New!!  AlpacaMarket.Com

WELCOME FIRST TIME VISITORS!  

 

Made in the USA 

TOPICS:   (Page:  Under Construction - Watch Us Grow)

     *Featured Fiber Artists/Clients

                *Items For Sale:  

                      Full Alpaca Fleeces Direct from AMC to You   *Handmade/Unique Alpaca Items

                *"Wanted Ads"  Email AMC with alpaca related needs  <alpaca@alpacamine.com> and we will list it here for you...free

                        Special orders, yarns, dyes, spinning wheels, looms, carders...anything alpaca fiber related.

                *Articles on Alpaca Fiber

                           The Green Alpaca - A Primer on Alpaca Fiber

                *Tips and Hints on Handling and "Criating" with Alpaca Fiber

                

The Skill of Carolyn Waddell, Reno, NV

        Carolyn and her husband Glenn have taken to alpacas like the proverbial ducks to water and like so many of our clients who have purchased alpacas from us, they have become dear friends.   She has been crocheting and knitting since she was a teen, mainly afghan or table scarves and baby blankets, but not many sweaters or scarves.   She has made some adjustments for the alpaca yarn because of it it finer than yarn bought in the store.   She is happy wearing her alpaca items  because it lacks the itching and allergy related problems that she has with wool and even some of the acrylic yarns.   Her joy?   "It is a lot of fun to create something from your own herd's fibers!!  Her daughter-in-law always asks her "who are you wearing today," and she thinks that is just pretty special!!   We think you will find her products pictured below wonderful and if you are interested in exchanging information with Carolyn or perhaps purchasing of her criations, please contact her at:  <crwaddell1946@gmail.com>.

                               

                                   

 

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Joline Atkinson,  Rest in Peace

         It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dear and special friend, Joline who unexpectedly passed away in April.    As a tribute to her great skill, her understanding of alpaca fiber and out of love and admiration for her, we will keep some of her work here for your to enjoy.   Our condolences to her husband, Sheridan, and her family.   It is friends like Joline and Sheridan who make raising alpacas much more than a job.   We all miss her dearly and she will always be a featured fiber artist and friend in our hearts.   

 

                               

                         

                         

                             

 

Items for Sale:   Full, Unskirted Alpaca Fleeces from AMC

        To make room for our June shearing, AMC has a limited number of fleeces for sale at the very special  price of $40 per fleece, or 2/$75 plus $15 shipping  to your address anywhere in the US.   These are offered on a first come, first serve basis....most are white which is so fun to dye, but if you are interested in a color, let us know and we will check availability for you.   Wonderful raw alpaca - ready for you "criate" something wonderful.     <alpaca@alpacamine.com> to inquire.     Offer good until June 10, 2011...or until sold out.   (See the "free" fleece offer under the "wanteds."

 

                                 Coming Soon - Handmade.Unique Alpaca Products 

-Plus,  an Introduction to GrubStake Felt..a Division of AMC

                             GrubStake Felt is made entirely of Alpaca Mining Company fleece, by hand, in an old-fashioned "washtub," er, the bathtub! 

It is purposefully "rustic," with free-flowing lines and yet the colors are often dyed bright, or  sometimes  left natural

The fleece is felted to a soft state, so that it remains light and airy....alpaca does not need to be thick to be warm!

Length varies from 65 to 70 inches and width from 4.5 to 9 inches.  Because of their light weight, gentle handling is recommended.    

FUN - SASSY - BREEZY - SOFT - WARM  - CUDDLY

 Please let Sands know <alpaca@alpacamine which lettered scarves you would like more information/photos on.

Introductory Price:  $25 Per Scarf, Including Standard US Shipping

                                                

 

 

"WANTED AD"  -   We Will List Items You Need Here - Alpaca/Fiber Related ONLY

        EXAMPLE:   - AMC needs your classified "Wanted Ad"...it's free, limited to 50 words.   Older ads will be deleted approximately every 2 months.  Please, no phone numbers or web sites, only email addresses.  <alpaca@alpacamine.com>   Vendors and artists, check back here often...you may be able to fill a need and gain a fiber friend and customer.   We all know the economy is rough, let's help one another succeed.

        Today's Date -   Your Classifed Wanted Ad Here....email Sands <alpaca@alpacamine.com>

        3/3/11 - Budget Strapped?   AMC will send you one full fleece FREE,  if you are willing to pay shipping costs and send us a photo of your handmade alpaca original, a product of  AMC USA bred alpacas!   Keywords:  Made in the USA.    Send us one of the finished items  and we will post it for sale with your contact info.  This could lead to a mutually beneficial relationship, but only a limited number of free fleeces are available for this offer.

 

Articles On Alpaca Fiber

          The Green Alpaca     

         "Seriously, Think Alpaca!"   AMC is emphasizing the "green" of our alpacas and their fleece.  Alpacas offer a sustainable luxury product....gorgeous fiber...and that is what we are all about!   Alpaca products are consumer-friendly and easy on the Earth.   Beyond the beautiful attributes of the fiber itself, alpacas represent a livestock choice which is hardy, easy to care for and handle, land-friendly and even the processing of its fiber requires less harsh chemicals and soaps than do other fiber animals.    Alpacas are the logical and kind choice for today's world...for today's market.    Need investment and other alpaca info?   Please contact us.

ALPACA FLEECE ATTRIBUTES  - A Primer

Alpaca fiber is in demand from high end garment producers and specialty fiber artists...1 ounce of high quality alpaca fiber can sell  for $3 an ounceor more.

            Many find alpaca clothing to be superior for the following reasons:

*Superior in strength, warmth, softness    *Comes in 22 official colors....and blends easily for even more shades and hues

*Smooth fiber without lanolin removed the itchiness and allergic reactions....no need for chemicals/soaps, one less processing step

*Naturally rain resistant and does not have a heavy odor like some fibers tend to have when damp

*Washable with lower tendency to shrink

*Resilient - your cherished alpaca garment can last for many years - so choose a color you love, there are many to choose from

     Many also find alpaca fiber superior to man-made fibers:

*More comfortable in cold weather - tends to "breath" and be lighter weight

*Warm even when wet  - insulation     *Better wicking of body moisture, again breathability

*Resists odors, even in socks - perhaps all gym socks should be made from alpaca, hmmmm?    Recently, some ranches and individuals

      have been sending alpaca socks to our troops in Iraq and they are very popular!

*100% natural luxurious fiber which excels environmentally  - some synthetics use oil in their production

*Naturally wind resistant    *Does not mat or pill

*Fire resistant, will not melt - some car and airplane manufacturers are now using alpaca in their interiors

*Low static - a real bonus in low humdity/dry areas like Nevada!

*Wrinkle resistant (hang up and wrinkles fade away) - beneficial to the traveler and ironing dysfunctional

            Once treasured by Inca Royalty, high quality alpaca fiber can be...

            *Stronger than mohair    *5x warmer than lambs' wool...and machine washable - gentle cycle, please

            *Finer than cashmere    *Smooth as silk    *Heirloom Quality Items Will Become a Part of Your Family's Memories

Tips and Hints on Handling and "Criating" with Alpaca Fiber

 

Kool-Aid Fiber Dyeing
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/FEATdyedwool.html
http://www.thepiper.com/fiberart/koolaid/basic-howto.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tol8oMku4Jc
 
Spinning
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/
Video tutorial, go to <www.youtube..com > and search for "spinning fiber tutorial"  (Lots of good ones!)

 Carding
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/hand-carding.shtml
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/card-fiber.html
         Felting
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/FEATfelthis.html
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehVDRvHJxHU  Making Nuno Felt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SREFcIDweS8   Wet Felting
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2wHz4R_JG0  Needle Felting

          Coming Soon: Weaving and Other Techniques

        If you have a short hint or tip, or a  favorite site or youtube, please send to alpaca@alpacamine.com...