Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm

Paxson & Maggie Video

2012-02-23T09:44:00.000-08:00

Click Here
To watch a video timeline of Paxson & Maggie

Dirty Girls & Kevyn!

2012-02-23T09:42:00.001-08:00

Baby alpaca and silk scarves

2012-01-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

We just added these stunning scarves to our online store www.fibersofunity.com

All of these scarves are hand woven and made from either 100% baby alpaca or 70% baby alpaca and 30% silk. They offer incredible warmth with luxurious style and softness.

We love alpacas!

2012-01-26T09:17:00.000-08:00

Take a look at our beautiful Valentine's Day display in our store, Fibers of Unity located in Unity Maine.

Scarves, blankets, gloves, socks, sweaters, shawls and hats!
To see more visit our store in Unity Maine or our website www.fibersofunity.com

These fingerless gloves have been featured on the Today Show and in February's issue of Bridal Guide Magazine.
They are available for sale on our website www.fibersofunity.com

We have a beautiful selection of sweaters, capes, and shawls available many colors!
www.fibersofunity.com

2012-01-06T10:58:00.001-08:00

RentAlpaca is on Facebook!

2011-12-30T09:59:00.001-08:00

To view individual photos of your alpaca and receive the latest information you can visit RentAlpacas Facebook page!Click here to go to our Facebook page

Build-A-Bale Collaborative Blankets

2011-12-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

These beautiful blankets were made by a collaborative effort of several alpaca farms in Maine. They feature 100% alpaca fiber and were woven by Woolrich Woolen Mills. Working together alpaca farms in Maine combined their annual shearing with the goal of producing a professionally designed, USA made alpaca product.

Please contact us if you would like to purchase one of these unique, luxurious blankets.
$120 ea.

Welcome new renters!

2011-12-22T11:33:00.000-08:00

We want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of our past, current and future RentAlpaca participants. It's a joy to meet you all and share our beautiful alpacas with you.

A farm visitor with Lady Arwen

If you would like to watch our barn web cameras you can go to
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/alpacacamera

You can be our friend on Facebook by clicking HERE

Now through December 31st if you spend $50 or more in our store, Fibers of Unity, you will receive your choice of an alpaca doll (while they last) or 2 oz of alpaca roving.

Watch the alpacas LIVE!

2011-12-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

It's a rainy day at the farm, which means the girls are all in the barn. Take a peek and watch them live here

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/alpacacamera

We will keep the cameras up until dark! You may even see Corry doing evening chores!

If you miss the live broadcast you can watch the recorded videos at the same link!

Kevyn made the cover!

2011-10-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

Pam Wells has debuted her annual calendar! This year the theme is....alpacas!

Each month features a different photo from Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm! Kevyn, our guinea fowl, made the cover along with Emma's Revolution, Lady Arwen and Sweet Pandemonium!

Only $15 available for purchase in our store!

The calendar will be available for online purchase shortly!

send us an e-mail or call for additional information
More photos available upon request.

northernsolstice@uninets.net
207-948-3828

Lia can't contain her excitement

2011-09-03T10:36:00.001-07:00

We aren't afraid of tractors.

2011-09-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

Fearless baby alpacas

Bangor Folk Festival

2011-09-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time at the Bangor Folk Festival. Despite the three day event being shortened into a two day event due to hurricane Irene, we saw a tremendous turnout! It was great to see lots of familiar faces and meet many new wonderful alpaca admirers!

Pam receiving some assistance while carding raw alpaca fiber.

One of the few moments Robin & her spinning wheel weren't surrounded by a crowd of people interested in alpacas & their beautiful fiber.

Your job isn't looking very secure Pam. This little guy is learning the in's and out's of picking and carding.

People loved watching our slideshow, featuring pictures and videos of our alpacas

Take this job and love it!

2011-08-21T07:38:00.001-07:00

We all get bored with our jobs from time to time. Many of us get the urge to switch careers...even if only for a day. WABI's Amy Erickson has been trying her hand at different professions.

She's gutted deer in the woods with game wardens...even played barber with a straight razor.

On September 14ths "Take This Job and Love It" report, she tries her hand at being an alpaca farmer at Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm.

Viewers will get a behind the scenes look at alpaca husbandry, daily farm chores and much more.

Watch "Take This Job and Love It" on September 14th to catch a glimpse of you favorite alpaca at Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm!

If you're not in the local viewing area or you miss the airing, we will post the story and clip for you to watch.

Soap Scents

2011-08-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

(My personal favorite!)

No, it’s not a folk song or band from the sixties…but this soap might give you thoughts of peace and harmony. Rosemary might remind you a bit of Christmas… definitely a winter fur tree…soft and peaceful in snowy forest. Rosemary is often touted as the herb of rememberance…and this is definitely a soap you won’t soon forget.

Wrapped in a black label and ribbon, this bar is like no other soap. Pure and natural ingredients create an extraordinary, all vegetable, luxury soap. This gentle formula produces velvety suds and a rich non-drying lather that washes completely off the skin. Men and women love it’s woody, fresh scent.

Rosemary is woody, fresh, herbaceous, and sweet. It is believed to relieve muscular pain, arthritis, infections, exhaustion, headaches, relieves tension, antiseptic and promotes restful sleep.

Cedarwood is woody, sweet, fruity and soft. It is reported to reduce anxiety and tension, promotes restful sleep, antifungal, antiseptic and relieves arthritis.
Thyme is one of the most antiseptic essential oils and very high in antioxidant rating. It may be beneficial in helping to overcome fatigue and exhaustion. Sharp and woody aroma, helps improve circulatory, immune, skeletal, respiratory and nervous systems.

For all you goatsmilk soap lovers! Our naturally organic, farm fresh Unscented Goatsmilk soap is especially for those who have really sensitive skin or allergies or for those that don’t want a fragrance.
Wrapped in a light rust-colored wrapper with a beautiful chamois bow.

Soap Scents

2011-08-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

Go Green! A light, refreshing scent of aloe with a hint of sweet cucumber. this exclusive formula is skillfully blended with essential oils, natural extracts and an all vegetable base. Moisturizer is added to these french milled soaps to produce a rich, creamy lather.

Aloe Vera, known for its soothing, cooling qualities, helps soothe and heal the skin, reduces skin irritation and relieves sunburn.

Cucumber, known for its calming, healing benefits. The flesh of cucumbers is primarily composed of water but also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling.

Our newest scent is Fresh Milk & Shea! A clean and refreshing scent, this exclusive formula is skillfully blended with essential oils, natural extracts and an all vegetable base. Moisturizer is added to these french milled soaps to produce a rich, creamy lather.

We all know honey is nature’s heal-all, and oatmeal has comforted many a chicken-pocked child. Just think of these soothing comforts when you choose Pacabella’s soothing

Honey & Oatmeal Organic Soap. Pleasing scent and soft luxurious feel. Your skin will thank you every time you start the faucet.

Wrapped with a cream label and a truffle brown ribbon, this exclusive formula is skillfully blended with essential oils, natural extracts and an all vegetable base. Moisturizer is added to these french milled soaps to produce a rich, creamy lather.

Honey & Oatmeal have been used for centuries to treat all types of skin irritations and dermatitis. Honey is known for its soothing qualities and adds emolliency to the soap. Honey hydrates, revitalizes and soothes the skin. Oatmeal is naturally rich in vitamins C and soothes and calms the skin. Together, honey and oatmeal exfoliate and retain skin moisture.

This soap is particularly good if you are sensitive to any type of fragrance or if you tend to have dry, itchy skin.

Do you dream of running through an English country side, fields full of lavendar…the purple fronds swishing around your heels…your long white dress rippling in the wind around your legs? Then this is the soap for you. You’ll be instantly transported to another country in an English dream. And don’t forget about lavendar’s natural astringent qualities. It’s good for your skin and good for your dreams!

This old world triple milled recipe is an all vegetable base with the moisturizing benefit of Olive Oil. Add to that essential oils with the heavenly scent of Lavender and Chamomile! Wrapped in a lavender-colored label with a pretty ivory ribbon.

Lavender is floral, fresh and sweet. It is reported to aid in dermatitis, insect bites, anxiety, tension and fatigue. Used to calm, relax, balance, relieve stress and reduce blood pressure. Lavender promotes peace and well-being.

Organic,natural, handfelted soaps!

2011-08-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Aloe & Cucumber
Fresh Milk & Shea – NEW!
Honey & Oatmeal
Lavender Chamomile
Rosemary, Cedar & Thyme
Unscented Goatsmilk

Come by our store, e-mail or call us to order your soaps today.

Organic Soaps Hand-felted with 100% Alpaca Fiber

What is Hand-felted Soap?
We wrap 100% alpaca fiber around each bar of our soap by employing an age-old natural process using water and agitation which “felts” the fiber to the size of the soap. As you use the soap the felt continues to shrink and may split, which will allow the soap to lather even more.

What is an Alpaca?
An alpaca is somewhat like a llama, only smaller. Alpacas are native to the high Andes Mountains of South America. Domesticated for centuries by the Inca tribe of Peru, their precious fleece was worn only by royalty. With its buttery soft texture and 22 natural shades, the ancient Incas referred to their fiber as “The Fiber of the Gods”. Alpaca fiber is hypoallergenic and incredibly soft on the skin. Each bar of our soap is delightfully unique with slight differences in color and texture.

Soap and a Washcloth in One
Eliminating the need for a washcloth or bath sponge, our all natural soap gently exfoliates your skin. Excellent for gardener’s hands, keep a bar at the kitchen sink. The fiber makes it easier to hold onto your bar of soap and this cozy bar lasts longer than standard soap. After every use, store it on a soap dish that will allow all sides to dry out. Simply discard the fiber after the soap is gone.

Certified Organic Ingredients
Our soap is made using certified organic materials, essential oils, all vegetable base and moisturizing elements.

Pacabella™ Hand-felted Soaps are lovingly prepared at our family farm in Virginia. Our entire product is made in harmony with nature, using only the finest natural ingredients. We do not dye our alpaca fiber or use animal testing. All paper wrappers are made with recyclable, post consumer materials. Find Your Path Back to Nature…™

We believe in giving back. That’s why we give back a portion of our proceeds to the Christmas Year Round Fund at the Bethany Children’s Home, Womelsdorf, PA.

Say hello to Sweet Pandemonium

2011-08-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Calypso had a baby girl!! She weighs in at 17.5 pounds.
Stop by the farm and welcome Sweet Pandemonium to the world.

Grand opening!

2011-08-11T09:12:00.001-07:00

As you may have heard or seen, we are in the process of building a new retail boutique on our farm! We are moving out of the garage and into a space that will accommodate our store, seminars, knitting & spinning groups, and conferences. It will also act as the first stop location for general farm tours and visitors.

Our new boutique will feature beautiful lofted ceilings, hardwood floors, sky lights, a back patio sitting/knitting/spinning area only feet from our pastures, a window bench with a sock try on area, and many more unique design features to make your experience luxurious and serene.

We are excited to be hosting our grand opening during the weekend of the Common Ground Fair! This weekend is also National Alpaca Farm Days!
September 23rd, 24th & 25th

Join us and these other local businesses for our grand opening weekend!

Stone Fox Creamery
We make homemade ice cream in our small plant in Monroe. Our ingredients are milk, cream and sugar (never high fructose corn syrup). Our flavorings and extracts are all natural and we use Maine grown fruit and maple syrup whenever possible. We offer about 16 flavors and add new ones seasonally.

Living Grains Bakery (Operated by a local Amish family)
Living Grains Bakery offers an array of products made from whole grains freshly ground on site. Katie Copp and her daughters, Lydia and Tabitha, bake three days a week, using an Amish-made Kitchen Queen wood cook-stove.

Living Grains Bakery’s product line includes e a selection of yeasted breads, sweet breads, granola, cookies and pies – all mixed by hand. Katie and Kenneth make deliberate decisions as to what kind of ingredients to include in their baked goods, as well as where to source them, based on personal values. The Copps raise a large organic garden and feed their layer hens and goats organic grain. They won’t include ingredients in their products that they wouldn’t feel good about consuming themselves.

The Copps purchase whole-wheat berries of ‘Golden 86,’ a white wheat cultivar grown in Montana, to grind and use in their products. If they mix in white flour, it is always unbleached and unbromated. They also opt to bake with organic evaporated cane juice over white sugar and choose coconut oil or butter over hydrogenated oils. Eggs come from their own hens. “We bake things to sell that promote healthful eating,” said Katie, who adds that she is surprised that her whole wheat bread sells better than the half-wheat loaf.

Boy Scouts of America
The local boyscout troop will be selling french fries and dough boys! Bring your appetite!!

For more information:
Common Ground Fair
National Alpaca Farm Days
Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm

American Folk Festival in Bangor Maine

2011-08-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

We're gearing up for the 2011 American Folk Festival in Bangor! This is a truly unique festival, instead of bringing our usual full selection, we will instead be focusing on handmade, from our farm items. We will have a large selection of fiber in a variety of forms, including raw fiber, roving, natural and hand dyed yarns.

If you're visiting the festival come and say hi!!

Friday August 26th - 6:30-10:30pm
Saturday August 27th - Noon-10:30pm
Sunday August 28th - Noon-6:30pm

Click here for a full list of food & craft vendors
Click here for a schedule of events & program
Want to know more about the festival click here

Rockland Lobster Festival

2011-08-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

There was much to be seen...and eat at this years Lobster Festival. We enjoyed this opportunity to share the joy of alpacas with many wonderful visitors. We we're pleased to meet people from all across the world, enjoying their time in Maine at the 64th annual Rockland Lobster Festival.
We saw people eating everything from lobster rolls, to fried snickers and even deep fried kool-aid! We're already looking forward to next year.

Here are some photos from this year. Enjoy!

Crias, Crias, Crias!

2011-08-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Four crias to be exact and we need your help naming them!

Sumi is due August 26th

Calypso is due August 16th

Mary Lou is due September 16th

Aria is due September 13th

Want to help name the crias?
Submit your boy and girl name ideas to our e-mail
northernsolstice@uninets.net

Lobster Festival

2011-07-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

We can't believe its almost August! We are beginning preperations for our booth at the 64th annual Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland! We invite you all to check out the festival august 3rd -4th. It's a fun filled festival with lots to see and do.

You can visit the festivals website for more information.
http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/

Paca' Updates

2011-07-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Boys

Paxson - Paxson has been enjoying his summer! He spends most of his day lounging in the sun with the occasional retreat to the barn. He loves to get sprayed off with the hose, Paxson picks up his front feet and plays in the mud. Paxson was the feature shot for a story on alpacas in the Bangor Metro, we're trying to not let the fame go to his head.

Space Cowboy - Cowboy is back in town and very busy. He has a line up of dates waiting for him this summer. He is happy to be back home and reminding the other boys who is boss.

Aniken- Aniken's favorite thing about summer? Getting hosed off! Aniken is one of the few alpacas that loves to get his head wet in the hose, on his own terms, of course. We hose off all of the alpacas to keep them cool in the hot summer heat. Aniken and his beautiful "mop top" we're also featured in the Bangor Metro story. He doesn't seem to be affected by the fame, just another day being handsome.

Murphy & Eclipse - Murphy has grown a lot over this past winter. He and Eclipse are starting their first season as breeding herdsires! They are looking forward to their upcoming dates.

Hamilton- Hamilton is diligently keeping up with his Uncle duties. Archi & Maestro seem intent upon testing Hamilton's limits, but he won't let them get away with much!

Maestro- Wow!! Maestro has grown so much! He is almost as tall as Hamilton. Maestro will be celebrating his 1st birthday September 11th.

Archimedes- It's hard to believe that little Archi is only a few weeks younger than his best bud, Maestro. Archi will be celebrating his 1st birthday on September 28th. Archi is sporting a handsome show ready hair cut. He will be competing in some shows this upcoming season.

The Girls

Salsa - Salsa has been back to her usual, soliciting visitors for back massages. Salsa prefers to relax in the comfort of the barn, rather than soak in the harsh afternoon sun. Can you blame her??

Calypso - Calypso has gotten a taste of motherhood. Maggie mistakes Calyspo for her mother, Splenda. Attempting to nurse from her, running up to her and just being a general pain in the rear end. Maggie & Savannah will have a new little playmate very soon, Calypso is only four weeks from her due date of 345 days! An alpacas "due" date is set at 345 days from conception. This date can vary, it can be longer or less, especially for maidens.

Mary Lou - Mary Lou is due September 16th! She is a first time mother but we have no doubt that she will do a wonderful job.

Splenda - We've recently found out that Splenda is a diabetic. We are now managing her condition and she is back to being her perky self! Splenda seems to be content allowing Maggie test her independence and venture out on her own.

Sugar Magnolia (Maggie) - Little Maggie isn't so little anymore, as of today she weighs 50 pounds! Maggie got her first shearing a few weeks ago, so that next year her fiber will be free of cria (baby) fuzz and ready to be made into beautiful yarn. Maggie loves playing with her new friend Savannah. She becoming increasingly independent, constantly pushing her mothers patience!

Savannah - Savannah is steadily growing, at birth she was 14.5 pounds now she is a heaping 28.5! Savannah is going to be quite the pronker, she loves running at top speed through out the pasture with her best bud, Maggie.

Sonata (Sonni) - Sonni is enjoying first time motherhood. She is diligently watching over little Savannah. Sonni is very protective over Savannah, she is a wonderful mother!

Sumitra (Sumi) - Sumi is soon to be a mother! It's hard to believe, but her belly is growing and we've seen baby movement. Sumi is due August 26!

Aria - Aria is due September 13th, she is the only of our expecting mothers this season that is not bred with Space Cowboy. Her along with the other four expecting mothers have "reserved" parking spots in front of the fans in the barn. Aria reminds the other alpacas of this when there isn't a space available.

Firestar - Firestar has been breeding with Space Cowboy. Along with her owners, we're excited to see what these two are capable of producing. We bet Archi would be pretty excited to have a new sibling. Firestar has been taking shelter from the harsh sun with Salsa in the barn.

Rita - Rita has been enjoying her granddaughter, Savannah. They are often spotted laying next to each other in the pasture. Rita kindly watches over Savannah, giving Sonni a much deserved break!

Laelia (Lia) - Lia has been SUPER excited to finally have some friends closer to her age! Lia, Maggie & Savannah have become best friends. Lia loves pronking with the two babies and running laps around their mothers! Lia is officially a yearling now, she turned one on July 4th.

Posie - Posie has been busy breeding with Space Cowboy. She seems to be in denial that she has a yearling daughter. She still watches over Lia, when we take Lia on walks, Posie follows along the fence until Lia acknowledges her as if to say "It's okay Mom, just taking a walk, you don't have to worry." Lia & Posie are attached at the hip, they lay next to each other in the barn and Posie finishes up Lia's breakfast, if there are any leftovers.

Gigi - Some of our recent visitors have gotten to meet Gigi. Gigi, is a visiting girl from an alpaca farm in New York, she is here to be bred with Space Cowboy. She is a gentle and sweet alpaca. She has taken a liking to Space Cowboy. Gigi is only visiting for a short time, she will be returning to her home farm in a few days.

Coming soon....

2011-06-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

Fibers of Unity

In response to our growing retail sales, we are pleased to announce that we are
breaking ground on a new store!

You may have noticed us reconfiguring our boys front pasture and adding in a new driveway, these are to accommodate the new store front! The store will be literally, surrounded by alpacas. Our boys fencing will wrap around three sides of the store. The back side of the store, facing the barn, will feature a patio area for our knitting and spinning evenings.

We have many exciting things planned for the new store! We look forward to sharing the new space with our local community and expanding visitors from all across the country!

We want to make your visit and shopping experience as exciting and enjoyable as possible, let us know if you have any suggestions or comments regarding our current or future retail space!

Thank you!
Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm