JOINING FORCES WITH THE LEAKEY COLLECTION
The Leakey Collection has focused on zulugrass bracelets and jewelry in Kenya since 2002. Their iconic grass beads are dyed with low-impact dyes and strung on durable elastic. The sale of their products contributes to wonderful work in East Africa, including creating employment for thousands of women, promoting health and hygiene, bringing clean water into homes, and mentoring young girls through school.
Philip and Katy Leakey, founders of The Leakey Collection who live among the Maasai in East Africa, wanted to provide their neighbors with work opportunities. They came up with an imaginative idea to utilize the excellent beading abilities of the Maasai women by using a readily available, sustainable resource- GRASS- as the primary element.
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$48.00
These beautiful hammered copper bracelets are handcrafted by young self-taught Zambian women of F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, sometimes adding a patina. Defying gender norms by becoming metalsmiths for jewelry-making, these women showcase modern Zambian skill in their F.R.E.E. Woman jewelry.
When allowed to return to work, the women crafted a short-run series of copper jewelry inspired by the need to stay together even when apart.
Width can be adjusted. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, each will vary slightly.
About the Artisans:
F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) started as a group of young, inexperienced women, with no previous jewelry making experience and defying gender norms, who taught themselves metalsmithing using copper. Using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, they transform it into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Their skills have continually expanded, and some women have trained in silversmithing.
$24.00
This modern interpretation of a Maasai cuff handcrafted by an artisan named Florence brings together a rainbow of colorful beads with cow bone spacers and a snapping leather closure.
Fits most. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.
About the Artisans:
John Kimani helps youth from urban Nairobi to create salable art that helps the teenagers to support their families and learn about how to run small businesses. His co-op's artwork is at once rustic, heartwarming, and light-hearted.
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$32.00
Jewelry artisans in Kenya surround a solid brass bracelet with classic white beads to create this striking talon bracelet.
Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.
Dimensions: 2.5"L x 2.5"W x 0.25"H (7" from end to end)
Crafted from: Brass, beads
Made in: Kenya
About the Artisans:
Joseph operates a small jewelry and accessories workshop in his home in Nairobi's Mathare neighborhood. Together with two talented young men, he crafts beautiful adornments from readily available and iconic Kenyan materials.
$28.00
Slip on this comfy cuff and feel instantly stylish! The cuff bracelet is made from up to 32 hand-sanded, batik-dyed cow bone beads that are attached by 4 pieces of hand-etched wood spacers. Small trade beads add contrast and contribute to a more comfortable fit.
Kenyans artisans collect discarded cow bones from local butcheries and give them new life as beautiful adornments. The cow bone is smooth and the dye is permanent. No animals were harmed in the making of this bracelet.
One size fits most. Measures 2" from top to bottom. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.
About the Artisans:
Kenyans love roasted meat, be it beef, chicken or goat, and some Kenyan nomadic societies center life around the ownership of cattle. Kenyan butchers are happy to have eager hands to take useless bones off their hands, so they sell these unexpected craft materials to artisans for a small pittance. Talented Kenyan craftspeople utilize cow bones to create bold adornments that beautifully represent the nation's appreciation for cattle.
$11.00
Through the sale of Celebrate Elephants bracelets, Relate has raised more than $60,000USD to support Save the Elephants. Each bracelet is handcrafted in South Africa, and includes an informative display card to promote awareness for Elephants Alive.
Save the Elephants SA/Elephants Alive are on a mission to ensure the long-term survival of the African elephant and their habitats, and to promote harmonious co-existence between elephants and man. Elephants Alive works towards achieving a greater understanding of the complex relationships that elephants have with each other and their surroundings, including the people with whom they share their world. If elephants are to survive, we need knowledge and an intimate understanding of their movements and needs. Learn more at elephantsalive.org
Materials: Plastic beads, pewter, elastic
Measures 8". One size fits most.
About the Artisans:
Relate bracelets are handmade and sold to make a difference and change lives. As a 100% not-for-profit social enterprise, the majority of Relate's revenue is donated to credible causes and invested in social initiatives, with a focus on creating opportunities for all involved, at every stage of a project.
$11.00
Through the sale of Protect a Child from Malaria bracelets, Relate has raised more than $74,000USD to support Goodbye Malaria. Each bracelet is handcrafted in South Africa, and includes an informative display card to promote awareness about the fight against malaria.
Goodbye Malaria aims to eradicate malaria in Mozambique, while investing in Africa's future, creating employment and protecting, changing and saving lives. The initiative was started by African entrepreneurs who believe our generation can create innovative solutions for problems that ultimately change the way the world sees Africa. Goodbye Malaria facilitates public private partnerships, bringing together the private sector, government and the global fund while supporting and catalyzing on-the ground malaria elimination programs. Learn more at goodbyemalaria.com.
Materials: Plastic beads, pewter, elastic
Available in three sizes. S/Child = 7.5", M/Adult= 8", L/Adult= 8.5".
About the Artisans:
Relate bracelets are handmade and sold to make a difference and change lives. As a 100% not-for-profit social enterprise, the majority of Relate's revenue is donated to credible causes and invested in social initiatives, with a focus on creating opportunities for all involved, at every stage of a project.
$11.00
Through the sale of Leave a Legacy in Africa bracelets, Relate has raised more than $109,000USD to support Ikamva Labantu. Each bracelet is handcrafted in South Africa, and includes an informative display card to promote awareness for this vital South African NGO.
Ikamva Labantu aims to empower low income communities to become self-sustainable. Their programs range from supporting orphaned and vulnerable children, to HIV education, testing and support programs, as well as supporting the empowerment of women through education and communication projects. Relate's relationship with Ikamva Labantu goes far beyond donating funds to its highly deserving and effective causes. Elderly men and women in Ikamva Labantu’s local township senior clubs thread the beads for Relate bracelets. Visit the site ikamva.org.za.
Materials: Plastic beads, pewter, elastic
Available in three sizes. S/Child = 7.5", M/Adult= 8", L/Adult= 8.5".
About the Artisans:
Relate bracelets are handmade and sold to make a difference and change lives. As a 100% not-for-profit social enterprise, the majority of Relate's revenue is donated to credible causes and invested in social initiatives, with a focus on creating opportunities for all involved, at every stage of a project.
$15.00
The Leakey Collection dedicates proceeds from these specially designed 26" Zulugrass strands to their Girls Graduation program to counsel young rural girls and their families on the importance of staying in school. Each strand is packaged on a special tag, explaining how the proceeds will be allocated, and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!
$15.00
The Leakey Collection dedicates proceeds from each Beads for Clean Water Zulugrass strand to the “Clean Water for Every Home” project; the goal - put a water dispensing unit, locally called a “leak-tin” in every Maasai home in the area. Clean water for drinking and washing helps stop the spread of life threatening disease and illness. Each strand is packaged on a special tag--explaining how the proceeds will be allocated--and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!
$15.00
Proceeds from 26" Beads for Healthy Gardens Zulugrass strands support the Leakey Collection's “Healthy Garden” project, which educates Maasai women to plant vitamin and mineral rich home gardens. Most rural pregnancy and birth issues, as well as child development problems, can be eradicated by eating a healthy diet. Each strand is packaged on a special tag—explaining how the proceeds will be allocated—and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass in a mix of garden greens, blues, and purplesÑeach bracelet is unique. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.
$15.00
Utilizing remnants of colorful Zulugrass, Maasai artisans are designing one-of-a-kind strands to symbolize the bright futures of educated children. Buy Zulugrass=Educate Kids. The Leakey Collection will donate 100% of their profits from the sales of these bracelets to pay for teachers' salaries in rural Kenya. Each 26" strand is packaged on a special tag explaining how the proceeds will be allocated. Wear it wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle, or long as a necklace.
Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!
This bracelet will feature a variety of colors; each one is unique.