Cleaning Llama and Alpaca Wool

Author: 
Nancy Chlarson

Good herd management will make cleaning your llama and alpaca fiber much easier. Keep your fiber animals in a clean pasture and away from weeds and foreign objects that can tangle in the wool. Feed a well-balanced mineral supplement formulated for llamas and alpacas such as the Stillwater Minerals available through Quality Llama Products. Feed clean hay with no weeds and give your animals plenty of room to eat where they will not drop feed on each other.

The best time to clean llama and alpaca wool is on the animal. Try to plan a grooming day a few days prior to shearing. The best tools for grooming if you plan to harvest the wool for spinning are the Kwik and Slick and a good blower. If you need to brush the animal use a soft, gentle brush such as the wool tamer to avoid damage to the wool. Start by blowing as much of the debris as possible from the wool using the circuiteer blower. If you only have a few animals to do the mini-circ will work fine. If you are doing a large herd and time is of the essence the larger circ II will work faster as it has twice the blowing power of the mini circ.

After blowing the main garbage out of the wool, use the kwik and slick to remove the rest of the garbage. With a crimp tool, beat the wool in a downward stroke starting at the top of the back and working down. This will create a static charge to the wool and when you lift the wool the garbage will fall out. Fluff the wool frequently as you beat it. Quality Llama Products offers a great video demonstrating this process which is available free of charge on a loan basis.

Cleaning the wool prior to shearing will extend the life of the shears and make the wool much easier to handle after it is removed from the animal. Once the wool is removed from the animal spread it out on a clean smooth surface. Remove the outer edges if they are damaged or muddy and using your fingers or tweezers handpick any debris that you can from the wool. The wool can now be stored or carded if you wish and then washed after it is spun.

If you prefer to wash your wool prior to spinning, was it in a container that can be drained outside and do not drain it through the plumbing as the fiber can badly clog the plumbing system. Use a mild soap such as liquid ivory or woolite and very hot water. Fill the tub with very hot water and add about three times as much soap as you would if doing laundry. Put the wool in a tub (fill the tub before placing the wool in the water as you do not want to run the water on top of the wool) and let it soak for about an hour. Do not agitate, as this will cause the wool to felt. After soaking place the wool in a colander or some sort of container to drain. Again take care not to agitate the fibers. Rinse in hot water and drain again. Let the fiber dry on towels or place in a plastic basket where the air can circulate around the fiber to dry. I find that a great time saver with this method of washing fiber is a net bag such as out net harvest bag or a net laundry bag. This allows you to move the fiber from the container to the rinse easily and without agitation and can also be used to dry the fiber.

You can also use the washing machine to wash your wool but try to have it drain outside rather than through the plumbing if possible. Using very hot water fill the washer with soap and water. Place the fleece in the washer and let it soak for about an hour. (Do not turn the washer on). Turn the washer to the spin cycle and spin the water out of the fleece. Lift the fleece out of the water and wipe the inside of the washer. Fill the washer with very hot clean water and put the fleece back in to soak for about thirty minute. Turn washer to spin cycle and spin the water out. If fleece is still dirty or needs more rinsing repeat this procedure. Spread the fleece out on a window screen or in a plastic basket where it can dry with air circulation. If fleece is especially dirty you may want to add about one half cup of white vinegar to the last rinse.

Some things that will damage fiber are:

  1. Moths and carpet beetles that chew on the fiber
  2. Water damage due to leaks or high humidity that cause the fiber to mildew
  3. Bright sun can cause the fiber to bleach and become brittle.

To prevent fiber damage wait until your fiber is completely dry and store it in a waterproof container with a tight fitting lid such as an inexpensive plastic storage box. Add a couple of cedar blocks or herbal moth repellents of your choice to prevent damage from insects. Store in a closet or room away from direct sunlight.

Nancy Chlarson - Quality Llama Products, Inc.

New Craft for Alpaca and Llama Wool

Author: 
Nancy Chlarson

We attended an alpaca show and met a most amazing person. Harry the rope maker was busy "spinning" wonderful lead ropes using a Taravia he had designed and made. The tool was designed and used in ancient Egypt over 3000 years ago. The Mexican horsehair rope makers use it much the same way today. Harry took the process one step further and is now making the tools to create yarn and rope from llama and alpaca wool.

Two people can use the taravia to create fine wool yarn for knitting or one person can make rope from roving with only the help of a fence or post for an anchor. Rope can be fine or up to an inch thick by plying several strands together. One end of the fiber is anchored to a post or fence and the other end hooked to the taravia. The Taravia is then spun to twist the fiber into a fine rope. Several of these fine ropes can then be plyed by following the same procedure and spinning the taravia in the opposite direction.

I was especially impressed with the quality of Harry's work. The taravia are available in a variety of hardwoods and all are hand crafted, sanded and waxed to a high sheen. Harry obviously knows his way around the woodshop! Harry has generously offered to make these tools available to the Quality Llama Products, Inc. customers and has several sets on hand ready to ship. If you are in the market for a fun craft that the whole family can enjoy together and that will make use of all qualities of llama and alpaca wool this is it. The finished product will be something you can be proud of for years to come and while making rope your family can make treasured memories.

Nancy Chlarson - QualityLlama Products, Inc

Alpaca Farming in Australia

Author: 
Raelene Strong Mariah Hill Alpacas & Exports

 

I love looking at alpaca sites all over the world.
It is interesting how different each of us need to manage our alpacas, and the different management practices that are adopted across each country.
 
I live in a very small town, just on the outskirts of Melbourne, soon to be joined up with the freeway, which will then make us approx 45 mins from the centre of Melbourne and 1 hour to the Tullamarine Airport, but of course on the other side of Melbourne to the airport.
The town is called “Nar Nar Goon”, which would you believe is in the Oxford Dictionary; their meaning is “a town of little significance in country Victoria”. Well we made it to the oxford Dictionary!!
The word though is Aboriginal, for very, pretty place.
We are actually at the gateway of Gippsland, considered some of the best farming country in Australia, and definitely in Victoria.
Our “Mountain”, or bump of a hill is 120 feet above sea level, and from our laneways we can see both Phillip Island in Westernport Bay, and Arthur’s seat which is on Port Phillip Bay.
You wonder, why I call our bump of a hill a “mountain”. We live on an extinct volcano called Mt Ararat, which is the smallest mountain in Australia, it is described as a mountain as it is Granite based, and not just soil.
We now farm approx 400 alpacas, on 101 acres of volcanic soil, (the best in the area), which is along way over 16 years ago, when we first purchased our first Alpacas, 2 pregnant females and a male weanling.
Alpacas had only been in Australia only about 3 years at the time, and there were less than 300 alpacas in Australia.
My Husband, Rob and Myself, had 4 children (all severe chronic asthmatics), on less than 2 acres in Hastings, (on Westernport Bay), but as I was constantly looking after a sick child, I needed to try and supplement the family income by finding something I could do at home.
We have always lived in high rainfall areas, which over the past 8 years,( long drought years), although we still get good rainfall, and our paddocks are green for all bar 3 weeks a year, you only have to travel ½ hour north or west of us, and you see the effects of the drought.
This year was the first year in 10 that we actually dried off, which was for approx 3 weeks, but because of that volcanic soil, virtually any cloud that passes over us will give us some moisture if not rain, and it will green up overnight.
When people from other areas drop off animals for our quarantine facility, they will often say, these animals have never seen green grass, and the animals just frolic through the grass, and roll, and they look as though they are in heaven.
(the photo above was taken during our summer, we did not dry off as much as others as you can see).
As we still cut our own hay, this year because of the drought less than other years, but on the average we will still cut 300 plus large round bales a year.
And so we really supplement our alpacas with the hay produced from our farm.
Other than some of the older mums that put into their babies we will give them some Lucerne and other supplements whilst their babies are still on them.
Most of Gippsland have good growth, usually, improved pasture, and we could carry 10 to the acre, up to date we really have only used 1/3 of the farm for alpacas.
The rest is rested, for hay.
About three years ago, we decided to develop and operate a pre export quarantine facility.
New Legislation was being passed by the Australian government, which meant to export alpacas, you had to be accredited to be an AQIS licensed exporter. So after a lot of studying I was told by Canberra, that I was the first exporter in all livestock to be accredited
As my daughter, Elyse, was now starting to work full time for us, I saw an opening for doing the quarantines.
Elyse had grown up with the alpacas, being only 3 when we purchased our first alpacas, and she has a natural a pore with alpacas, I have not seen one alpaca, who has not taken to her within the first 5 minutes, they love her, and she relates to alpacas very easily.
In 1991, the alpacas were a minimum $AUS20,000 no matter what it looked like, as I said there were only less than 300 alpacas in Australia with over 60,000 registered alpacas in Australia, 17 years down the track, we all have learnt a lot about fleece, fibre development and management of alpacas.
 Because we are in the south, we get a lot of cloud cover so we do have to concentrate on our Vitamin D, especially in the winter where we will give the Vit D shots every 6-8 weeks. We need to coat our new borns for the first few weeks, although we rarely get under Zero (at night. Nar Nar Goon has milder weather than most other areas, and so we do not get as cold as most of Victoria, and in Summer we do not get as hot as most of Victoria. We are located in a rainbelt and we do get strong westerly’s, so that wind chill factor we are always conscious of.
Our particular farm is one of the oldest in Australia, it was settled on in 1841, (that is 10 years before Victoria was separated from NSW) with the original homestead still standing, which my eldest son is doing up.
Every paddock is lined a minimum of two sides with these massive cypress windbreaks, the original hedges planted over 120 years ago. These hedges have been so valuable over the years, not only that planted slightly of North south, which means the paddocks are protected from those fierce northerly winds which in winter are strong and very cold, those bitter southerly winds.
And in summer we have shade for morning and afternoon from those extremely hot summers.
The farm set up, from over a century ago, really has been a great asset for us with our alpacas.
With our involvement in the alpaca industry we often are travelling up to Sydney usually along the Hume Hwy, which is the most direct route to Sydney, going basically through the centre of Victoria and NSW taking approx 9-10 hours depending on breaks. We are situated at the very bottom of the Great Dividing Range.
It the great Divide does actually divide the green coastal areas, from the drier, golden high tablelands of NSW.
Along this route we do pass a lot of studs, often dropping in to say hello.
The Beautiful landscape as you drive through undulating rocky hills, climbing to the tablelands of Southern Highlands, still a couple of hours from Sydney.
It always fascinates me how different the climate of NSW is to Melbourne.
Where we would not consider shearing before the beginning of November, the weather still being too unpredictable and can be still very cold.
In NSW they start shearing in August and try to get their shearing completed before the beginning of September, because it is far too hot for animals if kept in full fleece at that time of year.
Where our farm is situated, we really do not have any problems other than Vitamin D to worry about, but as you travel about 1-2 hours up the road, where in summer the temperatures are over 10 degrees hotter than where we are, In summer these areas would experience low to mid 40’s daily. We would get probably less than 7-10 days a year in those temperatures.
But the Sydney region I am told they can experience high 3o’s in those September, October months.
The higher you get up the Hume, especially around October, the landscape turns to a beautiful gold, or purple, whole paddocks as far as the eye can see.
Ragwort and Patterson’s Curse, through the broad acre farms.
We are lucky we do not have to deal with this weed, and others that seem to be found more up north.
Our farm is run by Myself, who now really spends most of my time in the office, as a trip to Peru just over 2 years ago, where I got very sick, took its toll, as I slowly improve.
My husband Rob, still works 5 ½ days a week delivering, and then assists us on any maintenance, and Elyse manages the alpacas.
I will assist her as much as I can when she needs help, but our alpacas are very easy to handle.
We also operate a pre quarantine facility, (the only AQIS registered facility run by an alpaca breeder in Australia) - there are a couple of approved facilities which is not the same as a registered facility. We have been told also by AQIS that our facility is the best registered facility in Australia for exporting Camelids.
Opening our facility opened the export market to all breeders in Australia, no matter how big or small you were.
We also opened the opportunity for overseas buyers to go to any farm in Australia and buy one or two alpacas from each instead of trying to make up a crate at a time.
As we join the entire buyer’s and Vendor’s animals together and export by air at very compareable rates, with shipments generally starting every 6-8 weeks throughout the year.
To export overseas to anywhere in the EU, the alpacas must spend 6 months in New Zealand for residency, then they can be exported to the EU.
We are looking forward, to being able some day in the future to export to Canada.
Already exports have gone to Sth Africa, and China.
The local marketplace in Australia is very strong, with emphasis on quality, in any colour.
Our Farm is concentrating on super fine, yet not sacrificing density, exhibiting matchstick stapling, and high frequency and broad amptitude crimp.
With our average progeny coming in between 15 and 17 micron, and cutting on average 5-5.5 kgs, our highest cutter being 7 kgs, we feel we are heading in the direction we are aiming for.
Many Breeders have concentrated on ET programmes. We have not ventured in that direction as yet, as our results have been successful in our farm management and sire /dam selection, that we feel that we do not need to change our methods at this stage.
ET is very big with the larger, more prominent breeders, with some having some good success with this program.
We ourselves went to Peru to select our current stud male, Jolimont Vallon De Oro, and with the breeding backgrounds now stamped into our progeny, of Jolimont Stefano, (full Accoyo) Jolimont Cristiano, (full Alianza), Jolimone Patche’ (full Accoyo), each generation we produce is stamping our own lines, which are being recognized amongst our peers.
Many of our offspring have already been exported world wide, and many still winning ribbons.
The shows are an important part of the Australian Alpaca Scene.
Our Royals and Nationals attracting many overseas buyers, and observers.
Our National last year attracted approx 650 alpacas, all capable of winning ribbons at any shows.
Each year the quality improves out of sight from the previous year.
You think how can they get better, but next year they do, and for the alpaca enthusiast you need to visit one of our major shows, and feel that BUZZ –enthusiasm, quality alpacas, quality breeders, always willing to talk to anyone who wants to listen.
Of course at our National Show, is the Elite Auction, selected as some of the best alpacas in Australia, selected from animals put up for the auction, usually only around 1 dozen of the best alpacas will be selected for this auction, who usually have proved themselves in the show ring previously to being selected).
To be part of this major event is the highlight of all your years work, as our alpacas are usually amongst some of the ribbon winners.
At the end of the show, to see the champions lined up for the supreme.
The Aura the champions expel through the crowd, as the two judges go through each fleece, and stand back to discuss their final decision. As there is close circuit Tv’s around the show ground and penning area.
So close ups can be seen of the alpacas fleece as the judges open up each alpaca, which brings you really in, close up to see the quality fleeces. There are two wildcards for the auction which is on the third day, Sunday; Judging is over 2 days.
A great atmosphere, as interstate friends, and breeders, associates, and alpaca enthusiasts all alike meet, have fun, catch up, and display their breeding programs and success.
Elyse and I have also experienced the Nationals In New Zealand, again that BUZZ, goes through the stadium. The buzz of an exciting industry, with enthusiastic breeders especially when all the champions are lined up. International visitors and locals alike can view and appreciate the qualities that we are all aiming for and are achieving.
This year, we visited the Uk and experienced the British Futurity, again, the same enthusiasm is seen in the British alpaca Industry as their champions were displayed.
That WOW factor is world wide. We hope to visit Canada in early 2009.
Every alpaca’s breeder seems to be to go to Peru, I think this dream is world wide.
As these animals draw you over there.
Peru has it’s magnetism and it’s Mysteries.
I think it is the ultimate for an alpaca breeder to go to Peru and see the breeding over there.
I have been twice, the first time in 1995, when I went with an Australian Importer to view the alpacas in quarantine in Peru, the very first Peruvian Shipment to Australia.
Both Elyse and I did visit Peru again in 2004 with the same importer, to select our newest Stud male.
That trip though brought to the forefront the dangers of visiting Peru for me.
Lucky my daughter was with me, and then Rob, my husband had to come and get me whilst I was monitored to be able to fly home.
That is another story.
Peru has it’s charms, but does has it’s dangers. 
Alpacas started of to supplement for our family income, and now it supports our family, and has given us many opportunities we never even dreamed about.
Rob, Elyse and myself hope that you too can achieve the same rewards we have achieved from this industry, and welcome anyone visiting Melbourne , please pop in we would love to see you, but if you get on the subject of alpacas, you’ll have to stay for tea, it is one subject we love to talk about.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Australian Alpaca Shipment for Canada 2008

Author: 
Raelene Strong - Mariah Hill Alpacas & Exports

First Canadian export in 14 years to leave in 2008

Raelene Strong from Mariah Hill Alpacas & Exports, has learnt a lot since being the first alpaca breeder to earn the honor of accredited and licenced exporter for Camelids, in Australia in December, 2004.

Operating a purpose built Quarantine Facility specially designed for easy operation of handling alpacas and Llamas, in Nar Nar Goon.

With support and help from her husband Rob, and Daughter Elyse, the quarantine Facility has been considered by AQIS the best facility for exporting alpacas in Australia.

Currently Shipments leave on the average of every 6 weeks to New Zealand, and some then going onto the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Netherlands, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Finland, Norway, currently.

Raelene has been looking at new marketplaces, and their Protocols, to open up new marketplaces for the Australian Alpaca.

After 5 months of intense negotiations Raelene has had with the Canadian Quarantine Service, and confirming all agreed Canadian requirements meet the AQIS and Biosecurity Australia requirements, we received finally permission from both Australia and Canada to start this Canadian Shipment of Australian Alpacas which will start on September 2nd, 2008.

With excitement from our Canadian Friend, Tannis Froese, from Hummdinger Alpacas, Manitoba.

As I filmed the entry of these 16 alpacas entering the grassed area of the quarantine facility in Mariah Hill, gave me great pleasure for all the hard work that had been put into opening this protocol.

 

It is not an easy task to open up these marketplaces, as promotion of alpacas has to come first, and firm interest to purchase before the governments will talk protocols.

As with any government, this is a slow process to get any government to open up a new protocol.

Once the protocol is written, the exporter starts intense negotiations with the Importing country, which have to be dealt with delicately, with approval of the Australian Government.

Tannis also has had to negotiate with the Canadian Quarantine Service (CFIA), and still as we go through the process of the Australian Export/Canadian import, more clarification is sought from time to time, which we work through together.

Tannis has put in place a quarantine facility at her farm, to accept the alpacas, who will be in quarantine for a short time, once they arrive.

The Alpacas will be arriving in Vancouver, where she will meet the CFIA agent, with her specially fitted out 24 foot trailer.

Tannis has planned this shipment for the past 6 months, and a lot of preparation has been undertaken.

It is now becoming an exciting time, as the delivery date gets closer.

Keep an eye on this site, for further developments for this impending shipment.

Fiber to Fashion and Beyond

Author: 
Nancy Chlarson

The felting needle is a special needle about three and a half inches long that has reverse barbs along its shank.

They are used to compact and tangle fibers creating the felted look without the soap, water, and mess of traditional felting. They are very sharp and very brittle and this is not a craft for young children. However, children twelve or older should have no problem with them. The needles can be used individually or as a set in the felting needle punch. This is a wooden handle that locks in four to five needles at one time for faster felting on larger projects.

You will want to use a large sponge or piece of foam rubber for a working surface. It is best to use a piece three to four inches thick so that the needle is unlikely to punch thru to your leg or the table. Begin by rolling a stack of washed wool on your foam pad and just practice different techniques with the needle. Repeated stabbing in one area will create an ever deepening hole, stabs close together in a line will create a sunken line, and needling all over in an area will reduce and firm the area. Add colors and designs by stacking more wool in various areas and "stabbing it into place". You can also needle scraps of colored yarn into your piece to create lines.

Complete instructions for making a series of projects are included in our book, The Felting Needle by Ayala Talpai. The book includes four felting needles. Extra needles and the five needle punch are also available from Quality Llama Products, Inc. We also now carry a felting needle kit that includes instructions, needles and a supply of sheep wool for practice.

Felting for Fashion

Felting is the technique of treating wool so badly that it becomes beautiful. Felt is a non-woven fabric made from animal fleece. It is created using hot water, soap, and agitation. Once felted it is impossible to "unfelt" the fabric. The wool fibers have small scales, which cause the fibers to tangle and cling to each other during the felting process. Once felted, the material can be shaped and molded into a wide variety of products including hats, sweaters, scarves, and toys. Various colors can be felted together to create wall hangings and patterns in clothing without the use of seams.

Quality Llama Products, Inc. carries several books on felting that include such varied projects as hats, slippers, puppets and stuffed toys. Felting is a simple technique that can be mastered by young children and is a fun, safe activity for the entire family. Felting is an inexpensive hobby as it does not require any special tools or supplies to make beautiful projects.

Locker Hooking

Locker hooking uses raw wool and mess to make wall hangings, rugs, and bags. It is a great way to use up scraps and the not quite perfect wool and is easy enough for anyone to master. The material is similar to a hook rug canvas and generally has large, quarter inch holes. The needle is about six inches long and has a hook on one end and a large eye on the other end. Scrap yarn is threaded thru the eye for tying the wool in place. Raw wool is held under the canvas and using the hook end of the needle, pull a loop of wool up thru the holes and then pull the needle thru the loop. The yarn will hold the wool in place and prevent it from pulling back thru the hole. After the piece is hooked it can be left as is, felted, or brushed for varying effects. There is an excellent book on locker hooking available from Quality Llama Products, Inc and we also have beginning locker hooking kits as well as all the supplies you need.

Rope Making

The taravia is an ancient Egyptian leather spinning tool and is used today in Mexico to manufacture horsehair rope. Our modern taravia are handmade from hardwood and are sold in a set of three different sizes. This simple tool can be used to make everything from fine jewelry cords to heavy horse ropes. The material you used and the number of times you ply it will determine the size of the finished product.

To make ropes you will need roving, yarn, or poly cording. You need an anchor point for one end of the material. This can be a tree, a post, a doorknob, or a hook in the wall. Hook two pieces of roving or yarn to the base point and the other ends are hooked to the taravia. Once all cords are attached move away from the anchor point the length of your project and begin to rotate the taravia clockwise. Rotate until the pieces are wrapped and almost hard to the feel. Tie this piece to a second anchor point and make two more cords using the same technique. Next you can take these three cords and using the same process wrap them around each other counter clockwise. Tie off each end or attach a snap to one end and you have a rope! You can also take these lengths of rope and weave them into rugs or wall hangings. It takes some coordination to get the hang of the spinning and to learn how to keep the right tension but in no time at all you can be making your llama and alpaca wool into beautiful lead ropes, hatbands, or jewelry depending on the size and weight of material used.

If you and your friends would like to learn the ancient art of rope making first hand classes are available. Eight people or more can request a class in your area by calling Harry Hudlow at 509-787-3363. He would be happy to come to your area for a one day hands on class. Cost will vary with class size and location.

Rug Weaving

There are many ways to make woven rugs that do not require a lot of special equipment. The round wheel rug loom is the simplest loom available. You can use it to make rugs using the rope you create with the taravia, wool mill ends, yarn, or even raw wool that can be felted after it is woven. The round beginners loom can be used easily by children as young as four or five or can be used by seasoned weavers to make unique patterns and designs. Even the "non-mechanical" person can easily make simple looms from materials found around the house.It is limited only by your imagination. As your skills increase you may want to move up to the rigid heddle loom or the table top loom which can be used to make fabric in unlimited styles and designs. Quality Llama Products, Inc carries several books on weaving. One of our most popular books is the book Small Looms in Action which offers several projects for beginning weavers as well as instructions for making your own small looms. Another excellent book on weaving is The Ashford Book of Rigid Heddle Weaving.

Hand Spinning

Spinning is the most well known use of wool. Spinning can be done on a spinning wheel, with a drop spindle, or with a support spindle. It is the process of twisting strands of wool so that they lock together in a continuous strand. The resulting yarn can be used for weaving, knitting, crocheting, or other types of craft projects. For the beginning spinner the drop spindle or the support spindle offer excellent ways to learn the craft with the least financial investment. Drop spindles use the law of gravity to help create the spun fiber. Used by ancient shepherds, some form of drop spindle can be found in nearly every culture throughout history. You can create your own or purchase beautiful, hand made spindles in a wide variety of sizes and styles. The support spindle is similar to the drop spindle however, as the name implies, it is generally supported in some way rather than dropped. While drop spindles by nature general require that you be standing to make them work correctly, the support spindle can easily be used while seated. Again, support spindles can be as simple as a bowl or as complex as our precision travel spindle. An excellent guide to learn to use the drop spindle and the support spindle is the book Spindle Spinning from Novice to Expert found in the Quality Llama Products, Inc. catalog.

Quality Llama Products, Inc. also offers two different drop spindle kits. The basic kit has wool, spindle, and written instructions. The deluxe kit also includes an instructional video for the more visual learner.

Spinning wheels are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes. We prefer the Ashford spinning wheels for ease of use and its ability to ply and make novelty yarns. The traditional wheel is a great beginners wheel but is also preferred by many advanced spinners. If you travel a lot with your wheel the Joy spinning wheel folds into a compact package and can be placed in the cordura carry bag sold separately for ease of transport. The bag is well padded and has multiple pockets for taking all of your tools and supplies to class or on a trip.

Spinning classes are often available from craft centers at local colleges or thru the local spinning gild. To find a spinning gild in your area call your local chamber of commerce or county extension office. Spinning with a spinning wheel is very relaxing and once mastered, can be done while watching television or enjoying a day on the beach. There are many excellent books on spinning as well as some outstanding videos. Quality Llama Products, Inc. also has videos dealing with dying and weaving wool once it has been spun so that you can create an unlimited number and variety of projects. For production spinning, Quality Llama Products, Inc. also offers electronic spinners.

Weaving

Weaving can be as simple as inter-weaving rag strips into a rug to inter-lacing fine silk into elegant fabric. When purchasing a loom you need to think about the type of fabric you want to create. The loom will be identified by a size specification, such as 24 inch. This indicates the maximum width of the fabric the loom is capable of creating. The loom may also be identified by the number of heddles. The more heddles, the more threads you can string onto the loom and the more intricate a pattern you can create. Many people are intimidated by weaving as it has its own vocabulary and appears to be complicated. In reality, the hardest part of weaving is learning the vocabulary. If you start with a simple rigid heddle loom and understand the basic concept you will quickly be able to move to a larger four or eight heddle loom. Quality Llama Products, Inc. carries an outstanding book for beginning weavers title, Learning to Weave. This book begins with basic vocabulary and is full of detailed diagrams and photos in an easy to understand format. We highly recommend it for those ready to move to a full size loom.

Craft Stands

Quality Llama Products, Inc. offers two styles of craft stands for your hand work projects. The solid oak e-z stitch lap stand is made for doing needle work using both hands. The base is arranged so that you can sit on it to hold it firmly in place. 12 inch capacity can be increased to 22 inches using the adapter bars sold separately. Light weight and portable it makes a perfect travel companion.

The floor stand is for larger projects. Includes a 16" scroll frame with adjustable height and angle that pivots 360 degrees. Purchase just the stand or the complete set which includes optional supply box, graph holder, and storage bin. This is a perfect stand for locker hooking and needlepoint.

 

 

 

 

Nancy Chlarson - Quality Llama Products, Inc.

How to Use Effective Advertising for Internet Marketing

Author: 
Eugene R. Rivera

In order to advertise your products to the largest possible audience you will need to know the most useful ways of promoting your web sites. This is a brief description of the most effective advertising methods for online marketers.

 

Advertising through pay per click is one of the more effective means of advertising. Listing your web site with a pay per click search engines will allow you to start reaching your targeted customers immediately rather than wait for months for search engines such as Google and Yahoo! to spider your web pages. Your advertising dollars are too important to waste time on ineffective means of advertising.

 

The three top reasons for advertising with pay per click are controlling your rank in pay per click search engines, reaching large numbers of online customers quickly and inexpensively, and the fact that pay per click advertising gets fast results and attracts traffic to your web site quickly.

 

Search engine optimization refers to the use of certain keywords on your web pages in order to receive high rankings in the major search engines. Each of your web pages will contain content on a particular subject.

 

There are certain keywords that are searched the most often by internet shoppers looking for information about a particular subject. Regardless of the subject matter of your web pages, finding the right keywords to include in your content will increase your search engine ranking and drive traffic to your web site.

 

There are several ways to find the most searched for keywords. There are services that provide keywords to internet marketers for a small fee, usually on a monthly basis. You can learn to research keywords on your own although if you are a beginner it may take some time to become familiar with keyword research and be able to do this effectively.

 

Affiliate marketing programs are another method of increasing traffic to your web site. Webmasters can create affiliate marketing programs that will link their sites to the web sites of others. This enables an online customer to click on your ad from a web site belonging to an affiliate. You will pay the affiliate a small commission for each sale you make that results from the customer's click. Affiliate marketing programs allow you to increase traffic to your site and advertise your products and services through the web sites of other internet marketers. The small commission you pay your affiliates is well worth the increase in traffic and sales you may receive.

 

Internet marketing is like any other business. If you want to succeed and profit from your efforts, you must effectively advertise your products and/or services. You cannot expect to simply choose the products you will sell, build a web page, and watch the money roll in.

 

Advertising and web site promotion are critical to the success of your business. Utilizing the most effective means of advertising will greatly improve your chances of succeeding in your home-based business ventures. The most profitable internet marketers take full advantage of the advertising tools available to them.

 

 

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