There is no easy way to lose something you love, especially when that "something" is a beloved pet who has stolen your heart.

Since this year began, Bright Star Farm has lost three important members of our animal family. Back in January, we said goodbye to sweet Twink, one our our miniature horses and first additions to the farm way back when we began. She was 27 years old and lived a long, happy life here at the farm with her "husband" Kiwi and all of their kids, who have become irreplaceable parts of our grand farm family.

Last month, we said goodbye to Lorenzo the llama, who had a full personality and lent plenty of humor to everyone who stopped by.

And last night, we said goodbye to Spice, our sweet (but stubborn) pygmy goat who's been part of our family just as long as Twink. In fact, we made a trip to New Jersey over ten years ago to pick the two of them up and bring them to the hot, sunny South together. 

While there's no easy way to lose a pet, the best thing anyone can hope for is a peaceful death. And despite a few prior weeks of sickness for Twink, that's exactly what they all had -- a seamless ease into the great sleep, where their bodies can rest while their spirits find home in wide open fields of sweet grass and warm sun. 

We'll miss you, Twink, and we're thankful for your careful mothering and presence over the years. And we'll miss you, Lorenzo and Spice, and we're thankful for your large personalities and loving spirits always.

We've been dreaming a lot lately at Bright Star Farm, bursting with creative ideas for products, goods, and ideas to create and sell, not only here at the farm but in other outlets, too. 

A recent trip to Wild Birds Unlimited in New Bern proved that others are latching onto our ideas. In fact, they've even asked to feature our Alpaca Fleece Nesting Balls made from 100% natural fleece from our very own alpacas here at the farm. 

So what are nesting balls, anyway? Nesting balls essentially provide fodder for bird nests. Hang one outside and watch as birds pull the contents of the nesting ball -- often horse hair, feathers, or alpaca fleece -- out to build nests of their own. And anyone who knows birds knows they're very resourceful. They'll use whatever they can to create safe, comfortable nests for their little ones.

They're also a great way to attract birds to your home, which is especially appealing to avid bird watchers and nature lovers. Plus, now that we're coming into warmer weather, it's the perfect time to hang one near your back porch and watch birds light on the rail to pull resources for their nests. 

We're very excited and grateful to Wild Birds Unlimited for taking an interest and agreeing to sell our products for us. Make sure you stop by to pick one up and support the store (and the farm!). They're rustic and affordable, and they'll be a great addition to your back yard.

If you've got some flowers left over from Valentine's Day or a recent birthday celebration (or even if you just like having fresh flowers around!), don't throw them away. Try using them differently by making an easy rose & coffee sugar scrub!

This scrub is SO easy and affordable to make. I didn't even have to go to the store for any extra ingredients. Simply  use the petals of a flower (I used a rose), some baby oil (you could also use olive oil), some sugar, and a little bit of ground coffee for that extra kick of caffeine (to kick cellulite's butt!). 

Yes! The recipe is easy to customize, so use what suits you best. It's a great combination of smoothing and exfoliating (thanks to the baby oil and the sugar), and it smells nice to boot. Next time you're stuck inside on a rainy day, 

To read the original post including the recipe, click here. 

If you've ever wondered how an animal as strange as an alpaca could possibly be a good investment, consider this.

The Alpaca industry is new to the U.S.," says alpaca farmer Barbie Tilton. "The growing industry is good news for people looking for American-grown and American-made products from their local farms."

It's certainly true that more and more consumers are looking to localize their buying to support small businesses and Mom'n'Pop ventures in exchange for many of the mass-produced goods brought from overseas. Aside from embracing a heart of loyalty for local producers and businesses, most home-grown items have a rustic, original appeal -- and lots of folks prefer that.

In addition to satisfying consumers with a deepening loyalty to local businesses, alpacas provide an excellent return on investment because their fiber is more versatile than sheep wool or cotton. It comes in over 20 colors naturally, which reduces dye costs and, again, provides a smidgen of rustic charm. 

“There are a lot of old mills, family-owned, multi-generational mills, that are small, that are willing to work in the specialty environment," says Chris Riley, president of the New England Alpaca Fiber Pool. As a result, a lot of those old mills are being revitalized. 


As a small alpaca farm with fiber-producing capabilities, Bright Star Farm is on the leading edge of the textile trend. In fact, shearing is coming up in April, and soon we'll have plenty of fiber for crafting handmade goods that will soon be available for sale.