I tip my hat to the colorful arrangement GIVEAWAY!

Happy February friends!  We celebrate so many things in this wonderful wintertime month: Ground Hog Day, Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, Mardi Gras & Ash Wednesday, Black History, and this year… Leap Day!  I wanted to express something that is heavy on my heart and, after much tinkering, has become the focus of my little shop.  I believe deep in my soul that the toys children play with and even the ones that they only see around them have a big impact on their development.  I have a three-year-old (girl) and a one-year-old (boy), and I can see in my daughter the impact that marketing is having on her.  The presentation of toys and fads, the bombardment of STUFF!  I am constantly trying to pare down the volume of toys present in our house and increase their quality (in the way they are manufactured and in the educational/developmental aspects).

made to look like her

I believe it is incredibly important to allow children to use their imagination by giving them simple, few, and quality toys.  I also believe, and have seen in my daughter, that dolls specifically are very important to developing social skills and using imagination.  Also, as she is becoming more self-aware she is recognizing what dolls look like her and enjoys those even more.  I don’t know about all the psychology that goes into that, but you just KNOW that it is important.  You can just tell that it is important for every child to see themselves reflected back at them, to have solidarity that helps produce a healthy identity. 

I want the truth about the world we live in to be present in my miniature version, in my shop.  It is obvious by our loving Father’s creation that he adores diversity.  He made all people beautifully and perfectly and I rejoice that we are able to see his creativity in the different colors of our skin. 

So, not only do I believe that all children should be able to own a doll that looks like they themselves look, but also I believe it is important for children to see dolls of different colors lined up next to each other in brotherhood.

The conclusion and purpose of my semi-rant and expression of my purpose in my shop is to announce three special offers only for the month of February that has been set aside in our country to celebrate the history of African Americans,

   1)   giveaway of one custom Classic doll: choose any of my 5 skin tones, numerous hair colors and innumerable hues and blends for eye color. 

   2)   30% off custom and in-stock dollies and play sets that possess skin tones in lovely latte, caramel, or chocolate.  These skin tones are perfect for many different ethnic backgrounds including people (like me) who have a Heinz 57 mix going on.

   3)   1:1... buy one, give one.  I am VERY excited about this part that was placed on my heart by our loving Creator!  For every doll (custom and in-stock both, even with the % discount) I will create and donate a classic doll in chocolate skin-tone to a wonderful organization based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo called Mwangaza International.  Check out the link for specific information including unbelievable stores and testimonies, but here is a basic run-down:   

    Their primary goal is to establish healing centers to minister to those effected by the wars in Congo. These centers are properties where women and children are taken in and put into families - not into a system. Those still young enough attend school and funds are established to make post-secondary studies   available. Adults are encouraged to learn a trade that they can use to reestablish

 themselves in the society  All who take part in the healing centers are given physical and psychological treatment through clinics and spiritual counseling.  The value of this holistic approach for Congo will be seen when it no longer has millions displaced and struggling to stay alive but instead has lost generations working together to rebuild the society.

Even before that, though, the value of the healing centers will be seen when one orphan hears the word “love” where he once heard “kill.” It will be seen when one abandoned woman receives a new family that will never abandon her.

SO, help me to give!  This is going to be an incredible undertaking and I want to make it as successful as possible.  Spread the word, spread the cuddles, spread the love of Christ to every child.  Get a better toy for your child and give the same gift to a precious child of God in the Congo.

Revelation 7: 9,10 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

                                            HALLELUJAH & MARANATHA!

Giveaway rules and conditions:

To enter (complete both):

 o   “like” my Facebook page

 o   visit my Etsy shop and on the Facebook giveaway post (dated February 1) tell me which product from my shop is your favorite and why (this will be where I choose a winner from)

For 1 additional entry each, you should probably go ahead and do all of them to spread the word sufficiently (leave one Facebook comment per entry completed please so I can be sure they all count, make sure you also make note of those you had previously completed)

o   “share” the Facebook giveaway post on your own page

o   “follow” me on Twitter

     o    Tweet the following: RT @beMarybyHand is hosting a custom Classic Doll giveaway!          Visit for a chance to win http://bemarybyhand.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-tip-my-hat-to-colorful-arrangement.html

     o   “follow” my blog http://bemarybyhand.blogspot.com/

     o   blog about my giveaway and post the url in your comment

     o   subscribe to my newsletter

Shipping is included in the giveaway for the contiguous United States.  Those outside of this area still may enter and I will send you an invoice for shipping costs.  Thank you for helping me spread the word!