Holland Bowl Review and Giveaway

Holland Bowl Mill

~giveaway closed~
I'll be back tomorrow with
two winners compliments of
Random.org. Good Luck!~

One of my favorite things to do is to go "antiquing", browsing antique shops for hours on end. Visiting antique shops is similar to going to an art museum for the day, each piece has a story to tell and if you look and listen closely, you can hear them speak to you of their past.

When I go to antique shops, I am immediately drawn to any rustic wooden objects I see; old cabinets, boxes, frames, decoys or bowls. It seems the more the wood has aged the more character it has, like a great grandfather with stories to tell.

When I find a wooden object, I cannot resist holding it in my hands, running my fingers over the smoothness of the cold sturdy aged wood. I wonder whose hands made this , whose hands used this and why did it end up here on a shelf? For a wooden bowl, frame or box to last over fifty years is certainly a testament to the quality of craftsmanship and the grade of wood. Holland Bowl Mill produces bowls that will last long enough to possibly end up in one of those antique shops. What's more, Holland Bowls offers a lifetime guarantee against warping and cracking. We don't see the words "lifetime guarantee" too often , do we? Sure, we can buy imported wooden bowls at discount stores but if you're interested in quality and longevity, you're interested in Holland Bowl Mill.

The company began in 1925 in Holland, Michigan and is still owned and operated by relatives of founder Chester Van Tongeren today. Bowls are made the same way today at Holland Bowl Mill using the same method as was done over a hundred and fifty years ago. American made using American hardwoods like beech, maple, cherry and walnut, Holland Bowls are sure to be passed on generation to generation. What a lovely gift to pass on to our children; mom's salad bowl that always graced the dining room table on holidays or the faithful fruitbowl always on the kitchen table.

When I was given the opportunity to test and review a bowl from the Holland Bowl Mill in Holland, MI, I was curious about just how my bowl was made. I think you'll find that interesting also and if you visit the Holland Bowl Mill site, you can watch a short video that explains the process. I had no idea what "turning" a bowl meant nor had I any idea that a bowl needed to dry for thirty days , sanded and treated. It truly is an art form and I'm grateful to have become a bit more knowledgeable about the process. Holland Bowl Mill has been featured several times on the Discovery Channels "How It's Made" series and continues to air periodically. I'm sure going to check for times and catch this show!

At Holland Bowls, you'll find the wooden bowls I spoke of in different woods and numerous sizes. You'll find bowl sets, salad bowls, chopping bowls, wooden utensils and more. I have put on my Christmas list one of the Salad Bowl Stands shown here. I don't care how large my dining room table is, there's never enough room for all the food; is there?

The chopping bowl you see above comes with the Mezzaluna Knife and what a simple yet coveted item it is. Making my job one hundred times easier and a thousand times more enjoyable, I was looking for things to chop! No messy counter, no gathering of all the diced onions to put into another bowl; it's all there right in the chopping bowl. At only $38.50, you can have this chopping bowl and knife for about $30 with a special discount.

Reasonably priced wooden bowls and more are available at Holland Bowl Mill through January 15th at an incredible 20% off. When you order from Holland Bowl Mill, simply enter the code bowl20 and make a notation in the comment box, "FRACTURED TOY".

Now is the time to order for your holiday gift giving. This year, give a gift that really will last! I've made up my list and Holland Bowls is right up there at the top of the list. This is sure to be a much loved and appreciated gift to virtually anyone (okay maybe not kids!) on your list.
What lasting gift will you choose? I'll choose that Salad Bowl Set, thank you!

If you would like a chance to experience what a real bowl is and should be, Holland Bowl Mills would like to show you that.
There will be two winners in this giveaway. First number drawn will receive a 12 inch chopping bowl with Mezzaluna knife. The second number drawn will receive a 9 inch chopping bowl with Mezzaluna knife. Both of these are absolutely gorgeous and I can pretty much guarantee that once you try these, you will be back for more.

Here's the rules:

US Shipping and Entry only.
Giveaway ends on Dec.10th, 2008 at 11 PM EST
Winners will be drawn using Random.org . I will email winners and post here on Fractured Toy also. If you have left no email, your comment will be deleted. If you want to win, we have to be able to contact you! If a winner does not respond within 72 hrs , a new winner will be drawn based upon genuine sincere comment.
Your entry methods:
1) For your first entry, visit Holland Bowl Mill and read a bit. I would love for us all to learn something about "turning" bowls and the ever dwindling art form of making bowls. Tell us in your first comment one interesting fact you learned while at the site.

2) For another entry, leave us a comment simply telling us what Holland Bowl item you would like to give as a gift and to whom. Please leave precise name of item when entering with this method.

3) For an additional entry, bloggers blog the giveaway linking to Fractured Toy and Holland Bowl Mill. Leave your direct link in additional comment please.

4) You may choose to Twitter about this giveaway for an additional entry, leaving Twitter name in additional comment please.

5) Place an order from Holland Bowl Mill and get five extra entries! Email me (in profile) with info after commenting and I will confirm purchase with Holland Bowl.

Good Luck and let's be gracious guests of our sponsor, Holland Bowl Mill.
I very much enjoy being your hostess!

~this little sticky post stays here until giveaway end~