Life On the Farm.

Hello Crafty Fiber Folks,
I haven't blogged in a few months, life on the farm has kept us very busy. I will be posting new and exciting things on the my blog about Alpaca Farming, Fiber Processing, New things that I'm working on and much much more. So check out the new videos that will be popping up on our blog and sit back have a snack and enjoy.

I am in the process of uploading new videos. You can also check my youtube channel. For more exciting videos and Fiber Tutorials.

Sunshine State Fiber Arts Guild

Wow, What a hit, our guild was a smoking hot environment with Spinning Wheels, Drop Spindles, Knitters, Crochet going on. It was awesome, what else was super cool was we had a few awesome demonstrators this time. We had Steve showing us his amazing 200 year old walking wheel and weasel. What an incredible experience it was to look at this machine work. It gives you great respect for our ancestors who had to make yarn in this manner. Steve gave everyone, the opportunity to work the wheel. Thank you Steve for enlighting us with this awesome demonstration.




Then we had Reene, a talented artist do a needle felting demonstration. She is so talented and did such a fabulous job showcasing her work and it was a honor to watch her. Renee has alpacas and teaches a variety of classes at her studio in Spring Hill. Check her out www.crofutalpacas.com


I look forward to our next guild meeting, it will be a hoot to see everyone again. I am very excited to learn navajo plying. Eileen will show us how at the guild. Thank you to all that came to the guild, without you our guild wouldn't be what it is today.

Many Blessings always,
Kimberly

January Craft Challenge is Here!!!!!!

Oh My Gosh, Just got my shipment today and I'm so excited. I am frothing at the mouth to get started!!!!!!

I've missed the last challenges and was so bummed. So this time, I am participating.
My dear friend, Pat Riesenburger with Aussie Threads & Fibers put together this fantastic challenge. The Felted Crystal Cuff.

Folks get the opportunity to let their creative side run wild, and then once finished with the project. Submit for judging.

So, I will embark on this crafty endeavor starting tomorrow and will be posting pictures up along the way.

Blessings, Kim

Woodland Yarns Are Here!!!!!!

Whoo-hoo. I finally have taken that big step and started with my own yarn brand. I am so excited. My yarns are beautiful and everyone is in love with them. We offer so many blends and I just can't wait to see our new palette and new combinations that we are creating.

We are doing some really cool blends as well. 100% alpaca, alpaca merino blends, angora blends, silk blends, bamboo blends, and much more. Also plenty of weights to please everyone.

So excited!!!!! My Dreams are coming true...

One Day At A Time

Well haven't blogged in a while, and first and foremost, need to say that I am looking forward to this new year. Our family had a rough 2010 year. My father was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carinoma in December 2009. Sadly after a long year of battling the disease, he passed on December 28th, 2010. I must say that it left me sad, angry, confused, and many other states of mind that I just could not explain to myself or to my family. It isn't easy no matter what, but it left me feeling so alone and scared. After all of this that has happened, I had to pick myself up move forward, and take one day at a time. My father would be saying, Quit that cryin and move on gurl. I do know that my father is in such a better place, no more suffering, no more of laying in that bed unable to move. Now he isn't in pain, his spirit can go anywhere he wants to go and do anything now. I know he is watching over me and my family. I LOVE YOU DAD!

FIBER PICKERS CONTINUED.....

Fiber Pickers vs Wool Combs ( Flickr )
The battle continues, who will win. Ok Ok, I know I'm acting a wee bit strange here. Alrighty then, what I found out about these incredible pieces of equipment is.
The Fiber Pickers - which would be in the form of a bench or swing, make the job of opening up the fiber strands easier and quicker. You can open up and pick a fleece in 10 minutes. You will have to use your elbow grease on these pieces of equipment cuz you are still sliding your arm back and forth. It looks like when you watch an example of one of these pickers in action that it will be so painful on your arm.

Here is the bit of research that I found out on these two. Bench or Swing Picker!
Talked to a bunch of alpaca farms that are using either the Bench or The Swing and they all loved them equally. The farms were amazed at how easy it was to use, it didn't cause any types of discomfort while manuvering the slide action with your arms. The fiber was so opened up and debrie fell out, which is a spinners or felters nightmare.... They also shared with me that the more they placed the fibers back thru the unit, that the fibers were even more opened up. " One farm said, it looks like clouds, in the sky".

So with this info, I will probably purchase one of these units, for the ease of use and since I have so much alpaca fleece on my hands. So folks I truly highly recommend either one of these.

Now if you don't have the cash, to get one of these units. You can purchase Flickr cards. They are known as wool combs. They work very similar as the larger pickers, but its all done by hand. You basically grab the fleece in your hand and flick open the ends prior to running the fleece into the drum carder.

So again whatever your fleece weapon will be, your fleece will be opened up and ready for processing. Lets get Fiber Picken!!!!!!

Get Creative Marketing your Fiber Products

This is a continuem...

Marketing your fiber products has never been easier. We have so many avenues at our fingertips. Ravelry, Etsy, Blogs, Ebay, and much much more. You have to think outside of the box and do things so different and unique to add flare to your products.

If you stay in the same pattern doing things exactly like everyone else. A. Your product will stay stagnant and B. Will not sell well. Come up with ways to make a logo for yourself that stands out. Everything has to be a WOW factor. Another thing is to become your own graphic artist, make your own website, flyer's, business cards. Have these on hand every where you go.

Get involved with local guilds, these are a great way to market your products. Some of these guilds meet monthly and surely there will be a number of these in your area or even if they aren't and you have to drive a hour. It only takes one person to change the dynamics of your business. Word of mouth is so much stronger than ever.

My business has grown just for that reason. Also sell yourself, get excited about your products. You stand behind your business, if you are not excited then you can't get folks excited for you. Be well manicured, if you have an image of a yeti, do you think folks are going to give you their time. Heck no. They will turn the other way and not think twice. No matter how awesome your product is. First impression is the KEY!!!!!

Also be personable, be charming even if your dog tired. Be the best you can be for your business. People will remember that. Treat every customer like they are your first customer. Make them feel that they are the most important being at that moment and every time they contact you. If you make folks feel like you don't have the time to help them. Then they will walk away and go to someone that will spend time with them.

I know its hard to be great at multitasking, but the biggest successful folks are, and you can to, just manage your time well. Also attend farmers markets in your area, this is a great way to sell your products. Hit up the small mom and pop craft stores, yarn stores or unique boutiques and offer to purchase a small space from them and you will market your products from those areas. Awesome right, it works.... TRUST ME!

Well, I hope this helps in your business and marketing venues. Be The Best, Look the Best and Market well and your business will soar to new levels....