The Happily Handmade Giveaway: Promoting Independent Business with Thousands of Dollars in Prizes

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The Happily Handmade Giveaway: Promoting Independent Business with Thousands of Dollars in Prizes

In today’s tough economic climate, no one can turn down the prospect of winning fantastic free merchandise. Combine that with the desire to support independent business and cherish the quality of something handmade rather than mass produced, and you have the Happily Handmade Giveaway. The Happily Handmade Giveaway brings together a wide variety of indie artists, designers and small business owners who contribute their handmade creations to the contest. Donated items are combined to create twenty-five fabulous prize boxes filled with handmade gifts, valued between $300 and $380 each, which will be given away to randomly drawn contestants.

The Happily Handmade Giveaway is pleased to announce that the 2009 giveaway has begun. Entries will be accepted through May 13th, and the winners of the twenty-five extraordinary gift boxes will be announced on May 18th. Contestants can enter the giveaway by visiting any of the participating sponsors’ websites; each website will feature a separate entry form. Multiple entries are encouraged, allowing entrants to increase their chances of winning by simply visiting more of the Indie Shop Sponsors.

“The event has become a cornerstone of the independent design community,” says Nicole Theis-DeMoss, one of the founders of the giveaway, “This event has marvelous results for everyone involved – the entrants get a chance to win amazing prizes while the sponsors benefit from increased traffic, publicity, brand awareness, and additional sales.”

The success of the Happily Handmade Giveaway is built on its successful, twofold mission. First, to provide small businesses with an affordable promotional opportunity, allowing them to reach new customers and build quality mailing lists. Additionally, the giveaway aims to reward shoppers for their continued support of indie business–for making the conscious decision to purchase from an independent crafter and not a big box retailer.

“I love everything in my gift box,” says Lorinda, one of the lucky winners of the previous event. “I have emailed all my friends and relations and demanded they shop indie. Thanks for the delight that you have brought me! I am now the coolest, indiest chick in my city, and I’m proud to say it’s because of Happily Handmade.”

When asked why they run this giveaway, the founders will give you a smile and point out the track record for both shoppers and designers. “It’s summed up best in an email we got from one of our winners,” reports giveaway organizer and designer Lindsay Landis, “The winner thanked us for hosting the contest, then went on to tell us that she had not been familiar with any of the companies that took part in the contest until she entered. She also told us that she had already purchased additional items from the businesses involved and had created a wish list of other items to buy. Knowing that we are helping these small businesses reach their target market is an amazing feeling. It only gets better when you see how happy everyone is to learn about them!”

While it may be the opportunity to enter the contest that leads consumers to visit a website, traffic to Sponsors’ sites will discover so much more. Indie artisans offer something that big box retailers cannot: quality, one-of-a-kind craftsmanship paired with creative ideas and unique personality. The allure of winning is a powerful tool, driving contestants to each Sponsor’s website, but once there, a new world of goods unfolds before them.

The Happily Handmade Giveaway (http://www.happilyhandmade.com) was founded in 2004 by Nicole Theis-DeMoss, owner of Funky Utopia (http://www.ShopFunkyUtopia.com), an online retail outlet for independent designer goods. In 2005, Lindsay Landis of Purr Design (http://www.PurrDesign.com) partnered with Nicole Theis-DeMoss to take the project to the next level. Today, The Happily Handmade Giveaway awards thousands of dollars worth of prizes to winners around the world. The 2009 Giveaway will officially open for entries beginning April 1st and run through May 13th, with winners announced on May 18th. Sponsors can sign up to participate in the event through March 20th.

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For more information on The Happily Handmade Giveaway visit the website at http://www.happilyhandmade.com or contact the giveaway organizers at info@happilyhandmade.com.

Images for Media Use:

Prize Preview Image (thumbnail above) – Download
Logo on White – Download
Ad/Promo Banners – View
Actual Prize Box Images – View