Seven years ago, I received a call from the Peace Corps asking me if I’d be ready to jet off to Peru for 2.5 years.  Sure, I had completed the long application process but the thought of packing up and heading to South America still seemed distant. I knew nothing about Peru and started frantically researching the country; Peace Corps told me that I’d be leaving in three short weeks. Of course I would go, there was no question in my mind but suddenly, my world turned upside down as I prepared myself to join the Peace Corps!

A few months later, I found myself in the heart of the Andes Mountains in a small community.  The weather was COLD, but the sun shined bright and the snow-capped peaks in the distance were absolutely beautiful. I began working with a group of women who were talented knitters. In my mind, they were like machines; they practically knit with their eyes closed.  I wasn’t a knitter so I found their abilities fascinating. As knitting is a large part of Andean culture, the women had learned to knit at young ages and were accustomed to knitting scarves, hats, sweaters and blankets for themselves and their children.  It was amazing to see the women multi-tasking – babies on back, knitting, shopping, cooking.  And, they never made mistakes!  The products they knit were flawless and the alpaca fiber they used was beautiful. Alpaca is native to the Andes Mountains of South America so the knitters were able to go straight to the source, just a few miles away…

After discovering the small knitting cooperative, I started helping them develop their business and market the lovely alpaca items they created. As a result, they were able to increase their income and better provide for their families in the form of higher education, better health care and more nutritious food.  Falling in love with the whole project, I created Mayu, a small social enterprise that imports and sells the 100% alpaca accessories that we created during my Peace Corps experience.

My next post on Alpaca Farm Girl will profile two of Mayu’s Peruvian artisans. And, stay tuned for a special giveaway this Fall, just for Alpaca Farm Girl’s readers!

For Mayu’s short video on alpaca fiber, click here. And, to learn more about the intensive process of creating hand-knit alpaca accessories, read here.

You can visit Kate at www.shopmayu.com.

June 8th, 2010 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca accessories, alpaca fiber, Alpacas, Andes Mountains, artisans, Kate Robertson, knitting, knitting cooperative, Mayu, Peace Corp, Peru, South America | Category: Alpacas, Fiber Arts, Weekly Web Finds | Comments (3)

Online Degrees recently published their list of the top 50 Best Farm and Agriculture Blogs of 2010.

This list includes blogs on ag news and information, sustainable farming, and farming big and small. They also list blogs about agricultural science, ag politics, and ag policies.

I was tickled that our Alpaca Farmgirl Blog was included in the Livestock and Ranching section. And I love that they even have a section for International farm blogs!

Check out the list of the 50 Best Farm and Agriculture Blogs here.

March 24th, 2010 | Tags: agriculture, Alpacas, blogs, farm, online degrees | Category: Alpacas, Resources, Weekly Web Finds | Comments (10)

This picture has been circling the internet. So perfect for this freezing day.  Here in L.A. (Lower Alabama) we only dream of having snow. *Sigh*

Participating in Wordless Wednesdays.

February 24th, 2010 | Tags: global warming, snow, snowmen, Weekly Web Finds, Wordless Wednesdays | Category: Weekly Web Finds, Wordless Wednesdays | Comments (10)

I met them on Twitter. Then had a chance to meet them in person at SAFF. “Sheep Incognito” is an art company comprised of the wonderful and funny artist Conni Togel and her husband, Peter, who takes care of the marketing side of things. They are both delightful, and it comes through in the artwork.

This cute painting hangs sideways for a reason. It reflects its caption. Yes, I did try to straighten it before I realized this. (how embarrassing. lol)

Visit their website to see more fabulous, humorous sheep artwork. They even have a great calendar for 2010. Hear that, Santa? And you can become a Fan on Facebook if you like. This artwork is sure to make you smile.

November 3rd, 2009 | Tags: art, SAFF, sheep, sheep incognito | Category: Weekly Web Finds | Comments (1)

Have you ever been on Tumblr? It’s a fun bloggy place where you can easily upload your photos right from your phone to your blog. There are other things you can do there and fun people and blogs to follow there. Alpaca Farmgirl on Tumblr.

I mostly use it to post photos I take on my phone live from the farm. My twitter friends love these candid, unplanned photos of the alpacas, the livestock guard dogs, and other random things.

This week my main computer is in the shop. This is freaking me out. I’ve probably walked towards the computer room 5 times today and thought, “No, can’t do that without the computer.” Luckily I have my trusty and gorgeous sidekick, the HP Mini – Vivienne Tam Editionto help me out. I can do almost everything on it!

Just a Reminder you can also find me on Twitter @AlpacaFarmgirl and Facebook. I’m AlpacaFarmgirl on Ravelry. You can find our alpaca fiber, yarn, and products at our Etsy shop too.

October 5th, 2009 | Category: Alpacas, Weekly Web Finds | Comments (1)

Over the weekend I was sharing pictures and stories of our Great Pyrenees, Rusty. My twitter buddy, @billolga, sent me this picture of their Great Pyrenees, Daisy, with their grandson. These dogs are amazing. So glad they shared!

Participating in Wordless Wednesdays.

September 23rd, 2009 | Tags: great pyrenees, Wordless Wednesdays | Category: Weekly Web Finds, Wordless Wednesdays | Comments (3)

Pigs might fly - so can dogs, or so it seems

From @Firefly2020’s TwitPics. She has some good ones!

September 20th, 2009 | Tags: dogs flying | Category: Weekly Web Finds | Comments (1)

Since the economy has gone south, making ends meet is more difficult for even the most talented artists. I had to share with you some of the jobs that our friend & famous sculptor Sharles is currently pursuing: 

• Teacher of sculpting & painting
• Photographer of flowers
• Expert opinionated art critic
• Amateur brain surgeon (non invasive type)
• Amateur psychiatrist (invasive type)
• Will spread rumorers
• Art advisor
• Art instigator
• Muralist
• Provide original designs to your tattoo artist
• House or plant sitter
• Poodle sitter
• Agent
• Advisor
• Physic
• Ghost hunter-collaborator
• Will haunt a premises (similar to house sitter but union scale)
• Read your palm
• Tell fortunes at parties
• Lie about your past, or fabricate one, if you want a better one. (List & prices available on request.)
• Post the same on web
• Weather consultant
• Computer addict
• Throwing the bird
• Can throw about anything I can lift
• Expert at cussing
• Hosting classical tea parties or coffee/chocolate parties
• Cooking with beer
• Slamming politicians
• Will help you ignore your neighbors
• Expert at recognizing neanderthrals, half whits, full-of-it whits, retarded socialites, sunflower & clown expert (as in, “Yea, that’s a sun flower, and that’s a clown”)
• Writer/critic to & of rich, famous, hysterical, and would be types
• Will forge your name to petitions
• Will do paper work for you to enter: reality tv shows and locker rooms
• Forge press credentials
• Sell you stuff
• Photograph you in leather or other fetish stuff
• Write resumes for you (if you really don’t want the job, can help get you fired so you can collect benefits
• Not defend you in court, but cuss your scumbag lawyers
• Hold illegal gambling money (from spouse, not IRS)
• Walk your dog, monkey or cat
• Feed your parrot
• Build up your confidence and ego with false praise
• Build up political aspirations with same
• Will pretend to be someone else on phone to fool other people in room
• Eavesdropping
• Will paint your toe nails & laugh at you jokes
• Taste test & critique beer
• Be a stand in groom, or best man at wedding rehearsals
• Ring church bells

 If you can think of anything else you would pay me to do…including going away. Yes I expect to be paid for that. Some of my skills& ideas are listed above. I am looking for buyers: (Granted some are addictions — but i am still good at them.) How serious I am about the jobs depends on how serious money is (Up front). ~ Sharles

If you would like to inquire about Sharles availability he can be contacted at sharlesart (at) gmail.com. See his artwork here. Sharles’ candelabra pictured right.

August 25th, 2009 | Tags: art, artist, creative, jobs, recession, Sharles | Category: Weekly Web Finds, the Artist | Comments (3)

Love this funny look at Twitter! Follow College Humor on Twitter.

July 19th, 2009 | Tags: Twitter, video | Category: Weekly Web Finds | Leave a comment