First hair cut
Can you believe our little boy crias are over 3 weeks old? Yesterday we sheared off their baby fiber. (and today is it really hot and humid, so I’m sure they are happy!) Besides being cooler for the remainder of the summer, those cria fiber tips collect a whole lot of ‘stuff’. So I will have 2 very nice clean fleeces for sale next spring. (Interested? You can reserve one now!) Just the big alpacas, we strap them down to the shearing table.
On the table
Since they are so small, Darryl can hold him down while I hand shear. I just shear off the blanket area, the hips and the base of the neck. This will be the prime blanket when we shear next spring.
Shearing in progress
I try to blend the cut areas into the longer fiber on the neck and legs. It usually requires a couple of touch ups over the next few days.
Embrace's boy
Annie's boy
I save the super soft fiber and use it for kid’s projects during Farm Tour. Mark your calendar – Sept 25 & 26 - it will be here before you know it!
Farm Tour Review
Farm Tour is over for 2009. I’m already thinking of next year. It is a busy, crazy, fun weekend. We had lots of visitors, pretty good sales and some interest in raising alpacas.
Sarah, the tattoo artistThe tattoos were a big hit. Feeding EmbraceCamille has a new friend
Feeding the alpacas was also a hit – for visitors of all ages.
Kathe spins for the kids
Watching Kathe spin was a hit.
Making a fuzzy alpaca picture
The fiber projects were a hit.
But now, I’m on a mission to build up inventory and complete the custom orders I have in the queue. My next show is on Halloween in my hometown of Braham. This is a new show – starting this year. I’m hoping for a good crowd of people ready to start Christmas shopping! But I need to do my part. So far, I’ve ordered more yarn to knit and more soap to felt! And I’ve set some inventory goals.
