Alpaca Blog

Cryptorchidism in Alpacas

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:39:18 GMT

Cryptorchidism in alpacas

Felted belt tutorial

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:43:01 GMT

Here's a colorful belt to make with roving and then felt. You could use the natural alpaca colors to make a very nice belt instead of dyed fiber. Click on the link to see the tutorial.

Home Business with alpaca fiber

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:05:16 GMT

Want to start a home business with your alpaca fiber? Come up with an idea of items you can make and sell. It's amazing how creative some people can be and successfully start a business from an idea. The link below will take you to a website of one of these creative people. She has created a unique niche with her felting. Follow the link and take a look at her products. We are not affiliated with this person or site. We just like to show you what can be done with your animal fiber and hopefully stimulate some of your own ideas for making your own products that you can sell.

Alpaca Fiber

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:04:26 GMT

What can you do with that luxurious fiber that alpacas produce? Well, let us tell you...no better, yet...follow the link and read for yourself.

Hot Alpacas

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:54:26 GMT

Well, we just got back from a trip to find it 107 degrees here in Selah and tomorrow is supposed to cool off to 103 degrees. We are asked the question all the time if Alpacas can handle the heat. Let us tell you, they handle it better than we do. They act like it's just fine outside while we whimp out and stay in the air conditioning. Of course, we finished shearing them and they love to be hosed down with water when it's this hot. So the answer to those inquiries is yes, the alpacas can handle the heat with proper preparation for it such as shearing.

Baby Moccasins

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:16:33 GMT

You can easily make soft, warm baby moccasins from your alpaca wool. Make them for your baby or a friends baby or make them to sell. For instructions, follow the link.

Alpaca shearing

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:58:58 GMT

Whew! We finished shearing all eight alpacas this weekend. The last two were the least enthusiastic about being hand sheared. We think next year we will try tying their (the two that freaked out, everyone else was fine) legs out and shearing them laying down. One of the alpacas today kept freaking out and leaping up. Now he is limping on one of his front legs. Apparently, he twisted it during one of his jumps. He'll be ok. He's walking around eating and drinking. He is just touching that leg very tenderly on the ground. We learned some lessons with the hand shearing and we still have more to learn. All-in-all it turned out pretty good. We accomplished what we needed to accomplish and for the most part it was better on the majority of animals.

Uterine Torsion

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:22:43 GMT

Uterine torsion in alpacas

Breeding Alpacas

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:10:39 GMT

Breeding alpacas and problems that can occur in the dam and stud.

alpaca breeding

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:22:47 GMT

Are you having trouble getting your alpaca females pregnant? Make sure they are getting enough selenium. Not enough and they can have trouble conceiving. Too much and it can be toxic. Be sure and follow recommended amounts from your vet.

Use Alpaca Yarn for Felted Purses

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:15:34 GMT

Alpaca yarn works great for making felted purses. This pattern is called "Romantic Ruffles". It is quick and easy and can be use for casual or dress occasions. Follow the link for the free pattern and use your alpaca yarn to make the handbag. You'll be glad you did!

Alpaca Shearing by hand Day 2

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:22:08 GMT

Wow, today went great! We now have four alpacas barrel sheared. Today we did Guy who always stresses really bad when sheared with electric clippers. We are always afraid he is going to injure himself during shearing. Today...he stood there calmly. It was unbelievable how relaxed he was compared to years before with the electric clippers. The hand shearing went faster today. The second alpaca we did was Amber Rose and she was even better than ever before. She, too, just stood quietly. She usually screams. So far we are sold on hand shearing. It is so amazing to us how much less stressed the animals are when hand sheared. We have not had any problems with our hands getting tired either. Again...wow, what a difference in our animals attitudes. Four more to go. You can read about our first hand shearing by following the link.

Needle felting a dragon DVD

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:10:16 GMT

Needle felting a dragon DVD that teaches you how to needle felt

Alpaca shearing by hand

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:21:43 GMT

Describes our first try at alpaca shearing by hand.

Dyeing alpaca

Tue, 20 May 2008 11:25:04 GMT

Alpacas come in 22 natural colors, but sometimes you'd like green or blue or purple, etc. So far we haven't been able to produce those colors naturally, therefore, we hand dye some of our alpaca fiber. Follow the link to see how we accomplish this.

Drop spinning

Sun, 18 May 2008 19:21:21 GMT

Drop spinning tutorial

Alpaca History

Sat, 17 May 2008 03:14:58 GMT

A brief description of alpaca history from ancient to modern times.

Cougar Kills Alpaca

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:40:34 GMT

Cougars, bears, and other predators can all attack alpacas. Here in Washington state, we do have to consider cougar attacks a possibility in rural areas. Your neighbors dog is still the most likely attacker. Read about this attack by following the link.

Alpaca Farm Basics

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:48:26 GMT

Visit our webpage about alpaca farm basics to learn about alpaca equipment, care, and other information about running an alpaca farm.

Fiberfill stuffing needle felted mushroom

Sat, 10 May 2008 20:52:58 GMT

Use fiberfill stuffing to needle felt a cute mushroom.

Simple Felted Turtle Tutorial

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:40:27 GMT

We came across this simple tutorial for making a felted turtle. Great project to do with children to show them how to felt. It's easy enough for younger children to do with some help from adults. Follow the link to see the tutorial.

Wet felted wool

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:03:12 GMT

Tips to help you make high quality wet felted wool.

Alpaca Fiber

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:47:45 GMT

Describes alpaca fiber characteristics and types of felting with alpaca fiber.

Needle Felted Wings

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:11:06 GMT

Making a needle felted fairy or angel. You'll need some wings. Read our needle felted wings tutorial to see how you can make some fabulous wings for your fairy creatures or angels.

Needle Felting (dry felting) a Pillow

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:25:31 GMT

Use our instructions to learn how to design your own pillow front and needle felt alpaca or other wool for a uniquely you project.

Needle Felting Tutorial

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:08:29 GMT

Learn how to needle felt a simple head by following our tutorial. Have fun!

Needle Felted Teddy Bear

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:27:16 GMT

Needle felt a string jointed bear using our tutorial.

Felted baby moccasin pattern

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:21:10 GMT

Use the baby moccasin pattern to make soft, warm booties for your baby from felted wool.

Alpaca show

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:03:51 GMT

Describes our trip to the alpacapalooza alpaca show.

Alpaca Transfaunation

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:05:01 GMT

Using transfaunation in alpacas to stimulate appetite.

Alpacas - Misc Info

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:57:55 GMT

Miscellaneous Information About Alpacas.

Alpaca digestive system

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:17:03 GMT

Understanding the alpaca digestive system.

Alpaca Diseases

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:07:18 GMT

Learn some of the diseases that can affect your alpaca so you can recognize when your alpaca could be in trouble. Read our page on alpaca diseases by following the link.

Alpaca Tips

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:53:31 GMT

Here are some alpaca tips. If you have any tips for newcomers, let us know and we'll pass them on.

Alpaca Fleece

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:47:21 GMT

What can you do to expand your alpaca business. Here's 10 suggestions.

Alpaca Wool

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:41:17 GMT

Don't forget to visit our more felting fun page to see more craft projects you can make using alpaca wool.

Alpaca Event

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:15:22 GMT

Spring is coming here to the Pacific Northwest soon. It's still cool at night but the last few days have been sunny, warm, and beautiful. It's time to think crias and alpaca events. The big event here in Washington state is the Alpacapalooza 2008 on April 4, 5, and 6 in Puyallup, Washington. We plan on going. Hope some of you can make it, too.

Alpaca Raising Behaviors

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:40:03 GMT

When alpaca raising, you may notice something called the flehmen response. Read the description of this alpaca behavior.

Alpaca photo tips

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:58:59 GMT

Tips for taking an alpaca photo.

Alpaca Males Fighting

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:31:54 GMT

We've added a video to this webpage so you can see what alpaca males fighting looks and sounds like. Follow the link.

More Ideas for Your Alpaca Fiber

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:12:05 GMT

Your alpaca fiber is a great medium. You could easily use it to make flat designs like place mats, wallhangings, etc. if dimensional designs aren't your thing. This video demonstrates needle felting techniques using a clover tool. It shows how you can use your alpaca yarn to make designs. There are so many ways to use your alpaca fleece with this technique. Your imagination is your only limitation. Watch the short video to get some ideas of what you can make.

Alpaca farming - ryegrass staggers

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:18:22 GMT

Alpaca farming and ryegrass staggers.

Needle Felted Bunny

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:30:25 GMT

We love to see what people do with our instructions. Amanda from the UK sent us a picture of a bunny she made using our needle felted bunny tutorial. We love it. You can see her bunny by clicking on the link!

Amandas Bunny

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:27:05 GMT

Photo of Amandas bunny

Felting craft project for kids

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:52:03 GMT

A felt craft project for kids no matter what your age. Make a wet felted alpaca.

Information on Alpacas

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:57:24 GMT

Get great information on alpacas from others tips and stories.

Alpaca training on the halter

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:57:48 GMT

Alpaca training on the halter, essential or not.

Weaning Crias

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:03:14 GMT

Weaning crias is a controversial subject. Describes how our alpaca farm weans crias.

Sam Jigsaw Puzzle

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:25:51 GMT

Jigsaw puzzle of our Great Pyrenese pup Sam

Pokey Jigsaw Puzzle

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:13:58 GMT

Jigsaw puzzle of our alpaca Pokey.