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.