*Hollyhock Alpacas Spotlight & Giveaway*

I have to say that I really love what this shop practices in lifestyle and in business! Hollyhock Alpacas is a shop that really embraces an eco friendly way of living and selling their wares. The shop is owned by Teresa, a wonderful women who, with her husband has left the cold corporate world and begun a business raising and breeding alpacas. She sells their sheared alpaca fiber in many forms in her shop. The fiber is raw or spun, natural or dyed and then used to create some of her beautiful, soft warm handmade clothing.
Hollyhock Alpacas operates as organically as possible with a valiant effort trying to make a small carbon footprint on the world. The dyes used on the fiber are created from indigo, black walnut husks, goldenrod and marigold flowers picked or grown by Teresa which give the fiber a gorgeous natural hue. At home Teresa uses her alpaca manure for her garden, left over fiber for bird nesting material and uses a local mini mill specializing in alpaca fiber for processing.

I just absolute love that Teresa and her shop stand for a way of life that we all need to be more connected with. She is an example of how to change your life for the good of all of our futures and to be completely fulfilled on a personal level while doing it. Obviously not everyone is able to drastically change their life which may depend on so many variables but at the very least we can support an individual who is making a difference and by buying in her shop we are all a part of what Teresa is doing to change our planet!

The Alpaca is a domesticated species of animal that resembles a small Llama. Alpacas were specifically bred thousands of years ago for their fiber in South America and have since come to be a part of western culture's small local farm community. Alpaca fleece is a lustrous and silky material similar to sheep's wool. The material is warm, not prickly and contains no lanolin making the fiber and any clothing made from it hypo allergenic and naturally water resistant.

Hollyhock Alpacas has soft beautiful fiber for sale and most of their product for raw or spun fiber are abundant in the spring. However Teresa's fabulous handmade clothing can be found year round. She has a variety of warm and woolies found in shop and I for one could use some extra warmth for my cold and chilly spring in Victoria this season.


This fiber in roving and yarn form is from two sibling alpacas found on Teresa's farm. It is very soft and brown with a reddish undertone. If you like to knit you should consider trying alpaca yarn and you will be converted!







Fingerless gloves with colors so cute! Keep your hands out of the cold morning air and looking adorable while sipping coffee on your porch. These are delightful gloves made out of a high quality sought after material. Did you know that Armani uses alpaca fiber in their suits? It is material worthy of an expensive designer however Hollyhock alpacas have way better prices!




Keep those little chubby baby toes cozy and warm! Who needs slippers? These soft, lush socks can be perfect for winter but in the summer they can double as slippers for cool crisp nights. These little piggys will be snuggle-able!

Come and Check out Hollyhock Alpacas on Etsy!

Hollyhock Alpacas is giving away an Alpaca Bird Nesting Material Kit. Your neighborhood birds will have the softest nest in town! Join in for your chance to win this great little kit!

1) First Entry: Visit www.hollyhockalpacas.etsy.com
Return to A Handmade Revolution and post a comment to tell us what you liked about the shop or even your thoughts on the great things Teresa and her shop are doing. Be sure to have contact info. so I can let you know if you've won!

2) Extra Entry: Follow us on twitter (www.twitter.com/etsyeveryday) and tweet a comment about the shop. Post a comment on the blog to let us know you tweeted for an extra entry.

3) Extra Entry: Blog about Hollyhock Alpacas and post a comment on this blog with the url to let us know.

4) Extra Entry: Follow our blog! (right hand side). Post a comment here letting us know you are a new follower.

Contest ends June 6th, 2010 at Midnight. The winner will be contacted shortly after contest closes. Winners must respond within 24 hours after being contacted otherwise another winner will be randomly selected.

Contest open to: Worldwide.

ENJOY!

Huge Sale On Rings!

RING SALE

We have fabulous flower rings on sale in shop right now. There are many styles of flowers, different colors and a variety of bands! Come take a peek at Everyday Diamonds!

A Perfect Match Is Waiting For You!

Introducing our new dynamic duo to intensify your look!

The perfect pairing of rings and bracelets takes out the guess work and looks great on you!
Come and check out our new combos at Everyday Diamonds.

*Funky Imaginings* Spotlight & Giveaway

I would love to introduce you to an Etsy shop with whimsical design and flare! Funky Imaginings By Tanya has creative unduplicated treasures and you can surely find unique and individual gifts for someone else or for a little self indulgence. I love that you instantly find bright bold colors and pieces that invoke conversation.








Funky Imaginings is owned by an original young artisan who describe herself in a statement as "pretty in punk!" She is a resourceful women who has come to discover that she can share with others what she has always loved to create. Her mother, who is an important tenacious woman in her life, also helps with the creative inspirings in the shop. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and has been an amazing role model for her daughter with her passion and fight for life. Tanya has even embraced her punk self by shaving her head in support of her mom's battle. I think we can all be motivated by their story and their quest to live life with spirit and contribution!


These elaborate alluring chainmail earrings are stunning in aqua. I think you could feel very warrior princess in these but with some major modern class! She has these earrings in another chainmail pattern and alternative colors too!




Oh my goodness I have a huge weakness for these adorable 1 ups and it makes me nostalgic for my first Nintendo playing days! Cute little earrings that can make you feel unbeatable.




I really like all of the clay creations in this shop and I definitely like it fashioned into jewelry. This daisy is full of sunshine and happy vibes, I can see it as a perfect compliment to a cute summer dress!



I am always in awe of the creative ways that artisans devise their craft and this shop has my compliments on their individual style. Funky Imaginings is offering a giveaway of a new product, a custom bracelet with charms made out of clay. Thanks so much to Tanya for this wonderful giveaway and look for info below on how you can enter.


Join in for your chance to win!

1) First Entry: Visit www.tanyaw85.etsy.com
Return to A Handmade Revolution and post a comment to tell us what you liked about the shop. Be sure to have contact info. so I can let you know if you've won!

2) Extra Entry: Follow us on twitter (www.twitter.com/etsyeveryday) and tweet a comment about the shop. Post a comment on the blog to let us know you tweeted for an extra entry.

3) Extra Entry: Blog about Funky Imaginings By Tanya and post a comment on this blog with the url to let us know.

4) Extra Entry: Follow our blog! (right hand side). Post a comment here letting us know you are a new follower.

Contest ends May 16th, 2010 at Midnight. The winner will be contacted shortly after contest closes. Winners must respond within 24 hours after being contacted otherwise another winner will be randomly selected.

Contest open to: Worldwide.

Good luck and Enjoy!