small things

Made by Alejandro {giveaway!}

This weekend’s giveaway is from Made by Alejandro, maker of handmade leather swords and accessories. We bought Silas his first leather sword for his sixth birthday and are so happy with it. I get emails from time to time asking how well made these are, and if they really hold up. Yes! Silas’ has been very well loved (by all my children) and it appears that it will last for many years to come. I feel very good about sharing this small business with all of you!

Alejandro Ortega is the artisan toy maker of Made by Alejandro. He and his wife’s pirate crew consists of five: one princess and four 1st mates. God has charted a course for them with many wild adventures and some hair raising moments. Life is never dull.

Right now their port o call is on the island of Long Lake, near the frigid country of Minnesota. A native of NY, Alejandro began working with leather in university. He stumbled upon a Commedia del Arte mask and it’s been an adventure in discovery ever since. Mask making was so much fun that Alejandro traveled to Italy to learn how the masters of the Italian Comedy originally made their masks.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. For years, Alejandro has worked with leather and is always amazed at how gripping the look, feel, and smell of it is. He began by making small custom items such as personalized bookmarks and knife sheaths, and eventually grew to larger pieces such as an open topped box bag.

Every time Alejandro made something new, 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, after seeing How To Train Your Dragon in theaters, an idea sparked in his 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 Alejandro could hand carve fun images into them to make them more appealing and so his children could differentiate between them. The day after, crawling into the bushes to find the kids’ swords resulted in him making the sword belts.

Soon, Alejandro found himself with a new title and career: Artisan Toymaker. He now sells reenactment toys and other beautiful items at art fairs, in a couple of art centers and stores, 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 Queen mother approved.

You can find Alejandro on Instagram and Facebook and check out his reviews on Etsy!
From the mouths of others:

“It is not just a ‘toy’ but a tool that has instilled a spirit of honor, bravery and wonder.”

“These swords are tough, cool, unique, and safe. If you are on the fence due to price, they are worth it. Kids will get hours of play and imagination with these toys vs TV or video games.”

“Nothing short of amazing! 11yr old doing a research paper and presentation on Boudicca, the Celtic Warrior Queen. She didn’t take it of all day.”

“Good thing we bought an extra sword for dad – now there can be duels!”

“Alejandro’s work is impeccable, authentic, and extraordinarily detailed…”

“These are special. They remind me and hopefully the kids that despite the bickering of siblings and days when you wish you were an only child…that ultimately they are all on the same team.”

Ahoy Mateys! Beware! Alejandro is offering one winner this blue handled Pirate Cutlass for this year’s holiday giveaway. The cutlass is 30” from tip to tail, with a knuckle guard that will protect the hands of whomever wields it. A perfect sword for anyone ages 6 – adult

Alejandro is also offering 15% of your entire purchase with the coupon code ‘SmallThings2017’. This offer is good through the end of the day on Thursday, November 16th.

For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post. Comments are closed and the winner is Emily, who commented, “What a wonderful way to instill love of beauty and artisanship!”

Thanks, Alejandro!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Love this sword—–almost as nice as the sword my husband was given as the top graduate of his OCS class in the Navy.

    It would make a perfect gift for our great nephew. I think he would love it too.

  7. I just love all of these beautiful pieces. I am so excited for the chance to receive the Cutlass. It is the item my 11 year old requested for Christmas this year. We have not been able to purchase anything from this wonderful company yet. What a treat!

  9. Hi Ginny,
    I’ve been a follower for many years and always feel blessed that you share your life with us. I have two grandsons and I know they would love to play with a beautiful sword like this:)
    Blessings to you and your sweet family,
    Helen

  10. Wow what an awesome giveaway. I considering this for one of my boys as a Christmas gift this year. Thank you for the suggestion and the chance to win. 🙂

  11. Beautiful craftmanship. My grandson would love this and it would be a huge step up from sticks and branches. Such quality work is a joy to see.

  16. We just gave one of his swords for a birthday gift to my 5 year old son. We saw it on your blog awhile back. Would love more to add to our collection!

  17. That would be great. Would need some growing into around these parts but would be incredibly cherished!

  18. My daughter has three little girls that dream of being warrior princesses. They would cherish this sword. It’s also very much like my fathers Marine Corps sword that hangs in our family room. Beautiful work.

  24. We have five boys and one princess. Can’t imagine getting only one sword, but it would be well loved and used by a watchful of pirates. 🙂

  28. What beautiful workmanship created for exciting imagination. My children would be thrilled to play with these! Thank you for offering such a generous giveaway.
    Michele

  35. He was a vendor at my Mom’s homeschool conference at few years ago, and I think he was the most popular one there!

  39. Oh wow! His work is beautiful. Tallulah would love this. I’m going to have to alter her Christmas list. ?

  43. Oh my word! This is my most favorite giveaway that you’ve done. I would be thrilled to be entered- and I hope I win! I have two boys who would love pretty much anything at all from his shop. And Mama put a ban on NERF guns since yesterday a boy shot another boy in the eyeball so they are relegated to sword play and imaginary bullets from now on. 😉

  49. I would love to deck my entire family – including myself! – in these beautiful things! Everything seems so inviting to play with! A cutlass seems like a proper start, and even would provide a balance point to our single wooden sword. Because even though I personally believe that the feather is mightier than the sword, you still need something with a little more heft when you are a kindergartener and your older sibling has a wooden sword …
    Happy Martinmas!