Fall 2005
Alpaca Boutique Now Open

Alpaca fiber is one of the softest, silkiest, warmest natural fibers in the world! Items made of alpaca fiber are elegant and durable. Garments range from luxury sweaters and scarves, to the finest suits and most durable coats. Come see what all the fuss is about! We also have raw fiber, processed rovings and yarn for sale from our own alpacas.

Fall Hours
Sundays ~ Noon – 4:00 p.m.
and by appointment.
Check back for holiday hours.

Alpacas produce one of the world's most versatile natural fibers ~ soft as cashmere, warmer and stronger than wool, silky and lustrous, durable and non-allergenic, 22 natural colors, and environmentally friendly.

Fall 2004 

Blue Ribbon Accoyo Alpacas is pleased to announce the opening of their new Alpaca Boutique just in time for holiday shopping!

Select from unique sweaters, sweater coats, capes, hats, gloves, scarves, socks and more!

Holiday hours until Christmas are:

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Sundays
and by appointment.

4320 Damascus Road
Laytonsville, Maryland

Spring 2004 

It’s Spring and Oh what a wonderful time of the year – and busy too!  As I look out over the nice green pastures I am so thankful that spring has arrived.  This past winter was just too darn cold for us, even Spencer, who at age 3 doesn't seem to mind any kind of weather.  Of course, these past couple days have been to warm for Savannah!  Where is that happy median?

Anyway, this spring show season will not be as busy for us as last year due to other commitments on the farm and other events in our lives.  Because of a business commitment of Glen’s in June we will not be able to attend the AOBA National Conference, but do plan to have some alpacas at two local events on June 5.  Stop by and see us at the Sandy Spring Museum’s Strawberry Festival in Sandy Spring, Maryland or at Clarksburg Days in Clarksburg, Maryland.  Both events are sure to be loads of fun for the whole family.

Now for births….On April 17 we welcomed The Duchess of Normandy to Blue Ribbon Accoyo Alpacas.  She sure is a cutie and tears up the field as she races around finding someone to play with her.  It won’t be long until she has a playmate though.  Alterra, recently sold to Dan and Heather Matthys of Orange Blossom Alpacas located in Clermont Florida, is due at the end of May.  Things should be quiet on the birthing front until late July when three other gals will be ready to have their babies. 

And who is wondering about the new barn?  Well, the construction of the shell is complete except for some repairs on a few roof leaks.  While we await the electric service, Glen has done most of the framing that he can do and will finish up once the electric is installed.  Unfortunately, we still don’t know when our alpaca store will be open for business, so we ask you for your continued patience.  We will have a Grand Re-Opening as soon as we are able, and are looking forward to that day!   Until then, enjoy your spring, and cicadas if you live in a “lucky” area that has these interesting creatures!

November 2003

Fall is Fun! Crias, shows, barn building, fencing...Wow! We've been busy. As of the end of October, we have had three crias, been to three shows and construction on our new barn is 75% complete.

Our fall show season began in September at the Big E in Springfield, MA and will end in mid November with the much anticipated ALPACARAMA Show 'N' Sell in Upper Marlboro, MD. ALPACARAMA is a unique event held in Maryland that will showcase high quality alpacas all of which will be for sale. Come out and enjoy a day or two experiencing the magic of alpacas. For more information go to www.alpacarama.com.

We have had much success in the show ring proving that our breeding program is top notch. Validation is shown in the blue ribbons and championships that Taco, Conan and Nickelodeon earned at the Big E, Magical Farms/Ameripaca Futurity and Empire Alpaca Extravaganza this show season.

Summer 2003

While we wait for one more birth before the fall, we thought we would update you on what has been happening at Blue Ribbon Accoyo Alpacas.  Right now we have four young crias running in the maternity field waiting for one more friend to be born.  Our first Normandy cria was born in May and he is an exceptionally friendly and cute alpaca.  Normandy’s second cria was born on the Fourth of July and we call him Indy, short for Independence Day (Normandy is one of our Champion herdsires).  

The day Indy was born, Glen was out on the west coast attending an alpaca auction, while Susan was home taking care of their children and the farm.  Before running out for dog and cat food the morning of the 4th, Susan and the kids checked to make sure everyone was doing okay.  Everyone was okay, just that Roxi was giving birth.  Savannah’s (age 6) job was to get the cria bag with supplies, while Spencer (age 2) helped mix up Novalsan for the cria’s umbilical cord.  About 5 minutes later, little Indy was born.  But he wasn't so little…he weighed 22 pounds!  

Susan and the kids started their care for Indy by dipping his cord, making sure all passageways were clear, taking his temperature, dipping the cord again and weighing.  They watched to see when Indy first stood and when he first nursed from his mother.  The day was exciting and everyone had fun and most important, little Indy is a healthy and absolutely beautiful little cria with great locks and awesome luster to his fleece.  And one final note…..they made it to the pet store by noon!

May 2003

Well it’s finally here we think…..Spring!  It’s been a tough winter for all of us and we are so happy to see fields of green again.  We are excited as we enter the show season and birthing season.  Our first crias are due now through June.

We've had three crias born so far this year with four more on the way.  The first cria of the season was Atticus.  He is a beautiful male suri owned by Wayne and Cindy Aldrich of Shepherd’s Purse Alpacas.  Currently, they board their alpacas here but soon will be taking them to their own farm which is now just about ready for their alpacas.  Also, our champion herdsire’s first cria, The Duke of Normandy, was born just a week ago and he is amazingly beautiful.  Luster galore!  It’s so much fun to watch the crias play with one another, and to see how they respond to our own children.  Duke comes right up to Savannah as if to say, “Please play with me and Cupcake.” 

We are preparing for AOBA, the national conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  This will make our fourth show of the season so far.  We attended The Virginia Classic in Lexington, Kentucky, the North American Alpaca Show in Springfield, Massachusetts and the MaPaca Jubilee in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Considering the tough competition we did very well.  We are proud of our little guy, Taco, who is one of Susan’s favorites, who has placed second at both shows against great competition.

Check back soon to hear about our new batch of crias.

 

December 2002

This past September was a proud moment for us as parents. Our 5 1/2 year old daughter participated in her first alpaca show. Last summer she overcame her fear of alpacas (and all other animals), and began to work with Applesauce, a small adorable alpaca, just the right size for her.

We let her make the decision to participate in The Great Frederick Fair's Sub Junior Class. She agreed as long as Mommy was in the ring with her. We were told by the superintendent of the show that they encourage parents to be in the ring with the sub juniors. So, Mommy was in the ring with her, but when it was over, she didn't even realize she was in the ring!

Savannah did a fantastic job of showing Applesauce and answered the questions that the judge asked. She won a Blue Ribbon, and made us all so proud, not because of the blue ribbon, but because she showed courage and had a positive attitude that she could do it!

November 16-17, 2002

Alpaca Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come visit our Alpacas and Shop for Alpaca Gifts for the Holidays.

May 31, 2002

The Jefferson School visits Blue Ribbon Accoyo Alpacas! Over 25 children and parents from the Jefferson School's Room 2 attended a very special visit to see the alpacas and run and play on the grounds. In addition to the alpacas, the tractor rides, hoola hooping and baseball games were a hit. Hot dogs were cooked up for lunch before the class headed back to class to talk about the "best field trip, EVER!"

Spring of 2002 Congrats!

Congratulations to Myles and Matty Gladstone of
Happy Rocks Alpacas on their purchase of Arlene, Ada and Applesauce!

April 13-14, 2002: 5 Farm Alpaca Tour

Come join us for a weekend of seminars and alpacas. 5 local farms will be having an Open House on April 13th & 14th. Each farm will have a different guest speaker on topics such as shearing, taxes, healthcare and getting started. Call or email us for more information. Hope to see you there!

November 3, 2001: It’s a girl!

It's a girl! Applesauce, a beautiful medium fawn huacaya was born on November 3, 2001. We named her Applesauce because of her color! We will be placing her on our sales list once she is weaned. Call for a pre-weaned discount.


Dame - Cee Cee
Sire - First Class

May 14, 2000: Ameripaca/Magical Farms Customer Appreciation Futurity

Normandy won his first Blue Ribbon here and $2,000 in prize money! He also was Reserve Champion. He’s one of our future herdsires! He also will be nominated in future Ameripaca/Magical Farms Customer Appreciation Futurities so his offspring will be eligible to compete in future shows.

  


April 29, 2000: It’s a boy!


Day Dreamer was born Saturday afternoon while we were at the MaPaca Eastern Alpaca Jubilee in Harrisburg. At 14 pounds, he was quite a bit smaller than Claudine, but just as healthy and beautiful. He has a fine white fleece.

Dame - Dreamaye
Sire - Crayola

April 28, 2000 - April 30, 2000:
MaPaca Jubilee - Harrisburg, PA


Our first alpaca show. We entered Normandy in one halter class. Not knowing what an alpaca show was all about we thought we’d start small. Normandy won 2nd place, and it was a close second. The judge had a tough time choosing between him and the first place winner.

 

April 26, 2000: It’s a girl!

Our first-born alpaca, Claudine, arrived Wednesday afternoon. She weighed in at 23 pounds! A large and healthy cria! She is beige and already has tightly locked fleece.

Dame - Cee Cee
Sire - First Class