Zulugrass Giveaway

Monday, September 21, 2009

Zulugrass Giveaway

Since I'm sooo excited about Fall week, I'm going to start a little bit early. I love jewelry and the sad part is that I have very few pieces. I have tiny wrists, so finding bracelets that work has always been a task. And I gave up majority of my jewelry when my ex and I split. But, I'm enjoying finding great Eco-friendly companies who sell amazing pieces, so this will be a very fun post!

I was contacted by the Leakey Collection about doing a review for their Zulugrass. When I first saw the Zulugrass, I automatically had a 80's flashback of the jewelry I used to wear in layers. I loved it! I then started to research the company and knew this was a cause I had to support.

Zulugrass is unique jewelry handmade by the Maasai women of Kenya. Zulugrass is actually a grass that is harvested and cut, blade by blade by hand.

The grass was previously burned since the cattle would not eat it. Philip and Katy Leakey, who also live in Kenya, founded the Leakey Collection in 2001 when the devastating drought in Kenya ended. Philip Leakey had an idea to use the grass from surrounding areas to make jewelry to provide the Maasai women with jobs and an income. Over 1200 jobs have been created by the success of the Zulugrass products. And Kenya women have been given the chance to earn a income for their families, which is a first in Maasai history. The women work outside under acacia trees using mobile work stations. The work sites span over 150 miles across the Rift Valley.

Zulugrass is environmentally sustainable with the elastic memory of over 6 years and still going with everyday wear in the sun and water. It is waterproof and the colors should not fade. The grass beads are dyed using natural textile dyes and reflects vibrant colors. The Zulugrass jewelry also contains hand-blown Czech glass beads and Japanese glass beads. These are the highest quality glass beads available. Each bead is stranded on a super strong elastic which was invented for the movie "Spider-Man."

When I received my Zulugrass I was more than impressed! I love the ways you can wear the jewelry. Each strand of Zulugrass can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, belly band, hair piece, armband or anklet. You can get creative in all the ways you can use it.

It is stretchy enough to have endless possibilities. I chose to wear mine as a bracelet for our Fall photoshoot. I love how the strands of Zulugrass fit as a bracelet perfectly!! Check it out:

There are over 80 different color choices and many different designs. They also make Zuluwood jewelry, which is just as exquisite! If you choose to purchase many strands of Zulugrass, you can buy special clasps to hold the strands together for a more fun look. Zulugrass is now being sold in over 20 countries world wide and is growing!

The Giveaway: Leakey Collection is giving 1 lucky winner a Zulusport bracelet and 2 strands of Zulugrass in Fall colors (light brown, orange and maroon, yellow)

The Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST October 6, 2009 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US

How to Enter: Go to the Leakey Collection and tell me something that you love. Click on "Comments" to leave your post. Make sure to leave your email address!! I cannot contact the winner without it!

EXTRA entries: You must complete the "How To Enter" before making any extra entries. Make sure you leave a comment for each extra entry and tell me which one.

2. Become a fan of Mkokopelli on FB, Mkokopelli on Twitter or Follow my blog
3. Subscribe to my blog by email (on the right sidebar) You must verify and be active at the time of the giveaway- those who are unverified will become disqualified

4. Blog, Tweet or send a message on FB and leave a link here (3 extra entries)

5. Enter another giveaway I have going on and tell me which one or leave a comment on a non-giveaway post
6. Follow Leakey Collection on Twitter or become a Fan on Facebook
7. Visit the Leakey Collection Blog and tell me something you learned
8. Grab Mkokopelli's Fall Week button and post on your blog or FB page