Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Fuzzy Art

Hi Everybuddy -


I thought I'd share something quite unique that's hanging on one of our walls. Mom says it's one of her most prized possessions - besides me of course. It's a piece of art that Mom and Dad found in a gallery a few years ago. They just had to have it, despite it's size. Mom said when they got it home it was even larger than it looked in the gallery (kind of like the Christmas Tree you see in a field....Harrooorrroo!) so they were a bit concerned but were determined to find a good spot for it. Take a look:









It's a wolf made completely from Alpaca fur! It's SO soft and sometimes when Mom's not looking I go up and bury my snooter into the part that I can reach. It's important to note that no Alpaca's were harmed to make this wall hanging. Only the fur was harvested (sheared) just like sheep, then attached to a synthetic backing. These are Alpacas:










Mom thinks they're very whimsical looking! They have become very popular here in the United States and are easily kept by young and old alike. They are very social animals and do best in herds since they don't like to be alone. Sort of like us. They weigh between 160-200 lbs and get this.....they have three stomachs! Harrooorroo! One would think they'd eat alot of great things having that many tummies but their main diet consists of grass. They are very easy to keep in captivity and adjust to most any climate. Alpacas live an average of 20 years - Woo! They are said to be alert, intelligent, and very curious - like a Siberian Husky! We really do have alot in common. Except for the three stomach thing of course. A neat thing about them is that they like to be sheared around every 12 to 18 months. Their fur is as soft as cashmere and lighter and warmer than wool. Their fur also comes in 22 natural colors which lends itself to some beautiful man made products like the wall hanging we have. It has become an interesting and lucrative hobby for many, as the carefully sheared fur is in great demand due to it's high quality and hypo-allergenic aspects. You can learn more about these interesting creatures here.

I'm still trying to figure out how to get it off the wall. I'm thinking it would be pretty great to stuff into my crate and curl up in. Woo!

17 comments:

Peanut said...

mom says that alpaca face is just so cute.

Lorenza said...

Hi, Echo!
Sure that one is a piece of art!
Thanks for sharing all that info about Alpacas. Yes, they have funny faces!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

Is it some type of Llama? It's beautiful. I see why you would want to curl up in/on it.

One of the pack said...

Pack our bags to see the Alpacas! Great educational piece. Thanks for showing us the fur.

Forget Sit and Stay Gang

Jans Funny Farm said...

That is a nice wall hanging. Alpacas sound like nice animals. If we got one and sheared it, we would have really warm beds for next winter.

Thor said...

Mama actually looked into alpacas for a neighbor! Their fur is beautiful and warm, but buying a good alpaca is about 5k! But the wall hanging is great! How will you hide it from your mama that you got it off the wall?

Woos,
Thor

Hammer said...

Hi Echo
Your wall hanging is beautiful and it's no wonder your mum loves it so much. My mum loves wolves too. It would be good to sleep on coz of the soft alpaca wool. I wished I lived closer coz I'd help you get it down, cept I don't think our mums would be happy with us.
I think alpacas are dopey looking. There are lots living near where we live. They frighten Khomet sometimes.
Love from Hammer

The Army of Four said...

Is it me, or does that second alpaca look like he needs braces?
That is a TOTALLY cool wall hanging! Mom has seen and felt things made of alpaca wool and thinks it's incredibly soft. I think it's only fair if you get to use that for a snuggle blanket. Imagine how much BETTER it would look with Sibe fur mixed in! Ha ROO!
Play bows,
Zim

The Husky in the Window said...

Now that is beautiful! I think you better just leave it there. It's too big for your crate. Maybe your mom will get you a new blankie.

We loved your fishing story. Did you ever get to catch one?

HuskyHugs, MayaMarie

H.A. Turbofire, Sibertarian said...

that looks wonderfully soft!

Princess Patches said...

You're right...that would make a great blankie! Our mom, sometimes, uses Alpaca in some of her needle felting projects. It's very soft!

Aire-hugs,
Poppy & Penny

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Wow, that alpaca is furrier than a husky!

Steve

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

That is a beewootiful piece!

It makes me want to khurl up and - YAWN - nap!

Tank woo fur sharing!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Maverick the Pirate said...

Harrrrr Echo
cool wall hanging Harrrr. The Cap'n think he needs an Alpaca to show Harrrr.
Cap'n Maverick the Pirate

Lady Kaos said...

I think Alpaca fur sounds like a great place to take a nap!! Mom used to be freaked out by llamas and alpacas until she went to an alpaca and llama farm. She works for a real estate company and goes to take pictures for virtual tours and she was really really nervous when the owner said he wanted her to take pictures in the barn and corrals. She said they weren't as bad as she thought they were going to be and actually thought they were cute. She's still creaped out by llamas because I guess the llamas at the farm kept looking at her funny. I think she's just paranoid.
Kaos

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

That is a great hanging..
Mom wants to have a rescue farm when she retires and she wants alpaca's and sheep and dogs and cats and horses and...... We think she is going to need a very big farm..

Big sloppy Kisses
Gus and Louie

Kapp pack said...

Bewootiful!

Woo woo, Kelsey Ann