Oooooooh! So exciting…our very first giveaway here at The Happy Hoop…featuring the one and only, Hoop Pretty! Isn’t this shirt adorable? It has a great flowy script font that says “Hoop Dance Freak Flow”…it’s super soft, printed with eco-inks and I LOVE it! And now it can be yours! As a little bonus, we’ll have a second giveaway for this adorable “Hoop Dance Love” sticker. Oh how I love stickers.
So what is Hoop Pretty?
Hoop Pretty is a sister design team with backgrounds in fashion, surface design + flow arts. Being hoopsters themselves, they wanted to create designs that reflect the fun, freedom + attitude of hoop dance! They aim for 100% natural fibers so their clothing is also great for fire hooping + poi! They use water-based Eco Inks whenever possible and make sure our printers and suppliers are just as sensitive to the environmental impacts of production. Most of their products are sourced from American Apparel, which is known for their well-made, sustainable products that are Made In the USA.
I wanted to hear more about how Barbra and Rachel started hooping and how Hoop Pretty came about. Here it is in Barbra’s own words:
“Hooping was way for me to be part of a community again. I had found myself in a work-at-home situation after working a 9-5 job and realized that I am a social person that needs to be around people (especially my sister Rachel), interact and help others to feel fulfilled. It’s strange because while everyone’s in their own little hoopworlds while they’re hooping, its also an activity that completely brings people together ~ and people of all backgrounds. I love that.
Hooping of course has a great physical aspect to it. I’m a bit of a nerd so the logic side of me says that I like it because it helps my hand-to-eye coordination. The anti-nerd side says it’s a pretty sexy performance art + wonderful exercise as well. The balance that hoop dance brings is so neutralizing and therapeutic. I could be having a terrible day, but if I just step hoop for 10 minutes, all that dissipates.
HoopPretty started because my sister Rachel and I had decided we wanted to transform our lives by doing what we love ~ we’re passionate about making fun things that hoop dancers can enjoy and connect with. We both have backgrounds in graphic design + fashion, so this is a perfect fit. As a creative team, I feel we have a great dynamic going on. I really enjoy working with her ~ we bounce ideas off each other and really think about what someone would feel good about wearing.”
There are FOUR ways to enter the giveaway. You can do one or all of the following (each one is a separate entry, so please create a new comment for each one):
- Leave a comment below and tell me where you hooped most recently and what movements you are currently loving.
- Subscribe to their awesome blog
- Post the giveaway to your Facebook page and become a fan of their Facebook page
- Tweet about the giveaway and follow them on Twitter
Hoop Pretty is also offering a 10% discount for Happy Hoop blog readers. Just enter the discount code “thehappyhoop”. Be sure to check out all of their custom hooping apparel…I love it all! Plus, you are supporting a small businessThis discount will only be valid through Saturday, June 12, so don’t delay.
I will choose the winner at random on Thursday, June 10 at 12:00pm CST. Now go and spread some Hoop Pretty love!! 🙂
The Happy Hoop 
I hooped out in the huge thunderstorm. The down pour was delicious!
I haven’t hooped in awhile but have a talent for keeping it going around my legs,lol.
I most recently hooped at work! I work for individuals with developmental disabilities who live in their own homes. I decided to pull the hoop out of my car and show them how I hoop. They really liked it! They couldn’t quite do it themselves but we had fun rolling the hoop back and forth =)
Yesterday it rained so I hooped in my living room with my two boys. We have it set up for yoga anyways, so there was plenty of space. It was the first time I had hooped in ages! So much fun.
Great giveaway! I enjoy hooping at music festivals and in the back yard with my kiddos. I am hoping to get some materials very soon and have the kids help me make some hoops…can’t wait! Love the hoop blog!!
I hooped out in a huge natural dirt basin in a forest. I’m currently learning more flow and how to incorperate moves like the vortex with other moves.
I posted to Facebook and became a fan 🙂
http://www.facebook.com/josievodden
Oooh and I subscribed! I am always looking for fun hoop blogs 🙂
I most recently hooped with my fire hoop outside while it was calm before the storm that just hit us. Hoop dancing is my life and I love your clothing.
I’ve also been a fan on Facebook and have posted your link 😀
Can you believe….I made my own hoop before you even got here. My first and only hooping was a couple days ago when Paula, my friend, brought me all the stuff to make my own hoop. So my fave move is watching my son, Taylor, hoop much longer than I can at this point!
Usually I hoop in my living room or backyard…occasionally with friends when I’m lucky 🙂 but I really do enjoy solo hooping. I’m currently working on shoulder hooping, and doing dancer yoga pose while hooping. Thanks for the great giveaway! 🙂 PS I posted this to my FB page and I’m already a fan of hoop pretty 🙂
I hoop at the park by my old elementary school. It has a huge feild and a great view of my city! 😉 I recently returned from a hooping retreat and it has changed my life. I can’t stop hooping, I want to do it for the rest of my life! My favorite moves are the jump through and monkey arms. I have found so much peace and love through hooping, I can’t believe how happy it makes me.
What a super cute shirt! I was just hooping out in our back “yard” (we live in a condo…so it isn’t really ours), in the first sun that Portland has had in a couple of weeks. So just hooping in the sun was pretty awesome, but I am finally able to keep the hoop up going both directions on my waist, and starting to be able to turn with it. So much fun!!
I am a beginner so I just practice the most basic moves at home.
Thank you for the great giveaway! I hope I win!!!
became a fan and posted the giveaway to fb.
and subscribed to the blog. love it!
Hi, I just found you on Twitter and I love what you are doing! I last hooped in my break today between dance classes. I really like off body hooping and am trying to learn some iso’s. I’m going to the UK hoop gathering in one month, can’t wait!
Good luck, love and light
Lexi xxx
I hooped at my in-laws and sadly left my hoop at their place 😦 I’m getting it back tomorrow 🙂 Right now I’m working on keeping it around my waist! I am a beginner and my hoop is a bit small for me, but I just got the supplies to make one that will fit me better. Thanks for the inspiration, Sara!
I’ve been hooping outside, in my living room, and even in the water at the beach. I am still learning helicopter and hooping at the knees.
I hooped last in the backyard with the kids. I am working on getting it going in both directions.
Tweeted. 🙂
I subscribed to their blog
I love that t-shirt!! It’s so beautiful and looks like it would be super-soft. I’ve been hooping on my bed due to lack of space and am practicing really basic hooping around my middle and hips. Yay!
The last time I hoola hooped was about 2 years ago. I picked up a hoop from the store thinking I could try to get my dog to run through it…I just ended up having fun hoola hooping myself 😛
I tweeted and follow them
https://twitter.com/christinak78
Awesome give-away!! I hooped in my backyard with my daughters the other day. We take turns putting on shows for each other.Currently I am working on bringing the hoop back down around my body after lifting it. I can do it–but it ain’t pretty—yet!
I subscribed to their awesome blog!!!
I JUST hooped out in my backyard, while dressed up as my clown character Lemondrop. I took a picture too, to sent it to you!
I’m still loving the vortex, but I’m really trying to improve my chest hooping and trying to get the knee to waist.
I last hooped in my living room today b/c i’m a beginner 🙂 But I am LOVING it and am excited about the progress I’m making in such a short time. Thanks for making me want to hoop!!
In my granny’s garden among roses… I don’t know any special moves yet, I’m a newbie (if we don’t take into account my childhood experience). Thank you for your inspiration!
WooHoo!! Hmm most recently would be tonight in the field behind our RV showing the grandparents! My favorite move currently is the elbow hooping!!
I’m just learning to hoop. The clouds parted today and I was finally able to hoop outside with my two boys. I’ve been working on getting it up to my hands in the air from my hips 🙂
Since I haven’t had a hoop since I was a little girl it has definitely been a while!! I am going to be getting my first real hooping hoop hopefully in the next week or two, but I DID pick up a small toy hoop at Walmart earlier today and made my husband laugh when I actually got it going around my arm!!
I am SO looking forward to going to a hooping meetup next Sunday afternoon in Dallas and to getting my own hoop and hooping barefoot in our tiny backyard on the thick green grass while looking out over the beautiful pond behind our house (especially when the sun is just rising or setting)!!
Julie…
Where is the Dallas hooping meetup? I have friends there and want to make sure they know about it! 🙂
It’s at the Campbell Green Recreation Center (16600 Parkhill Drive Dallas, TX 76063). Info is here: http://www.meetup.com/ChakraHoops/calendar/13644179
i hooped with my friend’s weighted hoop in my living room. It was too heavy to enjoy. I’m hoping to make my own soon.
Just bought the stuff to make my first hoop. Hopefully I will be hooping it up soon. 🙂
I hooped this afternoon at a Superhooper LED hoop class in Columbus, Ohio – colorful fun!
My back deck at dusk, it is a heavenly time. I love turning my hoop above my head on my wrist.
Signed up for the blog.
Please don’t enter me in the giveaway as that shirt would NEVER stretch over this belly I’ve got going on.
I just want to say that you were my inspiration to start hooping (as of this week, I’ve been hooping…a week). I last hooped in my driveway and right now, I’m trying to keep the hoop from falling as I learn to go in both directions.
I need a hoop group.
In the back yard of our mutual friend Natalie in Longmont! Funny pics of us and the kids. Been hooping about 3 weeks … best trick is keeping it from falling to the ground any way I can!
On the lawn in front of the school across the street, dew in-between my toes & loving it.
(Does it already count that I subscribed to their blog? ;] )
I just got my first hoop on Friday! My little girl and I have been hooping in our back yard in Germany AND LOVING IT!
I just added the blog to my google reader and checked out their inventory-very PRETTY AND FUN!
I’m super new to hooping, but have been reading your blogs for a while. My oldest daughter and I are working on making some sassy hoops! Hers has leopard print on it! Ayhow, I’d love the shirt and really enjoy reading your blogs! 🙂
I just became a fan! Robin Norgren/Well of Creations
hooped in the grassy backyard. still trying to get the hang of moving it from knees waist… and love every minute!
I haven’t hooped in awhile, but i’m itching to get home (from college) in about 4 days so that I can pick up some hoop making supplies and go to town!
The last I hooped was yesterday during some down time at our huge multifamily garage sale. I am currently loving chest hooping after I FINALLY got the hang of it. I am working on working on moving my arms in and out of the hoop while chest hooping, am also working on more control with the barrel roll and the booty bounce. I am loving it!
I’m another new hooper inspired by you and your blog…just started last week. I hooped in my living room yesterday between random household chores and gardening. I think I’m addicted already!
last place i hooped was out in the morning sun while it lasted..the movements i have been loving at the moment are chest hooping related..arms in and out …barrel rolls..and knee hooping..nothing too fancy yet.
just became a fan on facebook! great clothes, super cute! i’ve been hooping in my back yard and family room, nothing too exciting but still hoopin!
i hooped at my sons bday party a couple weeks ago, but i’m still a wannabe right now………but i do wannabe!!!!
i subscribed
became a fan on facebook
following on twitter 🙂
I most recently hooped in my office, which is a little sad because I absolutely adore vertical hooping (horizontal is good, too, of course!), which is hard on the ceilings. My current hooping nemesis is vertical isolation.
I’m following on Twitter (@betherann) and tweeted! (https://twitter.com/betherann/status/15581195926)
Following on Facebook!
I subscribed to the blog!
Ok, haven’t hooped since I was a kid and had no idea there was a hooping movement… Now I want to get a hoop and try this out! Loved your video- wanted to cry for some reason.
AND my kids (and husband) would LOVE this!
Thanks for ANOTHER great idea!
I haven’t EVER hooped before, but I’d love to try it, especially after seeing your video. I did try to pick up a kids hoop a few weeks ago thinking of you and this blog, but I was awful! I couldn’t even keep it around my waist. Looks like I need a lot of work!
Kat…you couldn’t keep it up because you’re not a KID! 🙂 You need an ADULT-sized hoop! 🙂 The hoop should come up to about 2 inches above your belly button.
I hooped in my living room most recently, and somehow DIDN’T break the coffee table 🙂 I JUST started hooping so I’m simply getting used the basic “hula” movement. Hoping I can learn chest hooping next!
I last hooped on the back porch! I’ve just about got chest hooping down and am attempting a spiral movement (not sure what to call it, but when you take it from your waist to top of head, back to waist… up down up down!)
Following their blog via google reader 🙂
Tweeted about it! (@Jenna_Gayle)
Hi! I’ve been hooping in my yard, which happens to be right next to an elementary school where my daughter goes. After school packs of kids swing by on their way home and give a few hoops a try, they think it’s so cool and FUN!!! It’s really awesome, I get a few more people hooked each day including the kids parents! Also signed up for the emails list fora double chance to win!! YAY! Pick me! Pick me!
as a new hooper, we usually have all the neighborhood kids over in the backyard and go crazy! we bought a whole bunch of supplies and teach the kids how to make their own…they are so inspired…and inspiring! it’s awesome watching them believe in themselves.
go hooping!
I just bought my hoop online yesterday. I love hula dancing and hope it translates to using an actual hoop 🙂
just came in from morning hooping with my girls (4 & 1 yo) we hoop it up in the common lawn of our cohousing community! i love it when our neighbors sit down to watch us and cheer us on! i am new to every move and i’m loving it all!!
O my god! why didn’t I know about this site before!?!
I subscribed to the blog! Hope that makes me legit for the giveaway! 🙂
In my backyard. Trying to work on chest hooping.
I hooped outside in my sunny backyard, trying to be careful not to step in any doggy land mines (it was impossible!). I’m still a huge beginner. I was working on my corkscrews, and I managed to get it! Now I’ve just gotta work on fine-tuning it 🙂
You’re also the one who got me into hooping, so thank you!
I most recently hooped today in my yard. I find that’s the most convenient place for me to hoop, especially when on one in my city is up for a jam. I had the Pretty Lights pandora station on which always gets me going, and I’m currently love love loving experimenting with different breaks and reversals. Whether it’s with my hands or arms, there’s nothing like flowing to a song and switching directions with your hoop to follow the groove. I’m still a beginner with tomorrow being my OFFICIAL 1 month hoopiversary!
I last hooped in my garage with my 3 month old lab at my feet. 🙂 My motivation to not drop the hoop! I love waist and hip hooping! Can’t wait to learn more moves! It’s such a WoNdErFuL way to GeT MoViNg!! 🙂 ❤ – Jill
I last hooped at Wildfire, where I burned for the first time. I plan on going to Facebook right now and become a fan!
I was hooping on Sunday at Wash Park in Denver and learned the ankle carry hand off: http://hooptricks.org/2010/03/ankle-carry-hand-off/ 🙂 There are a few other new tricks I learned too, but not sure what they’re called 😉
2 days ago, I hooped out in the street in front of our house with my 11 year old daughter, in a light rain. It was cool and breezy but we warmed up pretty quickly! She was working on a behind the back weave with poi, and I was working on smoothing out the 3 beat weave (with hoops) that I just got the day before that. SO excited! It has been eluding me and I am feeling a warm glow that it’s coming along.
I hooped right outside our RV in the deep south of Louisiana…hot and humid makes for some sluggishness but the boys joined in and we had a blast. 🙂
Liked and shared on FB!
Followed and RTed on Twitter!
I mostly hoop in my living room, not very exciting. But recently hooped at MD Fairy Festival with Boomtown Hoops. Much more interesting!
I hooped this weekend at a small little festival in NC near Lake Gaston to benefit family farms. And always with my fellow hoopers in Richmond!!
Most recently I hooped innnnnnnnn… a film stage. Yeah, like the type they film movies in. I wasn’t BEING filmed, but I go to a communication arts school, and the film stage was empty and it was too hot to hoop outside so… voila! Hooping in the film stage! Lately I’ve been really digging jump-ins and jump-outs (not technical terms, i know) and I’ve convinced myself that I’m digging isolations (even though I can’t figure them out yet!)
I hooped at a baby shower. For the first time ever! It didn’t actually go so well (haha!)…but I loved it! Now to get my own hoop….
I just subscribed…thanks for the giveaway, Sara, and for your inspiring sites! 🙂
I hooped during my Hoop Dance class tonight! And I’m currently working on sustained spinning and the double shoulder trick ♥
I’m really, really new to hooping and have yet to venture from my living room. Soon though, soon. And no tricks yet…still working on my keeping it up. 😉
subscribed to HoopPretty!
in joy,
meghan
lovin’ this offering + exploring Hooping {thank you, Sara!}.
tweeted about this offering + following HoopPretty on Twitter.
grate-fully,
meghan
Most recently, I hooped while playing Puff the Magic Dragon on my new ukulele 🙂 There are pictures on my facebook page! I’m reclaiming so many parts of me, the hooping and the music are both brand new to my 42 year old self 😀 This shirt would be *perfect*
I subscribed to the blog 🙂
I shared the giveaway on my facebook page 🙂
On sunday I went to Dolores Park in San Francisco for my friend’s birthday picnic. It seemed like there was a cloud of fog over the rest of the city but the sun shined bright on our little picnic. As more friends showed up more hoops did too, not to mention some poi and some flow wands. At one point I walked down the hill and looked back up at our beautiful family of circus freaks. Life is beautiful and all the freaky people make the beauty of the world!
Hooped last night up a canyon at a family picnic. I love the look in little kids eyes when they see me hope and ask to try it. The Lasso is their favorite trick.
I was just hooping out in the driveway to calm down a bit. It’s so meditative! And I just got the “vortex” down which I’m pretty excited about.
I subscribed to The HoopPretty Blog! I’m always looking for new hooping blogs.
Following them & Tweeted as well 🙂
Shared on facebook and liked HoopPretty!
I most recently hooped in my front yard : ) I’m loving the corkscrew and one shoulder hooping!
I just had some hoops made for my daughters and I; as our hoop journey is just beginning. We were hooping in our big, beautiful yard last evening.
I just subscribed to their blog as well : )
Liked them on facebook and shared with all of my fb friends!
I hooped in my backyard the day before yesterday. It was a gorgeous, sunny day and I couldn’t pass up making a few practice videos with my trusty little camera. I was attempting to hoop at least a little every day, but the weather turned for the worse and there is unfortunately no room to hoop inside without hitting/breaking things. Hopefully tomorrow will bring warmer weather!
Nothing fancy, but I hooped in my backyard this afternoon. I’ve been working on flipping the hoop up and around from the horizontal plane, also escalator variations, and anything that makes the hoop tumble in crazy, unexpected ways.
I just started teaching hooping at our local YMCA and am loving it (and how great it is to spread joy to people ages 5-71 – yes, I had a 71 year old take the class last week). This would be the perfect shirt to wear to my classes! I also hooped with 20 fabulous kindergarten students last week. What a trip!
Hooped on our third floor(its too hot in GA to hoop outdoors right now!!) Working on chest hooping!!
The last time I hooped was a few days ago in the side yard in my apartment building. I just had a baby so its been several months since I have hooped. I still know all my old tricks now Im trying to get this knee hooping down.
I think you are seducing me into the super sexy, FUN world of hooping… I subscribed to their blog.
Just came in from hooping on the Prairie, well the KOA in WaKeeney, KS. Mainly working on getting some flow into my movements, haven’t had a lot of time to get any new movements down.
Subscribed to Blog.
Twittered about giveaway & Following on Twitter
Posted on FB about giveaway & “Like” on FB
Hello! the last place I hooped was backstage at my dance performance, and it was the first time most of my fellow dancers had ever seen me hoop. I was exhilarating to have an audience that was engaged in what I was doing- unlike my parents and siblings who have seen me hooping a zillion times and are no longer amazed by it. heheheh.
Im currently loving shoulder hooping and isolations, which i JUST got the hang of. I’ve been working on isolations for MONTHS! and now that i’ve got them down (mostly) they’re so fun :]
I’m absolutely new to hooping! Just went to SummerCamp music festival, and I was blown away with the hoopers….so much that I’m starting to hoop myself 😀
I’ve only hooped in my living room. I’m working on the lifts, but I keep smacking myself in the face. 🙂
I last hooped in my living room, after moving my couch to a new place specifically to make room for indoor hooping. 100 degrees outside, makes perfect sense. I’m just loving being able to keep the hoop off the ground!
And, I liked the facebook page too.
I am somewhat new to hooping, I’ve made some hoops but not had lots of time to practice. So far, I am loving it! I made a hoop for each of my daughters (7 &4yrs) and they are so good already! 🙂
Most recently, we’ve hooped outside in our yard.
I hooped in my garage and I’m just a beginner!
I subscribed to their blog!
I “liked” them on FB and posted the link! 🙂
I have been hooping indoors to escape this awful Texas heat. I’m still working on hooping above my head and lifting and lowering down. 🙂
I tweeted! 🙂 YEAH!
I hooped in my backyard while my dog explored!I am still learning the basics, but I really love walkinga round while I spin the hoop!
I’m a fan and posted the giveaway on Facebook 🙂
Love the shirt design! Soo cute.
Last place hooped? That would be my living room 🙂 I’m still working on chest hooping with arms. Not quite working it yet … but I’m patiently waiting for the “Ahh Haa” moment where it just clicks!
Go Hoop Love!
Just subscribed to Hoop Loves blog.
Love it! It’s so colorful and inviting. Can’t wait to see and read about all the Hoop Love Goodness. Thanks, Sara, for introducing me to their site!
I am a beginnner to hooping. I made the kids and I our own hoops and the 5 of us recently all were out in the back yard learning together.
Oooh, and I just tweeted about it. With only 5 minutes left, not sure how many I’ll influence, lol … but we’ll see!!
Subscribed to their blog…check! 😉
Posted about the giveaway on FB and “liked” them…check! 😉
I also liked them on facebook and posted it on my facebook page.
Twitter…check! 😉 Nothing like last minute! ha!
A newbie to hooping…. I was hooping on my bed today. Working on movements that just keep the thing up! LOL