Today’s giveaway is from Made by Alejandro. Their crew consists of five children: one princess and four 1st mates. God has charted a course for them with many wild adventures (“Papa cooked what for dinner!?”) and some hair raising moments (“Mama volunteered Papa for a lead role in the ballet recital!”). Life is never dull.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Alejandro began working with leather in college during a theater class. He stumbled upon a Commedia del Arte mask and it’s been an adventure in discovery ever since. Who knew leather could be so much fun to work with? For years, Alejandro has worked with leather and is always amazed at how gripping the look, feel, and smell of it is. Mask making was so much fun that Alejandro traveled to Italy to learn how the masters of the Italian Comedy originally made their masks. He returned to the U.S. with a better understanding of what leather could do and began exploring it’s many uses. It began small, with bookmarks and knife sheaths; then eventually grew to larger pieces such as an open topped box bag made from leather. Every time he made something, he was nudged further in an unexpected direction that changed him from thinking about leather as a hobby, into leather as a new art medium.
In 2010, How To Train Your Dragon opened in theaters. After seeing it, an idea sparked in Alejandro’s head. Why not make a sword out of leather so he and his kids could play? It would be safe and fun. It was a hit; the kids loved them! After the first week of ow’s and ouches, the shields were born. The shields were large enough where he could hand carve fun images into them to make them more appealing and differentiate which was whose. The day after, crawling into the bushes to find the kids’ swords resulted in him making the sword belts.
Soon, parents were placing orders because their own children were asking for Alejandro’s swords. That’s when he realized that this had the potential to become more than he imagined. Within a month, Alejandro found himself with a new title and career: Artisan Toymaker. He now sells reenactment toys and other beautiful items at art fairs across the U.S., a couple of art centers, a natural toy store, and online through Etsy.
Before Alejandro makes anything, it has to spark a child’s imagination (starting with his own). Also, it has to inspire children to want to play together. Everything he makes is by hand, and he likes it that way. This approach allows him to give each piece his personal attention and helps make the toys heirloom quality, children friendly, and mom approved.
This giveaway has ended, but you can still receive 10% of your entire purchase with the coupon code SmallThings2015. This offer is good through Thursday, November 12th.
Alejandro is excited to do something a little different for this year’s holiday giveaway. Alejandro is giving away two Pirate Sets (an eye patch & sword). The first Pirate Set will go to one of you. It contains a BLUE Eye Patch and one-of-a-kind SWORD: blue/white wrapped handle, stamped with a Celtic Cross, and coated with a silver sparkle. For a chance to win the BLUE Pirate Set, start by leaving a comment on this post. Then you will need to enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. You can visit our Facebook page (and we’d love for you to “like” it!) and “favorite” Made by Alejandro on Etsy for additional chances to win. Comments are closed, and the winner is announced below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The second Pirate Set will go to someone that you nominate. It contains a RED Eye Patch and one-of-a-kind SWORD: red/white wrapped handle, stamped with a Celtic Cross, and coated with a gold sparkle. Nominate someone who, due to any number of reasons, will have few gifts under their tree this year. (Not everyone knows someone who is in need, and if you don’t, it won’t affect your chances to win the blue sword.) But if you do, this is how both you and Alejandro are going to bless them this year. To nominate someone for the RED Pirate Set, leave a comment with the person’s name (Including the last name is not necessary, but make sure your email address is correct so we can contact you if the person you nominate wins. So for instance you might comment, “I would like to nominate my friend Sally.”) This portion of the giveaway is now closed. The winner has been randomly selected from those nominated using random number generator.
In addition, Alejandro is also offering 10% of your entire purchase with the coupon code SmallThings2015. This offer is good through Thursday, November 12th.
Thank you, Alejandro!
My grandchildren would adore these toys. Their other Gramma made them pirate outfits and they are pirates at her house and her house is the pirate ship.
We’ve got a sword and shield from Alejandro and it is a beloved toy in our home!! Absolutely gorgeous work. We would love to add to our collection!
I would like to nominate my friend Heather. Although very young, her husband had a stroke last year and they have three small children – two little boys who would just adore a sword to play with. Thanks for the chance to nominate someone!!!
What wonderful products! I would love this for any of my 3 first mates.
What a lovely giveaway. My little knights would love to upgrade their cardboard swords. 🙂
My nephews need these!
What amazing handwork! One of our “yong warriors” would be delighted with the sword. Thank you for the giveaway!
I’d also like to nominate the D family for the red sword and patch.
We have several of his items and they are all amazing! Would love to have this set – no pirate garb for us yet!!
Beautiful swords and generous company!
What a beautiful craft! What a talented man!
I know a sweet little almost 4 year old that would love if his mama would win this!
I nominate the red sword to my adoptive son’s godmother. She’s in need and would love to present and play pirates with her godson.
My children would love a new sword and I know my friend S would love the chance to gift one to her youngest little adventurer.
Oh! Please, please, please… My boy wants this so badly!
I think our young friend P would love a set!
I’d like to nominate my sister’s boys. They would love this.
My son would love one of these. Beautiful!
Wow, these toys are really beautiful!
I nominate my friend’s son, Henry. He has the perfect imagination to pair with these!
Love these! All my boys would’ve in heaven!
* would be
I love these! & I nominate my mom so she could have one at her house for the grandkids. 🙂
I see hours of creative play in these beautiful pieces!
I think its beautiful what you are doing. I will nominate my mother a school teacher. she can give it there to someone she choOses who is in need. ?
I love these! How beautiful and fun!
These are so cool!
Beautiful! And they look like so much fun. I nominate my cousin Mandy for the red sword.
Beautiful work. My grandson would love this!
How neat! My 6 year old would love this!
Love these! The handwork is amazing!
Wow! What pirate wouldn’t be proud to win such a handsome sword and eye patch?! Also, I nominate Carlitos! Thank you for hosting this giveaway and Alejandro for his generous donation.
What a thoughtful giveaway! Thank you Alejandro and Ginny! My boys would adore that sword!
I love his work! He did custom crowns for my boys birthdays and we love them! Such great quality items! Would love a sword to go with them!
I nominate my son Joey!
I don’t usually comment on giveaway posts but these are amazing. I nominate my guys little buddy, river, who would just treasure this set!
Wow, thank you for the giveaway. My boys will be fighting with and over those swords!
I nominate my grandson Kaden…. argh
These are such beautiful pieces! I know that my son would love to play with them. I nominate my sister Courtney – her son would love a sword, too!
I nominate my sister in law Kerri for the red set.
Such beautiful workmanship!
My daughter would love this!
I see this after my son’s paint stick sword battle ending in bashed knuckles! I would love to see one of these creations, absolutely beautiful.
What a fun pirate set. I would love to win!
I remember seeing these beautifully crafted items before and wishing my boys were still little. Grandchildren aren’t far now!
Hi! My little knight would love this fabulous prize. In case it’s not open to Europe, I just want to see we love these swords!
Best regards from Barcelona,
Marta
A Bilingual Baby blog
Wonderful!!
Gasp…..loving these creations!
I would love to gift the second one to Erin’s son Jack. He’s an adventurer like his father. His parents work so hard to keep his life magical but are having a really tough year.
My son would adore this sword. He’s a crusader at heart
My nephews would love these!
Alejandro’s work is BEAUTIFUL!! My grandchildren love their daggers, and the workmanship is so fine, that I know that THEIR children will also love them.
My little pirate would love a sword!