Episode 17 - Mary Burns

In Episode 17 of the WashCo Insider, host Ryanne Dougherty sits down with Mary Burns, owner of The Crafty Alpaca in Avella, Pennsylvania. Mary shares how a lifelong love of animals led her from teaching to alpaca farming, despite having no previous livestock experience. More than two decades later, The Crafty Alpaca has become a unique Washington County destination where visitors can meet alpacas, take educational farm tours, learn how alpaca fiber becomes finished products and shop one-of-a-kind handmade goods. Mary also discusses what alpacas have taught her about trust, patience and slowing down, the role her family has played in building the business, and her hopes for the future of alpaca farming.

Meet The Crafty Alpaca: An Alpaca Farm Experience in Avella, Pennsylvania

Tucked into the countryside of Avella, Pennsylvania, The Crafty Alpaca offers visitors the chance to experience a different side of Washington County agriculture—one filled with curious alpacas, hands-on education, locally made products and plenty of personality.

In Episodost Ryanne Dougherty sits down with owner Mary Burns to learn how The Crafty Alpaca grew from a family dream into a unique agritourism destination in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

From Teacher to Alpaca Farmer

Mary’s path to farming wasn’t exactly traditional.

Although she had always dreamed of someday having a farm, Mary was a teacher living in the suburbs and raising a family when she and her husband decided they wanted more land. They eventually found property in Avella and began considering what kind of animals might be right for their new farm.

There was just one problem: they had no livestock experience.

Mary began looking for an animal that was friendly, manageable around children and relatively quiet. Then, during a visit to a festival, she encountered an animal she had never really considered before—the alpaca.

After doing their research, Mary and her family purchased alpacas from across the country and brought them home to Avella. The Crafty Alpaca began in 2004.

More than two decades later, alpacas have become a way of life.

Meet the Alpacas in Avella

Today, The Crafty Alpaca gives visitors an opportunity to get up close with alpacas while learning more about the animals, their personalities and their fiber.

The farm offers experiences for different levels of interest. Visitors looking for a quick stop can meet and feed the alpacas, take photos and visit the farm store. Those who want a more in-depth experience can explore the education center and see a spinning-wheel demonstration.

For visitors interested in fiber arts, The Crafty Alpaca also offers a deluxe experience that dives deeper into the process—from shearing the alpacas to transforming their fiber into a finished product.

Mary even teaches visitors how to use a spinning wheel.

Whether you're planning a family outing, looking for an educational experience or simply really love alpacas, a visit can be tailored to what interests you most.

Education at the Heart of the Farm

Mary’s background as a teacher continues to influence nearly everything she does at The Crafty Alpaca.

When the farm began, many visitors knew very little about alpacas. That created an opportunity to teach people not only what alpacas are, but why they are raised, how their fleece is harvested and what can be created from their fiber.

The farm's education center expands the experience beyond alpacas by introducing visitors to other fiber-producing animals and aspects of life on the farm.

Education also travels beyond the farm. Mary takes alpacas to off-site programs and gives presentations at places such as libraries, helping introduce even more people to these unique animals.

From Alpaca Fiber to Handmade Products

The alpacas aren't just adorable—they also produce a valuable natural fiber.

At The Crafty Alpaca's farm store, visitors can shop a variety of alpaca products, including handmade items created by Mary and her family.

Mary spins and dyes fiber, while her mother handles much of the knitting. Together they create one-of-a-kind hats, headbands, fingerless gloves and scarves. The shop also includes felted items such as cat and dog toys, along with products brought in from Peru, where alpacas originate.

And the bestseller?

Socks.

As temperatures drop, alpaca socks become an especially popular item for customers looking for warmth or a unique Christmas gift.

A Family Farm Built on Trust

The Crafty Alpaca has always been a family effort.

Mary's children grew up helping care for the animals and participating in the retail side of the business, while her husband continues to play an important role in everything from maintaining the barns to helping with tours and traveling to shows.

For Mary, however, raising alpacas has provided lessons that extend far beyond operating a farm.

She says the animals have taught her about trust, respect, patience and being present. Rather than chasing or grabbing their alpacas, the family works to build trust with them and respects the individual personality of each animal.

Sometimes the greatest lesson is simply knowing when to slow down.

Find The Crafty Alpaca Around Washington County

Visitors don't necessarily have to travel to the farm to find The Crafty Alpaca.

Mary and her products appear at numerous festivals and community events throughout the region, including the EQT Washington & Greene Counties' Covered Bridge Festival, Cecil Fall Festival, Hickory Apple Festival, Houston Pumpkin Festival and Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Christmas Festival.

During the busy fall season, The Crafty Alpaca can be on the road nearly every weekend from mid-September through December—all while continuing to welcome shoppers and tour groups at the farm.

The Future of Alpaca Farming

Mary hopes The Crafty Alpaca can also help introduce more people to the possibilities of alpaca farming.

She sees alpacas as a potential option for smaller farms and believes there are opportunities ranging from breeding and fiber production to retail products and agritourism.

For The Crafty Alpaca itself, the future continues to evolve. Mary is exploring additional off-site opportunities while finding new ways to connect visitors with the farm, including offering experiences through Airbnb Experiences.

After 22 years, the goal remains remarkably simple: share the animals, share the knowledge and give more people a reason to discover The Crafty Alpaca.

Plan Your Visit to The Crafty Alpaca

The Crafty Alpaca offers tours, educational experiences, shopping, birthday parties, field trips, photo opportunities and other customized experiences in Avella, Pennsylvania.

Whether you're searching for things to do with kids in Washington County, a unique farm experience near Pittsburgh or simply an excuse to spend some time with alpacas, The Crafty Alpaca offers an experience that's a little different from your typical day on the farm.

Hear the full story from Mary Burns in Episode 17 of the WashCo Insider.