Living in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya with the Maasai, Philip and Katy Leakey are the founders of the sustainable jewelry company, The Leakey Collection. Put together by the Massai women, The Leakey Collections flagship pieces, called Zulugrass, are made from beads cut from wetland grasses and dyed stunningly vibrant colors. Other pieces include Zuluwood, beautiful pieces made from fallen woods, porcelain with lead free glazes, and more.
In 2001, Philip Leaky was working promoting tourism for Kenya. After the events of 9/11, his income drastically decreased. At the same time, Kenya was suffering from a severe drought, which was killing the cattle and forcing the men to drive them hundreds of miles north in search of better grazing lands. The women were left to support their families alone, and were struggling to provide the food, clothes, medicine, and school fees their children needed.
Enter the Leakey Collection. Unable to continue supporting the approximately 100 Massai families in the area, the Leakeys came up with a solution. Philip discovered that a hollow, drought-resistant wetland grass could be made into beautiful beads, and with the Katy's experience in art and the Massai women's beading skills, they started creating Zulugrass.
Over 1400 women now work creating Zulugrass jewelry while being able to maintain their lifestyle, support their families, and create beautiful and sustainable pieces of artwork. Some have been able to bring their husbands home and reunite their families after earning enough to restock their cattle herds.
Environmentally friendly and socially responsible, The Leakey Collection has definitely earned my respect and stamp of approval. All of the pieces can be purchased online (and would make wonderful gifts!) at LeakeyLife.com, and the company has been kind enough to offer Focus Organic readers a special discount. Use coupon code HSJ during checkout to receive a 20% discount! Code is valid until December 19th.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Stefanie, this is beautiful stuff! Thanks for bringing this wonderful initiative to our attention. I am in South Africa and I love beading. Reading about how a new take on this art form has been creating jobs and helping so many families has been heart warming. I will take a look at LeakyLife. This is the kind of temptation one can't resist - especially just before Christmas.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Those are gorgeous!
I am definitely not jealous of your gas prices if you get rear ended after you get gas. I hope the damage wasn't too bad.
November 26th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I love the vibrant colors!
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
[...] The Leakey Collection sells beautiful jewelry, handmade by Massai women. Zulugrass is made from hollow wetland grasses, and Zuluwood pieces are made from fallen woods. With The Leakey Collection, you're not only getting a beautiful piece of jewelry, but you are helping to sustain the lives of over 1400 women who create the beautiful pieces of art. The collection can be purchased at LeakeyLife.com. use coupon code FSJ for a 20% discount until December 19th. See our other post on Zulugrass here [...]
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Rika, you're not going to be disappointed
Nicolah, the damage isn't too bad, luckily. We're actually not going to get it fixed right away so we can put the money towards the holidays.
casas, they're more beautiful in person!
December 4th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
great articles thnx Al
January 16th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
The jewelry sounds beautiful! I am looking forward to looking at the different selections and colors especially. Accesories complete any outfit, and the fact that these items are enviornmentally friendly is an added bonus. I was recently given a jewelry box as a gift and have been able to organize my current pieces, but am open to making some new additions. It looks like my jewelry box will be put to good use after all.
February 16th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I love your site, history, jewelry. The jewelry is so beautiful, awesome!!!! I'm interested in ordering some of your jewelry, for my business, myself personally, because I love jewelry made with love, natural -given crafting, gift, calling to do this beautiful jewelry, most of all naturally, with natural material, but I need some clip-on ear-rings, to match my necklaces, bracelets, that I want to order from you all. Please respond back to me ASAP????? I am so excited, can hardly wait to hear from you.I would like for you all to design me some jewelry for me personally, me.....Lady Bobbye Ruth Nettles!!! I love bold, loud, bright jewelry, unique, different, but yet speaks of me, who I am, my character, personality. Thank you so much!!!! Keep up the good work...don't ever stop!!!! Let Father use you all & the women to His Glory!!!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
jewelry box, with the colors zulugrass is available in, you could complete just about any outfit
Bobbye, I did email you, but for anyone else who stops by, I am not associated with The Leakey Collection except for writing this review on their products. You will have to visit their website to purchase the products!
March 18th, 2009 at 11:38 am
That's really great, it reminds me of Ethos water or something similar. We really need more fair programs that actually benefit the creators. Good work
April 28th, 2009 at 5:21 am
I checked the website and they indeed have some beautiful beads.
It was a nice idea to convert the wetland grass into beautiful beads. It has definitely helped lot of families.
May 24th, 2009 at 3:18 am
I am fond of unique jewelry. I have some necklaces of same kind, I did not know that its made of zulugrass. Actually this jewelry is available in wide range of colors and is excellent for parties and social gatherings
June 19th, 2009 at 12:49 am
Great jewelry and a great cause. It's always nice when you can give a great gift (to yourself or someone else) that is not only stylish and conversation worthy, but that helps people as well. Eco friendly jewelry rocks!
June 20th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Very cool jewelry, bright colors which I love, and excellent cause.
June 28th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
They created a successful story actually! While jewelry that is environmentally friendly and socially responsible is indeed a nice idea! Beautiful ornaments!
July 17th, 2009 at 12:39 am
Nice work. Ive never really been into beading, but am all about anything that is green! I hope the next generation of youth will be more enviromentally friendly. I believe they will and then we will have that "turning point" for our world.