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Leeleeko – An Adventure In Wearable Art

             by Paula M. Kalamaras

When Elaine Griveas graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a specialty in fiber art, little did she realize that she would discover a new passion – creating handmade fun-to-wear jewelry. Thus, Leeleeko was begun.

“All of my life, I have been fascinated by the wearable arts – Beautiful fabrics and fashions, fine jewelry, the works. It's why I went into fiber art in the first place. I wanted to fashion bold fabrics that would change the way we envision clothes” Ms. Griveas said. “As the years passed, I started to realize that my need was to create art on a smaller, more personal level and I started creating jewelry to reflect an individuals personality and interests.”

 After a detour from fine arts for a number of years – first as a full time wife and mother to husband Bill and son Jason, and then as a CAD designer and technical illustrator, Ms. Griveas felt the need to return to her artistic roots. She never completely abandoned her art though - she worked with a partner in a small enterprise called Hazelaine creating one-of-a- kind designer clothes. Their work was showcased at a textile show at the Cleveland Museum of Art and several other venues around the country. Ms. Griveas also won awards for combining wood and textiles in some unique woodworking projects.

 When asked how she started making and designing jewelry, Ms. Griveas said. “I was feeling sort of at a loose end, creatively. I tried painting, resetting my loom and looking for projects. Then I took a jewelry course and I was hooked. Here was something that I could work on in my spare time and there were limitless possibilities – necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings – and so many different types of textures –  gemstones, pearls, silver, gold, polymer clay – that I could design and create and never repeat myself! After giving gifts to all my family and friends and hearing them tell me how much they liked the jewelry, I decided to sell some of the pieces to others and that’s how Leeleeko got started.

Why choose the name Leeleeko? “It was my nickname as a child and I just love the sound of it. I hope it becomes synonymous with fine handcrafted jewelry – and other wearable art.

Elaine was featured along with three other artists who work with jade in Colored Stone Magazine's Sept/Oct 2008 issue.
Click here to see our portion of the article.

With son Jason at Grand Canyon
National Park in Arizona.
 
Bill at Bryce Canyon Elaine's husband Bill makes many of the gemstone cabochons and helps out at the craft shows.

Hazelaine outfits with fabrics created by Elaine


Elaine with chair she made shortly after college
 

About the Artist:

Thirty years experience as an artist and craftsman. Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kent State University with a specialty in fiber art, experience in studio art, design and a variety of other crafts including woodworking, sculpture, enameling and jewelry. Taught various arts and crafts to adults and children. Exhibited and won awards for textile works in local and national shows. Created fabrics for haute couture women’s fashions. Worked as a technical illustrator and mechanical designer using various CAD programs. The most recent endeavor is Leeleeko Jewelry, which began in the year 2000 in Ohio. A member of the Ohio Arts & Crafts Guild, and the San Diego Lapidary Society. Elaine and her family currently reside in California.

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