CIABA is a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(5) of the IRS Code.
© Cottage Industry Alpaca Breeders Association
For many though, the challenge of wearing the many different hats associated with being an alpaca shepherd , can be difficult. For now, below we have complied a list of opportunities from which you may choose that can aid you with the question, “What do we do with our Alpaca fiber now that we have it?”
The fact remains that many have barns, sheds, garages, and even bedrooms and living rooms filled with bags of alpaca fleece which could translate into POUNDS of beautiful useable natural fiber. Lets get that fiber into the pipelines!
Clearly, we must all admit that there are few presently structured to provide a pipe line of infrastructure. Some are better than others.
Some groups claim they are building this, some all ready have a working solution. However, what we decide to do with our fiber is as individual as a fingerprint. You must decide what is out there that works for YOU.
If you or someone you know is a buyer of alpaca fiber/raw fleece, please let us know so we will be able to list their information in an effort to help connect buyer to seller. CIABA is about working together for the good of the industry, and all who may benefit by it.
So What do we do with our Alpaca Fiber now that we have it?
The truth is that as fiber producers, in order to be profitable and sustainable with our fiber, it is going to take a little work. There was a time when the common understanding was that people would be beating our (barn) doors down begging for our alpaca fiber..... that day may be coming, If and When this happens it will be wonderful . However, right now we all need to work together, offer the public a consistent product, avail ourselves to the opportunities to become educated, and keep up with the changes our natural fiber industry is making.
For those with your farm stores and the gift of the arts, what a treasure! Keep those beautiful creations coming!
Buyers of Alpaca fiber, listed below
All colors
Staple length of 3.5” or more
Grades up through grade 4 (if it’s too coarse they can’t use it)
Free of debris and skirted is perfect.
The BagSmith will pay shipping
offering $3.00 per pound
Call Janette, she will instruct on how to ship your fleece
Contact Person ~ Janette Higgins
email ~ janette@bagsmith.com
phone 216-921-3500 or toll free 888-879-7224
Alpaca Blanket Project
The Alpaca Blanket Project- Pendleton Wool
(Deal strictly with North American fiber growers and manufacturers)
Fiber must be sorted by the Certified Sorted System
(you can send it raw fiber and they will sort it by thier standards)
Flaggy Meadow Fiber Mill
info coming soon
