Fiber, fiber, and more fiber!

With all the nice weather we've been having in upstate NY, we've actually managed to get quite a bit done on the fence, but somehow I managed not to take any pictures!  We're almost done though, so I'll wait and take pictures once it is all done.

In the meantime, I have lots of new fibery pictures to share!

Back in late June/early July, I was spinning like crazy to stock my booth for the Hamilton 4th of July Farmer's Market, but I just got around to taking pictures and listing all the yarns on Etsy this week.  There are some really cool ones available, if I do say so myself!  Get them while they're hot, they won't be in the Etsy store long once I start the farmer's market again in August!

Our very own tan llama roving plied with dyed wool/alpaca.  Subtle but gorgeous!

This is definitely NOT subtle!  A gorgeous thick & thin spiral ply art yarn in beautiful neon colors.

My very first tailspun yarn!  The base yarn is the same dyed wool/alpaca as above, with grey Gotland/Wensleydale locks spun in.

This one might be my favorite...gorgeous jewel-toned alpaca/silk blend.

Another big surprise when I got back from Colorado...I had roving ready at the mill!  They had already processed my natural grey llama/BFL roving while I was gone, and when I went back to work I got to process my own corespun yarn!  I heard that the second batch of roving was going to be processed last Friday, so hopefully I can bring it home on Wednesday, along with a kid mohair fleece I had them wash.

The natural grey BFL/llama roving.  It is gorgeous, really need to spin some myself!

Six pounds of corespun yarn!  It will be made into bags to sell.

I've got a few more fibery things planned for the remaining warm weather this summer/fall.  First and foremost, I need to skirt the few remaining fleeces that I have, so they can get made into roving at the mill.  I have a cool merino/romney fleece that I'm going to have blended with a bit of firestar, and a couple of yearling mohair fleeces that I want to have dyed and blended with a finn/romney fleece (already skirted!).  I also have two fawn alpaca fleeces at home in Indiana that I'm going to have made into roving.

I also have a few suri llama and alpaca fleeces, as well as some gorgeous Gotland/Wensleydale locks, that need to be washed in preparation for lockspinning this winter.  And I have a ton of white scrap wool that I want to solar dye with Kool-Aid to stuff into bird nesting balls.

Solar dying with Kool-Aid last summer.

The results...and yes it smelled like fruit, even after rinsing!

Displays

I've been spending the past few weeks thinking about nothing but FIBER!  I just started working at a local fiber mill, and all I can think about is how I want to get my stuff processed this summer, and how I wish I had more animals/fiber!!  And on top of all that I attended a fiber marketing seminar put on by the Broome Co. Extension in Binghamton yesterday, which gave me even more ideas for things to do with my fiber.

So first, and update on what I have planned...  As I mentioned before, with my nicer stuff (Ralph, Bluff, and Duque's blankets), I'm going to have it blended with sheep's wool and then made into roving.  Ralph's is going to be blended with either white or black Cormo, and Bluff and Duque's fleeces are going to be blended with a gorgeous BFL fleece that I just bought.  Then I'll try to sell the roving, or spin some and sell the yarn.  I also have two nice alpaca fleeces I bought from my neighbor back in Indiana, and I'll probably have those blended together to make a fawn roving.

Next in the plans is some corespun yarn.  I'm going to use the longer seconds that I have (from Bluff and Ralph), and probably buy 2-3 lbs of alpaca seconds from someone to blend with mine.  I want to get the corespun yarn done in stripes, rather than blending the colors.  And then I'm going to talk my mom into weaving some bags to sell.

My newest idea is getting felted boot insoles made!  For this I'm going to use the really crappy stuff (the short seconds/thirds from Ralph, plus April's fiber, and maybe a fleece or 2 that I will buy), and it will get blended 50:50 with wool at the mill.  I'm also toying with the idea of making dryer balls with the leftovers, but I'll have to see if there is anything left over!

I'm really excited about this coming year...  I just signed up for the second half of the Hamilton, NY farmer's market (August-early November), and I may find a craft fair or two in the fall to do (if needed).

Now that I'm doing the farmer's market, I really need to re-think and re-vamp my display.  Luckily I found out that my parents have a pop-up canopy that I can use in case of rain (fall in NY...definitely going to rain at some point!), but I do need to buy a table.  But that's the easy part...figuring out how to display everything I have is going to be tough!  In the past, I didn't have as much yarn, and I didn't really like my display anyway.  I like using the folding drying rack to display rugs, so that will stay.  I also have a nice wood and metal wire folding display that I can put on the table, and I'm thinking about picking up a few wooden crates somewhere to put things in.  I need to work on getting my display more vertical...I tend to just put things on the table, and that won't work!  I'm also toying with the idea of making a wall of sorts out of wood lattice...cutting the lattice to about 2' wide by 4' tall, and then hinging the pieces together so that they will stay upright.  Then I could hang yarn, bags, or scarves along the top of the lattice, and it would fold up to be easy to transport and store.  But if I'm only hanging things along the top, I'm not sure if it wouldn't be easier to make some sort of stand with a dowel rod across the top, and not bothering with the lattice.  I'll have to keep thinking...

This is one version of my past display.  On the left is a hall-tree for skeins of yarn, but I'll need something else for the future since I have a lot more yarn now!  In the middle is the folding drying rack with scarves and rugs, which will stay.  And on the right is a small table with the folding display.  I'll hopefully get a table that is twice as long, but still use the display.  I'd like to find a better way to display hats though!

A closer shot of how I use the folding display.  Any better suggestions for how to display the hats?

So, how do you display your craft fair items?  Any suggestions for me?

Fiber Business Progress

For the past several years, things have been up and down with my fiber business.  When I first started Etsy was very new, so I got a ton of sales.  Now the competition is fierce, and I'm looking for some ways to make my shop stand out!  I'd love to hear your suggestions!  I'll give out 20% discount coupons to anyone who comes up with a good tip, or will review my current shop and give suggestions!

So first, the past...  Again, Etsy sales started of good, but quickly dropped.  For some reason, I don't get a ton of repeat customers.  I've had fairly good luck with craft fairs, but I just moved so all of the past ones are now out of reach.

My display at a craft fair last fall.

Now, the present...  Etsy sales are picking up a bit from 2012, but it is early.  I've built back up my inventory of woven rugs, and made a few llama/alpaca batts to sell (but none of that has sold yet).  I found a nearby yarn store that *might* be interested in selling my handspun...I'm visiting Friday, and hopefully something positive works out from that!  I've also been having a lot of luck with my new fiber CSA!  I'm already almost sold out of fiber for the 2013 shearing.  I have just started advertising my new custom handspun, handknit llamas, and there seems to be a lot of interest.  Hopefully after shearing season I'll get some orders!

Luscious llama/angora rabbit batt, available in my Etsy shop.

And most importantly, some of my thoughts about things to do for the future.

I'm thinking about entering the world of bulky/artsy handspun yarns.  Unfortunately I have quite the stash of luxury fibers that want to be spun thin (I'm going to aim for fingering weight for most of those), but I'm thinking about investing in a few pounds of neutral wool roving, and a bit less of some dyed roving (in a few colors).  That way I can play around with bulky yarns, as well as art yarns.  I can also break out the drum carder and make some blends of my own (either just mixing the wool rovings, or adding in some silk/bamboo or llama/alpaca).  I should probably get a few colors of silk/bamboo too, as well as some thin thread/weaving yarn for plying.  I don't really want to get into dying, but I think with a few well-chosen natural and dyed colors of roving I could create some good blends on my own.  I probably won't bother trying to sell any more batts though...

Collection of luxury roving I need to spin...merino/silk, silk, silk/sea cell, mohair, and 2 merino/cashmere/silk.

An example of a past art yarn...merino/tencel plied with silk.

I really need to either find a better (probably in person) venue for selling knit items, or give up trying to make/sell them all together.  They just aren't selling on Etsy, and I'm not sure where I can advertise to get more traffic.  Maybe I will look into some new craft fairs for the fall (nothing knit sells in summer!). The few I have done in the past seemed to work out pretty well.  I'm not a huge fan of craft fairs, but I suppose if I limited myself to one or two it wouldn't be too bad.

Thrummed mitts...currently available in my Etsy store.

I already have plans to get more roving made from my llama/alpaca fleeces.  I didn't sell any of my fleeces last year, so I'm going to get 2 batches of roving made.  One batch will be Bluff/Duque, blended with a silver BFL fleece.  The other batch will be Ralph blended with a black Cormo fleece.  I'm planning on trying to sell the roving next year, but even if I don't I can spin it myself!  The sheep fleeces I'm going to buy are local (NY), so I will have a local, eco-friendly product to sell.  I had considered starting to make knit items (to sell) only out of my own (or other local) fibers, as a way to enter a different niche market, but I'll have to see what sorts of venues I can find for selling knit items in general.

Some of Ralph's roving...now all sold.

I also need to work on advertising...  I am not a huge fan of social media, but I've tried to be active on Facebook in attempt to get traffic.  Not sure it is working though...  I'm going to try and be better about posting here on my blog too, but I need help figuring out how to draw more people in to actually read what I post!

I had a few other ideas about things to try, but now I think I'd rather focus on yarn.  I was thinking about making my own patterns for bulky weight knit items (hats, scarves, mittens, fingerless gloves, cowls, etc.) that I could make to order and sell on Etsy as custom items, but that's not really the direction I want to go anymore.  I think I'll be better off focusing on just knitting for myself (and for gifts), and getting more serious about spinning to sell.

Some of the handspun yarn available in my shop.

So...my request for help...  If you'd like to take the time to review my current Etsy shop, or give suggestions about things I might try in the future, I would really appreciate the help!  I'll even tempt you with a coupon for 20% off anything in my Etsy store!  I'd really like 2013 to be a big year for me, but I'm going to need help, and the best tips come from customers!  Thanks in advance!

New Yarns, and a Giveaway!

I've been busy this week, spinning like crazy to get more yarn to take to the yarn store in Ithaca.  I finished 2 new yarns:

The first is a gorgeous bright yarn...a 50:50 merino/yak blend from Abstract Fibers in the Chocolate Rainbow colorway.  I split the roving vertically, and spun each half into singles.  I then plied the singles in the same order, so that the colors matched up.  They didn't match up perfectly, but the stripes are pretty good.  This is the finest double ply yarn I've spun yet...366 yards from 4 ounces, measuring at 15 WPI.  It is destined for the yarn store, but if you'd rather knit with it yourself I'm asking $70 including shipping in the US.

The second is a really unique shiny yarn...a 50:50 superwash merino/tencel blend plied with viscose (bamboo) thread.  I was aiming for a spiral ply, which didn't quite work out, but the thread ply still makes it a gorgeous art yarn.  It will knit up beautifully!  This one is 276 yards from 4 ounces, $55 including shipping.

I also have (almost) finished pictures of my sweater!  I blocked it last week, and seamed up the back.  Now I just need to decide on closures for the front and finish it!

And finally, a giveaway!  I'm trying to build up my fan base on the farm Facebook page, so I'm having a giveaway once I reach 150 fans!  I think I'm only 7 "likes" away, so please "like" and share the page, and you'll be entered into the giveaway!

Etsy Updates!

Well life has been pretty boring, so there's really not much to write about!  I was very successful in updating the Etsy store this past week though, getting ready for our Thanksgiving sale.  So there are lots of new things in the shop that would make perfect Christmas presents!

There is tons of fiber and roving now in the shop!  I've listed all of our 2012 llama and alpaca fleeces, as well as the roving made from our 2011 fleeces.  I've also started a new fiber CSA program, where you can buy a 2013 fleece (as raw fleece, hand carded batts, or handspun yarn) and help support our fiber farm!

Ralph's (alpaca) 2012 fleece.  

Kara, one of the 2 remaining llama CSAs available.  This will be her first shearing, so this fleece will be magnificent!  It has already won 2nd place in a fleece-on class!

Our llama blend roving from 2011.  It is luscious to spin!

There is also lots of handspun yarn.  Many were 2012 Indiana State Fair class winners!  Every skein is 100% unique!

Handspun wool/silk/cotton yarn.

And for those who don't craft, we even have handwoven and hand knit items already made.  We have eco-friendly (recycled fabric) rugs, scarves, hats, fingerless mitts, ear bands, you name it!

A handspun handknit hat.

A matching set of wool ear band and fingerless mitts (sold separately).

Handwoven rug.

Handwoven scarf.

So if you're looking for Christmas presents, don't delay!  We will be taking orders until Dec. 17, so that you will get everything before Christmas.  If you don't see exactly what you're looking for, send me an email or convo me through Etsy and we can work out a custom order.

Fiber Progress!

I've had quite a bit of time to knit recently, and have made good progress on Christmas presents!  I'm not sure I posted pictures of any of the earlier ones, so I'll start way back in August!

This is a beautiful purple (sorry, crappy camera!) lace cowl that I knit from Stonehenge Fiber Mill yarn.  Either sport or worsted weight, can't quite remember.  It sold very quickly at one of the fiber fairs I attended this fall.

Next is a bee shell for a stuffed turtle I made my future nephew.  His parents raise bees, so I just had to make the bee shell!  Christmas present #1!

One of my frequent "stash busting" projects.  A pair of finglerless mitts from some scrap wool/mohair yarn my mom bought to bind the edges of her hooked rug.  They also sold quickly at the Pioneer Fair.

This is the first of my selfish projects...an earband to finish off my trio of winter items for myself!  The yarn is handspun (by me!) merino wool that I got at the Michigan Sheep & Wool Fest last year.  I made fingerless mitts and a cowl last winter and the earband is the last piece!

Another gift...this time a belated birthday present for my fiance.  I had the slippers knit before his birthday, but I had to wait til he visited to felt them so they would fit!  Sewing on the soles took forever but they look awesome and he loves them!

Another selfish project...washable fingerless gloves for myself.  I decided I needed something for future winter barn work, and they've already come in handy at 2 fall llama shows!

Birthday present #2...socks for my sister.  Unfortunately she loves handknit socks, and I hate knitting them!  The yarn is 10% cashmere and absolutely fabulous though, so at least it is fun to knit with!  One sock is done and the other is about halfway there...

And Christmas #2 or birthday #3...slippers for my mom.  I couldn't find the yarn that the pattern called for but decided to hold 2 strands of the Brown Sheep wool/mohair worsted weight together (in place of a bulky weight), and it works great!  I hope they hold up...they aren't felted...

I've also started on a mohair caplet for myself to wear to a friend's winter wedding next month...currently that is my #1 project to finish.  The rest will probably have to wait til I'm done with school!

Speaking of, school is winding down for me, and that means that life is about to get really crazy.  So I'll be taking a month or so hiatus from the blog so I can focus!  I'll try to get a post or two in before Christmas though once I get back home.  And spring next year should be really exciting as I move to NY and work on bringing an old farm up to speed to house my llamas starting in the summer!

Fall Craft Fairs!

Things have been pretty quiet on the llama front now that I'm back at school for my final semester, but I've been keeping busy with craft fairs this fall!

The first one was the annual Shelby County Pioneer Fair back home in Indiana.  I actually sold a ton of stuff that weekend, and had a lot of fun spinning on a big walking wheel!  Don't have any pictures though, mostly because I was dressed in my 1800s costume and didn't want evidence!

I was supposed to do another craft fair the next weekend back in Michigan, but due to forecasted rainy weather (which never happened) I decided not to go.

The following weekend I found yet another craft fair (technically a heritage festival) to go to for a day.  I finally remembered my camera so I have pictures!  The event was held at the Woldumar Nature Center outside of Lansing, MI.  There were several craft vendors, as well as costumed demonstrators, a native flute player, a petting zoo area, wagon rides, and games and activities for kids.  I didn't sell much, but I had a great day spinning in the beautiful fall weather!  I ended up spinning about a pound of the BFL roving that I'm working on for a handspun sweater.

Pioneer cabin on the grounds near the nature center.

Indian dwellings built for the event.

My little "booth" at the heritage festival.

Now that the craft fairs are over for the year (at least for me), all of my handmade items will be working their way back to my Etsy site in the near future.  Just need to get pictures of the new stuff to list!  Start thinking about Christmas gifts early!

FOR SALE: Overman Bluff N Fluff

It's sad to have to do this, but the time has come to look for a new home for Bluff.  The herd is moving to central NY next spring/summer, and I have to downsize as much as possible.  I'm keeping Bluff's gorgeous daughter, Kara, to carry on the legacy in my future breeding herd.

Bluff at ~6 months of age (Fall 2006).

Bluff is definitely one of the coolest llamas I've ever purchased, and she is still one of my favorites on the farm.  I bought her in 2008 from Doug Overman of Overman Llamas in Otterbein, IN.  She was only halter trained, but she had a very calm disposition and I knew she would be easy to train.

Bluff at ~1 year of age (Spring 2007).

A family friend showed Bluff at her first show (Kentuckiana Classic) just a month after we purchased her, and Bluff placed 2nd in a very competitive halter class.

Bluff in April 2008.

A couple of months after that I showed Bluff for the first time at the Allen Co. Open show, where she placed 1st and Grand Champion in halter!  I was over the moon!  We also went to the Ohio State Fair, where she placed 2nd in her first Novice performance class!

Bluff and I in Adult Showmanship at the 2008 Ohio State Fair.

Shortly before the Allen Co. show we bred Bluff for the first time (to MRLF Ridge Runner- our ALSA Halter Champion herdsire at the time), and Bluff entered the "mom" portion of her life.  In June 2009 she gave birth to Autumn Hill's Rainier, who has since gone on to win Champions in halter and place in many competitive Novice performance classes with his new owner.

Bluff and Rainier at the 2009 Indiana State Fair.

Bluff and Rainier getting ready for the costume class.  Bluff is the one covered from head to toe!

Rainier at ~2 months of age (Summer 2009).

We bred Bluff back to Ridge later that fall, and in October 2010 she delivered Autumn Hill's Iliamna (aka Lily).  Lily was almost perfect in every way, and it was devastating when we lost her to a cruel dog attack at just 3 months of age.

Lily and Bluff, Fall 2010.

Desperate for a Bluff/Ridge baby to keep for myself, we bred Bluff back to Ridge one more time, and Autumn Hill's Karakoram (aka Kara) was born this past April (2012).  She is even more colorful than her two full siblings, and I hope she matures just as well as Rainier has!  She shows a lot of potential, and has her mom's fabulous personality.

Kara and Bluff, Spring 2012.

Kara and Bluff, Spring 2012.

As much as I hate to see her go, Bluff deserves to be more than a pasture ornament.  She has an extremely friendly personality, and would make a great Public Relations llama.  You can touch her anywhere, and she isn't spooked by large crowds or loud noises.  She would also make a wonderful 4-H or open show llama.  She's already obstacle, pack, and costume trained, and would have potential as a driving llama.  With a little bit of practice she would be amazing!  And with all of the gorgeous crias she has produced, Bluff also would make a great breeding female.  She has good conformation, huge stature, and tons of presence.  Her fiber is gorgeous and she passes on her sweet personality.

Bluff, Winter 2008.

So you can decide...what could Bluff bring to your herd?  I'm asking only $500 for Bluff, which is much less than what she is worth, especially with her training.  And to the right home, I would even consider lowering her price.  She is a one-of-a-kind llama, and deserves to have a home that can appreciate that!  Visit our Facebook page, or call (317-979-2669) or email (llamapyr 25 @ earthlink.net) (get rid of the spaces!) for more information on this gorgeous girl!

And last but definitely not least...her bloodlines.  Her sire is MSF Ringmaster...a Tuna Catcher son from the famous Mark Smith Llama Farm!  Her dam is a beautiful white Chilean girl, who throws a lot of gorgeous female crias!

Bluff's sire, MSF Ringmaster.

Bluff's dam, Chilean Fluff & Buff.