Alpaca Art at Addies

I've had several nice opportunities to sell my alpaca products lately, but wanted to give a bit more detail about what we're up to tomorrow, Saturday, December 11th. It's a busy time and I know that lots of you have wanted to shop with us but other chances didn't work out for you. We had considered having a small barn open house, but thought it might be more convenient if we set up on the deck at nearby Addie's Creekside Cafe in Millville from 11-2 (rain or shine, it should be dry enough and people can go inside to get warm or purchase lunch, a hot chocolate or coffee). A lot of people have been asking me what I'm bringing, prices, etc., so here's the plan!I've got several colorful felted birdhouses ready to go. Most are $22 and a few larger ones are $30 or $35. I'm getting a great response to these and have sold quite a few already (also have some pre-orders I plan to ship next week) and am making them as fast as I can to supply my own needs as well as the galleries where I sell.

I have a pretty limited supply of alpaca socks. I've only got about 10 pairs and they're a variety of women's or up to size 10 men's sizes, all are $20 each. I can order more on request and have them by the end of next week if you let me know.Alpaca felted soaps are a popular, unique gift item, and I've got several in Christmas colors and other pretty shades. They are $8, and if you'd like to order a quantity of 5 or more I can take $1 off and have them for you next week!

There will be some alpaca hats ($20-$25), scarves ($30 for commercial, $60 for handmade nuno-felted silk and alpaca), and I'm putting special pricing on our entire inventory of alpaca sweaters ($40-$100). I didn't go to Peru this fall, so I won't have the cute ornaments or some of the other items that I brought back with me last year.Handmade silk and alpaca scarf

I have some handspun, hand-dyed yarn but will also be offering some special "stash" alpaca yarn for $3-4 per skein.

Making jewelry (seen at top) has been a fun new endeavor for me this year and it's been well-received so far! Some of the jewelry incorporates felted alpaca beads but I also use swarovski crystal, sterling silver, lots of copper, roman glass, etc. Prices on jewelry ranges from $8-$20 for earrings, $30-$40 for bracelets, and $15 to $60 for necklaces.

If you plan to eat lunch at Addies, you may want to consider making a reservation at 873-0273.

So, that's the general scoop, though there are probably some things I've left out! If this goes well, I may do it again next Saturday so please do let me know if you are interested. We're open at the farm by appointment, and I can ship in time for Christmas if it's by next week (and I have time to make!!!) Thanks for all of your support and encouragement of our products, the handmade items in particular.

Felted Soaps- What the Heck?

One of the more popular items that I make and sell are "felted soaps". Some people look at me REALLY strangely when I say that, trying to picture a soap made of felt or felt made of soap. Actually, it's more like a combination of the two!I start with hand-dyed alpaca roving or batting(fiber which has been "carded"), wrap it around a soap, then wet it and start rubbing to make it felt permanently around the soap.
The end result is a pretty little soap which is kind of like having a washcloth or loofah AND soap all in one. When you wet it in the shower or tub, soap suds come through the felt and you can scrub with it!
I sell these at Damselfly Gallery in Midway, Truly Bluegrass in Versailles, and here on the farm. They make a great gift, and come wrapped with handspun or fabric scaps tied around them and a tag which explains what it is! I'll have plenty available for our Shearing Day which is this Saturday, April 10th, from 10 to 4.