the FINAL match : the 2011 handmade world cup!

handmakers representing spain ::

1st collection

tofashi +  KUKLAstudio + mariagotijoyas 

palomasiadesigns + krize + Majutsu  

LeelaBijou + momochas + NiuTaller 

2nd collection

mysterymoor + Coderque + masaoms

lachicadelosanillos + Pizpireta + adictaaloscomplemnts

 teogeo + sarahrobinL + LAccentNou

handmakers representing italy ::

1st collection

Relydesign   + sofiart + alchemia1  

retrospettive + Chickslab + korkekork 

arosha   + elehandmade + italiacraft  

2nd collection

aliciarosalind + nivule + vincenzorizzo

LaPerLaA + Aula46 + medusa1307 

thegoodmachinery + Chromantication + studioarturo

......................

once upon a time, there were 36 teams.
36 handmaking nations from around the world vying to win the coveted :) handmade world cup!
and now there are 2!

welcome to the 2011 handmade world cup FINAL: ROUND E!! hundreds of votes have already been cast in the 2011 handmade world cup (a superfun & friendly celebration cheering on the world of handmade while our female football/soccer counterparts can't wait to thrill the world at that *other* world cup!)

the winning (top-vote-earning) team from each ROUND D match has moved forward.

our FINAL matchup is:

spain vs. italy
...............
now you get to vote all over again!

each round of voting counts towards the final drawing of who will WIN the grand prize (a $30 shopping spree in the shop of your choice! same rules as before:
there have been 4 rounds of voting. this is the LAST!

the PRIZE is a $30 shopping spree in the Etsy shop of your choice, FROM the winning country! so for example, in 2010 south africa won the 2010 handmade world cup voting, and the winning entry spent their $30 prize in ANY south african-based Etsy shop! :) (donated by me, rikrak! :)

woohoo!! each ROUND will be open for voting for approx. 3-4 days. so be sure to get your votes in.

schedule

CLOSED: round A :: 32 teams :: voting may 11-15

CLOSED: round B :: 16 teams :: voting may 16-20

CLOSED: round C :: 8 teams :: voting may 21-25

CLOSED: round D :: 4 teams :: voting may 26- 30 

round E :: 2 teams :: voting may 31 - june 4

FINAL WINNING TEAM & lucky entry winner 

announced june 6th

............

the total number of entries will be the cumulative ballots from round 1+ round 2 + round 3 + round 4 + round 5!

NOTE: you do NOT need to have voted for the winning team to win. it will be a random draw of all entries!

:: ROUNDS ::

* the country that receives the most votes each round WINS!
the person/entry who is randomly chosen as the lucky winner of the gift certificate can spend it in ANY ETSY SHOP from the winning nation: either SPAIN or ITALY!
:: PLEASE MAKE EACH VOTE A DIFFERENT COMMENT BELOW! thanks! ::
you can earn a ballot for EACH match you VOTE on!
so... a sample vote for ROUND E

"comment 1: i vote spain!"(or italy! you choose!)

"comment 2: i tweeted (give link)"
" comment 3: i did a facebook update (give link)"

you get the idea!

--> this ROUND of matches CLOSES SATURDAY june 4 @ 5pm EST

1. vote.
you can vote ONCE this round. = 1 entry

2. twitter, facebook, or blog about this event
& come here and tell us
= 1 entry for EACH 
 

3. become a follower or subscriber to my blog! 

you can become a google friend connect *follower* by clicking "follow" on the top left of the blog home page OR subscribe via email or *reader* on the left hand column.
& come here and tell us
= 1 entry

4. tweet about this giveaway
= you can tweet about this giveaway ONCE PER DAY for the duration of the giveaway! (one  entry for each tweet!)
 and come back here and tell me about it. please include my twitter account in the update: i'm @therikrakshop on twitter!)

5. grab one of my rikrak studio buttons,
like this one for YOUR BLOG!

<center><a href="http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the rikrak studio" src="http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/rikrakstudio/therikrakstudiorectangle.jpg" /></a></center>

<center><a href="http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the rikrak studio" src="http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/rikrakstudio/therikrakstudiosquare.jpg" /></a></center>

and add it to your blog!

{ ... just copy & paste the text in the box above  onto your blog sidebar! thanks! }

** please make sure that each entry is it's own comment and links to an email, or has an email address attached, so that i can contact the winner! **

on may 26th,  the winners of each match from ROUND C will be posted, when the NEW round of matches/voting begins!

so come back then to earn more entries, too!

yay and happy friendly competition, nicies!
yay handmaking around the world!

and thanks so much to the lovely countries from round D that unfortunately didn't advance:  england & the netherlands

.................................

RULES:

a) it is possible to have numerous entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!

c) as always, this giveaway is open to all contestants, worldwide.
e) the winner of this giveaway will be chosen from random.org on

saturday, june 4th 2011 @ 5pm EST.

f) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account 

doesn't link to one. thanks.
g) thanks so much everyone! and thanks for visiting the blog!

...........................

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call for PRIZES!

5 bowling trophies collection via TeenahTime

................

hot-diggity-dog!  

it's that time of year again at the rikrak studio + i'm looking for a few fun folks who might like to join the FUN!

the 2011 EDITION of the rikrak studio handmade olympics launches soon, and  i'm putting together some FABULOUS prize packs. i'm looking for a few more folks who are willing to:

---> offer ONE $50.00 gift certificate to their handmade OR vintage OR supply shop as a prize. <---

i already have quite a few lined up and would love to have a couple more.

the inaugural handmade olympics was, i'm thrilled to say, a supergreat success, with 100s of nominations of amazing handmade works, AND over 15000 individual votes cast in the final round of the fun! yay to great exposure for your lovely shop!

:: THE DETAILS! ::

:: if you're interested :: please apply via email as soon as possible at rikrakmail@yahoo.com with the email title: sponsor for the handmade olympics - so i can finalize the prize packs and launch the FUN FUN event later next week! 

the application deadline is sunday night
(sun. jan 9th)
 

---> *PLEASE NOTE* : event sponsors, once chosen, will receive:
:: a 150 x 150 promo spot FREE with all event-related promotion.
:: mention in all event-related sponsorship
:: this prize-sponsorship IS NOT an ad-spot on the rikrak studio blog sponsors column. this is a separate entity!
:: PLUS: becoming a sponsor for this SPECIAL event + donating your prize of a $50.00 shopping spree in your shop WILL NOT COST YOU any other monies. you must just be willing to let the winner redeem the prize in your shop once won! + i'm happily including you in all of the promotion, for FREE as a thanks!
:: don't worry - you can still WIN if you're a sponsors: prize sponsors are eligible for nomination/ are eligible to win in any category except the one they are sponsoring!
:: the event will run for approx. 5 weeks! yay!

so hey - it's a winwin situation! great promotion for your lovely handmade shop + then just let a happy winner have a little shopping spree in your lovely shop!

fan-tastic!
applications to offer a prize close sun. jan.9th @ 8pm EST.
i will notify all successful applicants on monday jan. 10th (or sooner!)
thanks so much!
and get ready for something funFUNfun, lovelies!

woowee!

.................

prize ribbon by costumesalon

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the handmade olympics: { event 1 }

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

update! feb. 1, 2010
thanks so much to everyone who has entered!
what an amazing & talented bunch you are!
nominations are now CLOSED.
your nominations have been sent to the judges, and we look forward to the revealing of their short lists (on feb. 8th!) , after which everyone (that's YOU!) will have a chance to vote on who will WIN! yay!
thanks again,
k.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


yay!
please see the MAIN handmade olympics post for all of the fun-filled details & rules on the events!

now.. welcome to event 1: please leave a comment here nominating:
your favourite handmade goodie with an innovative design!

for this event
think unique + handmade.
think inspiringly fresh!
think of a handmade item whose brilliant + beautiful design just thrills you!

...............

thanks so much to our fabulous judge for this event, the brilliant Erin Loechner, of the inspiring design for mankind.com!

tune in tomorrow to find out more about this superstar!

................

please read the RULES here.

remember, you can nominate yourself + another in EACH event! PLUS get bonus ballots for twittering, blogging + facebooking about the handmadeolympics! yay!

................

the amazing PRIZES
valued at OVER $2000.00 USD, the handmade olympics prize packs are just gosh-darn fantastical!

this EVENT will award the following prizes!

:: a GOLD prize pack
including $150.00 worth of handmade goodness:
a $50 gift certificate to michele maule's shop
a $50 gift certificate to papermode
a $50 gift certificate to themefragrance

+ an *i WON* the handmade olympics banner/button image to use on your site/blog/shop
+ an artist/crafter feature on the rikrak studio blog!

:: a SILVER prize pack with $100.00 worth of handmade goodness:
a $50 gift certificate to luttrell studio
a $50 gift certificate to artisan clay

:: a BRONZE prize pack
of one FREE month of March 2010 advertisting on the rikrak studio blog! yay!

and of course, there will be ONE overall random nomination selected from all handmade olympics to WIN the FAN PRIZE PACK (a $50.00 shopping spree in the rikrak shop!)

..............

now check out the other events + nominate more fun folks!


{ event 1 } :: our favourite handmade goodie with an innovative design
{ event 2 } :: our favourite handmade goodie for kids
{ event 3 } :: our favourite handmade eco friendly goodie
{ event 4 } :: our favourite handmade item that inspires lovelieness + wellness (in our homes, for ourselves, etc.)
{ event 5 } :: our favourite handmade personality/group forwarding kindness thru handmaking
{ event 6 } :: our favourite thrifty-forward, sustainable-minded blog, shop or site.
{ event 7 } :: our favourite FUN-FILLED handmade OR vintage goodie
{ event 8 } :: our favourite handmaking-focus blog

just click on the above links to enter each!

happy handmaking, nicies!

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the handmade olympics { event 4 }

yay!
please see the MAIN handmade olympics post for all of the fun-filled details & rules on the events!

now.. welcome to event 4: please leave a comment here nominating:
your favourite handmade item that inspires
loveliness & wellness!

for this event
think of beautiful handmade items for our homes, our selves, or our little worlds.
think of inspiring goodies that make us feel lovely & well & good.
think of an item that inspires you.

...............

thanks so much to our fabulous judge for this event, the talented + inspiring Vanessa, who among other delights, is Editor in Chief of Etsy's wonderful blog!

tune in tomorrow to find out more about this wonderwoman!

................

please read the RULES here.

remember, you can nominate yourself + another in EACH event! PLUS get bonus ballots for twittering, blogging + facebooking about the handmadeolympics! yay!

................

the amazing PRIZES
valued at OVER $2000.00 USD, the handmade olympics prize packs are just gosh-darn fantastical!

this EVENT will award the following prizes!

:: a GOLD prize pack
including $150.00 worth of handmade goodness:
a $50 gift certificate to crafterall
a $50 gift certificate to karuski
a $50 gift certificate to hazel & harlow

+ an *i WON* the handmade olympics banner/button image to use on your site/blog/shop
+ an artist/crafter feature on the rikrak studio blog!

:: a SILVER prize pack with $100.00 worth of handmade goodness:
a $50 gift certificate to the little red door
a $50 gift certificate to kalla studios

:: a BRONZE prize pack
of one FREE month of March 2010 advertisting on the rikrak studio blog! yay!

and of course, there will be ONE overall random nomination selected from all handmade olympics to WIN the FAN PRIZE PACK (a $50.00 shopping spree in the rikrak shop!)

..............

now check out the other events + nominate more fun folks!

{ event 1 } :: our favourite handmade goodie with an innovative design
{ event 2 } :: our favourite handmade goodie for kids
{ event 3 } :: our favourite handmade eco friendly goodie
{ event 4 } :: our favourite handmade item that inspires lovelieness + wellness (in our homes, for ourselves, etc.)
{ event 5 } :: our favourite handmade personality/group forwarding kindness thru handmaking
{ event 6 } :: our favourite thrifty-forward, sustainable-minded blog, shop or site.
{ event 7 } :: our favourite FUN-FILLED handmade OR vintage goodie
{ event 8 } :: our favourite handmaking-focus blog

just click on the above links to enter each!


happy handmaking, nicies!


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the handmade olympics {event 6 }

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

update! feb. 1, 2010
thanks so much to everyone who has entered!
what an amazing & talented bunch you are!
nominations are now CLOSED.
your nominations have been sent to the judges, and we look forward to the revealing of their short lists (on feb. 8th!) , after which everyone (that's YOU!) will have a chance to vote on who will WIN! yay!
thanks again,
k.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

yay!
please see the MAIN handmade olympics post for all of the fun-filled details & rules on the events!

now.. welcome to event 6: please leave a comment here nominating:
your favourite thrifty-forward, sustainably-minded blog,
shop or site!

for this event
think thrifty cyber places you love to visit.
think of sustainable shops + sites (handmade or vintage) that you LOVE.
think of blogs that inspire us all in thrifty, sustainable living!

...............

thanks so much to our wonderful judge for this event, the multi-talented Mary Andrews, whose wonderful work at Etsy.com and in her own beautiful jewelry design shop contrary, inspires us all in our sustainable living.

tune in tomorrow to find out more about this superstar!

................


please read the RULES here.

remember, you can nominate yourself + another in EACH event! PLUS get bonus ballots for twittering, blogging + facebooking about the handmadeolympics! yay!

................

the amazing PRIZES
valued at OVER $2000.00 USD, the handmade olympics prize packs are just gosh-darn fantastical!

this EVENT will award the following prizes!

:: a GOLD prize pack
including $150.00 worth of thrifty & sustainable goodness:
a $50 gift certificate to chakrapennywhistle
a $50 gift certificate to jadite kate
a $50 gift certificate to funkey monkey company

+ an *i WON* the handmade olympics banner/button image to use on your site/blog/shop
+ an artist/crafter feature on the rikrak studio blog!

:: a SILVER prize pack with $100.00 worth of goodness:
a $50 gift certificate to craftgasm
a $50 gift certificate to lucindas nice things

:: a BRONZE prize pack
of one FREE month of March 2010 advertisting on the rikrak studio blog! yay!

and of course, there will be ONE overall random nomination selected from all handmade olympics to WIN the FAN PRIZE PACK (a $50.00 shopping spree in the rikrak shop!)

..............

now check out the other events + nominate more fun folks!

{ event 1 } :: our favourite handmade goodie with an innovative design
{ event 2 } :: our favourite handmade goodie for kids
{ event 3 } :: our favourite handmade eco friendly goodie
{ event 4 } :: our favourite handmade item that inspires lovelieness + wellness (in our homes, for ourselves, etc.)
{ event 5 } :: our favourite handmade personality/group forwarding kindness thru handmaking
{ event 6 } :: our favourite thrifty-forward, sustainable-minded blog, shop or site.
{ event 7 } :: our favourite FUN-FILLED handmade OR vintage goodie
{ event 8 } :: our favourite handmaking-focus blog

just click on the above links to enter each!

happy handmaking, nicies!

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the handmade olympics {event 7 }

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

update! feb. 1, 2010
thanks so much to everyone who has entered!
what an amazing & talented bunch you are!
nominations are now CLOSED.
your nominations have been sent to the judges, and we look forward to the revealing of their short lists (on feb. 8th!) , after which everyone (that's YOU!) will have a chance to vote on who will WIN! yay!
thanks again,
k.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
yay!
please see the MAIN handmade olympics post for all of the fun-filled details & rules on the events!

now.. welcome to event 7: please leave a comment here nominating:
your favourite handmade or vintage item that's FUN!

for this event
think fun.
think interesting + happy + delightful!
think vintage or handmade that is just plain fun!

...............

thanks so much to our fabulous judge for this event, the superfun jena coray, editor of the fabulous modish + owner of the fun fun miss modish vintage shop!

tune in tomorrow to find out more about this fun nicey!

................

please read the RULES here.

remember, you can nominate yourself + another in EACH event! PLUS get bonus ballots for twittering, blogging + facebooking about the handmadeolympics! yay!

................

the amazing PRIZES
valued at OVER $2000.00 USD, the handmade olympics prize packs are just gosh-darn fantastical!

this EVENT will award the following prizes!

:: a GOLD prize pack
including $150.00 worth of fun-filled goodness:
a $50 gift certificate to june shin
a $50 gift certificate to rj charms
a $50 gift certificate to mousetrap vintage

+ an *i WON* the handmade olympics banner/button image to use on your site/blog/shop
+ an artist/crafter feature on the rikrak studio blog!

:: a SILVER prize pack with $100.00 worth of handmade goodness:
a $50 gift certificate to too aquarius
a $50 gift certificate to green violet vintage

:: a BRONZE prize pack
of one FREE month of March 2010 advertisting on the rikrak studio blog! yay!

and of course, there will be ONE overall random nomination selected from all handmade olympics to WIN the FAN PRIZE PACK (a $50.00 shopping spree in the rikrak shop!)

..............

now check out the other events + nominate more fun folks!


{ event 1 } :: our favourite handmade goodie with an innovative design
{ event 2 } :: our favourite handmade goodie for kids
{ event 3 } :: our favourite handmade eco friendly goodie
{ event 4 } :: our favourite handmade item that inspires lovelieness + wellness (in our homes, for ourselves, etc.)
{ event 5 } :: our favourite handmade personality/group forwarding kindness thru handmaking
{ event 6 } :: our favourite thrifty-forward, sustainable-minded blog, shop or site.
{ event 7 } :: our favourite FUN-FILLED handmade OR vintage goodie
{ event 8 } :: our favourite handmaking-focus blog

just click on the above links to enter each!


happy handmaking, nicies!




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trashion event & giveaway: on now!

yay nicies! great news!
the Etsy Trashion Team is having a Summer Sale and Giveaway!

... to promote Environmental Awareness!

for just one week... July 20 – 27

just visit the following Etsy shops (including mine, rikrak!)
to save on fine and funky upcycled goods...
and come win this fabulous prize pack!

http://www.remaker.etsy.com 20% off everything in shop

http://www.loneweever.etsy.com 15% off everything in shop

http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/ 15% off various items in shop

http://www.ecogeneration.etsy.com/ 10% off everything in shop

http://www.alexkeller.etsy.com/ 10% off everything in shop

http://www.auclairdelalune.etsy.com/ 15% off everything in shop

http://www.beachchicken.etsy.com/ 15% off everything in shop

http://www.bellavioletta.etsy.com/ doe doe birds with purchase

http://www.junck.etsy.com/ 10% off everything in shop

http://www.lostandfoundobjects2.etsy.com/ 20% off in shop

http://www.palmfrondartist.etsy.com/ 10% off everything in shop

http://www.foundthings.etsy.com/ 20% off in shop

http://www.eyepopart.etsy.com/ 20% off everything in shop

http://www.westernartglass.etsy.com/ 10% off leaf collection
http://www.candycalamity.etsy.com / little yummies magnet with purchase

...................................


& find other promotions and participating shops @

http://etsytrashion.etsy.com/

AND... there's a fabulous team giveaway on,too!

To enter the giveaway...

visit one of the participating shops,
then leave a comment about your fave trashion items on the
trashion blog post for the event on the trashion team blog!
you may make up to five entries.

Or…make purchases in participating shops to receive
additional chances for every $10 you spend!

The prize winner will be randomly selected on July 28th.

it's a great time to support fabulous eco-artists! the Trashion Team on Etsy is a group of artists that create art, jewelry, fashion and home accessories from materials that were leftover, discarded, or found! so wonderful & beautiful, isn't it!
happy discovering!

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team canada road trip: look what you can win!

happy monday, superstars! hope you had a great weekend!

have i ever got something superfun to tell you about! what a great monday this is going to be!

you know how i just adore a roadtrip!
love it!
well... one of my favourite handmade teams i'm so fortunate to be part of is the cross-Canada sensation, the TransCanada Etsy Team. for the next few days, we invite you to join us for our road trip celebration for Canada Day to learn a bit about our country, stop in and visit our amazing artisans, and take advantage of some great specials.

and what road trip would be complete without some souvenirs? and woowee... what amazing souvenirs they are!!! we've got two amazing prizes to giveaway to participating buyers!

PRIZE #1. a truly fabulous goodie bag (seen above & below) valued at over $350 US, featuring a wealth of handmade delights from across the country!



and then... Prize #2. a gorgeous t-shirt rug designed and woven by the amazing Pegg of Five Forty from repurposed t-shirts donated by team members from all across the country. isn't it gorgeous???

HOW TO WIN!
there are 20 amazing shops participating (including rikrak! :) ... for each $10 US you spend in any of these shops during the promotion, you'll get one e-ballot in the raffle for our two amazing prizes! (winners to be announced july 2nd). you can also get one ballot without purchase by writing a short essay describing your favourite Canadian thing (place, person, food, book, band, artist, etc). find out more here on our the team blog.

here are the participating shops!

house & home:
fiveforty.etsy.com
kootsac.etsy.com

jewelry & accessories:
Enthral.etsy.com
stringmealong.etsy.com
seaglassdesigns.etsy.com
designedbyrj.etsy.com
offthehooks.etsy.com

handbags & more:
iheartthatdance.etsy.com
laurabucci.etsy.com
rikrak.etsy.com (that's me!)
paisleybaby.etsy.com

cards & journals:
pixel8ed.etsy.com
MyHandboundBooks.etsy.com
piggytailsstationary.etsy.com
prairiepeasant.etsy.com

bath & body:
carvelcountrysoaps.etsy.com
bovinebubbles.etsy.com

clothes:
tangente.etsy.com
inkyspider.etsy.com
willowcatvintage.etsy.com

handmade supplies:
tooaquarius.etsy.com
claychicks.etsy.com
rjcharms.etsy.com

PLUS: by using the promo code "road trip" in your purchase message with any of these shops, you'll also get one extra bonus e-ballot, too! woohoo!

so... check out the team blog, or my rikrak top of shop for more details!

and tune in on the team blog each & every day for fabulous features on each of the amazing artists participating as we road trip our way across this fabulous nation!

& hey... folks worldwide are eligible to win! woohoo!
so happy roadtrippin', lovelies!

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