Today’s giveaway is from Alejandro Ortega, the artisan toy maker of Made by Alejandro. Together with his five children, a princess and four little savages, they fight to protect their mama from the forces of evil: imagined or eight-legged, it doesn’t matter.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Alejandro Ortega’s introduction to leather began in his junior year of college, while taking a theater class. He was introduced to and gravitated towards the Italian art form, Commedia d’el Arte. In 2007, he traveled to Italy for a month-long Commedia mask making course. Alejandro returned with a better understanding of what leather can do that went beyond just mask making and encouraged him to pursue his love of working with leather. Because mask making is so much fun yet such an involved process, he began doing smaller projects such as bookmarks, knife sheaths, arm bracers, cuffs, 3-ring binders, and beautiful yet practical “tools” that he uses on a daily basis in his other business as a sub-contractor. All of these helped him to get better at the skills he used in mask making but allowed him to change the application. What started as a hobby, turned into a passion for a new art medium: leather.
Alejandro has shared his skills in leather working by taking on a summer intern and by teaching classes such as mask making to adults and teenagers, quiver making to tweens, and leather tooling to children in a homeschool co-op.
The big push of going from leather as a hobby to leather as a career, came after seeing the movie How to Tame Your Dragon. An idea sparked in Alejandro’s head to make some swords and holsters for his two older children. After the first week of ow’s and ouches, he realized the kids needed shields too. At first, his toys were just for fun. He watched his children become the very heroes they admired in the movie. Then, after his friends saw these leather toys, they began placing orders, as well as telling others about his creations. He realized that this had the potential to become more than he had imagined. And within a month, Alejandro found himself with a new title and career as an artisan toymaker. He now sells reenactment toys and other beautiful items at local art fairs, a natural toy store, Arts Center gift shops, and online through both his Made by Alejandro website and Etsy.
Before Alejandro makes anything, it has to spark a child’s imagination (starting with his own) and cause children to want to play together, be it with other children, or better yet, their parents. He makes everything by hand and is always looking to improve the way he fabricates his toys. He now sews all of his swords, daggers, and elephants to ensure they are safe, durable, and will last for years to come. And all of the dyes, stains, and sealers he uses are water-based and eco- friendly. This kind of attention to detail has helped make the toys children friendly and parent happy.
Alejandro is excited to giveaway a three-piece accessory set that children of all ages will enjoy: a red EYE PATCH, a red-laced “Where the Wild Things are” CROWN, and a pair of red laced WRIST CUFFS. Be you noble or brigand, you will be the talk of the village.
Alejandro is also offering 10% off your entire purchase with the coupon code SmallThings2014. This offer is good through Thursday, November 13th.
For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post. For an additional chance, “like” Made by Alejandro on Facebook and leave a second comment letting me know you have done so.
Comments are closed and the winner is Kathy, who commented, “Oh my goodness…LOVE! Mom of six boys here, this is awesome!”
Thanks, Alejandro!
Corey Lesko says
I have been looking for crowns for my bid these are perfect!
Michele F. says
Liked them on Facebook!
Michele F. says
We love Alejandro’s work! Thanks for the chance! God bless, Michele
Maddie says
My nephew would love this! What a neat giveaway!
Kate says
What a skilled craftsman!
jamie says
I’ve been admiring these for a while now! Thanks!
jean kruse says
Glad to like on Facebook.
jean kruse says
My grandson would love this as he is really into knights and castles.
alexia says
My kids would love the cuffs!
Melody J says
Amazing. My kids would have so much fun.
Jennifer C. says
I’ve also liked on Facebook.
Allison says
Love these!
Jennifer C. says
Wow, these toys are stunning! What a nice giveaway.
Melissa N. says
I also liked on facebook.
Melissa N. says
I’ve been wanting to order something from this shop for a while now. One of my boys is big into knights and always wants to dress the part. Thanks for the chance!
Jenni says
My son has some of these beauties on his wishlist!
Nikki J says
My three sons may be a little too old for these now – but they would have begged for them just a few years ago! They are still perfect for my little nephew who loves to dress up!
Nancy M says
My youngest would like these and my oldest would be wishing he was young again. 🙂
kirsten says
Liked on facebook.
kirsten says
My little warrior princess would love any of these toys!
Liz Johnson says
Wow! My grandsons would love these! Beautiful work!
Emily says
We love our sword from this site!
Laura says
Awesome! lstr8family@yahoo.com
Nancy says
Wow! Our boys would LOVE these! Great, great, great suggestion for a lasting toy! Soo much better than what else is out there!
Angela says
I would love the chance for my son to enjoy these! They are beautiful! Thank you for the opportunity
Melanie McGrogan says
I have a son and six daughters who would ALL appreciate your beautiful toys!
Samantha says
Truly beautiful craftmanship.!
Jodi says
My grandsons would love this!!!!!
Christy C says
Liked on FB too!!
Christy C says
I bought his sword/sword belt for my son as a gift last year and it is fabulous! He would love this set too!!
Laurie P says
Definitely LIKED on facebook! Loving those crowns 🙂
Laurie P says
He makes such impressive items! I adore the crowns!
Pamela R says
What a sweet gift package…thank you! While my children will enjoy these, I think my nephew might just like an elephant. How sweet.
Susan says
A true artist–beautiful work! My son would love this!
mnpglass says
beautiful. thanks so much.
such awesomeness:)
rob says
amazing hand work, wowee!
forestfirefarm says
lovely stuff, many thanks
Max says
what an awesome family pic!
Robin says
YAHOOO!!!! Love it all.
Molly says
Just Liked on Facebook:)
Sue K says
Beautiful toys! I love the heirloom quality.
Molly says
I would love to have this beautiful set for my youngest son!!
Laura jost says
I am a fan of Alejandro’s on Facebook!
Laura jost says
Love these!!!
Jo Anna says
Beautiful toys!
Angela says
Fabulous craftsmanship! I would love to cultivate this type of learning/play with my grandchildren! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Willemijn Maljaars says
beautiful work!
dana c says
Oh, my son would sooooo LOVE this!!!
Jennifer says
My boy would so love to add to our few non-princessy dress up clothes! (one of the perils of 5 big sisters…)
Erin says
I’ve got three princesses who love pirates, this would be great!