Get Your Own Zulugrass!

Lately it seems like all I’ve written about is cloth diapers and baby stuff but that’s about to change.  Every mom craves to feel like a woman and jewelry is a perfect way to feel womanly.  Unfortunately most mothers of young children don’t get to wear much jewelry in fear of our little ones ripping it off with their little tugs. 

I received a package from The Leakey Collection a few weeks ago and I was skeptical when I opened it to find the delicate Zulugrass jewelry.  When I opened the package a few of the beads fell loose and I was sure this was going to be a disaster around Lil’ B.  I wanted to give it a fair chance though so I’ve worn the strands of Zulugrass almost everyday since then.  I’ve worn them mostly as bracelets but they can be worn as necklaces, arm bands, anklets, waist bands, and hair bands.  The elastic that the Zulugrassis strung on is very strong, it was invented for the movie Spiderman.  Lil’ B pulled at it over and over again and it hasn’t broke yet!  (And trust me a 7 month old can tug!)  As most mothers will admit I rarely take off my jewelry during the day and I am always washing my hands so my Zulugrass was ‘washed’ repeatedly.  Again, the Zulugrass has been tested and passed all of my mommy tests!  The media package I received claims that the elastic will actually hold its shape for over six years even if worn daily in the sun, shower, pool or ocean!  But what makes Zulugrass so special?

Zulugrassis a natural dyed grass bead mixed with glass beads.  It’s lightweight, water resistant, colorful, and eco-friendly.  They are made by the Maasai women of Kenya.  The Zulugrass is a tall grass that grows in Kenya and is harvested and cut by hand.  The founders of The Leakey Collection, Philip and Katy Leakey, worked with the Maasai to design the jewelry that makes up The Leakey Collection today.  This joint venture between the Leakey’s and the Maasai has helped to support and employee the Maasai who were once devastated by a drought.  Today, the Leakey Collection employees over 1200 Kenyans who work in their own environment, often outside in the shade of the acacia trees. 

Interestingly, the Maasai are cattle herders who believe that God entrusted them with the responsibility of taking care of all the cattle in the world.  Their culture is over 800 years old and there are about a half million Maasai living in East Africa today.  I am very proud to be an owner of my own set of Zulugrass jewelry and will continue to wear it proudly.  You can find Zulugrass and other jewelry pieces by The Leakey Collection online and at more than 1200 retails stores.  Locally you can find Zulugrass at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs and they even sell it at Disney World.