March 27, 2012

Weekly Giveaway~ Handmaiden Canada!



March is winding down and so is National Craft Month! We've enjoyed this month's features and sales and hate to see it end, but don't let it stop you from enjoying the art of Crafting and all of our wonderful Upcyclers! This week we're featuring one of the original members of our team~ Becky! She is the creator of Handmaiden Canada~ and her beautifully crafted "Luvkins" are just one of the many items she sells on Etsy! She also creates plush upcycled toys like this one she is giving away to one of our lucky readers~





Adorable and perfect for the Spring season and especially Easter~ You can just imagine how excited a little one would be to receive this bunny to love! And I know the winner of last week's giveaway will be just as excited to receive their Pwark Monster Doll, too! We had lots of entries and everyone had a favorite Pwark, I wish we could have given one to all of you, but only Sarah, author of a wonderful blog, Journeys of the Zoo, will be giving the Pwark we gaveaway a new home! Our thanks to all who entered and especially to Tiwi from Pwarkland for sponsoring the giveaway!

Sometimes life throws us curves that turn our lives to a new direction, that was the case for Becky! She turned her husband's illness into an opportunity to help support her family but still stay home. That's the beauty of crafting and online selling venues like Etsy!

Coming from a family of artisans and craftsman, Becky had the skills necessary to find her "brand"~ she had learned early on the importance of reusing and upcycling the materials you have on hand and to approach her craft in an organic method. Handmaiden Canada evolved from knitted and felted wool bags to products upcycled from wool felted sweaters, then Becky discovered 'Waldorf Dolls'! For those of you (like me) who aren't familiar with the term Waldorf Doll, Wikipedia explains it like this:


A Waldorf doll (also called Steiner doll) is a form of doll used in Waldorf education. Made of wool and cotton, using techniques drawing on traditional European dollmaking, its appearance is intentionally simple in order to allow the child playing with it to improve or strengthen imagination and creativity. For instance, it has no facial expression. Its legs and arms are flexible, allowing natural postures.
Traditional Waldorf dolls are made from cotton interlock knit fabric and wool stuffing. They are often entirely natural. Typically the trademark long hair of a Waldorf doll is made of mohair or boucle. Some doll makers use alternative hair material such as wool, rayon, and cotton. The facial features of a Waldorf doll vary with the maker. Most Waldorf dolls have small suggestions of noses, their eye and mouth colors are generally varied with each doll.

Luvkin Waldorf Doll from Handmaiden Canada

Becky has always loved dolls, so this turned out to be the perfect fit for her~ and for her family! Handmaiden Canada has become a family business, with each member of Becky's family finding their niche in the creative and marketing process. She has truly continued a tradition from her childhood!
Tessa~ 12 inch Luvkin by Handmaiden Canada

You can find adorable "Handmaiden" clothing and accessories for the dolls in Becky's shop!

Rainbow Sweater for 15" Waldorf Doll

Rustic Twig Bed for Waldorf Doll

You'll also find lots of other wonderful heirloom quality treasures in Becky's shop! She creates upcycled plushies (like the one she is giving away), children's clothing, knitted hats, sweaters and ponchos and she still creates her felted wool bags!

Baby Fringed Poncho
Pink Felted Wool Purse
Upcycled Wool and Cotton Red Dress

You get a glimpse of the idyllic setting of Becky's home in the "backwoods" of the Ottawa Valley, where she lives with her husband and nine children (yes, I said nine!) No wonder she says she never runs short of beautiful models for her products!

So now I know after getting to know more about Handmaiden Canada, I know you can't wait to check out Becky's shop! And you can do that as one of your entries!

But first, be sure you are a follower of this blog! Then choose from 4 of the 5 methods to enter listed below. Remember, only four entries count and each one must be left in a separate comment! Be sure to leave your email address in one of the entries so we can contact you if you win~ we won't email you otherwise, we promise!

1. Browse and favorite Handmaiden Canada on Etsy, then tell us here which item is your favorite!

2. Become a fan of Handmaiden Canada on Facebook or Follow Handmaiden Canada on Twitter!

3. Follow Becky's blog~ Heartfelt Mama!

4. Follow Becky's boards on Pinterest and pin one of her Luvkins!

5. Tweet or Share this Giveaway with your fans, friends or followers!

That's it! Don't forget~ only four entries count! Deadline to enter is Midnight, April 1st (Don't be a "fool" and miss it, lol!)

Good Luck!

Want to be featured like this? Sponsor a Giveaway! Just send an email to Teamupcyclers@gmail.com for details!

49 comments:

  1. My favorite is the Tessa Luvkin!

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  2. I have liked Handmaiden Canada on facebook

    lynne_foster@sbcglobal.net

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  3. I am now following Becky's blog, Heartfelt Mama. Thanks for this opportunity to win!

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  4. Super sweet goods!I liked HandmaidenCanada on facebook:)

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  5. Followed on twitter @thewoodenbee (and tweeted giveaway)
    Thanks!

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  6. I love http://www.etsy.com/listing/95361734/bunny-rabbit-stuffed-toy-upcycled-wool
    susand1408 at googlemail dot com

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  7. following on twitter @susand1408 & facebook
    susand1408 at googlemail dot com

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  8. I'm following Becky's blog GFC Susan D
    susand1408 at googlemail dot com

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  9. Following Becky on Pinterest Susan D1408
    susand1408 at googlemail dot com

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  10. this is so cute <3
    id love to give this to my sister

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/92905534/waldorf-doll-luvkin-tessa-12-inch

    punkme15 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. im an FB fan
    FB Name: Jel Jell

    forgot to mention i have Favorited on etsy
    etsy name: xanjelix

    punkme15 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/jelaiii_x/status/185043405137641472

    punkme15 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow what a beautiful shop! I really like Waldorf Doll, Caitlyn, luvkin, 15 inch!

    megnate at telus dot net

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  14. I follow Heartfelt Momma on GFC (same name)

    megnate at telus dot net

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  15. I follow Becky on Pinterest (same name)
    Pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/164451823863317429/

    megnate at telus dot net

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  16. I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/zaira_faith/status/185048087625089024

    megnate at telus dot net

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  17. I favorited (etsy name:digiscrapchick) and I like the Red Felted Wool Purse.
    mindfulhome at gmail dot com

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  18. I am now a fan of Handmaiden Canada on Facebook
    mindfulhome@gmail.com

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  19. I Follow Becky's blog~ Heartfelt Mama!
    mindfulhome at gmail dot com

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  20. My fav is this> http://www.etsy.com/listing/92905534/waldorf-doll-luvkin-tessa-12-inch
    selmicak3@hotmail.com

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  21. I'm a fan of Handmaiden Canada on Facebook: Selmica Kiki
    selmicak3@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I Follow Becky's blog~ Heartfelt Mama via GFC: Selmica Kiki
    selmicak3@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I shared it on FB> https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=144087805717330&id=100002052306979
    selmicak3@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Checked out the shop an gave it a heart.
    I loved the yellow and white knitted hat but think "Thalia" is my fav

    magspie9(At)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Following Handmaiden Canada on Twitter as magspie0

    magspie9(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tweeted about this giveaway
    https://twitter.com/#!/magspie0/status/185102235842265089

    magspie9(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Waldorf Doll, luvkin, Tessa, 12 inch is my favorite.

    sparmeland(at)optonline(dot)net

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  28. liked on Fb heartfelt

    :)

    sieteinvitaciones@ gmail.com

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  29. I loove and fav on Etsy Waldorf Doll, 10 inch Girl, "Thalia"


    :)

    sieteinvitaciones@ gmail.com

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  30. I tweeted!
    https://twitter.com/#!/sirentattoo/status/185759244203724800

    Dagmar B.
    sirentattoo at hotmail.com

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  31. I follow via GFC
    ENTRY #1 my favorite item from handmaden Canada Etsy
    Is this doll
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/95360559/waldorf-doll-10-inch-girl-thalia

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  32. I am following Heartfelt Mama

    http://heartfeltmama.blogspot.com/

    Via GFC
    Linda Meyers-Gabbard

    ENTRY #2

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  33. I am following Becky on Pinterest llmg60

    ENTRY #3

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  34. Tweeted the giveaway
    https://twitter.com/LLMG1960/status/185845223602130944

    ENTRY #4

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  35. I have favourited Handmaiden Canada on Etsy and my favourite item on Becky's shop is the super sweet pink bunny:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/95408783/bunny-rabbit-stuffed-toy-upcycled-wool

    Rachel
    nancysteashop@gmail.com

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  36. Entry number 2: I'm also following Becky's boards on Pinterest!

    Rachel
    nancysteashop@gmail.com

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  37. oh i love the bunny rabbit stuffed toy in pink as my daughters love all things pink and animal! faved your shop under Grahnolmum. Thank you kath dot grahn at gmail dot com

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  38. liked you on facebook under kath n eric grahn for second entry - thank you! kath dot grahn at gmail dot com

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  39. tweeted the contest under kath grahn @redgalracer thank you kath dot grahn at gmail dot com

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  40. following you on pinterest under K thankyou kath dot grahn at gmail dot com

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  41. I love this doll:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/92094541/reserved-for-tegan-waldorf-doll-sunrise
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

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  42. follow her on gfc as Robin Scott
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/robinlscott/status/186342988295835648
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. follow her on fb as Robin Scott
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Favourited her on Etsy as ButterfliesSky, adore this:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/95408783/bunny-rabbit-stuffed-toy-upcycled-wool

    kiss_shani(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Following on Twitter as ButterfliesSky and on FB as Shani Smet

    kiss_shani(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Following on GFC as kiss_shani

    kiss_shani(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/ButterfliesSky/status/186556879827238912

    kiss_shani(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete