The Growing Trend of Alpaca Farms

Thursday, March 01, 2012

While traveling through Peru, I have come across a very interesting phenomenon. Alpaca farming is a big deal...a VERY big deal.

Breeding alpacas is a large industry and the farmers themselves are very passionate about what they do. Alpacas have only been in the United States for a short period of time considering their history. In fact, since 1997 they have been prohibited for import limiting their adoption and while they are a growing market in the United States, Peru still holds about 90% of all alpaca industries. Interestingly many farmers say that unless you are passionate about it, breeding alpacas will not be for you.

In the past decade families that had raised alpacas started to see a net growth for these animals and the wool they provide. Now, every farm seems to be jumping on the alpaca bandwagon.

 Suzi, a breeder from Michigan says, "A lot of people who think they're interested first see an alpaca, think it's cute and then realize it isn't cheap to get started. Some people see dollar signs, but if that's their only reason for getting into alpacas, it probably won't work. You can't help, but fall in love with them."

Raising alpacas is not a cheap endeavor. The highest pedigree can cost as much as $50,000 and a mid-level pedigree is roughly $7,500. If you do not plan on using an alpaca for fiber; however, it can be as low as a few hundred dollars. "Many people find themselves quitting their jobs and moving to a different country to further pursue alpaca farming," says Gwen Coltrin of Triple C Ranch in Pennsylvania.

One of the biggest events that takes place within the alpaca breeding circle is showing the alpacas. Yes, just like dogs and horses, alpacas are shown in an arena as well. While they are not the most friendly and pet-like animals, they are greatly rewarded for their looks. 

Don't believe us? Check out http://www.alpacashows.com/ to get an idea of how large these events can be.

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Next Stop, Peru!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Fun things are happening over at emiLime and we wanted you to be the first to know! Emily arrived in Peru this week and got straight to work - meeting with the artisans to develop new designs for our fall/ winter 2012 line, while at the same time discovering new techniques. Our first meeting was with our cacho de toro (bull horn) expert, who is helping us develop our new line of emiLime jewelry line that will include horn, stone, wood, tagua, metallic thread, gold, bronze, silver and straw.  If you are interested in seeing a first look, leave us a comment here. 

We are also very excited to have partnered with designer, Johanna Hatzenbuehler who has come up with some amazing patterns that we can't wait to show you. We are able to bring these patterns to life with the help of one of our artisans who is known as the master knitter of the hand knitting machine. 

Using the hand knitting machines enables the artisans to repeat complicated designs thanks to a card that records the pattern saving valuable time and resources.  

Hand knitting machines were first introduced in the late 1800's so that women could knit while multi-tasking. Companies then began marketing them to households to allow for ideal efficiency so that a woman could enjoy the art while also getting things done around the house. The very first machine was the Lamb Knitting Machine, priced at a mere $54, with 84 kneedles and weight of 15 pounds. Most of today's knitting machines can include over 200 needles and even include a digital entry of the pattern to be used. 

Hand knitting machines help artisans alleviate existing problems with arthritis and carpel tunnel from so much use of the hands while at the same time allow lovers of knitting to keep enjoying the art. A machine can also produce lighter fabrics in a much better quality than physically by hand. An artisan can produce wonderful works by combining multiple methods to the textile a machine produces. For example, combining light and tightly woven fabrics from a machine with crochet and loosely woven hand knitting techniques can produce a wonderful effect. A hand kitting machine is just one of the many tools our artisans use to produce quality and beautifully unique work! 

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