:
- Visit www.leakeycollection.com and leave a comment with the jewelry item you like the most.
- For ONE bonus entry, follow The Leakey Collection on Twitter and leave a comment with your Twitter handle or “Like” The Leakey Collection on Facebook and leave a comment with your FB name. Feel free to drop a note telling them The WiC Project sent you. 🙂
- For ONE more bonus entry, subscribe to The WiC Project via reader or via email and/or “Like” The WiC Project on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know that you have.
The Rules:
Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST, November 26, 2010.
Visit our Giveaway Rules page for general giveaway rules that also apply to this giveaway.
Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. Your experiences may be different. No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a free product from the manufacturer or their representing PR agency to use and test for the purposes of this review. This did not affect the outcome of this review.
Julie B says
November 12, 2010 at 4:22 pmI love the Amani necklace in Cobalt!
Julie B says
November 12, 2010 at 4:22 pmI get your emails.
stacy says
November 12, 2010 at 5:16 pmI like the Maasai multistrand necklace.
stacy says
November 12, 2010 at 5:18 pmLiked the on FB and left a comment. OurSafehaven
stacy says
November 12, 2010 at 5:19 pmI subscribe via google reader. [email protected]
Cee says
November 12, 2010 at 11:43 pmMy choice would be the Amani Necklace in Turquoise-Blonde. Gorgeous!
brenda says
November 12, 2010 at 11:48 pmthe zulugrass amani necklace in brown!
brenda says
November 12, 2010 at 11:50 pmi like lc on fb, brenda gaines
brenda says
November 12, 2010 at 11:51 pmi like wic project on fb, brenda gaines
Slb3334 says
November 13, 2010 at 1:04 ami like the maji bracelet.
Sherylannnorton says
November 13, 2010 at 1:22 amI love the Big Surf earrings
Micmldn says
November 13, 2010 at 3:37 pmI really loved looking at this jewelry, they had such beautiful pieces. I would love to have the Zulugrass Earrings, Kuponya “to heal” in Kiswahili.
Michele says
November 13, 2010 at 3:39 pmI “Like” the Leakey Collection on facebook
Nicole C. says
November 13, 2010 at 5:51 pmMy favorite is the 28″ Tortoise and Turquoise with Gold necklace.
Karen F says
November 13, 2010 at 8:37 pmI like the Maasai multistrand necklace.
Karen F says
November 13, 2010 at 8:38 pmfollow Leakey Collection on twitter (01GAramairTA)
Karen F says
November 13, 2010 at 8:39 pmlike wic project on facebook
Anonymous says
November 13, 2010 at 11:31 pmI like the Leakey Collection’s Breast Cancer Awareness necklace.
Ama Givens says
November 13, 2010 at 11:54 pmI like the Brown Amani Necklace the most!
deb c says
November 14, 2010 at 12:42 amI like the Wooden Belt w/Zuluwood & Bone Beads.
[email protected]
deb c says
November 14, 2010 at 12:42 amlike you on facebook-debbie coyle
deb c says
November 14, 2010 at 12:42 amemail subscriber
manda says
November 14, 2010 at 8:40 amOkay I like this SS13 – Brown, it’s a multi strand bangle. And I must say I’d never heard of this jewelry until coming here and I love it!
Also, I liked both the Leakey Collection & the WiC Project on Facebook and also this page because I really think other people should hear about this jewelry that the Maasai so beautifully make.
chris says
November 15, 2010 at 2:22 amlike the Maasai multistrand necklace
Paula Wyatt says
November 15, 2010 at 4:23 amEco-Chic Hangtag – Comfy Jeans Lovin’ this. Really loving the jewelry too.
[email protected]
Paula Wyatt says
November 15, 2010 at 4:26 amTweeted to and my handle is pasandy
nicole says
November 15, 2010 at 4:49 amI like the cobalt amani necklace.
cathy says
November 15, 2010 at 5:54 amI like the blue cross necklace.
Julie says
November 15, 2010 at 5:40 pmI luv this necklace:
http://www.leakeycollection.com/index.php?p=product&id=347&parent=56
[email protected]
Cspmom says
November 15, 2010 at 11:32 pmI LOVE the Multi-Strand Necklace in Safari Silver Ruby Red. It is stunning in hhe picture with the model!
cspmom at gmail dot com
Cspmom says
November 15, 2010 at 11:48 pmI follow Leakey on twitter. Yvonne5987
Cspmom says
November 15, 2010 at 11:48 pmI subscribe to your e-mail.
Anonymous says
November 16, 2010 at 2:17 ami like the turquoise heartwood necklace
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
Anonymous says
November 16, 2010 at 2:18 ame-mail subscriber
bison61 says
November 16, 2010 at 4:44 pmI love the 18″, heartwood
Zuluwood Necklace, Classic
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
bison61 says
November 16, 2010 at 4:46 pmI am an e-mail subscriber
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
littlelatina says
November 16, 2010 at 3:26 pmThese look cool
Kaira B says
November 19, 2010 at 10:36 pmI have heard of this but had no idea what it was – it’s so pretty. I love the single 25″ strands – I’d love to have several of them to wear together.
[email protected]
Anita Yancey says
November 23, 2010 at 2:40 amI really like the Barber Rose with Blonde and Gold Bracelet. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Anita Yancey says
November 23, 2010 at 2:41 amI subscribe via email!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Anonymous says
November 23, 2010 at 3:27 ami like the ruaha mulit strand necklace the most
melissa.barnes76 at yahoo dot com
Kim W says
November 24, 2010 at 9:38 pmI like the Gray Lilac Multi Strand Necklace.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Kim W says
November 24, 2010 at 9:38 pmI follow on twitter @Aerated.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Kim W says
November 24, 2010 at 9:38 pmI subscribe via email. Thank you!
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Hotsnotty2 says
November 25, 2010 at 6:56 amI love the Purple Purple Multi-Strand Necklace, thanks!
Hanna says
November 25, 2010 at 3:44 pmI like the challa zulugrass multistrand bracelet
tsumixtoxbatsu at gmail dot com
Crazyred61 says
November 25, 2010 at 10:22 pmI really like Grasshopper ZE189-3 earrings
Naddez says
November 26, 2010 at 2:42 pmI like the Rendezvous Necklace.
Naddez says
November 26, 2010 at 2:43 pm“Like” The WiC Project on Facebook.
Bjerding says
November 27, 2010 at 12:46 amI really like the Zuluwood Bracelet, Romantic! Thanks.
Anonymous says
November 27, 2010 at 2:42 amI genuinely love The Leakey Collection: everything about them from their concept, caring, good works and of course the exquisite handmade jewelry. I especially love the Multi-Strand Necklaces – essentially all of them (the colors and the artistry are amazing) I think my most favorites are the Purple Purple and the Young At Heart – but it’s almost impossible to choose!
Anonymous says
November 27, 2010 at 2:44 amI LIKE/fan/follow The Leakey Collection on Facebook and did leave a comment on their Wall expressing YOUR regards and MY gratitude to you both for this wonderful giveaway.
Facebook name: Jesselyn A
Anonymous says
November 27, 2010 at 2:46 amI am an RSS blog feed subscriber (Google Reader) and Public Follower (Salleefur/Jesslyn) of The WIC Project
Eaglesforjack says
November 27, 2010 at 2:55 ami subscribe to your blog
Eaglesforjack says
November 27, 2010 at 2:55 am“Like” The Leakey Collection on Facebook (mrstinareynolds)
TZel says
November 27, 2010 at 3:08 amI like the Elephant multi-strand necklace. Thank you
dawn says
November 27, 2010 at 3:23 amI love the Amani necklace in Cobalt!
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
dawn says
November 27, 2010 at 3:48 amemail subscriber to the wic project
Charlene Kuser says
November 27, 2010 at 4:45 amI love the Safari Silver Burnt Orange Multi-Strand Necklace the most
[email protected]
Charlene Kuser says
November 27, 2010 at 4:46 amI Like The Leakey Collection on Facebook and let them know you sent me
(Charlene Kuser)
[email protected]
Charlene Kuser says
November 27, 2010 at 4:50 amI am a subscriber to your blog via email
[email protected]
Anonymous says
November 27, 2010 at 5:00 amRendezvous necklace.
Anonymous says
November 27, 2010 at 5:00 amI’m an email subscriber.
Lexigurl_17 says
December 8, 2010 at 3:53 amI follow Leaky on FB: Alex Herring
lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com