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 Mask making was so much fun that Alejandro traveled to Italy to learn how the masters of the Italian Comedy originally made their masks.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

  2. What a fabulous shop! Thank you so much for introducing his work to your readers – I know our family would greatly enjoy his creations!

  4. These are awesome. My kids are always creating their own swords (or other weapons/implements) to reenact something. One of their favorites is Narnia – of course. And since I have four kids – 2 of each – it’s perfect. 🙂

  7. Yes, please do enter me in this delightful and generous giveaway. I truly appreciate the wonderful items that Alejandro creates and would especially be honored to win! Thank you!

  9. Everything he makes is so Beautiful! My 5 and 7 year old sons would love this!! Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

  11. What an amazing giveaway!! My 4 year old would love this (I’m off to check out the whole collection!).

  13. These toys are quite beautiful works of art! I think all my four boys would fight to have that one! Thanks for the chance to win it!

  15. Wow… These are lovely pieces. I really like his philosophy about wanting children to look one another in the eyes and interact with one another (as opposed to with digital devices). Super important nowadays!
    My boys would like these swords.
    Melisa

  20. Oh, my 6 year old son would love this! He was just telling me today how a painting of a soldier with a rapier reminded him of Reepicheep!!! 🙂

  21. We have a sword and shield in our family and they are a most beloved set of toys! Would love to add to our collection– thanks for the chance to win!

  23. Yay! I wait for the discount every year to order an item for my boys. They love adding to the collection!

  24. We bought a sword and shield set from Alejandro for our daughter two years ago—one of the best toy purchases we’ve ever made. I’d love the chance for another! One sword between three children isn’t enough. 🙂

  32. Three of my sons (we also have one princess and four first mates!) have items from Alejandro. We LOVE them! They are so beautiful, of such high quality, and fun to play with. Thanks for the chance to win this – for my grandson! 🙂

  34. Amazing!!!! I have 3 grandsons who would adore this!!! (Pretty sure we couldn’t get by with only one) ? Thank you for your generosity….oh….and Minnesota winter…it is good for our constitution! ?

  36. These may be the coolest toys I have seen in some time. I cannot get over the elephants in many colors and how incredibly detailed all his shields are!

  37. What a great giveaway! Thank you. And everything looks so beautiful! What a fun job he has. 🙂

  38. Wonderful toys! I would be hard to choose one grandson to receive this so it would go in the toy closet at Nana and Poppa’s house.

  42. We love every item we have purchased from Alejandro!! We don’t have the cutlass yet though ?

  44. I have a 3 year old toddler that loves to use her imagination and swords are definitely play a big part of her dragon slaying stories.

  46. As one of those who has e-mailed you recently to ask about the sword I wanted to say thanks again for the reply and thank you for the coupon code !!

    • We’ve been looking at these swords and shields for a few years, but haven’t been able to afford them. We would love to win one! Thank you for the chance.