http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/alpacas/2008-07-11T14:51:00-05:00Search results (tags) for: "alpacas"2008-07-11T14:51:00-05:00mtraub, northstaralpacashttp://www.etsy.com/storque/handmade-life/northstaralapacas-alpaca-granny-2192/

<p><br />When Maple of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5001683">northstaralpacas</a> sends out her Etsy packages, there's a little treat included in addition to the luscious handspun yarn and cozy handknit hats. The unexpected surprise that awaits each customer? A photograph of the specific alpaca from which the item originated.&nbsp; The handmade movement has always been about the person behind the product, but northstaraplacas and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/thisHandmadeLife/article/handmade-portraits-mv-knits/2134/">other fiber artists</a> on Etsy are taking this one step further: crediting the animal behind the product, too.<br /><br />Maple appreciates the gift these animals provide her, and in exchange, nurtures them, above and beyond commercial responsibilities.&nbsp; On her blog, <a href="http://northstaralpacas.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Alpaca Granny</a>, Maple tells the story of one baby alpaca (<a href="http://www.arrowhead-alpacas.com/glossary.htm" target="_blank">cria</a>), named Spot for the light patch on the top of his head, who was having trouble nursing from his mother, Ariana.&nbsp; Maple saved this little guy by bottle-feeding for his first few weeks.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/article_images/alpaca_with_maple.jpg" alt="" /><br />Just this week, Maple posted a triumphant update about Spot's progress: "He will have absolutely nothing to do with his bottle and is a little aloof to me now. I'm so amazed that after 3 weeks he is figuring out the instincts that he should have had at birth. And thank you, Ariana, for being so patient with him."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/article_images/alpaca_with_mama.jpg" alt="" /><br />It's inspiring to see this symbiotic relationship succeed.&nbsp; I hope Spot will reciprocate the love!</p> <p align="center"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://team.etsy.com/profilest/crueltyfree.shtml">Cruelty Free Etsy</a> | <a href="http://team.etsy.com/profilest/dogs.shtml">The Dog Mafia</a> | <a href="http://team.etsy.com/profilest/animals.shtml">EFA Etsy for Animals</a> | <a href="http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=226">Handmade4Hounds</a> |<br /> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/category_top.php?top_tag=pets">All Pet-related Items</a> | <a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/etsy-pets/">Etsy Pets on the Storque</a></strong> | <a href="http://www.etsy.com/showcase.php?showcase_id=pets_front"><strong>Special Pets Showcase</strong></a></span></p>