Mention this Ad and get 20% off!

Come to see us at the Alpaca Extravaganza in Black Forest, CO this weekend!

Mention this blog 'ad' and get 20% off regular price of any one item (clearance excluded)!

Where?  Black Forest Community Center in Black Forest, CO (north end of Colorado Springs)
When? Saturday Nov 20th from 9 am to 5 pm  AND Sunday Nov 21st from 10 am to 4 pm
Why?  We will have the perfect alpaca products for early Christmas gifts!!

How to get there?

Making Choices

Now, I'll be the first to admit that my thoughts can be somewhat circuitous with ones that seem random but are usually linked in some way... like a herd just let out in a field, they run around wildly but most thoughts always come back to the center to reconnect.

(Fine Fleece Alpacas pic)

 
So, as I enter my linked trail of thoughts, like Alice jumping in the rabbit hole, don't be afraid because I'm pretty sure that I'll end up somewhat close to where I started :).  I'm sure you will be 'back' lickety-split. Here we go...

Hay -- Lots Of It -- and Birthday Presents...

A good father puts his family ahead of himself. And a truly dedicated alpaca farmer puts the well-being of alpacas above his own personal desires. But, it is a stretch to move 18 tons of hay on your birthday!

Today is Michael's birthday - woohoo! And the old man decided to celebrate by loading a 42" trailer 7 rows high and 13 rows deep with hay. The remaining ~100 bales we loaded into the barn and, as temporary storage, in our large horse trailer!

Fiber Sandwich Photos!

Oops, I just realized that I never posted pics of the fiber sandwich (posted in July)....... So, better late than never! :)  Here they are:

Making the sandwich....

... carded with a bit of black and white alpaca fiber for cohesion... spun thick and thin on our e-Flex Spinner, and then plied with a strand of black alpaca... Some of it I plied with a drop spindle until my willpower wilted... some plied by wheel...

Closeups of the yarn.  You can see the steaks of the red, green, purples, firestar... though the black strand really mutes the overall yarn...

Synchronicity.... and Alpacas on David Letterman

I was downstairs laboring away at getting some fiber carded up to spin at the NAFD event I'm joining tomorrow (the SECAB Alpaca Roundup in Colorado Springs, CO), when Michael came trotting down the stairs to admonish that I should be watching channel 10 (CBS, right?) for the David Letterman show because alpacas were going to be on.  It turns out that AOBA just sent out an announcement that said to look for it.

So, I quickly flipped the channel from USA to watch David Letterman.  I don't often watch Letterman anymore but I used to.  I found it enjoyable, watching his interviews with the Sofia Vergara from Modern Family (great show!), among the others.  I thought Shakira was eye-catching (certainly for the guys), but not so talented; give me Michael Grimm or Jackie Evancho's singing any day over that.

Midnight Sky Fibers' Quotes

I'll be honest, I have yet had time to really peruse this blog and her offerings on her site. But, I was just befriended by Jenn Wisbeck of Midnight Sky Fibers.  In fact on Facebook, she lists herself as its "Chief Executive Creator and Optimist"!  Now, I found this so pleasantly funny, honest, and optimistic all in one!  Aren't we all in our own companies, or at least in our own worlds?  Here is someone who is optimistic (wow) as well as to the point and funny.  Cool!  Sometimes I find myself slipping into just plain sarcasm, which is not so cool.

And, beyond that, she took the time to actually display on her Facebook profile quotes that inspire her ....and they were unique, personal, and inspiring!  Wow, what a concept.  It seems to me, a person that does not truly know Jenn Wisbeck but is 'getting to know her through FB,' that she really knows who SHE IS. That is great!

And, that alone, just reading a bit of calm and centering, helped me feel calm and centered if only for that brief moment ;).  So, here is homage to finding oneself and then succinctly posting it on Facebook!

Here are her two quotes that I want to steals as favorites of mine!

Like hot dogs? Like Alpacas? Spinning? Well then, come on over!....

So, without preamble, Autumn Sun Alpacas will be joining with Ancient Treasures Alpaca Ranch in their farm event to be held in Denver on October 10th from 10 am to 3 pm.  Just remember on 10/10/10 at 10!

 

Photograph from kevincumbs on Flickr

kids and alpacas....

I've been going through the pictures on my camera, downloading them onto my computer, and I came across these pictures that just brought a smile to my face...

Our youngest, just 2 1/2 years old, was so happy and enthralled by the new crias.  Despite our admonishments he kept trying to touch them.  But, we weren't too worried, since it really seemed that the crias were treating him as another 'kid' -- darting away from his touch, but yet coming back for more!

So, I remember that the kids enjoy the alpacas and allow them time together.  They get used to each other, and it widens both their horizons....  Happy kids, and happy alpacas :).

"Yummy" Fiber Sandwich!

I have joined that group of people that offered to me a share of a Fiber Sandwich.  After initial reservation, I accepted.

"What?" you say. No, it's not really food, but it is creative food for the soul.  Especially if you love texture and colors, and don't mind trying new things.  And you would like to try some art yarn.

No two Fiber Sandwiches are the same, since it is composed of the wool / fibers submitted by each participant in the group. 

Kahil Gibran quote....

Yes, there is a Nirvanah; it is leading your sheep to a green pasture, and in putting your child to sleep, and in writing the last line of your poem.

Inspiration.... Dedication.... Reality.

...so, as you know, I have been a bit absent lately... Sigh, I've been lazy, I'll admit it.  I could say it was because of work, shows, doing graphics, pending alpaca births, etc, but none of this is actually new!  This stuff is always around. 

Last night, I congratulated myself to no end because I managed to wash some alpaca fiber and spread it out to dry!  A couple of days ago I put forth a fairly nice graphics advertisement that has the customer pleased.  Kudos!  Last week -- at least I think it was last week since time has no real meaning any more to me without my kids' school calender being a rigid clock-ticking presence -- I went to the Estes Park Wool Market for the the first time ever!  What a blast, even if I was mildly concerned that the non-stop rain was going to cause a flash flood.  I ended up buying half of a Teeswater/CVM wool blanket (15.5lbs!!) with a friend so we can learn to spin boucle yarn. What was I thinking, considering I'm not really all that great at regular spinning yet and.haven't spun in a while??

...Well, you get the picture.  I have a lot of irons in the fire, hats on my head, rocks in my bowl.... anyways.  Busy.  But having fun, and unwilling to put any of it down.  I WILL be the master of all I survey.  I'm like Neo in the Matrix where the world just flexes around him.  ha, ha.  At least that is my vision.

[x] launch website...
[ ] now, FINISH website!...
[ ] figure out SEO!!  Why is execution so much harder than concept?
[ ] clean fiber, wash fiber, card fiber...fiber, fiber, fiber (forever!)...
[ ] figure out how to budget for mini-mill processing of my fiber!
[ ] Pacabuddies this weekend!! (cool, fun stuff!)...
[ ] finish ad(s)...
[ ] do a farm newsletter (oh no, June is almost over with no newsletter!)
[ ] finally do a blog posting - does this count?  No! Blog about Celia Quinn or EPWM or ?
[ ] send 'sale' email(s), sigh, though these never seem to work well for me....
[ ] sell an alpaca (want one?). Yep, positive thinking in effect!
[ ] finish cleaning up the piles of saved kid's school work (yes, I'm THAT mom)
[ ] clean the cat box
[ ] get rid of my cat! Darn it, that won't work; I can't do that. 
[ ] adopt my dad's new barn kittens.... What??  Crazy girl, strike that thought!
[ ] make a new barn? Yeah right, with my unlimited money and time.  Well, the hubby's time. But, there are 10 cria on the way this year!.....Hmmm, where to put everyone?
...
[ ] Make a better list!

GWAS 2010 was a FANTASTIC Show!

We HAD TO go to the 2010 Great Western Alpaca Show (GWAS) in Denver, Colorado though we did not have any alpacas to show!  We loved seeing the showing, farm booths, the fantastic alpaca entries, the vendors, and last but not least the Fiber Fiesta.  There seemed to be so many farms this year (but I do not know the statistics, in truth) and definitely an excellent showing of quality animals!  I've always believed that any ribbon from GWAS is a good ribbon, with it being a Level 5 show and usually the largest show in the country.  This year, I think was no exception.

 

Celia Quinn Workshop -- A Cultural Experience

I've been so bad lately about posting!... But, I have legitmate excuses!  First there was GWAS (a GREAT show), then the 'Crimp and Lock Pen Sale' with Wildlife Ranch Suri Alpacas and Alpacas de la Patagonia the next weekend, followed by Mother's Day... And peppered in between, the kids' school events like the "Couger" Fun Day!  (Don't say 'cougar day' when you are a woman, since for some reason with the new TV show it makes people snicker now)... Well, anyway, you get the picture, I've been busy.  Really I have!  Does that make you feel better that I 've ignored you for so long?

So, to 'catch' up, I'm going to post several in a row and I'm going to short-circuit some of Celia Quinn info.  Besides, you taking one of her classes soon anyways ;).

Silk Fusion -- What I found on the web!

I will be 'off' tomorrow to go to the GWAS / Fiber Fiesta in Denver, CO Friday-Sunday, so I am posting early with some extra information about silk fusion.

My Celia Quinn Experience: Silk Fusion Class II (Gallery)

Look at all these wonderful criations made by some of the other students in the in the Celia Quinn Silk Fusion class!

Going Green On Earth Day!!

Want to see what I'm talking about?  Click Here!

Love These Colors! This is From My Dyeing 'Mentor's' Stash....

I'm actually sore from spending all day dyeing with my friend and mentor, Heidi Bates, playing with dye mixing and learning the important measurement calculations for precise dyeing.... I'm definitely having fun now.  So, I will have pictures of our adventure yesterday, but I wanted to put a teaser up of all her beautifully dyed wool that was our inspiration!

Unfortunately, these are in her private stash, or I might have offered to buy a couple!

My Celia Quinn Experience: Silk Fusion Class I (How-To)

There are a number of persons that have been pioneers of "silk fusion" in the United States, also known as laminated silk in other countries. If you search 'silk fusion' or 'silk paper' on the web and at the major web shopping networks, you will see lots of listings and information.  These are a few that I found...

My Celia Quinn Workshop Experience -- The Outline: What I Learned About...

Okay, as promised, here is my first installment (not including my Teaser and my Prelude postings)...

I had learned so much in my three days at the Celia Quinn Silk Workshop that I felt it best to first present an outline that will map my intentions.  This will not necessarily be in chronological order of the class itself but grouped instead by subject.

Then, I will break up my 'journal' into several postings to show the individual sections in more detail.  Really this is done for your benefit, or my posting(s) would quickly resemble an encyclopedia (remember those? that's before the web) edition!

My Celia Quinn Workshop Experience -- A Prelude: the Materials List....

A Prelude to My Celia Quinn Overview....

I've thought about how to present all the information in my blog 'journal' of my Celia Quinn Silk Spinning Workshop experience.  I think the best way to organize this information is to give you my prelude (below), followed by a class overview, and then breaking up 'what I've learned' into individual sections in separate blog postings.  Otherwise, my already effusive writing could become an epic! So....




...this was the class description that lured me in, with excitement about experiencing silk and blending it other fibers - namely my beloved alpaca...

Social Media Survey (2010) - Website Magazine

Hi all -- Just popping in to show you something interesting I found about Social Networking.

Ah, confirmation that you aren't just talking into space.  Not only are people listening, what you say could actually be meaningful!

Now that feels powerful!  :)

So, as we suspected, Facebook and other social networking sites are valid methods of reaching customers and establishing network.  Hmmm, validation.

Social Media Survey (2010) - Website Magazine (http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/posts/pages/social-media-survey-2010.aspx)

Posted using ShareThis

Top E-Commerce Apps for Facebook - Website Magazine - Website Magazine

Along the lines of the free information to promote your websites to others, I have found this web article interesting and wanted to share!  If you are on Facebook, check this out!


Top E-Commerce Apps for Facebook - Website Magazine

Autumn Sun Alpacas March 2010 Sale - Ember Glow 20% off!

See Autumnsun's Ember Glow's listing for our March Sale! 
 
 SPRING INTO A GREAT DEAL!

***This maiden will be an asset to a fast growing farm!***

With her inherited mothering skills & easy breeding and awesome genetics,   
we know Ember will be a good mom and an essential production girl!

To celebrate Spring we are giving YOU a * 20% discount * on Ember! 

Financing is available -- so she can be yours easier than you think!
Contact us now and we will show you! We would be happy to answer any questions you have.

---

Ember is the foundation girl you want for your herd.

---

Her colorful name embodies not just her rich & earthy dark brown coloration
but her vibrant personality & curious-spunky nature.

-  She is a big, strong & healthy cria, already outpacing other crias as she grows.
*  Based on her size and growth, she will likely be ready to breed late fall THIS YEAR!

-   Her health is excellent with NO health issues to date.

-  Her conformation is strong & true, so straight that she is a measure for others. 

-  Her eyes & fiber are dark with no hints of white.
-  Her solidly dark brown fleece is uniform in color with no variation or markings. 
* She has no stray light fibers or spots that we can find!  She's not indefinite or an almost DRG.

-  Her fiber is consistent in her high frequency crimp, fineness, & density.
*  With her long staple length, she is a big ball of fluffy fiber!

-  From her DB dam: fineness & notable, exceptional health.
*  With her mother's and sister's past "easy breeding" history, we expect Ember to inherit these mothering skills and be an excellent dam herself.

-  From her WH Peruvian sire: awesome fiber qualities & PPP Dracula bloodlines.
*  Imagine, color over the awesome genetics of the Dracula line of super dense/crimpy whites!

With her legacy of robust health, clockwork breedings, and trouble-free crias, Ember is a good addition to any breeding herd as a healthy and strong production girl. Buy her now at this low price and watch her quickly develop into your breeding program at an affordable cost.

Quick Survey - How Do You Wean Your Crias?

Hi Folks,

It's been a long time.  Sorry for my absence.... Colds, work, kids, (GWAS showbook!), etc monopolized my time and I lost my 'get up and go' for a bit.   But, I'm back on the horse and rearing to go... I am getting a lot of pages finalized in the Great Western Alpaca Show (GWAS) showbook for 2010.  

I would like to include an article about weaning your alpacas.  Towards that end, I would like to have a small informal survey of how farms go about weaning their crias.  Look to the left ( <<<=== ) of this message, and the survey is at the top of the left column.  Please take the few seconds to click on as many buttons as you need.  Do something different? Just leave a comment to this posting.


Don't know about this show?  It's definitely worth going to GWAS if you can.  You will see:
halter, performance, fleece shows
photo, art, fiber, spinoff competitions
lots of vendors with apparel, yarn, and gear
tons of farms with info (and alpacas of course)
the FIBER FIESTA upstairs with demonstrations, classes, vendors!!

Thanks for your help!

If you want to email me personally with your info, you can do that too: livingstons@autumnsunalpacas.com.

Mary
Autumn Sun Alpacas

Knitting Help - At last!!

Hooker or Knitter?

Well, I've always gravitated towards crocheting.  It seems more simple to learn and do.  Heck, there is only one tool to use. This is the same reason I picked learning snowboarding versus skiing: 1 board vs. 2 poles & 2 skis.  Nevermind that I only snowboarded once, couldn't sit down for a month without wincing, and decided that I don't have to learn a winter sport just because I live in Colorado.

Anyway, as I was saying, crocheting seemed to be my 'sport' in the crafting world.  But, secretly, I think, I always wished I could learn how to knit.  There are some things that seem to be best done by knitting, some knitting styles that are just too cool, and I absolutely love the idea of mixing knitting and crocheting in different pieces.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no crocheting expert.  I feel that I'm learning all the time and love the textures.  I love crocheting and do not plan to stop.  But, hey, I'm a smart cookie and can learn how to do both, right?  Isn't not trying to learn knitting a lot like giving up before I try?

So, you understand why I'm so excited that I found this site!  It's not new to the scene, I can tell from all its Facebook Fans.  But it is new to me.  Moreover, it seems to have a plethera of information on it!!  I think that I might actually be able to learn knitting!!! (that was said with a raising pitch until I got to the happy giggle at the end!)

Without further ado, I name my new knitting savior: Knitting Help (http://www.knittinghelp.com/)!  I'll be honest that I have not actually tried knitting yet with my two hands, but after looking at the site I have a really good feeling about this!  So good that I am blogging prematurely. :o)  One big reason is that the site's video offering succinctly displays a variety of techniques right next to each other for easy comparison.  I tell you, it is love at first site (pun intended).

I think I've reached a pivotal moment, when I will no longer say "I don't knit" to at least that I'm learning to knit.  I WILL be a well rounded crafter yet: sewing, beading, felting, spinning, crocheting AND knitting!  That's my declaration and promise to myself.  I'll keep you posted on my learning experience here and on Facebook.  Wish me luck!

Feb 2010 Sale: Bred & Proven Female 20% off and Cash Discount -- as low as $3000!

Somora is our February 2010 Sale -- Take 20% off her normal price until the end of February.  An extra $200 discount or transportation credit is applied for full cash price. 

See more about Somora at her Openherd  listing!

Somora is bred to Wolf Den's Wild Rain -- son of the notable true black sire Othello in Idaho. She is due this summer, so you don't have to wait long to see Somora's wonderful cria (baby alpaca).

C'est la vie: If a cat can be a duck, then so can I...

This video is both hilarious and educating... If a cat can 'be a duck' then so can I!
(click on the play to see the cat video)



Have you ever heard of the phrase "like water over a duck's back"?

Well, I'm not an expert on American folk lore and colloquialisms, but I have always taken this to mean that you should let the 'negative' things pass over you like water passes over the duck's specially water-resistant feathers. ..."no big deal," "C'est la vie," "live and let live." You get the picture.

Ironically, for me this has been harder said than done. I like to control things, shape them, make them better, make them mine. A little scary, huh? I quickly discovered that life doesn't let you do that, not really. It's just your perception that you are in control. Then, life likes to jerk the rug out every once in a while just to keep you on your toes (or flat on your back). I swear I can almost here a puerile laugh in my head when I hit the floor, figuratively speaking.

So, my New Year's Resolution a while back was to be a duck. Let the things I couldn't control slide over my back. I rationalized that this was not giving up, that this was being realistic - even more importantly, this was being happier.

You know what? I was right. Don't get me wrong, it's hard work to be a duck. I have to remind myself all the time. I'm a duck, I'm a duck, I'm a... !@*&#@* Argh! What?! Oh yeah, I'm a duck.

But hey, if a cat can look on the positive - getting a drink even if you have to get your head wet - then I can too! We're both ducks!

Tax Time at Autumn Sun Alpacas -- and Your Alpaca Farm, Of Course.

It is tax time again. The time of year you find out if you owe or get money back. They say that if you planned right, with the proper withholding, you will come close to even -- not owing and not getting any money.

I know that is likely true but probably not as easy to do as it sounds. Besides, I always like getting a little back from government, even if I know that meant I gave them too much throughout the year. It feels a little like winning the lottery, just not millions and not really money "given to me."

I always wonder if I am doing all that I can to maximize my return, at the same time I worry that I might of done something wrong. Drawing the attention of the IRS is like attracting the 'eye of Morder' from the Lord of the Rings series.

Therefore, I found it interesting when Etsy included a link to their tax tips page in their latest newsletter. I clicked on the link to take a look around their post, and it seems like there is some good info. Here is the link to their site: Etsy JJMFinace Tax Tips.

Though all their own links in this article redirect to the actual IRS site, I wondered if this article really fully encompassed the IRS information. So I went directly to the IRS site to peruse the official information.

Interestingly, the IRS site was not set up in a question / answer format, but in more of a marketing one with catchy titles for each section, like "Top 10 Reasons.... In reality I'm not really sure which site is more appropriate or easier to use. Of course, I have that link here for you to look at and see for yourself: IRS Tax Tips for 2010.

However, if you have alpaca / farm specific questions, then these sources may not provide any obvious answers to help you at all. I have found that when I Google on "alpaca tax question" a few farms consistently come up with their advice and information. Now, as we all know, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) rules as the public opinion indicator of quality sites -- a little bit 'tongue in cheek' there.

I usually peruse around the top search listings for these alpaca farms with their tax postings / forums. I would highly recommend that you look at a few sites to cross-check the information, and maybe even compare back to the IRS site itself whenever possible.

But, of course, the only really safe way to get your answers is to see a tax specialist/lawyer. Hmm, not right there with seeing the dentist for a root canal but along those lines for me.... It is never something to be eagerly anticipated, but sometimes it needs to be done for your own good.

So, here's wishing you the best of luck in your tax return, maybe you will "win" something this year!

Crochet a grocery or book bag? Yes, you can!

I absolutely love the idea of crocheting a bag to use in the grocery or book store, or just around & about! It is the perfect match of functionality and creativity - a mixture of modern city "good looks" and old-fashioned country "craft creation."

So, I find myself eager to peruse though the FREE crochet patterns for bags of all styles that FaveCrafts sends to me in their regular newsletters. Here are some pictures. But, don't stop here at just looking at the pictures! Click on the links and pics to go to the FaveCraft pattern sites, get the one you like, and make a bag individual to YOU! Have fun and post pictures! Mary

Autumn Sun Alpacas is on Flickr and Etsy!

Sometimes you just need to show off your handy work. We are slowly adding our pictures to our Flickr account and our Etsy shop for you to look at.

Ask us if you have any questions! We will answer back quickly and ship quickly if you are interested adding to your 'yarn stash' or accessories!

.... Just a few pics for you to enjoy as a 'teaser' -- pop over to our Etsy and Flickr to see more pictures, and keep checking back for updates. Better yet, follow us -- here, there, everywhere! :)

Facebook, Etsy ...the Web!! - Oh, My!

Do you feel like there are multiple versions of you out there?

Where have you been, what did you say, where did you say it...
~~~

What is the URL, what is your password, which account is this one. ...What??

Yes, that's right, I'm not talking about the dreaded memory loss or personal interactions. I'm talking about virtual reality, social networking, network marketing, bill-paying, learning, socializing... all that.

If you are friend of mine on Facebook, you will see by all the links to the left that we (Autumn Sun Alpacas) are signed up everywhere: Facebook, Blogger, Ravelry, Etsy, Artfire, Flickr, not to mention AlpacaNation and our website (well, soon to be launched).

Not too bad, but then add the accounts and passwords for the email service, ARI, AOBA, ABR, SECAB, the Google groups, the Yahoo groups, the special website groups/newsletters....

And let's not forget about webshopping store accounts, bill paying, school lunch account, finances, photo storage -- oh my! Work passwords? Lets not even go there, because that adds another double digit count of accounts/passwords.

Would you believe that 99% of these rattle around my head in some form, because I don't trust writing them down. Or if I do, I encrypt them so that I cannot figure out what I wrote later - to my endless frustration.

I wonder sometimes if this level of 'convenience' is a bit overwhelming! Whew! We love it, we hate it, but technology is part of our lives. This review shows how it is firmly entrenched in all aspects -- from school, to work, to farm, to fun.

So, just keep your head on straight, maybe with a little cheatsheet if necessary, and remember all those versions of you out there! :)


Good luck,



Mary

... Leave Those Kids Alone :)

You know the old saying: "Youth is wasted on the young" -- meaning that kids just don't appreciate what they have and really use/enjoy it?

Well, I had an epiphany yesterday. It may be totally obvious sounding now, but it was an 'ah' moment for me....

Why should kids think about how 'good they got it'?

We say that we want them to appreciate what they have, so they could really experience it or so they could avoid losing it. Therefore, they should know that they have it 'easy' while we walked up hill both ways, or we failed to appreciate our youth, or whatever.

I had thought of myself as wise....

I knew that kids could not really understand us and what we were trying to tell them. I knew that you could try to tell them what you have learned, to 'give them a leg up,' but that they would not listen. And it was not their fault. I was so wise, knowing not to hold this against them, or so I thought. With this wisdom, I thought I might be able find a way to convince my boys that I understood, so that they would in turn listen to me.

But yesterday, I remembered the other phrase we all know: "Ignorance is bliss."

And, I realized that this is not always a bad thing. This phrase to me was a bad thing, a chastisement. But now I beleive that it is not just a statement about being a sheep lead to slaughter or a sloth letting life pass by.

Because, kids are ignorant... of the woes of trying to keep/find a job, of paying the bills, of driving defensively, of watching out for psychos (mostly), of getting old, of dying. Most kids are... and that's a GOOD THING! Let them have their joyous childhood, not fully understanding how good they got it.

Honestly... to know joy, you have to know sadness, ...to appreciate comfort, you have to know pain, ...to understand the benefit of the security of a good home, you have to know the fear and uncertainty of the lack of one.

Frankly, kids are too young and happily innocent for us to TRY to show them how good they have it. ...Too soon, they will understand.

So, just as it is your job to help them through those moments of understanding, it is your job as a parent to help them enjoy their ignorant bliss now. Maybe, seeing their innocent joy will give you a little happy feeling, remembering your past bliss.

I remembered that when I looked in the face of an old friend who is facing his mortality. And, I remember that when I looked at the wildly impish grin of my boy later on. We should always remember to cherish our youth and ignorant bliss, even if only vicariously in the laughter of a child.

So, I remember another quote (from a song): "...leave those kids alone."

ASA's February Sale! 20% off....

Did you see our February Newsletter in your inbox? Did you click on the link in the newsletter to check out our February sale? Did you know that the Saints won the Super Bowl?

Well then, you know that Somora is now on sale at 20% off. Good job, Saints!

Make sure you take a second look at Somora, since her proven production history can be a relief to your breeding program with her easy care and consistently fine, healthy, dark crias.


For those of you who may not get our newsletters, I've posted the link here to our February 2010. If you are interested in receiving our newsletters, email us and we will add your email address to our mailing list. Or, feel free to write us on Facebook, Ravelry, Etsy, Openherd, or leave a comment after this blog posting.

Let us know if you have any questions about Somora, her service sire (due Spring 2010), or her past crias. We'd love to talk more!

Thanks for looking, Mary and Michael (Autumn Sun Alpacas)
.

FaveCrafts Blog posting: How to Loom Knit and How to Convert

Whoo -Hooo -- Good job, Saints!

What a great day to be running around playing on the internet while watching the tube! I also found an interesting blog posting at FaveCrafts! This one talks about converting knitting loom patterns into traditional knitting patterns.

That's pretty nifty.... unfortunately, though, I'm not really not a knitter. So, I what I really need is a method for converting traditional knitting patterns into loom patterns. :) Well, actually that's why I crochet! But, for those of you that knit, here you go...

FaveCrafts Blog posting: How to Loom Knit and How to Convert

Enjoy!

Social Networking 101 --- What Do You Know?

Hello guys -- So, did you attend the Social Networking 101 teleclass hosted by Womens About Biz?

Yes? Great job placing importance on continuous learning. There were some things that I knew already, but there were a few new hints that I picked up as well. All in all, well worth my time.

No? You missed it? I believe that they said they had it in article form at their web site. .... But, I'll be truthful, I could not find it there. :( So, I cannot attach a link here....

However, I did find a lot of good information about motivation and organization, so I still consider this site a worthwhile bookmark. Maybe, this should be more incentive to make time for their free teleclasses, since they are not available in article form. Just a thought! ;) I did see a couple more teleclasses listed and may go back to sign up. How about you?

And, because I thought their information could be very beneficial for some of my friends and followers, here is an extremely distilled and probably biased (for my interests) set of notes:

• Be selective in picking your social network. From my perspective that is pretty simple since FB and Twitter are the big-hitters, and there aren't that many alpaca specific social networks out there!

• Maintain good online etiquette! Yes, it IS BEING RECORDED and LINKED somewhere out there in the wide web and could come back to HAUNT you. In my words: don't do, say, or show anything on the web that you wouldn't do in front of your mama or preacher or kids.

• Be Consistent and Relevant in your postings. Again, in my words: don't pop in and out of my life to try to give me advice (who are you?) or waste my time with drivel (please go away!). I loved the Women About Biz presenter's phrase: "build a familar trust" -- compendious!

• Build a Social Networking Identity / Presence (to paraphrase several points from the teleclass). Have a signature line on your postings with your full name, business, and contact email/phone. Guest blog on others' blogs and postings. Give info freely, without strings (buy now to get this info!) attached, so others want to read your posts. Get your articles, videos, audio clips, etc out there on different sites. But be careful about overtaxing yourself, because remember: consistency in posting is key!

• Have a Internet Strategy! Why are you doing all this? What are you achieving? Get a website of some kind, maybe a blog, join relative social networks, publish e-articles, send newsletters -- which ones will work for you? Just a hint, it's more than one of these in this list to be successful on the web.

So, I hope that I haven't misrepresented their information or over-summarized their info here. I encourage you to peruse their site and maybe attend a teleclass or two: Womens About Biz.

Remember what we talked about earlier here? Take advantage of the free knowledge out there, just waiting for you to grab it!

eFlex-Spinner -- a Handcrafted Electronic Spinning Machine

We at Autumn Sun Alpacas, aka Mary & Michael Livingston, have been enthralled with alpacas and their fiber for many years.

In addition to raising a family of boys and caring for our alpacas, we have jumped headlong into the fiber aspect of the business. Fiber spinning, crocheting, felting, and now fabrication of handcraft, electronic spinning equipment are a new focus.

Michael has worked carefully to design an electronic spinning machine that takes into consideration the needs of a wide range of 'spinners' -- from experienced to novice, artisan to elderly. The flexibility of the portable eFlex-Spinner works for everyone!

We are taking orders for each unit on our Etsy page (autumnsunalpacas.etsy.com) or you can contact us by phone or email if you are not comfortable with web-stores. We can also give you custom quotes on specific wood requests.

Thanks for listening here, and looking at the spinning machine at our Etsy store. Contact us now to place your work order and secure your place in the queue.

Mary & Michael Livingston
livingstons@autumnsunalpacas.com
(719) 484-0438

GWAS 2010 -- Show book Ad Deadline

Don't forget that the deadline for advertisement for the GWAS 2010 showbook is fast approaching on March 15th.

Don't let yourself miss the opportunity to get your COLOR ad in the showbook for the Level 5 show that was the largest show in the nation last year.

Your ad will be in the hands of hundreds of exhibitors and visitors!!

Don't wait, at the same low prices as last year, these slots will quickly fill up!!

ABR - GWAS
ABR - GWAS on Facebook

Questions? Contact:
Event Manager, Becky Zierer at lzbalpacas@aol.com, or the
Show Manager, Carl McGill at carl_freda@msn.com

What's your Silver Lining?

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade...

Look on the bright side...

See your glass as half full, not half empty...

Find the silver lining...

There are lots of ways to say it, but it means the same thing.

Life is not always fun, fair, or encouraging. But there is always a break in the clouds ;)

The trick is to find what benefit you can from things, what you have learned, what's cool about the new avenue you are on now.

Every place you are now is a special place. You may not think so now, but I bet you can find a reason why sooner or later if you think about it.

That is my life-learned tidbit that I am trying to apply daily and teach my boys.

Because, then things like broken cars, lost jobs, friends left, and family lost can really bring you down.

I hope this helps someone out there today!

Mary

Love is in the air....

Well, it is officially February! I am reminded by my frisky open girls, flirting with the males across the fence, that breeding season is almost upon us. And, so is birthing season this spring -- my favorite, albeit most anxious, time of the year.

I love seeing the results of all our carefully thought-out combinations. I once attended a lecture where the speaker, a renowned professor that often talked about husbandry and growth of the alpaca industry, reported that he spent many hours (somewhere along the lines of 60-80 hours) researching his key pairings. What? That seemed really long. Maybe we weren't holding to our proper business goals as well as I had thought.

Well, he said that he reviewed all the previous offspring of this female and their heritage vs. the results (their characteristics). And, he reviewed each potential male candidate on his list, and then all of their offspring vs. their characteristics. He weighed the pros and cons of each and weighted that against his goals for his breeding program and specifically this female. Well, then I understood! We also do that. It's part of what I love in determining our breedings, seeing if we are achieving our goals -- one step at a time, one cria at a time.

So, my advice is to put as much thought and research effort into your breedings as you have hopes and desires for the outcome. Then, you are always gaining something, even if it's only knowledge of how better to plan this year. Good luck!

Are All Blog Sites the Same?

I just set up a survey on my blog spot asking what blog site you use / like, because I belatedly realized that I just used the first blog site I ran across. It seemed good, it's Google -- that makes it well recognized right? Maybe-yes, maybe-maybe?

But, now I am paying more attention to some other blogs, and there are some lovely ones out there. Many are great to read, but a few are also great to look at. It's like chatting with a friend when you are an art show.

So, I would like to be that blog for you. Heck, even for me (I'm not above admiring my own work sometimes)! ;)

So, now I search and look. Give me your ideas, folks, if you think you know a tidbit that I need. Thanks in advance.

I can't wait to watch this blog unfold. It's like art, freespun yarn, nature... It moves in different directions and each time I find myself saying "oh!" or "wow!" or somtimes "duh!" -- but I like that it grows each time.

Keep hanging on with me, we'll get there!

Mary :)

Arrghh! -- Facebook -- a Modernly Insane Habit?

My experiences sometimes are a contrast in 'old-fashioned' and modern.

I grew up around chickens, but I've used my share of technology.

I could care less about an IPOD but cannot imagine life without internet and my laptop.

So, when I joined Facebook finally and used it for a while, I was of two minds:

1) This was fun and comfortable, chatting back and forth, and...

2) Are the creators of this programming and the apps the most SADISTIC, truculent, and insane people on the web?!??!?

It seems that nothing on FB is obvious, compendious or well-documented. You blunder into things and then ask people (your Friends) for help or google it.

Today, I again felt this frustration as I attempted to join an app that would allow me to put this blog on my FB page. What a surprise, it didn't work right (yet)! I started to ask a question, but app wanted me to use another app just to ask! Nope, I bailed out and just asked my Friends, as usual.

...Yes, now I'm just venting. :)

I wouldn't even say that I am giving you advice or caution, because I know that I will go back to Facebook again. ...It's like I'm hooked. ... a FB junkie? Naw, I don't do apps. Oh wait, I just crossed that line... Naw, I show restraint, well at least to being on it to 2, 3, max 5 times a day.

Okay, well maybe I'm hooked on it, but maybe that's the way of the 'modern' life... ;)

Take Heart, You Are Not Alone!

Okay -- this may not be the most helpful posting, except to let you know that others have the same time constraints and woes you do! Read on and take heart that you are not alone!

My resolution was to have newsletters published monthly this year, each with a special sale. Well, we are in the last week of January, and I did not make it this month.

My ad for the monthly special just got done last night, though I belatedly tried to promote it a few times on Facebook.

My email list still needs some work, and oh yeah, I still need to add it to my email marketing site! ;)

I am plugging away at our farm web page, yet to be released but it will be soon, I promise. However, while working on that website, I have been neglecting to jazz-up my Openherd site.

But, I have been pretty good about talking on my blog... though sometimes a little late.

So, I still think I'm making good progress. I feel a growing sense of achievement that is beginning to overpower the overwhelming feeling of 'what do I do now to make a dent?' that sometimes happens to the best of us.

So to quote a famous blue Disney fish (friend to Marlin, Nemo's Dad): "Keep on swimming, keep on swimming."

What a wise little fish!

Focused Marketing - How Your Benefits Help Your Customers!

You've heard it before...

Don't talk about what you got,
Tell me how it benefits ME.

That is one of the fundamentals of focused marketing. Figure out why your 'assets' are benefits to your customer!

Okay, a lot of you know this, and that's good.

But, have you considered just how much you can extend your customer service to your customers?

How about giving them access to your knowledge and skills? Your good name and reputation? Your webpage? Your 'leg up' in the marketing realm?

I have been looking at some email marketing sites that talk about how they can help you help your customer (whew, say that fast three times). They will offer you incentives to help your customers use their marketing service. Plus, as part of your marketing with them, you can collect customer surveys and review/testimonials to enhance and promote your business.

You in turn can help send out your customer's emails and increase their visiblity in social networks. Ah, a symbiotic relationship!

What do you think? Could it work for you and your customers? Take a look at RatePoint's webpage for one such marketing service. And, don't forget to Google for more to shop 'n compare!

Good luck,

Mary and Michael

Extreme Discount Sale on Gabe For A Limited Time!

Oops, I forgot to post my blog for yesterday, but did get it on the Facebook site. Here it is:

For the rest of January -- Gabe is on Sale at 20% off her normal price! Paying cash? Then, we will either take an additional $250.00 off or arrange and pay for her transportation, whichever you prefer!

Take a look at Mocha's Gabe now, she may be the girl you are looking for! Sweet personality, easy keeper and easy breeder, all in a lovely deep brown color with excellent conformation and good coverage/fiber -- AND, at a steal of a price!

This is only till the end of the week!! If you are interested Contact Us Now!

Just in case you missed the other links, see Gabe at http://autumnsunalpacas.openherd.com/AlpacaPage.aspx?alpaca=15782

Thanks for looking. Talk to you soon!

Mary and Mike

Unwind!

It's Friday!!

I am a believer that Fridays are the day to unwind.

Maybe catch up on some loose ends,

Maybe coast a little to catch your breath,

Maybe play hooky from work and get your groove back.

It's a day to watch fluff TV, read a little, spin something, play with your yarn, or enjoy time with your kids!

Eat pizza and soda with the kids tonight! Chips, popcorn, ice cream? -- all right!!

Jump into your sweats as soon as you can! Cuddle with the hubby or a nice blanket if you need to.

DON'T clean up, or start those 'priority' projects, or pay bills.

There's too much to do every weekend, and every week, without taking some time out for yourself!

That's my motto. Hope you have a good Friday!

Mary

Women About Biz Free Teleclass

Hey there, want to get more free information?



I just got an email from Women About Biz (www.womenaboutbiz.com), of which I am a free member, that advertised for a free 'teleclass' called Social Networking 101 (and how that can help your business).

First, you have to sign in for a free membership, and you can opt for a free newsletter ...remember what I said earlier about getting those freebees? Here's another opportunity for information via email and class.

I have participated in other free 'webinars' or 'teleclasses' and found them beneficial, so I thought I'd spread the word

.... See you there?

How to Use "Cause Marketing" + We Want to Help Haiti... Sale!

So, we are practicing what we preached, and have been reading some information provided by Vertical Response in their posting: "The 2010 New Year Checklist for Your Business".

Item 1 on their list says to use "cause marketing." Whoa, the first instinct is that this sounded crass and Machiavellian, but then a second thought occurred ...this can be beneficial for both us and the cause!

How can we help promote our business and our interest in a cause at the same time?

Obviously, as with many of you, we are concerned about the citizens of Haiti and their plight after this earthquake. So, we are combining this desire to help them with our marketing needs to make a special offer that is above our normally low listed prices on our alpacas on our Autumn Sun Alpacas Openherd site.

For rest of January 2010:
We will give you 10% off the price of any 'for sale' animal on our Autumn Sun Alpacas Openherd site... and, we will donate 10% to the Red Cross for the Haitian relieve efforts.

Interested in a group of animals in one of our packages or one of your design? No problem, lets talk. We offer reduced prices already on our packages, but can discuss details and donation options.

The great thing is that this offer works with full payment or a payment plan. Full cash payment now means a full 10% now.

But if you can only finance right now, this offer still works for you as long as we sign the contract this month. The rebate and donations will just be spread out -- a discount/donation now on the down payment and then a discount/donation off the top of each payment.

So, hop over to our alpaca listings on our Autumn Sun Alpacas Openherd site, and see what alpaca catches your eye. Have questions? Just drop us an email note (directly here, or through our Openherd site), and we will get right back with you with answers.

Easy, painless, informative shopping... with a big payoff!

Thanks for looking, and for your generosity!

Autumn Sun Alpacas
livingstons@autumnsunalpacas.com

*~*~*~*

Article as seen on Comcast.net News on 20-January-2010:
"New 6.1-quake hits Haiti, people flee into streets"

Why Didn't I Think Of That?

Do you ever think of or hear about something that makes you think, "Wow, that is so simple!" or "Why didn't I think of that before?" Well, I've got one for you....

I know that you see all kinds of email messages that are sent using an email service, like Vertical Response among others. Now, not necessarily advocating one service provider over the other, have you ever just perused through their free information / articles? It's like going to the public library, in a way -- helpful information just sitting there, waiting for you to look at it.

So, besides the email marketing campaign that you've been planning ;) -- pop into these providers' sites and take a look around. Maybe get on their free newsletters to get more information handed to you.

Don't know of any such providers?

Well below are some links to some information provided. There are others email marketing providers, like: Campaigner, Easy Contact, Constant Contact, Mad Mimi, icontact, ContactPro, and so many more. Now, granted, some of these sites have more free info than others, but take a look around to see.

Just Google or Yahoo on 'email marketing' to see what's out there.

Again, not promoting any particular email service, just grabbing some links I know of ....Here are just some of the links to some of these sites....

Explore, Read, Use!
Get out there, folks -- Be brave!

Easy Contact's Email Marketing Resource Guide

Vertical Response's 2010 Business checklist

Vertical Response's Top 10 Blog posts of 2009

Constant Contact's Learning Center
-- includes webinars, tutorials and guides!

Interspire's 62-page whitepaper about permission based email marketing
(you have ask for it)

Be Careful -- Not All Farms are Honest, Read On...

On a serious note...

Just wanted to give a cautionary note: a well known farm in NY recenty posted that they were selling out their herd, without guarantees but with their normal good customer service.

However, we have had past dealings that do not show their good customer service. We have had a past trade where their alpaca was realized to be not pregnant and not reproductively viable. Despite our regular and detailed communication to them about our medical and breeding efforts, they did not hold their word to replace with a comparable animal. They stopped answering our repeated attempts at communication. ...Yes, we still have this non-productive alpaca, while they have had two crias from our traded dam.

The point of this message is to be careful in dealings with them as they have not always 'done the right thing.'

If you want more details, you can email or call us privately.

Articles for the 2010 GWAS showbook....

Hi all,

Did you know that I am the Showbook Coordinator for the 2010 GWAS showbook? What an extensive but rewarding endeavor -- well at least after all the work is done. Beforehand, I am sometimes known to pull out my hair at the time-crunch.... So, I am petitioning early for your assistance!

I am requesting submissions of 1-2 page articleds for the 2010 GWAS showbook for review. They will have a small signature / contact section to recognize your volunteer help! These articles can range from alpaca care (feed, breeding, birthing, cria, etc) to fiber (prep, spinning, carding, dyeing, felting, crocheting/knitting) to showing your alpaca, to selling / marketing your alpaca, etc. The topics are as endless as the interest and needs of all farms in our industry!

If you are interested or have questions, email me (Mary Livingston). I am looking forward to seeing all your humorous stories/quips, helpful hints/lists/information, quizzes, poems (dare I say?), or whatever. Surprise me :).

Remember that as the largest show in 2009, GWAS almost sold out -- selling more than 700 stalls last year. With these articles and our quality, full color pages, this book is reviewed throughout the show and retained long afterwards! All of this, and you do not pay a cent if your article is included. However, not all of the articles will fit in the showbook, so I recommend that you consider using our showbook advertisement opportunities for a guaranteed slot.

See the GWAS website or contact the Event Manager, Becky Zierer, or the Show Manager, Carl McGill for more details and assistance with purchasing show sponsorships and/or showbook advertisements.

Also, keep update to date on the live news listings for the GWAS 2010 -- Go to the Facebook site and FRIEND it to get all notices!

Thanks for your support and help!