Tucker Art Festival -- addendum

A little side note to boost my ego -- I got recommended for a job when I was at the Tucker Art Festival. Two women who work at Michaels asked if I would teach knitting classes there -- Michaels was looking for an instructor.

Unfortunately, without a work permit, I can't work in the US. Flattering to be recommended, though.

I would love to teach. I've got several friends who have asked if I would teach them to knit, and maybe when things slow down after the school year ends, I'll start a little class on our patio. Coffee, conversation, friends, and yarn. What could be better?

Hawaiian Long-Necked Sheep?

We were driving... and driving... and driving along the coast of Hawaii's Big Island, on our way to see Volcanoes National Park. As the landscape changed -- which it does so dramatically on this island -- we passed fields of volcanic rock, coffee plantations, farmstands. And then we came upon the livestock farming region. Beautiful ebony cows, horses, goats, sheep. And then some sheep with really long necks.

Really long necks.

I was thrilled. On this beautiful island, which I was quickly falling in love with, we found something that made it even more amazing -- the Big Island Alpaca Farm.

Ever since I first felt alpaca wool about five years ago, I have coveted it as the ultimate in natural fibre. It is one of the world's rarest natural fibres. It's luxuriously soft, exceptionally light, and warmer than wool.

I've made beautiful sweaters out of alpaca, and an alpaca-silk blend is unrivaled in its luxury and drape.

And the animals are adorable. Who couldn't love that face?

A friend of mine from Montreal told me that he had researched alpaca farming and found it to be an elitist and money-losing venture. But local small-town farmers can't all be wrong, can they?

Today, two chickens. Tomorrow, an alpaca farm...

(Mountain) Lions, Rattlesnakes and Poison Oak, Oh My!

The sign greeting us at the entrance to the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary was a little disconcerting:

But the setting was absolutely stunning, and there wasn't a threatening creature to be found. I spent the weekend surrounded by mountains, cactus and birds, and got to admire the skills of many local artisans. And I couldn't have asked for a better backdrop for my work:

I even met a fascinating Native American man who invited me to his llama farm, to teach me how to spin the llama wool. Looking forward to that!

If ever you get a chance to visit Modjeska Canyon, don't pass it up. Even with the wildlife warnings : )