Recently, I responded to a Facebook request by a local alpaca farm owner, who was asking for felt and fibre artists to get in touch, as they would like to collaborate with local artists  for the use of alpaca fibre from their flock.  My friend and fellow fibre artist Debi and I agreed that we would visit Y Fferm Fach (which translates from Welsh to English as ‘The Mini Farm’) to have preliminary discussions with farm owner Amanda.  We were going to also meet Amanda with a few other fibre artists, for a chat over a cup of coffee and some beautiful scones with jam and cream! (We were off to a good start already with treats like that!!)  We were also offered the chance to meet the flock, and spend time getting to know them!  What a lovely prospect to look forward to, combining my favourite  subject of fibre crafts with a chance to meet my favourite camelid together with my favourite edible treat!   I couldn’t wait for the date to arrive in December!!

 

When we arrived, it was clear that the herd were very intrigued to know who was visiting.  I saw quite a number of heads pop up, and some started to make their way up the field for a better nose!   It was a fairly soggy day when we visited and we had had quite a lot of wet weather in the weeks before.

As you can see from this photo, the alpacas were very soggy from all the rain we had!

 

So on our arrival it was lovely to be shown straight into Amanda’s beautiful wooden chalet, which was warm and welcoming, decked out with Christmas tree and lights, together with a lovely log burner crackling away.  It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into the chalet, and it provided a lovely light space in which the five of us could chat with Amanda over our coffee and scones.

 

Amanda took time to explain how she and her husband Nick had taken the life-changing decision to get out of the city rat race, and make the move into alpaca farming.  They had previously worked in the entertainment industry, as well as working in the Welsh Government.  But they took the decision to follow their lifelong dream of running a small farm and bought 8 acres of land in the countryside, which consisted of areas of pasture land, woodland and the most beautiful views of the Welsh countryside.  However, the land had no property in which to live, so Amanda and Nick are currently residing in a static caravan.  Amanda explained that their farm is completely ‘off grid’, using solar panels for electricity, a composting toilet, and they discovered they also have their very own spring for water!  Being very eco-conscious, it was a natural step forward for Amanda to explore her local community’s skillset, when considering options for the use of her fibre.

 

Before getting onto the topic in question, Amanda explained about the husbandry of keeping alpacas, including the regular weekly ‘poo’ testing to check the health status of the flock and ensure they remain in optimum condition.  Nick has even completed specialist training in order to be able to undertake these weekly tests independently.  Speaking with Amanda, it was clear that she and Nick have worked hard to ensure they have really done their homework!

We went on to chat about ways in which alpaca fibre can be used, having lots to talk about, sharing our combined knowledge, and listening to Amanda’s aspirations for the use of her fibre, exploring ways in which the fibre could be best utilised.  We explored options for processing the fibre, spinning the fibre, felting and also weaving with the fibre.  But with a current heard of 16 alpacas, some of whom are pregnant, together with the arranged purchase of further alpacas to join the existing herd; it was clear that there would be a huge amount of fibre involved!  Therefore, we needed to be realistic about each individual’s capacity to dedicate the time needed for such an undertaking and it was clear that this quantity of fibre was going to be considerably more than our little group could process.  So it was important for Amanda to consider a two-fold approach, with some processing and spinning being undertaken in a commercial setting, with local crafters contributing bespoke elements.  Amanda has started a small shop in her chalet, so we agreed it would be a nice idea to have some needle-felted alpacas, that look like some of the herd!  How lovely would it be for a child to feed their favourite alpaca, only to be able to take a mini needle-felted alpaca home with them? One thing that was clear, was that there are endless possibilities for utilising the alpaca fibre, from hand spun yarn, to woven garments made with the alpaca fibre.  The option to utilise the best fibre to spin, crochet, weave or wet felt for example, beautiful cobweb felted scarves, hats and endless other garments, and to utilise the less premium fibre for needle felted items for the gift shop.  The fact that Amanda has a beautify chalet available with space to run courses and workshops, is another wonderful opportunity for collaboration.  But we also discussed how Amanda wants to link in with local schools and groups, to promote opportunities for local children to experience  the joy of interacting with alpacas in close proximity.  Amanda was keen that her alpaca experience should not be feeding them over a fence (as many other venues do), but should be a totally immersive experience, where you get to move freely within the flock and be able to feed them and pet them without any barriers.

 

Having experienced first hand how wonderful it was to spend this quality time with the alpacas, I decided to book for my family to visit.  My youngest son Tom was visiting from America with his family, and I very much wanted my little granddaughter to have fun on her first trip to the UK.  Amanda was happy to accommodate and we very much enjoyed a family trip to meet the alpacas.  Thankfully it was a glorious day, with blue skies and sunshine, which was lovely! Both Alex and my granddaughter  absolutely loved it, and so did everyone else!

 

As you can see by his face, Alex loved feeding them!

 

Kendal……………and……….. my youngest son Tom enjoying the experience!

Pip sporting a funky topmop!

 

As for me, I look like I belong on a  farm! Ha! Ha!

 

Lizzy’s face is beaming!!!! 

 

My granddaughter absolutely loved her adventure, and I have to say, Amanda was brilliant with her.

 

Having spent time in Amanda’s company, it was clear that she is someone who has a clear vision for her farm, and that very much includes working with local people, to deliver opportunities to and for her local community.  The farm itself is idyllic in location, and offers a wonderful setting to enjoy both the alpaca experience but also the crafting experience.  I am very much looking forward to this collaboration journey and will enjoy sharing this journey with you as we progress.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy some of the photos I took on my two visits to Y Fferm Fach.

Saying goodbye to the alpacas….until the next time they visit the UK – it’s definitely going to be an annual event, they have all decided!  My granddaughter can’t wait to see her new  friends (Pip, Daisy, Dotty (who’s the baby of the herd for now), Honey, mischievous Brooke who likes to get herself in a  pickle and all the other friendly alpacas.

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