World Tour Meerkat Giveaway News!

Wow! Alchemy brought such a lovely haul home with her from her tour that I am going show you the prizes over several blog posts, and remind you of the adventures along the way. Of course, Alchemy didn't start the tour until after poor Treasure went missing, so it's only fair to start with Treasure's part of the story. Sadly all her souvenirs got lost too, of course, but her hosts have kindly supplied some replacements, as you will see.



For a super-duper interactive version of Alchemy's map, made by the lovely Tracy of Tyarkoni CLICK HERE

Niftyknits Meerkat Treasure left Kent, UK back in November 2009 with a press send-off and video coverage! see VIDEO interview

Her first host was CuteDesigns, where she partied with the plushies and picked up a travelling companion, a cute amigurumi acorn. The prize package will include details of where to buy your own little amigurumi friend.



Now Treasure began her overseas adventure, and soon arrived in Israel where Arosha brought out the masculine side of this little meerkat, sunbathing on the beach and helping with metalsmithing. Arosha has replaced the lost brooch with a 10% discount voucher for either Arosha or Sleeks.



Treasure liked Israel, so stayed a while longer. Her next visit was with Inbaliya where she celebrated Shabat and had acupuncture to help her travel sickness (yes, really. The meerkat had acupuncture. Follow the link to see the photos) Inbal made a little sleeping bag for Treasure, but has replaced it for the giveaway with a 10% discount voucher.



Next Treasure went to visit SpringColors in Jerusalem for a Happy Hanukah! Treasure took away a fabulous beaded pendant which has been replaced in our giveaway by a $30 voucher for Springcolors.



After leaving Israel Treasure headed North to Estonia to visit 5erg.



After leaving Estonia, disaster struck! Treasure was on her way next to Turkey, to stay with Meltem who had plans for many adventures. Sadly, we had to declare a Meerkat Emergency, because Treasure didn't arrive.

The meerkats looked everywhere...



and after a while, decided that it was best for Alchemy to bravely take the place of Treasure. Alchemy set off for the USA, to MyMothersGarden, and we all expected Treasure to turn up in Turkey one day and continue with the tour. Sadly, poor Treasure is *still* lost, so please keep an eye out if you're over that way.

5erg has also sent replacement gifts: a felted lady and a pair of earrings.



Meltem very kindly sent a prize even though she'd been missed out of the tour: a beautiful sterling silver high heeled shoe necklace and *5* 10% discount cards.



As you can see, this did cause a little confusion. Alchemy's mum (pictured) thought the necklace was a homecoming gift from Alchemy to her! We've explained to her that the souvenirs you've seen so far are just a FEW of the prizes for our giveaway that Alchemy will take with her to her new home.

There are many more prizes to show you, and many more reminders of the adventure before we get to the giveaway itself...so I'll see you tomorrow, I hope!

Arosha's ring has been named!

Voting is now over, thank to our lovely finalists and to the amazing two hundred and seventy five voters! There are extra bonuses in store, so read to the end!

In keeping with tradition, I shall announce the results in reverse order:

In third place, Moon Pebbles by Angie Larson with 33 votes,

In second place, Silver Waves by @FleurDemar with 67 votes,

And in first place, with an amazing 101 votes is VickiDiane with MoonaLuna.

Well done Vicki, a magnificent result! Arosha will be in touch to check your size so that he can make you the very first ring to bear the MoonaLuna name!

For everyone else Arosha has a real treat: there's a 15% discount on this ring for anyone mentioning "moonaluna" at check-out, and 10% discount on the whole shop right up until Feb 6 (so just in time for Valentines Day) Don’t forget – you need to mention "MoonaLuna" at check-out to get your discount.

Thanks for stopping by, I don’t think my blog has ever been so busy!
The next giveaway starts in Sunday's blog (31st) for a Valentine Meerkat, so please stop by tomorrow.

VOTE VOTE VOTE for Arosha's ring!

I'm proud to hand my blog over for the next few days to Arosha, silversmith extraordinaire, who is offering you the chance to name this gorgeous
sterling silver ring:



Arosha says:
"I asked you to send suggestions (via twitter and FaceBook) for a new name for this sterling silver ring:



There have been so many creative and inspiring answers that I couldn't make up my mind on just one - such a hard choice!

So please help me determine which is the best name for it by choosing your preferred one, remember that the person who suggested the name that receives most votes will win the ring - custom made to her size!

Arosha has narrowed the choice down to his top eight favorites. Which is your favorite? Remember, you can choose only one name - and the creator of that name will win the ring.

Voting will CLOSE at 8pm UK time (3pm Etsy time I think) Saturday and the winner will be announced here, but you can keep checking back to see how the votes are going. See Voter on the right>>>

Have you signed to Arosha's mailing list yet?

Please leave a comment to let us know you've voted - Arosha might want to say thank you xx
**************VOTING CLOSED************

World Tour Meerkat meets Arosha!

Little Treasure in his journey to manhood

Time has come for little Treasure to leave his home-land, his safe haven under mom's guidance and support, and start his journey of self-exploration and growth on his way to become a self-assured and independent man.

And what better place to start than in Arosha's studio and home on the beautiful Carmel mountain in Haifa, Israel?

The guys introduced each other, and Treasure immediately adapted to the warm November sun, and together with Arosha spent his first afternoon lazing around, tanning and watching the view – While Arosha is gazing at the beach, little Treasure is trying to figure out what is going on



Things became even more intimate as Treasure wanted to get a better view of the passer-bys… (should we mention the girls in bikinis?)



After a Falafel lunch break (Treasure found the balls to be a little too big for his size, and didn't care much for all the tahini that kept dripping), they went on to the main purpose of the visit - which was to teach Treasure a craft that he could develop into a profession.

Arosha was trying to explain his metal-working techniques:



But Treasure lost his patience too soon, and started playing around with AroshaTwists plastic cuff bracelets:




After an evening at the pub (pictures have been censored due to the misbehavior of both guys after their third beer), Arosha and Treasure bid farewell, and promised to meet again in a few years.

With much sadness, Treasure packed his stuff (which now includes an acorn from his previous visit and a plastic black and gold brooch which Arosha has given him with love), and left for his next visit on his world tour.



We'll miss you, little guy! Arrivederci!

I'm sure that's whetted your appetite for Arosha's work:
Arosha.etsy.com
AroshaTwists.etsy.com
Sleeks.etsy.com
Arosha on twitter
and his spanking new Facebook fanpage

and of course, last but not least, the world tour facebook page.