Stacy Heydt

Accredited Spin-Off Judge

Stacy has immersed herself in all things related to fiber since she purchased her first alpacas in 2001. She volunteers at fleece shows and judges Spin-Off, Fiber Arts, and Skein competitions for AOA’s National Fleece and affiliate shows. She gives fiber related seminars at AOA national conferences. She is the current chair of the AOA Fiber and Fiber Products committee and is one of the founding members of the United States Alpaca Fiber Council (USAFC).

She loves sharing her love of fiber with others. In addition to writing articles for Alpacas Magazine, in 2014 she wrote the reference book, The Fiber Factor — A Simplified Guide to Alpaca Fiber. And the children’s book about alpacas, art and fashion, The Fashionable Mrs. Blue has a Plan and a Clue the following year. In 2015 she opened a fiber art studio, Fun Fibers, where she makes products using alpaca fiber and a variety of art techniques. She shares these kits with a variety of programs to introduce kids to textiles and agriculture. Her kits are also available through her wholesale program to farms around the country.

Art has always been a part of her life. She learned the needle arts as a child and after their first shearing in 2002, she learned to spin, weave, felt and dye her alpaca’s fiber. Now she teaches her art techniques at fiber fairs, events and at private farms around the country. In 2016 she received the prestigious designation of “Juried Artist” from The Best of Missouri Hands art association.

Stacy is excited to be one of the inaugural accredited spin-off judges. She worked closely with Wini Labreque to develop this program and present it to the JTCC for consideration and ultimately its implementation. She hopes this program will continue to grow and attract new spin-off judges so that alpaca owners can receive valuable information about their fleece, how it spins, and its purpose in the textile industry.