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!
Jess says
Awesome, my girl would love these.
Rachel says
Liked on Facebook too!
Rachel says
These are so fantastic! My kids would love them. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
Andria says
Liked Made by Alejandro on facebook.
Andria says
Thanks for the chance to win, these products look beautiful.
Mama Nuru says
I liked them!
Mama Nuru says
Wow, fabulous. Thank you
Elizabeth says
What an amazing give a way! I’d love to get this set for my son!
Katie says
My boys would love the crown!
Susannah K says
We would Love these! So much play to be had 🙂
heather says
It would be amazing to win this one thanks for the chance and have a blessed day.
Maria says
My son would love these for Christmas!
Chris says
These toys look amazing!
Anita Sacco says
Your work is so beautiful. Would love to win! Thank you.
Deitan says
Wow! These are wonderful toys for boys that I know. Would love to be the bearer of such gifts!
Denise says
Liked on fb.
Denise says
Would love to have this for my boys!
Theresa says
Liked on FB too. Thanks!
Theresa says
Those are fantastic! My boys would go nuts! What a generous giveaway!
Nathana Clay says
This is so cool and smart!
Natalie H says
Fantastic! The sword and shield are going on my Christmas list for my son! 🙂
Natalie
Amy says
It seems like I remember his work from last year. Love it!
Eleanor says
These are amazing! What a cool present for any kid!!
Morgan says
My kids would go nuts for these! They are on my list for possible Christmas presents!
katy says
My boys would love to these!! Thanks for the chance!
Erin says
My son would love these when he grows older! He would love them now, but as a 11 month old he would just try to eat them. 🙂
Susan says
Liked “madebyalejandro” on Facebook!
Susan says
For the grands…they would love these!
Susan says
YES…for the grands! They would love this!
Beatrice says
Sooo beautiful! My son would love them. Thanks for the opportunity.
Tiffany M. says
These look amazing. Thank you for the chance to win!
betsy says
Amazing!!!!!
Denise T. says
As a drama teacher, I say WOW! These are truly works of art fit for the stage!
Andria says
What a talented man, wow!
Beverly says
My 7 yr old grandson is crazy about all things swords. He would love this.
Peggy says
Beautiful work. I am always looking for high quality artisan work to gift my children with. We would be very pleased to win. Thank you
Marisa says
and I ‘like’ Made by Alejandro on Facebook too!
Marisa says
I know a little boy who would just love his own patch, and a Mummy who would love it to be in leather!
Dawn Suzette says
Whoa. These are amazing. I have a little man who would be over-the-moon to have any of these awesome creations.
alisa says
yaaaaaay! I look forward this this giveaway. such beautiful pieces! thank you guys, so much, for the giveaway!
Kari says
What a fun giveaway. My kids would love them!
Kim says
I would love my very own set…quality is fantastic!!!
Melissa says
I’m in love. I can’t wait until my nephew is old enough. Though that maybe sooner rather than later just cause this is so cool. Wish I could have had these as a child.
Marina says
My five kids would be over the moon for these toys !
Fantastic !
Karina says
My son would love this!
Jennifer L. says
There’s definitely a kid in my life that would love those!
Katie says
these are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I have never seen anything like it!
Arenda says
Oh my, my St George and the Dragon-loving 3 year old would be over the moon about this! 🙂
Sharon K says
My pirate princess would love to win!
Torey says
Since I actually have a son named Alejandro, I would love something that was Made by Alejandro. 🙂
Andria says
Ha, Torey…I had the same thought 🙂