USA Made Alpaca Socks Bring Warmth to Riding Adventurers

November 16, 2013

PurelyAlpaca.com is a family owned alpaca products web store in the USA which since 2002 has promoted the cute, lovable and ultimately useful alpaca with 100s of products, ranging from little trinkets for alpaca gift lovers to ultimate luxury garments costing thousands of dollars. We are also avid motorcyclists and as such do "adventure touring" all over the USA, Canada, Mexico and in the spring of 2013, Ecuador. We have well over 200,000 miles of adventure riding behind us and look forward to many more adventures. Next year, perhaps riding in India or a trip across the USA, and back.

As any seasoned rider with tell you, having the right "gear" is paramount to enjoying the adventures of the open road. Nothing ruins a trip more than being too cold, too wet, too hot or just not prepared. There's an old saying we go by, credited to Norway, "There's no bad weather, just bad clothing!"

Recently, we discovered the wisdom of that phrase with great solutions in our own product line. One of the superior features of alpaca socks over other materials is its natural ability to wick moisture (sweat) from the skin while providing comfortable warmth. We discovered this recently on a long trip to Reno, NV. The main road to Reno from San Diego, US HWY 395 is a long, quite easy highway with generally low traffic, beautiful vistas and quiet serenity. There are multiple natural stops along the way to enjoy, old mom-n-pop businesses, little quaint towns, open desert beauty and majestic mountains to admire.

On the Reno trip we tested our Superwarm Alpaca Socks from www.ChoiceAlpacaFootwear.com and the new OutdoorAdventure Alpaca Socks in varying conditions of cold and hot. On the way up from San Diego, it got pretty COLD! The high mountains South of Reno reach over 6000 ft high and temperatures can drop significantly. After hours in "the saddle", your exposure to cold temperatures can really seep in and start to take their toll. Riding cold is NOT fun! Even if everything else is good, if you're feet get cold, you're COLD! The cold runs up from your feet and taunts the rest of your body. But we were good... the Superwarm Alpaca socks did a great job! They kept the otherwise cold leather boots from seeping cold through to our feet while at the same time, "breathing" out any foot moisture.

On a previous trip under similar conditions we had forgotten the alpaca socks. You pack minimally on a multi-day motorcycle trip and can almost unconsciously leave something out if we think it won't be needed. On this trip we found ourselves without our alpaca socks and thereby "stuck" with cotton. Two layes of cotton socks didn't do much. Our feet froze and to make matters worse, the foot started getting damp too... then the dampness got cold!  Not fun!  Our alpaca socks would have avoided this problem with their natural ability to wick away moisture, keeping feet fresh, dry, warm and comfortable.

On our way back from the Reno trip it was significantly warmer. We decided to test the new OutdoorAdventure alpaca socks. These are significantly less bulky than the Superwarms yet are made from the same yarn. They offer comfort and wicking as well. Though the weather back from Reno was likey too warm for these socks, we found an interesting result... by mid afternoon our feet were very warm but as the moisure came off our skin, it was being wicked away, and our feet, which would have been wet with now HOT sweat were comfortable and dry. When we finally arrived home and with the boots off, our socks were dry and odor free. Try that with wet sweaty STINKY cotton socks!  As a matter of fact... I'll admit this here... I once did a 5-day "odor endurance" riding test in alpaca socks. No washing... and no sticking after 5 days riding. Cotton socks would have started to really "grow" under those conditions!

While on the road we like to "motel camp" as it were. Long, long days of riding then a nice cool motel room is camping enough! Once we're off the bike the boots come off and stay off! We find our new SlipperBootie alpaca socks work great as easy comfy cushioned slippers for around the motel room or walks to the ice machine. The compact size is important because of our limited storage space and the comfort and warmth of the SlipperBooties are just what is needed to relax.

As we say, bad clothing can ruin an adventure. No matter what your adventures, the proper gear can make a difference. With these alpaca socks from Choice Alpaca Footwear you'll enjoy natural comfort that will keep you enjoying all those adventures!

To your journey!
-Brian

Purely Alpaca Travels to Ecuador

We had a wonderful time exploring the country of Ecuador in May, 2013 seeking out alpacas and the people involved in the small but growing alpaca products resurgence in this small country on the Equator and West coast of South America.  See our pics of images, people and products.

The Joy of Sox!

The Joy of Sox!
Published in Alpacas Magazine, Winter 2008 Issue, December 2008


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 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.

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...

Purely Alpaca Fashion Video

Online survey and $100 shopping spree

We need answers!

The opinions and ideas of our shoppers is extremely important to us. Each year we conduct product and user experience surveys to learn more about how to please our customers.

This year we are offering a $100 Shopping Spree to one lucky respondent in November and another in December(2007). There is no cost, we just ask for your candid honest opinions. We use that information to improve our service.

There is an additional incentive to respondents who complete the survey.

Click Here to take PurelyAlpaca survey


Regards,
-Brian
Customer Service
PurelyAlpaca.com

Wear the Eco-Friendly Label

Wear the Eco-Friendly Label

We all care about the environment to some extent. Each of us has our own ways of showing it, but most of us would like show that we care to ourselves if not also others. There are different ways of demonstrating your eco-friendliness. Maybe you separate your recycling or purchase eco-friendly groceries with non-polluting packaging. Perhaps you help your employer with their Adopt-a-Highway efforts every year, or have your own stretch of clean highway? Maybe you donate to the Audubon Society or other groups and enjoy the membership.



However you otherwise choose to give back, consider becoming a more eco-friendly clothing shopper. Not only can you help the Earth with your eco-friendly shopping, you can help yourself to become a healthier person.

What is Eco-Friendly Shopping?
Eco-friendly shopping doesn't mean that you have to stop buying meat, or live an austere life in order to save the planet. In most cases, it doesn't involve anything more than a slight shift in shopping habits, and in turn you help your family to live a healthier lifestyle.

Eco-Friendly Clothing
One way of becoming a more eco-aware shopper is to buy eco-aware clothing. Consider the many benefits of alpaca. Alpaca fiber is an awesome eco-friendly material that everyday people use and love, perhaps without completely realizing the scope of its personal and environmental healthy difference. Alpaca sweaters, alpaca scarves, and alpaca wool socks keep people warm in winter throughout the world. Luxurious alpaca blankets adorn many a bed and living room couch. Alpaca coats and wraps give one the look of fashionable comfort. They are beautiful quality products from one of the most earth-friendly animals out there.

Why the Alpaca?
What makes the alpaca so Earth friendly? The alpaca is a natural when it comes to conservation, pollution reduction and sustainability. First and foremost, the alpaca produces a pollution free fiber which they will gladly share with you as they are shorn (without harm) annually.

Alpacas, which have been determined to be the world’s oldest domestic livestock, are happy to give up their thick annual growth of dense, warm and luxuriously soft fiber as spring turns into summer. Picture how uncomfortable you would be wearing the equivalent of 3-4 heavy winter coats in mid summer! The newly naked alpaca will be bounding with springtime joy and energy after their thick fleece has been claimed for a new alpaca sweater, scarf or socks.

Alpacas are South American in origin and are very distant relatives to camels. You’ll notice this when you see their unusual running style, their “cush” sitting position, and more. It’s also evident in the lower amount of water they consume. The 160 lb average alpaca eats less per pound and their efficient 3-stomach digestive system metabolizes grass and hay more efficiently than nearly all other livestock.

Alpacas actually “cut” the grass with their unusual front incisor teeth rather than chewing it, and the roots, out of the ground like some other livestock.

Their lightweight, soft two toed foot (no hoof) is soft on the ground which reduces soil damage. Also, the other alpaca byproduct, “PacaPOO” is pH balanced and an excellent, natural, slow-release low-odor fertilizer.

The conservation continues even more so after the fiber is shorn from the alpaca. Unlike sheep wool which contains the allergen oil lanolin, alpacas are lanolin free. Lanolin is a type of thick oil which causes skin irritation in many people. It requires a harsh multi-stage detergent wash (read pollution) to remove it during processing. Not only do alpacas lack lanolin naturally, the fine and smooth nature of their resilient hollow-core fiber keeps prickly barbs from poking your skin.

Alpaca fiber comes in a whole array of colors naturally, and many alpaca products are available in natural colors. Alpaca also dyes very well and takes color nicely from plant and other natural dyes so you don't have to worry about artificial dyes irritating delicate skin or causing more pollution.

Finally, one other key factor to consider is economic as well as environmental sustainability. Tens of thousands of alpacas are raised by thousands of small family farms and ranches throughout the country. Your alpaca apparel purchases support those family farms, the products industry they serve as they raise some of the cutest, most colorful livestock you will ever see.

With all this going for them you could say, “Alpacas are Saving the Earth, One Sweater at a Time!”

Get your Save the Earth, Wear ALPACA t-shirt:
http://purelyalpaca.com/product_info.php?products_id=642

By Brian Schieber
Brian Schieber is the owner of PurelyAlpaca.com, an online and catalog boutique of “Naturally Unique Clothing and Gifts” which are all about alpaca. He is a tireless alpaca products advocate who lectures on occasion. He lives with his wife, house cat, barn cat, livestock guard dog and numerous alpacas in the Pacific Northwest.

Update on Research Rugs, a Magic Carpet?

The Alpaca Research Rug is proving to be a sort of a Magic Carpet. As word spreads of the research rug program, more and more ideas are coming up for this unique alpaca fiber creation.




One recent idea has been to promote the rug and the program at alpaca auctions. Before the auction begins, the first item to go "on the block" would be an alpaca research rug. The auctioneer would describe how the rug is created from what was formerly called "trash" fiber (aka "3rds") to make the beautiful and strong item.

There would also be discussion of how many alpaca farms have generously donated their fiber for the project. At present the manufacturing mill has plenty of donated fiber from generous alpaca farmers and does not need more donations. If you would like to be notified of when there is again a need for alpaca 3rds donations, sign up for the PurelyAlpaca Newsletter (http://purelyalpaca.com/PurelyAlpacaNewsletter.htm). We will send out Research Rug updates via the newsletter.

Proceeds from rug sales on PurelyAlpaca.com benefits alpaca research and the training of new veterinarians.



Also, the rug is an excellent conversation piece for the home or office. It's strength, comfort and durability speaks volumes about the fiber from which it came. It's beauty shows how even the "throw away" fiber from alpacas has great value. And it confirms that ALL alpaca fiber has use and value.

Some are purchasing it as alpaca gift items in ways never anticipated. Though sold as a floor rug, many are using this lighter weight fiber creation as a wall hanging.

Some are putting it under their desk at work for a warm, comfortable home for their feet. Others use it as a soft pad in their job where they stand all day.

One enterprising individual took the small 2x3 rug to a sporting event. They say it is better then those plastic foam pads, is naturally warm and has led to many conversations with others about the many benefits of alpacas!

With all this going for it, perhaps the Alpaca Research Rug really is a Magic Carpet!

See the Research Rug at PurelyAlpaca.com .

-Brian

New products roll in and $100 alpaca shopping spree

I'm excited by the new products that are coming in for the fall! We should have the nicest selection of wearable alpaca that we have had since starting in 2002. This year there are new alpaca sweaters, stylish and flattering alpaca scarves and shawls, new designer yarn and much more. We'll have brand new high-tech alpaca socks too!

Get a sneak preview on or new fall line plus special limited offers, discounts and perhaps a $100 shopping spree by joining the
Alpaca Products Fan Club. The Alpaca Products Fan Club is dedicated to promoting alpacas by promoting the luxurious products made from their fiber!

See what's new now or anytime you visit PurelyAlpaca.com by clicking the New Items link.

-Brian

Alpaca Coffee?!

Ok, sometimes having a store is just fun! It let's me come up with new clothing designs, new socks, chocolates, new jewelry and now..... Alpaca Coffee!! Why not, two of my favorite loves combined! :)

Seattle Gourmet Coffee roasted and bagged two blends of fine coffee for us. The labels are for Mountain Roast Huacaya and Dark Suri blends.

The Suri blend is just too much fun! The Romanian cartoonist that worked up the image is a real talent.

The coffee is good too!

How was your National Alpaca Farm Day?

National Alpaca Farm Day is coming this weekend! We're very curious about how it will go both for our own farm and nationally.

It's been a pretty positive development in the national alpaca community as far as I can see, though I'm sure someone somewhere will fine reasons to not like it :(

How was YOUR National Alpaca Farm Day event? If you used products (ours and/or others) did they help you promote the animals? We've often found the products are a GREAT conversation piece as they show directly "what alpacas do for a living". It's also a positive way to earn some farm income.

Feel free to post your comments on your experiences with National Alpaca Farm Day. Pictures would be GREAT if you have em! Post as comments here, email me or join the new

Alpaca Products Fan Club

Alpaca Products Fan Club!

-Brian

A beautiful new set of alpaca products

We have been adding a large number of new products in the last few weeks but perhaps the nicest are these new gloves from a luxury manufacturer.


Peccary Alpaca Gloves

We are very excited to be able to offer the new Peccary Alpaca line of luxurious gloves. They are absolute luxury and are sure to please.

HELP SUPPORT THE ALPACA "RESEARCH RUG" EFFORT

We are proud to support all things alpaca and have recently published this effort to various alpaca related newsgroups...


HELP SUPPORT THE ALPACA "RESEARCH RUG" EFFORT

Are you sitting on bags and bags of alpaca fiber 3rds and don't know how to put them to good use?


PurelyAlpaca (http://www.purelyalpaca.com/), and online alpaca products boutique and alpaca advocate invites you to get involved in the effort to support ongoing alpaca research and student veterinarians at the Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, WA (http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vth/camelids/). The Camelid Education and Research Fund had been to assist the WSU program through awareness and fundraising.
The WSU program has been a great benefit to Pacific Northwest alpaca farms and through its ongoing education and research helps alpaca owners everywhere.


To help support the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU, PurelyAlpaca is soliciting alpaca farms everywhere to contribute their "2nds and 3rds" to the production of these excellent quality floor rugs for the home.


When an alpaca gets its annual shearing, the fiber is typically sorted into its Prime or Blanket (aka 1st) clip and its 2nds and 3rds clips, which may be put together or sorted. The Prime or Blanket clip, which comes from the main body of the alpaca is most commonly used for premium alpaca garments like sweaters. The "2nd" fiber from areas such as the neck or upper legs is typically used for hats or gloves. The "3rds", typically from the lower legs and belly and possibly chest are great for items like these rugs. The superior strength of alpaca fiber and its resitance to wear makes it an ideal rug material.


A portion of your purchase of this rug will go toward further research and veterinarian training at the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine. To learn more about the WSU program, see the link above or contact:

Lynne Haley
Veterinary Development and External Relations
P.O. Box 657010
Pullman, WA 99164-7010
(509) 335-5021

If you have an alpaca farm and would like to contribute to this good cause with your fiber, please contact http://www.purelyalpaca.com/ directly.


ABOUT THE RUGS

Made in the USA by Reinhard, an Austrian immigrant with 4-5 employees in a tiny factory on a dusty stretch of highway in the middle of the Texas plains, each rug is a work of art from this long time extraordinary rug weaver. The tiny factory sells its All American made goods to 300 outlets around the world including stores like Ethan Allen. The factory ships these soft rugs to the finer shops of Europe. One of the rugs "will probably outlast you," says Reinhard.

For more information and pictures, please see this link: http://purelyalpaca.com/product_info.php?products_id=489

-Brian
http://www.purelyalpaca.com/ - Naturally Unique Clothing and Gifts
Battle Ground, WA
1-877-PURELYA