This year we've taken the sewing and finishing in-house so we have better control over the look and feel of our Alpaca Glittens. This also opened the door for us to add a splash of color, so for the 2021 alpaca season, the Alpaca Glittens will be available in Slate Grey and Steel Blue colorways!
Available now at both Fiber and Wholesale price points while supplies last!
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Our Alpaca Glittens offer the warmth of a mitten and the dexterity of Gloves, making them a perfect fit for hunting or any activity where you need quick access to your fingers. The mitt flap pulls back and attaches with a secure button, giving your digits free roam.
Harnessing the natural characteristics of U.S. Grown Alpaca fiber, our Glittens will keep you warm without the bulk and are designed to hold up on any wilderness-bound adventure.
Alpaca fiber is also naturally moisture-wicking, breathable, and retains heat in both dry and wet conditions - making it a great insulator.
If the Fall and Winter weather tends to throw you for a loop like it does here in New England, then rest assured, our Alpaca Glittens allow full warmth and coverage, and the ability to stretch your fingers when it’s time to get to work.
Our newly re-designed Radar MASH Hat continues to pay homage to Radar O'Reilly while bringing a bold splash of color and function to any adventurer's winter garb.
The jersey knit outer shell uses Alpaca's naturally insulating and thermo-regulating properties to keep you comfortable and warm.
The inner headband area is lined with microfleece, to block the wind and keep the hat fitting well season after season, adventure after adventure.
The top of your head will still be able to breathe and exchange moisture through the alpaca jersey knit, keeping you comfortable, even if you break a sweat working out in the cold.
The sewn-in sturdy brim is pliable and will hold its shape over time, protecting your eyes from precipitation, so you can see and stay on the trail.
This hat is designed, cut, sewn, dyed, and finished
right here at NEAFP in Fall River, MA.
Available now in small quantities at our Fiber and Wholesale price points!
Updated June 16th, 2021
Desert Rose over Bulky Yarn - Added June 16th, 2021
Inland, it's a hot one.
Year over year the demand for our U.S. Grown, U.S. Made Alpaca products continues to grow. With this continual growth, comes exciting changes to our fiber purchase program.
In 2021, we are expanding the purchase program call to 35,000 lbs of qualifying alpaca fiber.
We've also introduced a higher quality tier that increases our max payout by over 37% per LB.
Spring is here, or so they say.
The days are getting longer and although the nights are still feeling frigid the flowers are sticking to the schedule.
The Unicorns wanted to embrace the change of seasons and channeled their favorite flowers as inspiration for our newest colorway.
Introducing Tulip Fields, done over our all-natural Sportweight Alpaca Yarn.
Available now as part of our Limited Small Batch offerings!
By getting a better understanding of the demand for fiber collection around the country, we can focus our efforts where they are needed most and coordinate to offer more fiber collection options.
With the cost of shipping increasing year after year, it's now more important than ever to work together to find cost-effective options for getting the alpaca fiber out of the field and into production.
This short fiber collection survey will only take a few quick minutes
so fill it out and please share it with your alpaca farmer friends!
Thank you very much!
Alpaca's Strong Start to 2021
What's back in stock?
Business Article: 2020 Trends Shaping 2021 and Beyond
Upcoming Fiber Collections
& current Fiber Sort Status!
Read it in full here: https://mailchi.mp/neafp/2021-feb-note-s1
Want to make sure you get all future NEAFP Notes emailed to your inbox?
Growing Trend in Shopping Small |
One positive trend to emerge from the shutdown last spring was the growing trend of people looking to support local businesses.
75% of people surveyed by Groupon last year stated they planned on supporting small businesses as much as possible once pandemic restrictions were lifted in their areas.
After seeing so many small businesses struggle through 2020, it’s never been more important to support them, as they are the true backbone of our country and communities.
Last year we witnessed farms having their best Q4 in the fiber pool’s 24-year history and many are continuing that trend into the new year.
We believe these headwinds will continue through 2021 and beyond as more people understand the importance of robust and diversified economies as part of their community.
Global Tourism Industry Grinds to a Halt - Agritourism on the Rise |
With global tourism grinding to a halt during the pandemic, people shifted their travel plans to regional trips they could reach by car.
Rural, remote, and quiet destinations are taking the place of the usual city hot spots.
AirBnB even created their own Farm Stay category last year, catering to the growing demand for rural and low-key countryside travel trends.
We believe this trend of regional leisure travel, primarily by car, will continue in the years to come.
As working from home also becomes the new normal, more and more people are looking to explore the great outdoors and get out of the house each weekend.
Many states are also looking to expand the definition of agri-tourism and offer more resources to help support the growing industry.
Alpaca Farms around the country will be able to capitalize on this trend, by having agri-tourism events on the farm and offering accommodations for guests to stay for a small taste of the alpaca life.
eCommerce experienced 5 Years worth of Growth in 2020 |
Chart via DigitalCommerce360
eCommerce has been steadily growing over the last 10 years and reached a fever pitch last year with the closing of many in-person options.
U.S. consumers spent a total of $861 billion dollars online in 2020, a 44% jump from 2019.
We believe it’s now more important than ever to have diversified sales channels, with a focus on growing the eCommerce side of your business.
The best time to focus on the eCommerce side of your business was 14 years ago when the first iPhone was released, the 2nd best time to focus on it is this year.
Customers will be looking for you across many channels so be sure at the very least, to have your business’s digital presence up to date!
The essential online touchpoints for your audience are Website, Social Media, and Email.
Curbside Pickup + Local Delivery Options are here to stay |
Although farmer’s markets and pop-up vending event opportunities diminished in 2020, the rise of local delivery and curbside pickup helped farms continue to serve their local communities effectively.
Before the pandemic, curbside pickup options were already on the rise, led by grocery and hardware stores, and have now become fully mainstream.
Offering contactless pickup options for faster delivery (no more shipping delays!) is convenient for your local customers and some would even pay a premium if it were bundled with time spent watching the alpacas graze.
We hope that these Business Resource Blog Posts have been helpful.
Is there a topic you'd like us to cover in a future post? Write to us at support@neafp.com
Since we released our Spindle City Collection Alpaca Headbands in 2015, we received many requests for solid color choices.
We are excited to officially release them. Currently available in Grey, more natural solid color choices will be available in the weeks to come.
Our Alpaca Headbands are the perfect mix of style and comfort.
The soft and naturally temperature regulating alpaca knit is lined with Polartec micro-fleece, protecting your ears and forehead from the elements while still allowing your head to breathe.
The lining also allows the headband to accommodate a wide range of adult head shapes and hairstyles while still staying in place all day long.
If you are looking for a stylish and naturally cozy option but don't need the extreme warmth of a full alpaca knit hat, then this is a great choice!
Dimensions: Approximately 9" by 3", sized to accommodate most Adults.
Content: 80% U.S. Alpaca, 20% Recycled Nylon
Inner Lining: 100% Polartec Micro-fleece
Care Instructions: Gentle Hand Wash in Cool Water with Mild Detergent, Lay Flat to Air Dry
Available now at Fiber and Wholesale Pricing!
Keep your eyes peeled for more solid colors to be added!
2020 Business Resources in Review |
1. Harnessing Holiday Sales Momentum in the New Year (Article) |
Posted 1/7/2020
Read the Full Article: Harnessing Holiday Sales Momentum into the New Year
Alpaca farm stores across the nation reported that 2019 was a record year for sales of alpaca goods. It was no surprise that the holidays were a huge sales driver, as they were again in 2020. Many business owners find that sales fall flat after the holiday season, but this article offers alpaca farmers advice on how to continue to capture sales into the New Year.
2. Mike and Sean's Adventure in Retailing (Article) |
Posted 2/20/2020
Read the Full Article: Mike and Sean's Adventure in Retailing
Mike and Sean reported on their weekend at the 2020 Carolina Alpaca Celebration. With an overwhelming amount of general public, they spent much more time than usual hanging out with end consumers on the retail level. This article details their main takeaways from working a more retail focused alpaca show, with observations and advice that directly transfers to the alpaca farm store.
3. Alpaca Knitter's Yarn Guide (Graphic) |
Posted 2/20/2020
Download the Graphics: Alpaca Knitter's Yarn Guide
The first of many graphics-based resources of 2020, our "Guide to Alpaca Knitter's Yarns and The Magic of Unicorn Yarn" highlight the benefits of using alpaca yarns and offers suggestions on which yarns can be used for different projects. This article includes a handy "Alpaca Knitter's Yarn Guide" with information on the yardage and suggested needle size for all of our yarns.
4. Get the Most out of your Fiber Harvest (Graphic) |
Posted 3/16/2020
Download the Graphics: Get the Most out of your Fiber Harvest
We condensed our Fiber Harvesting Guide into a single infographic, so you can avoid the most common mistakes in alpaca fiber harvesting to ensure you finish with the highest commercially usable clip! With shearing only a few months away, be sure you're prepared by checking out this useful graphic.
5. Virtual Farm Tours: Bringing People & Alpacas Together in the Virtual World (Article) |
Posted 3/19/2020
Read the Full Article: Virtual Farm Tours: Bringing People & Alpacas Together in the Virtual World
In Spring 2020, social distancing was adapted as a widespread precaution against COVID-19. Our article suggested that farms adapt Virtual Farm Tours to remain connected to customers. With restrictions still in place across the country, it's still a good time to consider offering a virtual farm tour. Beyond immediate concerns, a virtual tour is more feasible for someone unable to visit due to distance, finances, or physical ability.
6. Use Gift Cards to Increase Sales (Article) |
Posted 3/30/2020
Read the Full Article: Use Gift Cards to Increase Sales
Many farms have seen an immediate pop in sales simply by accepting additional payment methods other than cash. With the steadily growing use of card payments, small businesses are beginning to incorporate not only debit and credit cards, but gift cards as well, due to their convenience and flexibility for everybody involved- the buyer, the receiver and the merchant. This article explains why you should begin offering gift cards at your alpaca farm and ways to go about doing it.
7. The New Normal and a Renewed Support for U.S. Alpaca (Article) |
Posted 6/08/2020
Read the Full Article: The New Normal and a Renewed Support for U.S. Alpaca
In June 2020 we took a look at the state of the U.S. Alpaca industry, as communities across the country realized the importance of supporting small business, buying local, and shopping sustainably. U.S. Alpaca continues to be at the forefront of a renaissance in local agriculture, U.S. manufacturing, and a call for more sustainable fashion. Our resilient farmers proved they were able to survive and even thrive under new conditions.
8. Harnessing the Power of Storytelling to Promote your Alpaca Business (Article) |
Posted 7/17/2020
Read the Full Article: Harnessing Storytelling to Market Your Business
As e-commerce became even more prevalent last year, the connection that people would normally make face-to-face at a market now occurs more frequently online. The conversations you've had in person, however, educating the public about alpacas and their fiber, can be translated into the digital world through storytelling. Using storytelling or emotional branding can be an extremely effective marketing tool, and we’re certain that alpaca farmers have many stories to tell!
9. Customer Retention: Building Customer Loyalty for your Ecommerce Business (Article) |
Posted 8/10/2020
Read the Full Article: Customer Retention: Building Customer Loyalty for your Ecommerce Business
Our August article highlighted the importance of customer retention for your business. The overall experience that you build for your customers throughout each interaction can instill a sense of loyalty to your brand, propelling them to return for future purchases. From your website, to the order process, to the delivery, and regular e-mail correspondence, you can use these tools to build customer loyalty for your ecommerce business.
10. Alpaca Fiber Properties (Graphic) |
Posted 8/21/2020
Download the Graphics: Alpaca Fiber Properties
Our Alpaca Fiber Properties Graphic is conveniently sized for 8.5 x 11" printer paper. It features alpaca's most commonly referenced characteristics - so print it out and bring it to your next market!
11. How to Support Alpaca Farms (Graphic) |
Posted 8/21/2020
Download the Graphics: How to Support Alpaca Farms
There are a lot of alpaca fans out there who would love to support your farm, even if they don't have the ability to purchase your products. We created this shareable graphic for social media, so you can show your followers that they can still support in other meaningful ways to get your business out there!
12. A Change in the Seasons: Farms Continue to Adapt into the Busy Harvest Season (Article) |
Posted 9/11/2020
Read the Full Article: A Change in the Seasons: Farms Continue to Adapt into the Busy Harvest Season
We followed up our June article in September by reviewing how farms were adapting to changes brought about by the pandemic. The harvest season is perhaps the busiest time of year for farms of all types, and the cooler weather typically coincides with the hustle and bustle of farmer's markets and craft fairs that extend into the winter months. Despite restrictions, farms continued to adapt and made the most of their circumstances.
13. Sock and Handwear Comparisons (Graphic) |
Posted 9/15/2020
Download the Graphics: Sock and Handwear Comparisons
In addition to September's article, we also created new, free sock and handwear comparison posters. These posters are sized at 8.5" x 11" for at-home printing, and can be posted at the farm or on your website! Perfect signage to help distinguish the difference between some of our most popular products!
14. Form Follows Function: Dressing for Fall and Winter 2020 (Article) |
Posted 11/13/2020
Read the Full Article: Form Follows Function: Dressing for Fall and Winter 2020
With cold weather approaching, we forecasted the upcoming trends in clothing and accessories for fall and winter 2020. Based on the rising popularity of outdoor alternatives to common leisure activities like dining and concert-going, we found that customers were searching for new ways to keep warm. As usual, alpaca farm stores were (and continue to be) poised to take advantage of these new trends!
15. Shop Small this Holiday Season (Graphic) |
Posted on 11/25/2020
Download the Graphics: Shop Small this Holiday Season
Small Business Saturday is always a big shopping day for Alpaca Farm Stores. We created a shareable graphic to encourage customers to shop small and local not just that Saturday, but all season long!
16. Download Our Sock Photos for your Website (Download) |
Download the Graphics: NEAFP Alpaca Sock Photo Resource Folder (Login to your Account to View)
We’re often asked whether alpaca farmers can use our photos and descriptions of NEAFP products on their personal pages. The answer is always a resounding YES! Part of our job is to make it easier for you, the alpaca farmer, to successfully run the fiber side of your business.
We hope that these Business Resource Blog Posts have been helpful.
Is there a topic you'd like us to cover in a future post? Write to us at support@neafp.com
This time of year is always a challenge in keeping the kids happy and entertained, especially with many still remote learning.
With the frigid cold weather in full swing, we are spending even more time than usual cooped up inside.
It's safe to say, the kids and adults alike, are all looking for something fun and lighthearted to do at home.
Our February Alpaca Coloring Page is a mini DIY project to create fun alpaca-fied Valentine's Day gift tags!
Share these coloring pages with your farm's biggest (and littlest!) fans so they can enjoy an alpaca filled calm coloring project at home!
2021 February Coloring Page
PDF Download - February Alpaca Coloring Page
High-Resolution PNG Download - February Alpaca Coloring Page
P.S.
Don't forget to download last year's Winter-themed coloring page!
Have an idea for a future graphic? Email us your ideas to support@neafp.com
Our Alpacas are enjoying the cold winter weather by hitting the slopes this January!
The more snow, the better!
2021 January Coloring Page
PDF Download - January Alpaca Coloring Page
High Resolution JPG Download - January Alpaca Coloring Page
P.S.
Don't forget to download last year's Winter-themed coloring page!
Have an idea for a future graphic? Email us your ideas to support@neafp.com
Be sure to download and print this year's Christmas Coloring page to spread a little holiday cheer this month!
Don't forget to download last year's coloring page, too!
2020 Christmas Coloring Page
PDF Download - Christmas Alpaca Coloring Page
High Resolution JPG Download - Christmas Alpaca Coloring Page
2019 Thanksgiving Coloring Page
PDF Download - Christmas Alpaca Coloring Page
High Resolution JPG Download - Christmas Alpaca Coloring Page
Have an idea for a future graphic? Email us your ideas to support@neafp.com
Small Business Saturday is just a few days away, but we hope that customers shop small and local all season long! Download our "Shop Small" graphic and share it on your website or social media pages, and be sure to check out last year's graphic on why shopping small matters!
2019 Free Resources:
Be sure to download last year's graphics below!
Click Here --> Downloadable Shop Small Alpaca Infographic Click Here --> Downloadable Shop Small Alpaca Logo |
Be sure to download and print this year's Thanksgiving Coloring page in addition to last year's to keep little hands busy over the holiday weekend!
Don't forget to download last year's coloring page, too!
2020 Thanksgiving Coloring Page
PDF Download - Thanksgiving Alpaca Coloring Page
High Resolution JPG Download - Thanksgiving Alpaca Coloring Page
2019 Thanksgiving Coloring Page
PDF Download - Thanksgiving Alpaca Coloring Page
High Resolution JPG Download - Thanksgiving Alpaca Coloring Page
Have an idea for a future graphic? Email us your ideas to support@neafp.com
Have you heard the news? The blanket is Fall 2020’s must have fashion accessory. Once the unsung hero of the sofa, blankets have become the trusty companion for all things 2020: from zoom chats, to outdoor dining, to drive-ins. As outdoor alternatives to common leisure activities like dining and concert-going have become extremely popular, venues and customers are finding ways to keep warm, and alpaca farm stores are poised to take advantage of these new trends.
A Barrage of Outdoor Alternatives |
Outdoor dining has become hugely popular. With cold weather creeping in, restaurants are adapting by providing patio heaters and blankets to patrons. Cities like New York are considering extending provisions that would allow outdoor dining into the winter season. Drive-in theaters have also seen a resurgence in popularity since March, and new venues continue to pop up. Concerts have been sidelined in lieu of drive-in concerts, and drive-thru haunted houses popped up across the country for halloween. Cities are already planning similar events for later holidays, such as Dayton’s Holiday Drive-Thru Parade. It’s expected that winter recreational activities will be extremely popular this year. Just as consumers flocked to stores for swimming pools and bicycles this summer, Minnesota stores are already reporting a high demand for ski gear.
It seems easy to discount the wearable blanket as the newest fad, but our new leisure activities point to an actual need for comfortable, warm, and versatile goods. As an alpaca farmer, you have access to an abundant source of cozy, cold weather accessories available for fall and winter excursions! Here are some trends to look out for.
Blankets Galore |
Consumers are looking for a comfy blanket that looks as good on the bed as it does draped around the shoulders on a cold night out. A Big Cable Alpaca Blanket is perfect for snuggling up under the stars at the next drive-in show, while the Cozy Baby Blanket’s size makes it easy to tuck away for outdoor adventures. While the Convertible Shawl (shown above) feels like you’re wearing a cozy blanket, it can also be worn as a scarf, shawl, poncho, or hood!
Toasty Toes |
Cold feet can really ruin a good time. Warm, breathable, and odor resistant: Alpaca’s natural properties put it above others when it comes to the perfect footwear for fall and winter 2020. From the lightweight Backpaca, to the versatile Survival, to the full coverage High Calf, there’s a sock for every cold weather adventure. Alpaca Boot Inserts (below) add an additional layer of warmth between you and the cold, hard ground.
Stylish Utility |
Without the need to dress up on a daily basis, consumers are reexamining their closets with a more critical eye, preferring sustainable pieces that are both better for the environment and their local communities. As cooler weather fast approaches, so does demand for high-quality, timeless knitwear. These consumers will appreciate premium alpaca products like Boucle Mittens (above), Cable Knit Beanies, and Classic Watch Caps. All of which combine the utility of a lining and classic styling, allowing them to be worn year after year.
Moving Forward |
While 2020 has been unpredictable on the whole, we can predict that winter is fast approaching! As the past few months have illustrated, we often adapt to the cultural changes, and this year our fashion choices have changed along with our pandemic lifestyles. So, when you market your products over the next few months, be sure to keep in mind that your customers may be looking for something a little different this year!
We hope that these Business Resource Blog Posts have been helpful.
Is there a topic you'd like us to cover in a future post? Write to us at support@neafp.com
PDF Download - Halloween Alpaca Coloring Page
High Resolution JPG Download - Halloween Alpaca Coloring Page
PDF Download - 2019 Halloween Alpaca Coloring Page
High Resolution JPG Download - 2019 Halloween Alpaca Coloring Page
Have an idea for a future graphic? Email us your ideas to support@neafp.com
We’re often asked whether alpaca farmers can use our photos and descriptions of NEAFP products on their personal pages. The answer is always a resounding YES! Part of our job is to make it easier for you, the alpaca farmer, to successfully run the fiber side of your business.
We know you’re busy tending your herd, taking inventory of your products, and arranging your next market, so it might not always be easy to photograph products or create business collateral. in 2018 we debuted our Marketing & Collateral section of the website (which can be viewed when signed in to your shopping account) where you can purchase printed and downloadable posters for your favorite NEAFP products.
Our latest edition of free content are two product comparison graphics. Sized at 8.5" x 11" for at-home printing, our sock and handwear comparison graphics can be posted at the farm or on your website!
DOWNLOAD FREE GRAPHICS | |
Sock Comparison Graphic | Handwear Comparison Graphic |
Download Printable JPEG | |
Download Shareable JPEG (web version) |
Download Shareable JPEG (web version) |