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.
I love the Amani necklace in Cobalt!
I get your emails.
I like the Maasai multistrand necklace.
Liked the on FB and left a comment. OurSafehaven
I subscribe via google reader. [email protected]
My choice would be the Amani Necklace in Turquoise-Blonde. Gorgeous!
the zulugrass amani necklace in brown!
i like lc on fb, brenda gaines
i like wic project on fb, brenda gaines
i like the maji bracelet.
I love the Big Surf earrings
I really loved looking at this jewelry, they had such beautiful pieces. I would love to have the Zulugrass Earrings, Kuponya “to heal” in Kiswahili.
I “Like” the Leakey Collection on facebook
My favorite is the 28″ Tortoise and Turquoise with Gold necklace.
I like the Maasai multistrand necklace.
follow Leakey Collection on twitter (01GAramairTA)
like wic project on facebook
I like the Leakey Collection’s Breast Cancer Awareness necklace.
I like the Brown Amani Necklace the most!
I like the Wooden Belt w/Zuluwood & Bone Beads.
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like you on facebook-debbie coyle
email subscriber
Okay 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.
like the Maasai multistrand necklace
Eco-Chic Hangtag – Comfy Jeans Lovin’ this. Really loving the jewelry too.
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Tweeted to and my handle is pasandy
I like the cobalt amani necklace.
I like the blue cross necklace.
I luv this necklace:
http://www.leakeycollection.com/index.php?p=product&id=347&parent=56
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I LOVE the Multi-Strand Necklace in Safari Silver Ruby Red. It is stunning in hhe picture with the model!
cspmom at gmail dot com
I follow Leakey on twitter. Yvonne5987
I subscribe to your e-mail.
i like the turquoise heartwood necklace
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
e-mail subscriber
I love the 18″, heartwood
Zuluwood Necklace, Classic
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
I am an e-mail subscriber
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
These look cool
I 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.
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I really like the Barber Rose with Blonde and Gold Bracelet. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I subscribe via email!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
i like the ruaha mulit strand necklace the most
melissa.barnes76 at yahoo dot com
I like the Gray Lilac Multi Strand Necklace.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I follow on twitter @Aerated.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I subscribe via email. Thank you!
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I love the Purple Purple Multi-Strand Necklace, thanks!
I like the challa zulugrass multistrand bracelet
tsumixtoxbatsu at gmail dot com
I really like Grasshopper ZE189-3 earrings
I like the Rendezvous Necklace.
“Like” The WiC Project on Facebook.
I really like the Zuluwood Bracelet, Romantic! Thanks.
I 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!
I 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
I am an RSS blog feed subscriber (Google Reader) and Public Follower (Salleefur/Jesslyn) of The WIC Project
i subscribe to your blog
“Like” The Leakey Collection on Facebook (mrstinareynolds)
I like the Elephant multi-strand necklace. Thank you
I love the Amani necklace in Cobalt!
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
email subscriber to the wic project
I love the Safari Silver Burnt Orange Multi-Strand Necklace the most
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I Like The Leakey Collection on Facebook and let them know you sent me
(Charlene Kuser)
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I am a subscriber to your blog via email
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Rendezvous necklace.
I’m an email subscriber.
I follow Leaky on FB: Alex Herring
lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com