About

How the Fair came about:

Mystique Al Pacas was started in 2008 by Fenella and Romney van Ryneveld who left the big city life of Johannesburg to pursue a more wholesome life in the small little birding village of Wakkerstroom on the border of Natal, South Africa.

They started with a small group of 5 Al Pacas which has now grown to a healthy herd of 12. Fenella is passionate about Al Paca's, natural fibre and hand crafts of old. She shears, cards and spins the natural Al Paca fibre herself and sells handspun yarn of not only Al Paca but of a variety of other natural fibres such as merino and bamboo out of her little home shop.

Articles have been written about the Wakkerstroom Al Pacas in a variety of publications and recently Fen and Romney were featured on a local TV show called Pasella.

Feeling strongly that these age old skills should not be lost and taking into account the growing awareness in South Africa on sustainable living, Fenella and Romney aim to produce natural single origin, home spun yarn that is both alive and vibrant. 

This passion led to the idea of organizing a Fair to encourage and promote all natural fibres. Proudly they are about to host the 5th annual Natural fibre Handcraft Fair which is keenly anticipated by residents and vistors alike!

About the Fair:

The aim of the Wakkerstroom Natural Fibre Handcraft Fair is to showcase all the “old handcraft skills” that are still being practiced today; to promote as many natural fibres as possible and the create awareness about sustainable living. 

Not only is the fair a showcase for natural fibre products and an excellent opportunity for exhibitors to sell their handmade products but a forum to demonstate handcraft skills, network with like-minded individuals and to learn a new craft.

Weavers, lace makers, felters, quilters, knitters, embroiderers, spinners, crocheters, cord makers, carpet weavers have all exhibited at past fairs as well as a wide variety of individuals selling natural, cleaned and carded fleece, The fibres represented at the fair to date have been pure cotton, bamboo, cashmere, alpaca, black and white merino, mohair and silk.

The 2012 Fourth Annual Wakkerstroom Natural Fibre Handcraft Fair:

In March 2012 the Fourth Annual Wakkerstroom Natural Fibre Handcraft Fair hosted 30 exhibitors with over 400 visitors coming through the gates! All the accommodation in the village was booked out.

The hall was a hive of industry with spinning wheels humming, weavers shuttling and knitting needles clicking.  

For sale was a wide range of products in a riot of colour; beautiful shawls, bed throws, hand dyed cotton materials for quilt making, handknitted garments, scarves, gloves and beanies, hand made cords in brilliant colours as well as handspun natural un-dyed yarns, hand-dyed cotton and various wools. Felted hats, bags and slippers. Alpaca rovings in various natural colours and hand spun yarns were also available.

Some the highlights were the dexterity of the lace makers and the speed at which they worked, the multi-coloured quilts on display (true works of art), the cashmere table with their accompanying Cashmere herd in full fleece, and viewing the Wakkerstroom Al Paca herd. 

Workshops also made an appearance in 2012 with a variety of natural handcraft workshops being offered in the afternoon.

The organizers, Romney and Fenella felt honoured to have 4 different Guilds represented at the Fair as the Guild members’ knowledge and expertise is so invaluable.

The Fifth Annual Wakkerstroom Natural Fibre Fair will be held on Saturday April 13^th 2013 in the great hall in the beautiful church grounds of the NG Kerk in the centre of the village. The church spire can be seen almost anywhere you go – you can’t miss it!