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Nature Manipulated (NM) creates visual, wearable and practical art that reflects upon nature and all of its elements. At NM, we believe that everything is a part of nature, some things are just "nature manipulated."

NM specializes in one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry, handmade greeting cards, nature photography and other unique accessories.

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Monday, April 19, 2010

Weekly Feature and Giveaway: MysticKnotwork - Two Winners, Two Prizes Each! {Closed}

This week's giveaway is from MysticKnotwork


Matt and Jill Beaudoin of MysticKnotwork have been knot working together for over 15 years, a tradition in the Beaudoin family for well over 50 years.

The art of knotwork (or marlinespike seamanship) is a field of decorative work with a tradition that dates back to the invention of cord. The braided bracelets Matt and Jill make are one continuous piece of cord approximately 3 yards long. Through a series of bends and tucks, a woven pattern is created that resembles a traditional hair braid. Unlike macramé, these are a single knot made with one piece of cord. To make a traditional sailor knot bracelet, the only tools needed to tie the knot are bare hands. When making complex knots, using a packing needle or icepick helps feed the cord through the progressively tightening weave.

Matt's grandfather learned how to do knot work from retired officers while he was working as a bosun’s mate in the Merchant Marine. He later went to school for this art at the Seaman’s Institute in New York City. Matt's father and uncle carried the tradition forward, and Matt was taught to tie the basic sailor bracelet before he was able to ride a bike. He's now been tying these knots for over 30 years, and has made well over 100,000 of them just as a kid. Matt's grandfather would pay him for each one he made as a way to earn allowance. People ask if Matt enjoys tying sailor bracelets, and his response is, ‘do you enjoy your heartbeat?’ Tying sailor bracelets are so much a part of Matt's life that its hard to find him without one close by.

In 1987, Matt made over 50 decorative rope mats for a condo development on Long Island. It was the first time he worked directly for a customer. Through the years, he has owned a fabric store, worked in a Fortune 500, but all the time, the feel of cord in hand has kept him grounded - the definite tie to the history of his family, as well as the connection to the sea. Every time Matt picks up cord, he is reminded of his grandfather. He cherishes the memories of staying at his grandfather's house, learning fancy knotwork and macramé.

When Matt met his wife, Jill, she was into beading and sewing. Jill quickly gained a love for the knotwork and her artistic touch has added to my family's tradition. Now, Matt and Jill also make macramé, a series of simple knotwork creating a complex pattern, those are made by hitching square knots and similar knots around a core of either cotton or satin.

Matt and Jill take quality very seriously. They buy their raw materials from U.S. companies and do their best to source items locally while buying in super-wholesale quantities. They try hard to minimize their carbon footprint in everything they do.

Matt and Jill work with non-profit organizations to provide their bracelets for fundraisers. Over 70% of funds raised through our bracelets stay with the charity that buys them. (Did you know that only 15-30% of money from school fundraising stays with the schools?)

For more information on MysticKnots and to keep up to date on Matt and Jill's work, visit their website at www.mysticknotwork.com. Matt and Jill can also be found on Etsy, facebook and flickr.

While you are looking around MysticKnotwork, take advantage of Matt and Jill's special offer - 15% off every item (in their Artfire shop) with coupon code NMBlog. This special offer will run through May 21, 2010.

This week, two lucky winners will receive either two sailor bracelets of their choice or a single matching sailor bracelet set from MysticKnotwork on Artifre.







For a chance to win this week's giveaway:

Mandatory: Visit MysticKnot, come back to this blog post (not facebook) and post your favorite item and email address in the comments section of this post.

Additional chances to win (leave a separate comment with your email address for each entry):

1) Tweet the giveaway and post a link to your tweet in the comments below - 1 extra entry (once daily)

You may tweet the following: Win 2 #handmade sailor knotwork bracelets or a set from MysticKNot @ http://bit.ly/5yrO5o ~ 2 WINNERS. @NMGiveaway #Artfire #etsy #giveaway

2) Blog about the giveaway and post a link to your blog post in the comments below - 1 extra entry

3) Add one of my ad buttons (left hand sidebar) to your blog or website and post a link to your site in the comments - 1 extra entry

4) Join Nature Manipulated's mailing list (by doing this you agree to receive a monthly newsletter from NM)- 1 extra entry

5) Follow my blog publicly via Friend Connect - 1 extra entry

6) Purchase an item from the featured shop and post a link to the item you purchased (transaction link) - 5 extra entries

ENTRIES WITHOUT CONTACT INFORMATION WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY. (Email address, Etsy username and Artfire username accepted. If your Blogger profile links to your email or shop, that is acceptable too. Leave contact info for each entry. Tip: When leaving your email do not use the @ and . symbols, instead spell out AT and DOT.)

Entries for this giveaway will be accepted through Sunday, April 25, 2010, 11:59pm Eastern Time. I will notify the winner via email and the winner will have 48 hours to respond before I choose a new winner.

This giveaway is open to contestants worldwide.

Thanks for participating in this week's giveaway. Be sure to stop by every Monday for another great giveaway.

Read Nature Manipulated's giveaway disclaimer.

136 comments:

angelina said...

purple wide sailor is awesome =)

The Domestic Intellectual said...

These are great! I like them all, but the keychains are practical and fun.

rebecca
artcloth AT hotmail DOT com

Jennifer said...

I like the Blue Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet medium jk.gorcery@gmail.com

Jennifer said...

I joined your mailing list jk.gorcery@gmail.com

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect jk.gorcery@gmail.com

windycindy said...

I love her work! A favorite of mine
is the "Tie Dye Sailor Knot Surfer Beach Bracelet!"
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

"Tweet!"
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/12488682659.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I am an email newsletter subscriber
to you blog!
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

Also, I follow your blog publicly
via Google Friend Connect.
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jennifer said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/jkgorcery/status/12492319673 jk.gorcery@gmail.com

Damla said...

I like the Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet Set - charcoal/white medium: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1083778

annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

Damla said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/sweepstakelover/status/12511268586

annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

Damla said...

Blogged: http://sweepstakelover.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-mysticknotwork.html

annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

Damla said...

Email subscriber.

annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

Clare Tea said...

Oh! oh! I love his bracelets! Especially the Outlined Whale Tail Sailor Knot Bracelet !

le.paradis.found at gmail dot com

natwhat said...

OMG! My favorite is the sailor knot surfer... My girlfriend has a boat and this would be the perfect gift for her... :)

Ashley said...

I love the White Surfer Beach Macrame Anklet.

hewella1@gmail.com

natwhat said...

Tweet Tweet!

http://twitter.com/natwhat/status/12523080403

natwhat said...

Following your blog!

Julia said...

I love the look of the Wide Knotted Bracelet red and black medium, and apparently it will attract comic geeks, which is perfect considering my boyfriend is one.

sugareaterATgmailDOTcom

Cassie said...

I love the Blue Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet!

cassie@wrencommunication.com

Katie said...

the Reggae Sailor Knot Beach Bracelet is my FAV! it would perfectly match a knitted bikini that i own :)

kshuttle@uoguelph.ca

Unknown said...

blog follower!

thanks for the opportunity!

meredith dot targarona at gmail dot com

fisiwoman said...

Enter me please! I love this: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1083778

Ana Belén R.M
fisiwoman@hotmail.com
Spain

Unknown said...

loving the large Hot Pink Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet!

thanks for the opportunity!

meredith dot targarona at gmail dot com

fisiwoman said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/12535797517

fisiwoman@hotmail.com

fisiwoman said...

I'm already a follower via google

fisiwoman@hotmail.com

sandyandcosmo said...

I love the lime beach bracelet!

sandyandcosmo said...

Joined the mailing list.

Suburban prep said...

I think that all their stuff is fabulous but the one that caught my eye was Navy Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

Brown Surfer Beach Macrame Anklet
daunfamily@yahoo.com

Evyys said...

I like the Wide Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet - red/pink and the Hot Pink Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet large the best! great work!

evyygirl@gmail.com

Lauren Marsh said...

I think that Green Monkeys Fist Clip is cool!

laurensilviaATyahooDOTcom

Nupur said...

I love the Sailor Knot Monkeys Fist Adjustable Necklace- very unusual!

nupur.kittur AT gmail DOT com

Clare Tea said...

i follow this blog through google connect.

email in profile.

Clare Tea said...

button added.

http://ateacupofwhimsy.blogspot.com

Clare Tea said...

blog post http://ateacupofwhimsy.blogspot.com/2010/04/mystic-knotwork-give-away.html

Anonymous said...

Hi! I like the blue outline bracelet. Very pretty! :)

Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

Domestic Diva said...

I like the Nautical Turks Head Coasters. Great stuff!

Clare Tea said...

i'm subscribed to the mailing list through this email.

Carapace said...

Oooh- I like the Green Outline and Wide Green Sailor's Knot bracelets, and think they'd look great together! The rustic, solid look of these bracelets is wonderfully appealing.

carapacenator(at)gmail.com

Carapace said...

And I follow this blog!

carapacenator(at)gmail.com

elaine said...

I like the Gold Outline Sailor Bracelet-I really like all of the sailor bracelet patterns,so unique!

Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

sandovalita said...

Ummmmmm! Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet Set! =]
dyupp@hotmail.com

sandovalita said...

and I follow you'r blog! =]
dyupp@hotmail.com

EmilyB said...

I love the Yellow Outline Sailor Bracelet!

luv.me.some.blog[at]gmail[dot]com

EmilyB said...

I'm a follower!

luv.me.some.blog[at]gmail[dot]com

EmilyB said...

I subscribe to their mailing list!

luv.me.some.blog[at]gmail[dot]com

Sarah Siwicki said...

I love the double wide Turks Head bracelets.
monkeychild92 at gmail dot com

Sarah Siwicki said...

Tweeted
http://twitter.com/candidreviewer/statuses/12555442623
monkeychild92 at gmail dot com

Sarah Siwicki said...

I'm a blog follower
monkeychild92 at gmail dot com

va said...

I like the blue nautical key chain because it is cute and would be great with any keys .

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1083793

tumblemumbo at gmail dot com

va said...

5. I follow your blog publicly through google friend connect .

tumblemumbo at gmail dot com

va said...

4. I have joined the mailing list .

thank you

Sharon said...

Love the plain white rope Sailor Knot bracelet!

Sidewalk Chic said...

Thanks for hosting this giveaway. I really like the two White Sailor Knot Surfer Beach Bracelets -- so nautical and perfect for summer :)

crystal said...

I think that the Whale Tail Necklaces and Bracelets are nice:)
cyclona66(at) aol dot com

Anonymous said...

My favorite is the Beaded Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet - turquoise/medium.
ghainskom at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog
ghainskom at yahoo dot com

Firecracker Kid said...

Wide Knotted Bracelet red and black medium I like for my daughter. She loves these types of wrist wear. I like the featured bracelets myself. Please include me for a chance to win these gorgeous bracelets.
moonbatty at hotmail dot com

Chani said...

I love the plain white bracelets. I'm so into nautical at the moment!

Aik said...

I love the Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet Set - charcoal/white medium.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/12568195882

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I have your button.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I'm a follower.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Mosquito Head Madchen said...

I lovelovelove http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1083770 this onve with the black outline.. it is super nice!


jorx_4291@hotmail.com (Georgina)

Mosquito Head Madchen said...

And I follow you :)


jorx_4291@hotmail.com

bianca_riot said...

I have to say i love the [Turquoise Surfer Beach Macrame Anklet] i also do love the
[Turquoise Stripe Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet large]

bianca.riot.08(@)hotmail.com

bianca_riot said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/bianca_riot/statuses/12575264459

bianca.riot.08(@)hotmail.com

bianca_riot said...

I joined the mailing list-


bianca.riot.08(@)hotmail.com

bianca_riot said...

I am a Follower- bianca_riot

bianca.riot.08(@)hotmail.com

bianca_riot said...

sorry, my email is

bianca.riot.08 AT hotmail DOT com

sorry!

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I love the Blue Outline and the Orange Outline bracelets!

Anonymous said...

Black Outline Sailor Knot Surfer Beach Bracelet medium

jynger9689@hotmail.com

julieb said...

love the purple wide sailor braelte
julieb82@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like the Blue Nautical Monkey's Fist Keychain. Thanks for the chance to win!

--Liza

ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com

Kat Fisher said...

Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet Set is my fave. In black and white.

katrinawins1@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

I like them all! I guess I will say the Wide Turks Head Sailor Bracelet

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Emily said...

I really like the Carbon Copy Bracelet Set charcoal and white Large. So pretty emilyveale77@gmail.com

fisiwoman said...

Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/12599978288

fisiwoman@hotmail.com

buddyCO said...

My favorite is the Sailor Knot Monkeys Fist Adjustable Necklace.

rubyandbuddy at yahoo dot com

buddyCO said...

Tweeted giveaway:

http://twitter.com/buddyCO/status/12612372399

buddyCO said...

Following on GFC (Buddy from twitter)

rubyandbuddy at yahoo dot com

buddyCO said...

Subscribed to mailing list.

rubyandbuddy at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I like the Pink Outline Sailor bracelet

SamneneD@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I like the Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet Set tan white medium
angela_jeon at yahoo dot com

Victoria said...

Enter me! I love http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1134427

coloressinmezclar@hotmail.com

Victoria said...

Tweeted http://twitter.com/invictoria/status/12623932663

coloressinmezclar@hotmail.com

Victoria said...

I follow you via GFC

coloressinmezclar@hotmail.com

Victoria said...

I'm a subscriber by email

coloressinmezclar@hotmail.com

fisiwoman said...

Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/12638420781

fisiwoman@hotmail.com

{eleise} said...

ooo I love the 2 sailor knot white bracelets! AMAZING!

I tweeted here @oneartsymama

And I'm a new follower! =)

galactictides said...

I adore the Red Turk's Head Sailor Bracelet.

toksweah at gmail dot com

409cope said...

I like the Whale Tail Macrame Beach Necklace the most.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I subscribe to the mailing list.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

fisiwoman said...

Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/12716184646

fisiwoman@hotmail.com

Amy J said...

I like the Navy and White Nautical Sailor Knot Bracelet Set medium!

Amy@
sdamarshall@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I really like this design. If this were made into a keychain or a bracelet with these colored beads, that would be really nice.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1083828

Thank you for a wonderful giveaway.

Lisa
lcg842 AT comcast DOT net

Anonymous said...

I posted link to giveaway on my Facebook profile:

http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnaturemanipulated.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fweekly-feature-and-giveaway.html%3Fspref%3Dfb&t=Weekly+Feature+and+Giveaway%3A+MysticKnotwork+-+Two+...

Thanks,

Lisa
lcg842 AT comcast DOT net

Kylie Carlson said...

I like all of the color outlined bracelets but my favorite is the black and white turks head bracelet set. kcarlson1152[at]hotmail[dot]com

Elena Rudaya said...

Yellow Stripe Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet small is my fave item!

queen-of-pain at yandex dot com

Elena Rudaya said...

follow you via GFC

queen-of-pain at yandex dot com

Elena Rudaya said...

Joined Nature Manipulated's mailing list

queen-of-pain at yandex dot com

CuddlesAndCamo said...

I ADORE the Orange/White and the White/Tan

brinkels@live.com

CuddlesAndCamo said...

I follow your blog.

brinkels@live.com

Clare Tea said...

april 23 tweet http://twitter.com/icitea/status/12749484024

AmbreRose said...

I really like the TWO Sailor Knot Surfer Beach Bracelets. Those are so cute. I really like the white so that I can wear them with any outfit. ambrerose(!at)aol.com

Victoria said...

4/23 Daily tweet http://twitter.com/invictoria/status/12724743959

coloressinmezclar@hotmail.com

Nikki S. said...

I love the Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet Set - charcoal/white medium, or for two different ones, I love the Pink Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet medium and the Black Outline Sailor Knot Surfer Beach Bracelet medium.

Nicoli412(at)hotmail(dot)com

fisiwoman said...

Daily tweet 24/4: http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/12761980188

fisiwoman@hotmail.com

Lyudmila said...

I pick the White and Tan Sailor Knot Surfer Beach Bracelet medium

lusizova(at)gmail.com

Clare Tea said...

uh oh, so many entries...

april 24 tweet http://twitter.com/icitea/status/12786348043

lin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
lin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Clare Tea said...

april 24 tweet http://twitter.com/icitea/status/12801620407

getpalmd said...

Blue Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet & Red Stripe Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet.. love the combo of red and blue, so those two would be my choice if I won :-)

sara@getpalmd.com

megan marie said...

My favorite is the turk's head sailor knot bracelet. simp2553@gmail.com

megan marie said...

tweeted! http://twitter.com/anaissin

simp2553@gmail.com

megan marie said...

http://anaissin.blogspot.com/2010/04/nature-manipulated.html

blogged!

simp2553@gmail.com

megan marie said...

grabbed your button!

http://anaissin.blogspot.com/2010/04/nature-manipulated-button.html

simp2553@gmail.com

megan marie said...

subscribed to email list! :)

simp2552@gmail.com

megan marie said...

Following through friend connect!

simp2553@gmail.com

fisiwoman said...

Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/12827468366

fisiwoman@hotmail.com

Ria said...

My fav one is the Black Outline Sailor Knot Bracelet medium

Ria
freeeedz(at)yahoo.com

Ria said...

I subscribed to the email list
Ria
freeeedz(At)yahoo.com

Ria said...

And I follow via google
Ria
freeeedz(at)yahoo.com

CyTo said...

I really like the "Hot Pink Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet medium!"

CyTo said...

Tweeted!

http://twitter.com/cmumpy/status/12838712528

CyTo said...

I subscribed to your mailing list!

Andrea Wagner said...

Hi,
I am following your blog publicly.

Love your giveaways.

AndreaDesignsdotartfiredotcom

Heather! said...

Wow, the Seashell Macrame necklace is beautiful!! Think that's my favorite.

Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! said...

I follow this blog via Google Friend connect!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

lyptis said...

Wow, those are so cool!
I like the 'Turks Head Sailor Knot Bracelet Set' best, cool colours.
Such a great technique.

Study Abroad Delhi said...

I think that all their stuff is fabulous but the one that caught my eye was Navy Outline Sailor Knot Rope Bracelet.

Patent commercialization said...

Blue Outline Sailor man Troubles Line Bracelets & Red Red stripe Turks Head Sailor man Troubles Bracelets. Love the combination of red and red, so those two would be my choice if I won.

Intellectual Property Support Service said...

Pitch Scientific is leading for Patent Research Companies in Chandigarh. We are an expert and trusted name in the Intellectual Property Support Service industry for patent prior art search, this search involves the determination of potentially infringing products that read upon a patent. Our services expand across the entire intellectual property life cycle.

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