*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!

*Your Memories Captured* Spotlight

This Etsy shop has all you need to make a special memory! Your Memories Captured has a variety of alternatives for cards, invitations and party trimmings. This shop is owned by a wonderful mother, teacher and artist who knows how important these occasions can be. I'm sure her son will never have a forgettable party!

These gorgeous cards are handmade with a beautiful butterfly detail on the inside. They come with 4 coordinating envelopes and can be great for a thank you, get well soon or just a little note to say hello!

One of the great things about this shop is there are customizable digital designs that allow you to print yourself or bring it in to a local printer, saving time,shipping and giving you control of the details.


I have a love for personalized stationary! This is a customizable digital package with a PDF file for a full 8.5x11 sheet, a flat card (4 per page) and folded gift tags (10 per page). This classic damask design is perfect for letter writing and I think we should all take some time now and then to write people a note and drop it in the mail. In this time of fast paced emails a thoughtful note can mean a lot!

I have two kids who's birthdays are always a time of crazy panic putting together and coordinating all the party invitations, decorations and thank you cards. Your memories captured has a Mod Monkey party pack that you can even customize with your child's picture and has all that you need to put together a great party! This customizable digital party pack comes with a PDF file for invitation, thank you card, return address label, cupcake topper, Happy Birthday banner and all you have to do is print!

I just love the fact that you can easily put together all that you would need for a wedding as simply as this! Your memories captured will work with you on customizing and tweaking the design taking all the stress out of making invitations. This package come with a PDF file for a save the date announcement, invitation, reply card, menu, and thank you card all with a coordinating personal design.

Your memories are important pieces in time that at some point are all you have to remember those days by. They can make you smile, laugh, feel sentimental and make you feel lucky to have made sure to catch those moments! So make sure to remember to take gorgeous pictures of your beautifully arranged party and keep them safe for many years of enjoyment!

Your Memories Captured is graciously offering a Free Digital Design Giveaway (any solitary digital design excuding packages) and a 20% discount to A Handmade Revolution followers! For the discount be sure to let her know at checkout with HRB20 discount code.

Please read contest instructions below for your chance to win this digital design prize.

How to enter this contest: Join in for your chance to win!

1) First Entry: Visit www.yourmemoriescaptured.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 Your Memories Captured 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 April 25th, 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.



Have fun and Enjoy!

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has sprung over at Everyday Diamonds! Check out our selection of purses (starting at only $10.00!), and stay tuned because we are constantly creating new ones. We take custom orders for size, colors and handles, just send us a message and we'd be happy to work with you.

Do you have an Etsy shop? Show us YOUR spring items. Post them in the comments to this post.

Happy Spring!

*Kaboogie* Spotlight & Giveaway

This spotlight I am introducing to you an Etsy shop called Kaboogie. I love what this shop is built on. How it cares about the environment and it's products not only make a difference but actually start at our kids which is where it really counts. These Funky baby and kids shoes are made from re-purposed, garment weight suede & leathers. The leather and suede make them durable quality and additionally keeps the material useful by giving it a second chance and out of our landfills. These chic shoes stand for positive change and creative aspirations and hopefully our kids can say the same one day about what we all did to help our environment!

The reason why this style of shoes can be seen all over the baby market is because it really is practical. The soft soles have been shown to give much needed grip while walking and not interfere with the development of feet. My girls so many times tripped over the chunkiness of their hard soled runners and need a good grip because to this day they still slip on everything! I have actually used these shoes in so many applications. Definitely as baby shoe wear when you don't need the hard sole, slippers and now my girls no longer toddlers, still use them in dance class! Kaboogie offers them in such a cute contemporary design with a substantial variety of sizes and styles.

My girls would love these shoes, from their velvety suede right down to the cute little pink flower button detail! I really like the softness of the suede which makes them comfy and casual with the neutral tan color allowing them to wear the shoes with so many different outfits.

Wow, do you not love these? honestly they have to start making them in adult size too because I want a pair for myself! I love the long alternative choice of boot which is not only practical in colder times, keeping those little ankles warm but also oh so stylish! The beautifully integrated hook and loop straps make these boots easy for little ones to put on too and all moms know how much independence is a handy tool.


This shop is owned and created by a mom with first hand experience of how important it is to teach children about having a positive footprint in life. Her passionate actions in her shop can speak louder than words to her "Red Squadron", six energetic red headed children who will one day make their contributions to our planet. Because of this example to her children and shoppers I can't help but be compelled to do the same and demand recycled alternatives to a giant booming market of baby wares! Way to go Kaboogie keep making Eco friendly products with your distinctive fashionable flair!

Kaboogie is generously offering a headband giveaway in a solid suede color, choice of available colors in stock. Also made with re-purposed suede and with no slipping or pinching in mind!


Join in for your chance to win!

1) First Entry: Visit www.kaboogie.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 Kaboogie 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 April 18th, 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!