When I bred and raised alpacas, I learned about their history. Research tells us that the alpaca has been a domesticated livestock for over 4000 years, producing fiber that was the basis of class struggles in South America, often called the “fiber of the gods,” and even now referred to as “the gold of the Andes.” Alpacas were part of the traditions and cultural development of the herdsmen and women of the Andes, known as “compesinos”  who today still are part of the alpaca industry in Peru. The Compesinos, generation after generation, have raised their herds high in the mountains, with skill and caring, and the alpacas in my pasture were descendents of those alpacas. Awe inspiring to say the least.

Many of us who work with cloth and fiber, were drawn to this medium in part, because of our interest in the role it has played in the history and cultural development of a people. There is a connection to the past, to the earth and to people who created and were sustained by cloth before us.

Like Carlo Petrini’s Slow Food movement in concept, the Slow Cloth Movement is about one’s relationship to your work, life and expression with cloth. In 2007,  Elaine Lipson starting developing the Slow Cloth movement and in ‘08, after much reflection, identified ten principles applicable to any textile-related process. Just recently, Elaine together with two artists of like-mind, Jude Hill and Glennis Dolce, have gone Facebook with a Slow Cloth community page. It has grown remarkably fast, has many interesting discussions and great array of resources too. Join the community and become part of the movement.

HandEye Magazine featured Elaine Lipson’s “Slow Cloth Manifesto” in their February 14th edition in which she outlines the ten principles of the movement-reflective and meaningful to those of us who work with cloth.

Elaine Lipson is a writer, editor, and artist, and the author of  The Organic Foods Sourcebook (Contemporary Books, 2001), The International Market for Green and Sustainable Apparel (Packaged Facts, 2008), and many articles on organic farming, supporting local growers, sustainable apparel and more. Her blog is Red Thread Studio blog at http://lainie.typepad.com

Pachamamas Way Sanctuary in Durango, CO, founded by Raylene McCalman, was recently featured in an excellent article in the Durango Herald. Sadly, animals- livestock and pets too- suffer in bad economic times such as we are now experiencing. McCalman has given refuge to abandoned alpacas and llamas. She recently rescued 12 abandoned and starving llamas in the area and there are more calls coming in.

Read the Durango Herald article and Pachamamas Way blog too at http://pachamamasway.blogspot.com/

Raylene McCalman has a post on her blog today describing her huge project of gathering alpaca fiber for a fiber processing mill in Mexico. Raylene’s knowledge of fiber from production to art is a great attribute to this work and her art. She recently founded and runs a sanctuary for abandoned and abused camelids (llamas and alpacas) in Colorado. The fiber mill project, her fiber art and educational components, end products all figure into the sanctuary as partial funding for this much needed help to our beloved animal friends.

To find out more, read her blog, “Pachamama’s Way“.

Llama

Pachamamma’s Way is a sanctuary for llamas and alpacas in Colorado. Founded and managed by Raylene McCalman, longtime fiber artisan and alpaca owner, the sanctuary provides a haven for camelids abandoned in these hard economic times.

“Our sanctuary and its programs, in collaboration with rescue organizations throughout the US, will support rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of alpacas and llamas, as well as provide a safe environment for animals unable to be adopted to live out their lives,” says Ms McCalman.

Pachamamma’s Way Sanctuary, in conjunction with Durango Fiber Works will use the stories (and fiber too!) of the camelids,  to promote the growing fiber cottage industry in the USA.

Funds are needed, of course, for feed, vet care (some of which has been donated) and equipment at the sanctuary. Go to their blog for info on how you can help: http://pachamamasway.blogspot.com/

At her home in Maine, USA, Linda Cortright runs a small herd of cashmere goats. But each year her passion for “wild fibre” takes her around the globe, on the trail of sheep in the mountains of New Zealand, cashmere goats in Kyrgyzstan, and elusive wild guanaco in the high Andes. So begins an article featured on the International Year of Fibres website about Linda Cortright and the magazine she created, “Wild Fibers Magazine.”

Wild Fibers is a magazine dedicated to promoting all aspects of the fiber industry from every corner of the globe too. The stories of the fiber producing animals- an amazing range- and the shephards who raise them are rich with human interest. The photography is stunning.

Linda Cortright travels the world to find these herdsmen and women, understand their way of life and tell the world about them. She is indeed an advocate for the nomads, natives of various lands and artisans who generation after generation have raised fiber animals well, harvested the fiber and supported their families in this tradition. Ms. Cortright also tells of the artisanship and expertise of these people.

Amazing stories, many with a touch of Linda Cortright’s humor, and photography rivaling any found in National Geographic, make Wild Fibers Magzine fascinating from cover to cover.

Destino's Jeanette

As some of my readers know, I spent many years breeding and raising alpacas. It was a life I loved–living rural, raising beautiful fiber producing livestock and through the process, broadening my knowledge of fiber and related skills. While my farm life is no longer, I still do have a few alpacas.

I am very pleased to be working with Jeanette and Jim Campbell who own Alpacas at Willowbrook Farm in Louisburg, KS. The Campbells have an excellent herd, resulting from a knowledge of livestock farming and a data based breeding program. Jeanette is a fiber expert, having earned her certificate from Olds College in Canada as a fiber technician.

The Campbell’s alpaca herd reflects their knowledge of genetics and a sound herd management program that helped them build an excellent fiber production and seed stock herd. Represented in their alpacas’ pedigrees are the lines well known, generation after generation, to produce quality and healthy alpacas – Peruvian Accoyo’s Caligula, Camilio, Hemingway and Legacy.

In these economic times, the alpaca livestock business has lots of potential for the established farm wanting to expand their base or continue livestock farming on a smaller scale. For someone with a small acreage and interest in fiber production animals, this may be appealing as well. Key to success with this business is gaining the knowledge for good herd management and fiber production….and some business skills too!

If you would like to know more about raising and breeding alpacas, the fine fiber of an alpaca, do visit the Campbell’s website. I am boarding my remaining alpacas with them – 4 very nice females, one of whom is due to deliver mid-October. Of course they are for sale!

Beauty contest entry

Dubai is the site of the annual beauty contest for camels. Yes, that’s right. Camels. Owners trek across the Arabian peninsula each year to enter this prestigious, 9 day event. The prizes for the most beautiful camel are quite grand, but family honor is ultimate goal.

24,000 camels entered the contest this year. What is the criteria for winning the top prize? Well, there are many, including shiny hair (camels do have terrific fiber), a big hump and of course, long legs. National Geographic did a fabulous story about the history, pagentry and intrigue of this annual event.

Read more…..

Some time ago I wrote a post, “Giving Fiber a Grade,” in which I spoke of the extreme importance of grading and sorting raw fiber before processing to achieve the best possible end product. Some readers will remember that I feel quite strongly that if one is going to raise fiber bearing livestock, then one should educate oneself about fiber. Makes for a more successful business.

I thus offer congratulations to my good friend, Jeanette Campbell, owner with her husband of Alpacas at Willowbrook Farm. Jeanette has been diligently studying over the past three years or so with one of the alpaca industry’s finest and most knowledgeable fiber technicians, Ruth Elvestad.  She had completed her studies, internship and passed the finals with flying colors indeed. Jeanette Campbell is now officially a “Camelid Fibre Certified Sorter.”

I add that application of this knowledge extends to herd management as it relates to breeding selection, nutrition, and care of the alpacas to ensure the best fiber production possible. It certainly shows in Jeanette and Jim Campbell’s alpaca herd at Alpacas of Willowbrook Farm.

Here’s what Jeanette has to say about her experience:

“The first rung on the ladder to achieving certification as a Camelid Fiber Sorter was the Basic Farm Sorter course taught by fiber guru Ruth Elvestad. A two day intensive, hands on course learning about camelid fiber, this course is designed to teach about on-farm fiber preparation prior to sending fiber to a co-op, to mills or to hand spinners for processing.

In addition to this basic course, the prerequisite for taking the 4 day sorter course at Olds College in Canada, is a working knowledge of fiber such as knitting, spinning, weaving or shearing.

This intense, structured workshop, again taught by Ruth Elvestad, consisted of theory and hands-on components as well as visits to working mills. A written and practical test completed the weekend. Course participants then had a 24 month period in which to farm sort and grade 200 Huacaya fleeces and 25 Suri fleeces, before submitting a further 25 Huacaya and 10 Suri individually assessed and recorded fleeces for final examination and grading. The course and certification is accredited by Olds College School of Innovation in Alberta, Canada.

This has been a wonderful experience working with a huge variety of fleeces and helping other alpaca breeders get the best end product from their yearly clip. Learning the benefits of sorting behind the shearer rather than ‘out of the bag’ has also been invaluable.”

Pollination Project is a interesting new endeavor in Nova Scotia that combines how we live, work, create, sustain ourselves in society today. Fiber as in creating, production, and expression is included.

“Pollination Project is an education and development centre situated on a stunning 250 acre site of woods, lakes, rivers and organic gardens on the South Shore of Nova Scotia where we welcome groups and individuals through workshops, seminars and residential fellowships, to explore the inherent connections between healthy food, artistic expression, mindful practices and just society. “

The founders, Camelia Frieberg and Peter Biro, both believe that a sustainable and better society is accomplished through respect for the earth, healthier lifestyles and artistic expression and creative functionality.

There are some excellent fiber classes offered at Pollination Project. One that I find especially relevant and useful is “Fibre Foundation: Your Animal and You.” This class is for those wishing to raise fibre producing livestock, selecting the right breed, husbandry for the best end product, then what to do with the fiber clip, as in skilled processing.

Visit the Pollination Project site and learn more.

The Textile & Fiber Art Fair has a new website with info about artists, fair booths and classes.  Visit the website to find an update on fiber arts technique classes to be held on July 11 during the Fair at the Fisher Arts Center in Marshalltown, IA. The application for fiber artists wanting a booth is also available. To date, we have several excellent, talented fiber artists who have applied, but we do have a few spaces left. Classes will be taught by Rebecca Kemble, Ilene Bartos and Janet Pittman.

Quilting Weekly is a new website that offers home-study quilting courses. There are several courses now available on QW, a great new site developed by Chris Dahl. Chris is a Midwesterner, a most accomplished quilter and teacher for many years. QW is a friendly site, easy to navigate offering tips, some free mini-lessons and more.

Olds College in Alberta, Canada is offering a certification course in “Camelid Fibre Sorter & Classer.” If you raise and breed alpacas or llamas, consider taking this course, most particularly the first in the series, “Basic Farm Sorter.” The success of your alpaca business is dependent on the quality of your fiber production. What you learn in this class will help your breeding program, sales of both alpacas and fiber and your overall husbandry.

Ruth Elvestad, herself a certified fiber technician in Canada, and alpaca show judge is the instructor for this certification course, which is institutionally approved and backed by Olds College.