Jan 12
22
Alpaca Products For Profit
Alpaca products are as varied as the manufacturers and countries they come from. The Peruvians are famous for their beautiful and bright ponchos and rugs. Some companies are famed for their exquisite jewellery, and others for their cuddly soft toys. Yet others manufacture magnificent sweaters. And all these are made from the finest of alpaca fibres.
The range of products made from alpaca fibre of fleece is varied:
Ponchos: The earliest of uses for the alpaca fibre is probably the making of ponchos in Peru. The ponchos are usually brightly colored, and are very warm, able to withstand the cold climate that the Andes Mountains have.
Rugs: Alpaca rugs are beautiful and in high demand in many homes.
Throws and bedspreads: These are a great addition to the winter wardrobe. They are warm, and yet are not prickly or scratchy. They are hypo–allergenic, and safe for toddlers and babies to use.
Garments: Garments made from alpaca fibre include everything from hats and socks to ponchos and scarves. Sweaters and coats are also equally in demand. Slippers are also very popular.
Felt sculptures: Crafters are using the alpaca fibre to make felt, which in turn is used to make one-of-a-kind sculptures which are sold at art markets.
Stuffed toys: Many different stuffed toys made of alpaca fibre are available on the market. These range from cuddly rabbits and teddy bears, to alpacas, lions and pandas. These animals are not only beautifully crafted, but are luxuriously soft to the touch and child friendly too, as they are hypo-allergenic.
Jewellery: The market is also seeing a fare amount of exquisitely crafted jewellery made from alpaca fibre and Peruvian silver.
Hen marketing your alpaca products, it is important to stress the benefits of alpaca fibre to your potential customers. Alpaca fibre is allergen-free due to the fact that the coat of an alpaca contains no lanolin. Alpaca wool also fares much better than sheep’s wool, when it comes to thermal qualities. An added benefit is that the fibres of an alpaca are soft and not prickly like many other natural fibres.
When marketing your alpaca products, it is also important to stress the correct care of alpaca fibre products. Without the proper care, the products will loose their luster, not last as long, and possibly stretch out of shape, without the ability to go back to the original shape.
Alpaca products should always be hand washed with a mild soap in warm water. The products should never be washed by machine. Once washed, the product should be gently squeezed, not wrung – to rid it of excess water. The garment needs to be supported and not hung, when moving it. It should be laid flat to dry on a towel, and gently pulled into shape. Never stretch the fibre, especially not when the garment is wet, as this will ruin the garment. Streched fibres cannot return to their original state. Even storing the product should be done on a flat surface, and not from a hanger. Ensure that the garment will not make creases along the centre, as these are impossible to get rid of. Stubborn stains may require extra attention, and if need be the alpaca products can be dry cleaned.
