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When I was a kid I used to sit on the playground at school and make jewelry out of white clover flowers: necklaces, bracelets, tiaras. They were fun and pretty and had an average lifespan of about 5 minutes.
Imagine if someone took the concept of making jewelry out of plant stems and turned it into a full-fledged business. You don’t really have to imagine it, though, because someone has done it. Philip and Katy Leakey have taken the stems of a tough African grass and transformed them into a beautiful collection of custom jewelry. Sound odd? Sound unlikely? Listen to the whole story…
From 1999 to 2001 the African nation of Kenya was devastated by severe drought. The Masai people, who live very traditional lives on the Kenyan plains, were hit hard. While the men were away trying to help the cattle find food and water, the women and children were left behind to eke out a living on their own. Seeing the desperate state of the Masai people, Philip and Katy Leakey looked for a solution — and found one. Philip took note of a tough, hollow grass that grew on the plain (so tough, in fact, that the cattle wouldn’t eat it). His wife, a jewelry designer, also took note. They harvested the grass, cut each blade into bead-size pieces, dyed them in batches, and combined them with colorful Czech glass beads.
The result was the beginning of a new, original jewelry collection, as well as a source of income for the Masai. Philip and Katy design the pieces while Masai women collect, cut, dye, and assemble the grass beads, along with the Czech glass, onto elastic strands. The final product is an incredibly colorful and versatile collection of jewelry (at this link you can see videos demonstrating all the different ways Zulugrass can be worn).
The range of colors makes for an endless number of combinations, and the strands can be arranged into chokers, twists, ties, lariats, and more. Zulugrass sent us three sets from their collection (each set containing matching earrings, necklace, and bracelet) to check out. I picked up a green and blue set (my two favorite colors, how perfect!) and gave them a test run. They have a bit of weight to them, but I was impressed with how comfortable they were to wear around. I also got quite a few compliments! Unfortunately, I couldn’t wear the earrings for very long. That’s not necessarily the fault of Zulugrass, however; I have pretty sensitive ears that don’t take too well to most kinds of earrings.
Overall, I am really impressed with this collection. The pieces themselves are beautiful and versatile, and the fact that these products help the Masai people make a living for themselves and their families just makes it that much more attractive. Check out all that the Zulugrass collection has to offer, and visit their online retail store to order.
We’re also giving away Zulugrass sets to two lucky readers! We have two color sets: Lady Sunbird and Veepora (pink, no images available yet, but you can get the general idea here). Leave a comment below saying what you think of Zulugrass and which color set you’d like, and you’ll be entered to win! The contest ends March 11.
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February 26th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
That is so cool! What an awesome idea that is and pretty besides!
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
cool giveaway
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I like the Lady Sunbird, the colors are sort of earthy, and would go with a lot of my clothing.
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
LADY SUNBIRD IS COOL
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I really like that Zulugrass jewelry is about community, and nature. I think it is wonderful that the beads were invented as a means to end suffering, and that the jewelry is made by the Masai people. I believe that the jewelry will have a soul because of this heartfelt process. I also LOVE the way it looks. I would choose “Veepora.”
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Zulugrass jewelry is so unique! I really like it! Zulugrass is in a class all its ownIf I were fortunate enough to win, I would choose Veepora! Cool!
Thank you!
baileybobby6(at)hotmail.com
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
What a great idea. I would choose the pink one. Thanks!
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I like Lady Sunbird; it has lovely colors and would go with much of my clothing. It’s wonderful! Thank you!
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
i like the lady sunbird.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:50 pm
I love Zulugrass Jewelry for its uniqueness. I love the Lady Sunbird!
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 am
Yes, this jewelry is unique. I like to be different, to stand out, and this jewelry would make me feel that way
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:38 am
This jewelry is really neat, I love it all and how you can
have so many different looks with one strand or more just
awesome. Thanks for a chance to win I would love it.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:55 am
I like the necklace in red & turquoise! What a nice selection of jewels!!
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:14 am
I like the jewerlery because it is so unique and versitile.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
That is so neat! While I would be thrilled either way, I would love to win Veepora!
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Nice giveaway – I would like the Veepora if I win.
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
The Challa (green tones) is nice
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
What beautiful jewelry
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I loooove the ZuluLong 33 all those pretty colours.. so lovely. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I love that the jewelry is unique and helps the Masai people. The Lady Sunbird jewelry would go with the style clothing I wear.
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I love the Kuponya= “To Heal” in Swahili its gorgeous and its for an awesome cause!
March 4th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
This is just beautiful! I really like the Pink Hibiscus. very pretty. Thank you for a great giveaway!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
March 5th, 2009 at 11:47 am
I like the Lady Sunbird. So pretty!
March 5th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I’m more a pink girl so I’d like the Veepora
I love love LOVE that this benefits the Masai people and gives them a way to enrich themselves. I would love it even more if the Masai got to be a part of the design process, like featuring designs made by certain women in the community.
ParkingGoddessFTW at gmail dot com
March 5th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Love the Lady Sunbird, the colors are so earthy and organic!Thank you for highlighting the struggles and inginuity of the very proud and wonderful Masai!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
awesome!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:57 am
These are lovely. I love earthy colors and so I like the Lady Sunbird.
calliemist at yahoo dot com
March 6th, 2009 at 9:23 am
THE LADY SUNBIRD IS JUST GORGEOUS!!!!!
March 6th, 2009 at 10:49 am
i like the pink hibiscus, all this jewelry would be good for tribal style belly dance!
March 6th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Veepora (as it is descibed as PINK) This is absolutely wonderful! The creation of Zulugrass Jewelry exands the opportunity to wear jewelry, for those who can’t wear metals, while helping these people be self-sustaining! The vibrant colors and versatality are sure to be a hit! Czech beads are just an added plus, as they are absolutely beautiful and the contrast is a wonderful blend! I would be ecstatic to win this contest. Zulu… just imagine
March 6th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
These are really gorgeous. I love them both and have been sitting here trying to figure out which one I would wear more often…and I am bumfuzzled. I guess if I have to chose one, Lady Sunbird, although the Veeporo is also beautiful. Not fair to ask us to chose just one!
March 7th, 2009 at 2:38 am
SO beautiful – count me in
March 7th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I really appreciate the time that must be going into making each piece.
I used to make beaded necklaces and I know it takes a lot of time and care to complete a piece that you can be proud of.
I also really love the name.
Lady Sunbird is my favorite. These kind of necklaces look great on this long neck! xD
March 7th, 2009 at 10:03 am
I am fastinated by the process and creativity of the Masaii people These are awesome pieces and I would love the Lady Sunbird
March 7th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I enjoyed and am so inspired to learn about how the Leakey Collection founders Katy and Philip Leakey are dedicated to creating employment opportunities for rural Kenyans. The story of the Maasai People is beautiful and how they came up with an imaginative idea that would utilize the excellent beading abilities of the Maasai women, and it used grass, an available sustainable resource, as the primary element. If I were to win I would wear this jewelry so proudly for all that it represents to the Maasai and what it means to conserving our environment in this creative and unique form of wearable art! I would choose the Veepora because I love pink really would be thrilled to own any piece in any color because of the significance of the meaning that each jewelry item carries with it!
joannaonthelake@gmail.com
March 7th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
very pretty and unique-I’ll pick the Lady Sunbird
March 8th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Masaai people sure know how to make this jewelry
and wonderful it is.
I love the Lady Sunbird.
Thanks
March 8th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I am glad the women there are doing this and someone found out about it. I think the Lady Sunbird is very pretty.
March 9th, 2009 at 12:42 am
I like the fact that all of the items are so unique and that all of the ideas come from women just like me! And I like the Lady Sunbird color set.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I think I’d like the Veepora. I love that Zulugrass is sustainable and that the Masai women are able to support themselves in such a beautiful way.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Hello, everyone.
I like the Veepora necklace.
Unlike anything I own. Really would like to win.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I love the versatility of this line of jewelry. The vibrant colors really make an outfit pop. I like Veepora!
March 9th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
The Zulugrass line is very interesting, I also like the Zuluwood (esp. the “Romantic”)My favorite necklace is Cheka.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Wow! Very inspirational! My favorite is Watamu!
March 10th, 2009 at 12:23 am
They look like expensive art beads. Choice..Veepora
March 10th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
This jewelry is amazing! i would pick pink veepora.
March 10th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Fantastic jewelry.The Zuluwood pieces are striking and I like the ‘adventure’ piece.
March 10th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
The lady sunbird necklace is very pretty. I watched the video on their website and I’m impressed how they made necklaces and at how versatile they are. I love the way they can be doubled for a different look.
March 10th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
These are lovely and great way to support the Masai people. I’d pick the Veepora.
March 10th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Very authenic and chic at the same time. I would choose the Veepora. I could see myself wearing these.
March 10th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
The Lady Sunbird is more my taste, I think. I love the concept of where it all orginates. Thanky you for such beautiful jewerly. I love the fact that it is different and in sets.
March 10th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
What a great business and I love that they are helping the Masaai people! The Lady Sunbird colors are my favorite!
March 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I think this jewelry is beautiful and I would love to have the pink one to wear and to show off!
March 10th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I love the Lady Sunbird. The jewelry is so pretty.
March 10th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Wow, this jewelry is so beautiful and unique. I love pink, so I would have to choose the Veepora.
March 10th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I love the songbird!
March 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I think that Zulugrass is awesome and unique. The color set I’d like is the pink Veepora.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I really, REALLY like this jewelry!! And what a great way to help out the Masai people to maintain their independence and promote renewable resources. I’d be honored to own any piece of jewelry from Zulugrass. The Lady Sunbird has lovely natural colors.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Wow, what awesome designs, for a brave group of people. I would be delighted and quite honored to own any of their designs. I’d love the pink Veepora.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
My opinion of Zulugrass was summed up in one statement on their website: “Using natural elements such as fallen wood, grass and ceramic, these renowned designers create unique products while protecting the environment and providing economic opportunity to the local communities.” You can’t have a negative opinion of a company who strives to do good works like this!
If I am lucky enough to be chosen, I would LOVE to have the Veepora.
Thank you for a generous giveaway!
March 10th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
These are very unique. The Veepora is my fav
March 11th, 2009 at 12:29 am
I think the story behind the birth of Zulugrass is amazing. Not only are these jewelry items made by hand, they’re also supporting a people. Great stuff!
I think I’d love both colors, but since I know what Lady Sunbird looks like, I’m going with that one. Hmmmm, I might have to rethink. I do wear a lot of brown.
March 11th, 2009 at 1:07 am
I love the Lady Sunbird. So pretty and can be worn so many different ways.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:05 am
like the lady sunbird
March 11th, 2009 at 4:32 am
I like the Veepora
March 11th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Very pretty and vibrant! I’d like to win the lady sunbird!
March 11th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I think the jewelry is fabulous. I would love to win the Veepora. garrettsambo@aol.com
March 11th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I love every thing about Zulugrass Jewelry from the beautiful background story and mission to their exquisite and unique jewelry. Their designs and the colors are stunning. I honesty love both: the earthy tone of Lady Sunbird and the delicacy of Veepora (in the pinks – I’m especially drawn to the Antique Pink.)
Aside: I happened to have lived in Kenya and went to college there for one semester. I am also a two time breast cancer survivor – so all of this is very close to my heart. Thank you Kelli.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:46 am
The Lady Sunbird. The jewelry is really something special.
March 11th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
cool giveaway
March 11th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Zulagrass is so beautiful and makes a nice statement piece. I love the bracelet and would be thrilled with either color but would have more outfits to wear with the Lady Sunbird.
Thank you for the great gveaway.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I think it’s beautiful. I’d like the heart color.
March 11th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I like the Watamu necklace.
March 11th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
the jewelry is beautiful. i think my fiance’ would like the veepora the best. thanks in advance if i win and i hope all of your days are blessed.
March 11th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I love it all.. it is such a beautiful collection! I would be happy to win any piece of the collection. I especially like the pink ones!! thanks for the great giveaway!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I think the Zulugrass products are very pretty! Please enter me into
the contest for the Veepora set. Thanks!
March 11th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I like the Lady Sunbird set. These are both very pretty sets. Thank you.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I heart The Lady Sunbird.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I am very impressed with Zulugrass,I love the jewelry so
colorful and great for summer at the beach or on an
outing.It reminds me of the Islands.I love the Lady
Sunbird,the best.Thanks for the giveaway
March 11th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I love Zulugrass Jewelry because it is unique. I love the Lady Sunbird! Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!
March 12th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
So beautiful! I love all the colors!
March 13th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
ohhh very pretty and colorful. Love the designs.
March 15th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Very beautiful, I love the designs!
March 16th, 2009 at 6:51 am
I used to make daisy or clover chains, too. I love anything in blue.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I think this is a really neat and great idea. I have never seen anything like this before.
the pink ones are really beautiful and are one of my favorite colors.
Veepora
March 16th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
This jewelry is the most colorful I have seen in a long time and the dark colors will go with everything I have.
Grammie
March 16th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
How amazing! I simply love hearing stories such as this one. I must say, I am terrible for skimming threw and not reading the entire article or story. I first looked at the pictures and thought, “what beautiful jewelry!” I simply had to read the entire article! Who knew the source and story behind this jewelty. I like the Veepora color pallet the best.
Julie – Thanks for sharing!
March 16th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
They are such pretty colors. I love them!!!
March 19th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Congratulations to our winners: CAROLINADELTA (Veepora) and bluecat (Lady Sunbird)!