I discovered hand weaving in 1978 during are short stay that Penn State University. I loved their thrill of taking yarns of all kinds and seeing the woven cloth take shape. It very happy weaving and eventually sold woven items at gift shop in North Carolina and was able buy my very own 8 harness loom. Nothing could stop me now! Many of my friends were hand spinners and would insist should spin. Eventually I relented and took spinning course. A whole new world opened up for me. Now was able take raw fleece and turn it into wonderful cloth.
Larry and I bought our first alpacas in 1991 while living in Ohio. We bought a weanling female and male alpaca and a few months later bought a bred female. 
With in a year we had our first cria, female. This female cria as later purchased by unknown alpaca farm called Magical Farms. Although I was saddened by her sale, she went to good home and our alpaca business was off and running. It may be hard for some to understand the rewarding feeling of raising your own animals, shearing them, washing and carding their wool, spinning the wool into yarn and then weaving the yarn into something as simple as scarf. Over time I accumulative a lot of “stuff” such as looms, yarns, fleeces, spinning wheels, and related spinning and weaving supplies. I stuffed at under beds, tucked it into closets, it filled the basement, baskets overflowed the house something to done, it store front could sell “stuff”.
We moved to Northern Maine in 1999 and have found it both rewarding and challenging place for alpaca business. We keep alpaca blankets on hand during the winter for times their temps drop below zero. That alpacas have done well in our three sided structures year ‘round. They tolerate the winters 
well and love that cool summers. We usually have professional shearer up in May to shear the alpacas. It takes several days and are always looking for “volunteers” to help with the process.
We live in upstate South Carolina after spending 7 years in Maine. Our 50 alpacas have adapted their new climate and hay! I have finally found store front. At operate North Woods Farm Fiber &Yarn located right here in Inman. So please stop by and visit you neighborhood.
LATEST UPDATE: 2015 SAW MANY CHANGES. WE SOLD THE FARM, MILL, ALPACAS, AND CLOSED THE YARN SHOP. WE CURRENTLY RESIDE IN ST. PETE, FLORIDA AND ALSO SPEND TIME IN NORTHERN MAINE. I STILL WORKING WITH FIBER AND SPEND TIME DYEING YARN FOR SHOWS AND PALMETTO YARN SHOPPE (Campobello, SC). I am partner along with two other great friends in Palmetto Yarn Shoppe.
UPDATE 2017: Sadly friend Nathan Huettig died, for cancer in January. Nathan, and Melanie had purchased our farm, mill and alpacas in 2015. They loved the lifestyle. Melanie and her 5 children took care of alpacas and ran the mill. Melanie has now sold the alpacas and are mill. Please keep Melanie and her family your prayers.
As for me, still dyeing and have relocated to more space in Clearwater, FL. I can on occasion found that FAB FIBER, in Gulfport, FL. My hand dyed yarns are available in fun shop. Please stop area and say HI! to Margot, Elizabeth, Vida, Debbie, and Stella Vaughn. Great ladies!