http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html The Alpaca Blog will keep you up-to-date with additions and changes to the owning-alpaca.com website. en-us Alpaca Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:38:49 GMT Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:38:49 GMT owning-alpaca.com http://www.owning-alpaca.com/dog-obedience-tip.html Dog obedience tip for Great Pyrenees. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:38:48 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/vinegar-uses.html Vinegar uses on an alpaca farm. Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:48:09 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/alpaca-fiber-skirting.html Alpaca fiber skirting information. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:14:26 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/fiber-processing.html Alpaca fiber processing. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:03:50 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/training-alpacas.html Training Alpacas to lead in 10 steps. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:47:36 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/information-on-alpacas.html Get great information on alpacas from others tips and stories. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:29:48 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/alpaca-behavior.html Describes normal alpaca behavior. Their body language, sounds, and herd responses. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:05:41 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/breeding-alpacas.html Breeding alpacas and problems that can occur in the dam and stud. Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:23:37 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/alpaca-hair-loss.html Describes alpaca hair loss and some simple remedies. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:08:34 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/rattlesnake-bite.html What to do if your alpaca or dog gets a rattlesnake bite. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:25:42 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Death-of-an-alpaca While we were away on an extended vacation our eldest alpaca Windsilk passed away. She will be missed by us and the herd as she was the lookout for danger. Someone else will assume the role now but we're not sure who will take the job, yet. Rest in peace Windsilk. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:31:22 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Not-So-Happy-Alpaca-Ending If only we could reach everyone buying alpacas and convince them that the one most important thing you can do for your animals is to protect them from dog attacks with proper fencing, there would be a lot less alpaca deaths. It's such a shame to have this type of death continue to happen when alpacas can be protected. We hope everyone considering buying alpacas will remember that one of the most important things to do is allow enough money in your budget to build a proper fence before you bring them home. If you can only afford the alpacas and not the fencing, either don't buy, yet, or leave them where they are until you can afford a proper fence to keep them safe. Dog attacks happen and alpacas always loose. Wed, 27 May 2009 13:31:12 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Happy-alpaca-ending Martin was a neglected alpaca. Read about his happy ending. Tue, 19 May 2009 00:40:35 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#7-Reasons-to-Buy-Alpacas-in-Todays-Economy Nobodys buying much these days. Everyone is being affected by the economic downturn. One Alpaca farm came up with seven reasons why purchasing Alpacas is actually a good thing to do during a slow economy. Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:29:02 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/sculpting-noses.html Tutorial on sculpting noses with wool. Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:23:19 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-novelty-products We have a new online store in which you can order notecards and other items. The items are made with our own alpaca photos. We will be adding more items, so check back often. You can see the items that are available now by following the link. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:57:12 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/geriatric-alpacas.html Learn what it takes to keep geriatric alpacas healthy and happy. Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:42:25 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/celtic-knot-bracelet.html Instructions for creating a celtic knot bracelet with felted craft wire. Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:08:21 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/craft-wires.html how to felt craft wires to use in making bracelets or other jewelry. Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:46:55 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-fiber-painting Fiber artist Pat Sparks does a really fabulous job of making watercolor looking type wool pictures. If you don't want to make 3D characters with needle felting, you can combine wet felting and needle felting your alpaca fiber to create watercolor wool pictures. You wet felt a blurry background using a photo for inspiration, and then needle felt shapes on the blurred background to define the objects. Works really well with flowers. If you click on the link, you will see what we are talking about. We are going to venture into this type of painting with wool soon and hope to provide a tutorial of the process. Sun, 15 Feb 2009 02:13:55 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-fiber-use Do You have alpaca fiber that you are storing at your home. Here is a possible use for all that fiber. Elderberry Creek Alpacas are working with Pendleton Woolen Mill to create 100 alpaca fiber woolen blankets. Right now you must donate the fiber for which you will be able to buy a blanket at cost + 3 that you should be able to sell for a profit, but they will eventually be able to pay you for your fleece in subsequent runs. Click on the link to read about the Alpaca Blanket Project and see if this might be a good idea for your alpaca fiber business. Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:01:02 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Free-alpaca-patterns Recently someone requested more patterns on our website. We'd love to do that, but time has really been a factor lately for us. We are just plain busy and have not had time to develop any. So, we are providing this link. You can check out the free patterns and see if you want to try any. You can spin up your own alpaca yarn or purchase alpaca yarn. Hope this at least gets you some ideas. Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:26:52 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-goes-to-the-pub Short video of prize winning alpaca going to a pub. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:56:13 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Year-of-the-Alpaca-Fiber Did you know that this is "International Year of natural Fiber"? Well, it is. Because synthetic fibers have caused a drop in consumers using natural fibers, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is organizing the promotion of natural fibers this year. To keep informed of the activities you can get added to their email list. Read the article by clicking on the link provided. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:14:12 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/alpaca-behavior.html Knowing normal alpaca behavior can help you spot when one of your alpacas is ill. When you know what is normal for an alpaca, then it's easy to spot abnormal behavior and investigate to determine if there is a problem. Follow the link to read about normal alpaca behavior. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:31:51 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Hilarious-Alpaca-Farming Mike Rowe of discovery channel helps on an alpaca farm. This is a funny look at alpaca husbandry. The video is hilarious. Follow the link to see this outsiders look at alpaca farming. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:03:11 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpacas-mauled-by-dogs Please, remember that dogs are the most common predator to Alpacas. Be sure and build good fences and keep your alpacas from being attacked by neighborhood dogs like what happened to these Alpacas in the following article. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:23:22 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/livestock-guardian-dog.html Choosing a livestock guardian dog for your Alpaca farm. Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:02:35 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/alpaca-photo.html Did you get a new camera for Christmas? Take some photos of alpacas whether you own them or can visit a farm that raises alpacas. They are excellent subjects. They appear to have a smile on their face and those big beautiful eyes make great pictures. Read our tips for photographing alpacas by following the link. Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:00:27 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Home-business-with-Alpacas The driving force of a home-based business is passion. Doesn't matter if you've chosen Alpacas or something else. If you don't have a passion for what you are doing, your home business will likely fail. We have a passion for our Alpacas and working with their fleece. We hope that You have happy holidays and the new year will bring you opportunities to start your own business or continue with one you already have chosen even in this bad economy. The following link will take you to an article about home businesses that have succeeded because of their passion. It may help you to decide if a home business will work for you whether it's raising Alpacas or some other venture. Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:42:54 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Felting-an-angel Wow, this is a really cut angel to needle felt. Alpaca fiber would work great for making this angel. Cut decoration for your christmas table. They are so quick, you still have time to make one or more. Just follow the link to see the needle felting tutorial for making an angel. Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:39:27 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-winter Ah, yes, this is a winter fit for alpacas with their warm wooly fleece. They made it through the bitter cold, no problems. Us humans (meaning Debby and Mike) are weenies and glad that we don't live outside. Instead we are staying cozy in our house with a woodstove going. Now we are getting snowed on, but not as bad as some other parts of the country. Soon as the snow stops, it is predicted that we will go back to bitter cold...can't wait. Our water pipes to the alpaca fields are frozen so we have to hand carry buckets of water to the alpacas. Good thing we have strong backs. Is it Spring, yet?... Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:10:02 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-hats-keep-troops-warm Knitting caps for the troops in Iraq is a nice way to use alpaca fleece just sitting in your barn or garage. Read how some women are providing warmth with alpaca to troops. Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:43:36 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Brrr...Alpacas! Wow! This is one of the worst weather conditions we have had here. It's frigid with a strong wind. When the wind stopped for a short time yesterday it wasn't bad. The winds are cutting cold and we worry about our animals. Our Alpacas have always done well in cold and heat, but this one has us a little concerned because the wind is significantly dropping the temperatures. We are checking on them frequently and so far they seem ok. This horrible weather is going to continue for another day at least. We worry about frostbite on the ears. One of our alpacas' had a mom from someplace in the northeast where she got frostbite on her ears and lost the tips of them. We've brought the dogs in the house (cats, too), but the alpacas will just have to stay outdoors. We're hoping they come through this just like they have everything else. At least, they have a good growth back on their fleece. We hand sheared them this year which doesn't get as close as the clippers. All we can do is keep checking on them and if one gets into trouble we can move them to the garage. This is the only time in eight years of raising them that we feel a barn would really be nice. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:37:34 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Quality-Feed We all know that it's important to feed our Alpacas quality hay for them to get the nutrition they need. Don't forget about doing the same for that loyal Alpaca guardian dog. We were feeding food that was considered good food (IAMS), but our dogs were not eating all of their meals at each feeding and not having great energy. We switched to one of the premium dog foods and can not believe the difference in our pets. They eat every morsel and are very healthy with lots of energy. Yes, it is more expensive, but it's been worth the extra expense as long as we can keep paying it. It makes a difference what you put into your animals for their fur and health. Give them the best that you can afford and you will have healthier, happier animals. Be sure and read the labels on food products for your pets so you can choose wisely. It really does make a difference. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:29:20 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Make-a-gift-for-Christmas-from-alpaca There's no better gift to give than a handmade one for Christmas. If you don't have time to knit or crochet socks or a sweater or a hat and scarf, consider making simple jewelry with your alpaca wool as a gift for someone special this year. Follow the link to get some ideas on how to make jewelry from alpaca fiber. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:05:59 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/wet-felting-dvd.html Learn wet felting techniques to making felt inlays and cutouts. Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:11:19 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Injured-Alpaca-Update Our gelding was injured in an unknown incident. He has improved, but still limps on that leg. It has been a few weeks since the injury. We are assuming there was some kind of ligament injury, although we can not find an actual site of injury. There has never been any swelling, warmth, etc. He still does not put all of his weight on the leg. He still kushes more than normal. He is getting along well with the girls now and is eating and drinking just fine. We are hoping that in another couple of weeks he will not be favoring that leg. We are concerned that his good leg will start breaking down if he doesn't start bearing more weight on the other leg. He's one of our favorites and we want him to heal well. Just wish we could figure out what is wrong exactly. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:06:04 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-Investment With the state of the economy, people are looking to alternative investments instead of putting everything they have in the stock market. Some are investing in gold, or parking spaces, or guess what?...Alpacas. In October at least one farm we know of sold over $2 million in alpacas at an auction on one weekend. Not bad! Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:56:36 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Injured-Alpaca Our gelding would not put weight on his rear left leg. We are assuming that there was a fight between him and the male alpaca he lives with. We can find no obvious injuries to the leg or hip (no swelling, warmth, etc.). We moved him to the girls field to let him rest up. The first couple of days the girls would not share their food with him which surprised us. He's been there a week and has been accepted now. He seems to be walking a little better, but still doesn't put all his weight on that leg. Alpacas are so stoic. He eats but has to lay down about half way into his eating time. We're going to continue to let him rest in the girls field and hope he heals soon. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:07:43 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/knitting-socks-tutorial.html This knitting socks tutorial shows how to use double pointed needles to make socks. Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:24:18 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/felting-wool.html One of our favorite things to do with alpaca fiber is to felt it. Yes, alpaca felts extremely well. Give it a try. Follow the link to see our favorite way to felt alpaca wool. Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:51:40 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/handspinning-wool.html Describes the handspinning wool techniques of woollen and worsted yarns. Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:29:12 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/felt-ropes.html Making fabulous felt ropes from alpaca fiber. Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:22:46 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/needle-felting-tip-portrait.html Needle felting tip to help you create crisper projects. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:24:45 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-Bear-attack An alpaca was attacked by a bear on a Maryland farm and survives. Follow the link to see a video about the attack. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:40:03 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#National-Alpaca-Farm-Days Many alpaca farms are opening their ranches for visitors this coming weekend so that you can see a working farm and learn about alpacas. Drop by one that's near you and enjoy watching the awesome alpacas. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:38:36 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Felting-DVD We successfully completed our felting DVD project this weekend. Look for it very soon on our website! Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:32:08 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/wet-felting.html Describes making wet felting cutouts Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:17:56 GMT http://www.owning-alpaca.com/Alpaca-blog.html#Alpaca-felt You can do some incredible things with felting alpaca fiber. It's really not hard. Felting doesn't even take much practice to get it right. We have been working on a new DVD lately. We wanted to show you how to make felt cut-outs and inlays. We are going to show you how you can make them unique by using some simple computer programs you probably have on your computer. We are in the final phase of putting the DVD together and will announce when it is available soon. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:46:13 GMT