Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Winter on the farm 2008



With the winter rush of Christmas orders mostly behind us we at PurelyAlpaca have taken time to enjoy the most beautiful snow our alpaca farm has seen in a decade.

The snow is still cold and locally we don't use salt or ash so even the roads are bright white. To get out of our driveway we need 4WD and Chains. We went through some serious heroics to get orders out quickly on one extemely important Christmas shipping day (but you'll have to ask about it privately, we won't disclose that publicly!)

It's truly gorgeous and it is exciting to know we will surely have a white Christmas!!

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you!!

-Brian and staff at PurelyAlpaca

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Alpacas in tough times?

A recent article about investing in alpacas during these challenging economic times.

I don't know about the livestock industry at the moment but the garment industry continues to grow and grow. ALPACA makes an excellent all- natural, eco-friendly, non-polluting product that is soft, durable and luxurious. Emus, Llamas and other animals which had a "fad" following cannot rely on the commodity aspect that alpacas can. I do not see alpacas going away. Sure, prices will change but the top animals will always demand an impressive price. And once you've enjoyed a quality alpaca garment, you like me, will be a raging fan.

-Brian

Friday, November 21, 2008

Eco-friendly comment encourages expansion


Nathalie H from the U.K. writes...

Alpaca fibre seems to tick all the right boxes.

1. It is animal friendly, and cruelty free, as the animal is not killed, so appeals to vegetarians like me.

(Merino sheep in Australia are subjected to a hideous practice called mulesing, which people do not realise is going on, and people think that lambswool in the UK simply involves a haircut, but in reality, the animal has to be slaughtered very young for its meat, as the fleece on its own is almost worthless, as it just can not compete with cotton, & synthetics. That is why I like alpaca, because its fibre is highly valued in the marketplace.

2. It is also earth-friendly, because like you say so little industrial detergents are needed, as there is no lanolin. And it is biodegradeable of course, unlike sythetics.

For me, a perfect garment would also involve eco-friendly dyes, which unfortunately is still in its infancy.



Nathalie's comments highlight one of the strongest growing trends in eco-shopping, a desire to purchase fashions which not only look good but are good. PurelyAlpaca strives to use suppliers which follow fair trade principles, do not harm animals and reduce pollution to the environment.

Alpaca is naturally Earth-friendly due to its very nature. It has the added natural benefit of being washable in mild soap (instead of harsh polluting chemicals).

PurelyAlpaca regularly seeks products from vendors that work with small groups on indigenous peoples who earn their livelihood entirely from alpacas.

In my opinion, Alpacas, perhaps the world's oldest domestic livestock is poised to be the natural, non-polluting, eco-friendly clothing fashion material of this new century.

-Brian, PurelyAlpaca

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

New alpaca designer collection arrives for deeply discounted sale.

New alpaca designer collection arrives for deeply discounted sale.

Today arrived 4 cases of products from the Alpaca Allure collection. We will be offering all of these very nice designer items at clearance discount during the next few weeks. It's an excellent mix of alpaca sweaters, alpaca jackets, alpaca hats and more.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Alpacas in the News

Alpacas in the News - From the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA)

This article highlights the growth of the alpaca fam industry in the USA. Small American (and Canadian) farm growth is supported by the quickly growing alpaca garments industry.

For Immediate Release - October 5, 2008
Alpacas were on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, Friday October 3, 2008 with a catch title that is sure to spark interest. There was also an alpaca photo.
“When Stocks Tank, Some Investors Stampede to Alpacas and Turn to Drink”
by JENNIFER LEVITZ
Associated Press



Quoting the article:
“Peggy Parks, a 49-year-old auditor in Johnstown, Pa., turned to an unusual farm animal. "I've lost a fortune in stocks, and my 401(k) is falling through the floor. I feel comfortable in alpacas," she says. She invested $56,000 in a small herd that she believes has a better outlook than most mutual funds because of the animals' breeding potential.The national Alpaca Registry Inc., in Lincoln, Neb., says registrations are on pace to rise 7% this year and currently stand at 140,297. Ms. Parks says a female of "medium quality" can fetch $10,000 and that prices have been rising, supporting her hopes that she'll see a profit on her alpaca portfolio in five years.”


WSJ Link to "When Stocks Tank, Some Investors Stampede to Alpacas and Turn to Drink"

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Alpaca Fall Fun Collecton

We are delighted to announce the arrival of a new collection of fun alpaca products just in time for fall!


Many new and fun items can be seen on our Newly Added Items link.






Ooh, are you wearing alpaca?

Ooh, are you wearing alpaca?

An exciting article about the state of the alpaca garment business....


Clothes made from the fleece of alpacas, vicuñas and llamas are showing up on runways all over the world.
By VICTORIA BEKIEMPIS
The Associated Press

KAREL NAVARRO / AP
A model wears a coat made of alpaca fiber by designer Jose Miguel Valdivia in Lima this month.

AREQUIPA, Peru — In this Andean nation far from glamorous runways, some of the most fashionable residents have four legs: vicuñas, alpacas and llamas.
Exports of the animals' fleecy coats have more...

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Where will you take Chico?

Just for Fun we are giving away a free alpaca :)

Chico is an alpaca with a craving to travel. He's been to Peru, sure but wants to go back and see the world! He'd like your company to make it more fun.

Enter to win Chico the alpaca by signing up for our newsletter or updating your existing subscription, telling us where you will take Chico on adventures if you in him.

Chico will be choosing the winner. He will believe most anything so the more exciting and elaborate travel plans you share the better!

Winner promises to send a picture of Chico on travel.

http://purelyalpaca.com/WinChicoContest.html

Monday, July 07, 2008

They Will Beat a Comfortable Path to Your Door

They Will Beat a Comfortable Path to Your Door
Perhaps you have heard of Reflexology, the act of applying pressure to the feet (and hands) to affect the health of the body? The idea is with the proper stimulation, you can effect beneficial and healthy change in the individual. Not having tried it, I don’t know about how well Reflexology works but I see a strong analogy between Reflexology and the humble alpaca sock.

Alpaca socks do for the alpaca owner (and alpaca industry) what Reflexology purports to do for the body, bringing healthy positive change and new awareness. With their superior qualities of comfort, warmth, strength, breathability, odor control and hypoallergenic nature, alpaca socks can be thought of as little ambassadors of good on a mission. Alpaca socks introduce the wonder of alpaca fiber in a simple yet soundly convincing manner.

Having sold alpaca retail products for a number of years I always smile with anticipation at the prospect of an enthusiastic sale when a customer says, “Someone gave me an alpaca ( ) once”. This customer already gets it! They are converts to the luxury and pleasure of alpaca fiber. They are quite pleased to have found a source for products made from this still exclusive material. They understand the value, the price and are most willing to buy.

If you are like most alpaca breeders you wish to promote your alpacas and the alpaca industry as a whole. You ache to tell stories of fine comfort, warmth and the special feel that only alpaca brings. One simple and cost effective method for delivering that message is the humble alpaca sock. With its many fine characteristics, alpaca socks open the door to your customers to think of alpaca the way we do, as a highly useful, luxurious and renewable natural fiber that is perfect for our age.

Getting your prospects into a pair of alpaca socks will get then feeling and thinking about the alpaca industry, its unique nature and your farm. If you have a farm store (or chest of goodies) it will likely lead to sales of more socks, hats, gloves, scarves and larger items. The socks will surely help your prospects to see what this alpaca thing is all about, making your animal sale prospects that much easier.

In an age when advertising can be so expensive, referrals from happy advocates of your business are nothing short of golden. With a little creativity and small expense, the simple alpaca sock can be leveraged to bring you lots of business for your farm store and farm. How do you do it? Find some talkers! Seek out pleasant people who like to chat, perhaps to a fault! Perhaps your hairdresser/barber, your favorite waitress or barista talk away the hours of their work day with friendly conversations. They stand most of the day and appreciate comfortable feet. Find people who are around lots of people and friendly. GIVE them a pair of your favorite alpaca socks! These talkers could easily be raving fans of your socks. They will also promote your farm at the same time as they promote their new happy feet!

Perhaps a family Dentist chats away, or your doctor or someone at your local grocery store that you like. Maybe it’s a fire fighter, EMT or police officer, a person who works outside and works with a lot of other people. Maybe your pastor or mail carrier or kid’s teacher would be a good candidate. Perhaps the gabbiest person in your walking or hiking club, the list of possible candidates is endless. If they know people and spend time on their feet you could have a raving fan that will tell countless people about you, the great exclusive socks you have and your farm of alpacas.

When giving away socks, it is best to pick those that can be easily washed and dried unless the recipient knows they are getting specialty (aka hand wash/no dryer) socks. If your recipient has a family or co-workers, etc,. be sure that you give only ONE pair! The others around them get to hear how wonderful the socks are and can come to you to purchase theirs.

With alpaca socks you have a fun and profitable way to promote your business, one pair of feet at a time.

…….


Brian Schieber owns http://www.purelyalpaca.com/, an alpaca specific clothing and gift business since 2002. He’s a raving fan of alpaca products to all who will listen. He lives with his wife, 2 livestock guard dogs, barn cat and 25 alpacas in the Pacific Northwest.

Friday, July 04, 2008

Winter fun for the feet

Wow, time flys by. I haven't posted anything for a while. Not that we haven't been busy at PurelyAlpaca developing new socks, new slippers even a new company! Even though it's July, our thoughts are on the fall and winter.

This year we're proud to announce Choice Alpaca Footwear as a new enterprise which will focus on the manufacture of top quality footwear based upon the excellent qualities of alpaca. Our first product, the Superwarm alpaca sock, is the result of 5 years of customer research and asking the question, "What makes the ultimate winter sock?". ChoiceAlpacaFootwear.com will handle wholesale sales in bulk for this sock and all upcoming designs. PurelyAlpaca.com will be one of the many retailers which offers Choice Alpaca Footwear items to the public.

http://www.choicealpacafootwear.com/images/ChoiceAlpacaSocksLogo120x21.gif

We're working on some other interesting products for the fall. Join our newsletter to stay up on new products, including very limited run designer items which last only a few days.

Here's to summer!
-Brian