Background

Wini Labrecque is a textile artist with interest in a wide variety of techniques.
She has a very strong passion for fiber. Since the late 1980's, utilizing natural fibers, Wini has been spinning, weaving, knitting and felting from raw form to finished product. Her handspun skeins and woven/knit goods are sold at area art festivals and in area specialty shops. Many have taken ribbons at various shows.

Wini teaches classes in beginning spinning, felting, and/or weaving to individuals or small groups. She has presented many special programs to area fiber guilds, Girl Scouts, 4H groups, alpaca farms and alpaca conferences. She is the weaver on the sheep to shawl team for her local guild, competing in competitions 2-3 times each year at the county and state level where she has won the weavers award on more than one occasion.

Once exposed to alpacas and their wonderful fiber, she has been utilizing and promoting the fiber to everyone who will listen.

Wini has currently become an AOBA Certified Alpaca Fleece Judge for the alpaca industry. She recently passed part 1 of a Certification course on grading camelid fiber. She is also a presenter at many alpaca shows and events on topics relating to fleece and fiber. Her passion for alpaca fiber has led her to a project to develop a wash and wear alpaca fabric. She is currently working with the NC College of Textiles in Research & Development of this product as well as partnering with a few select area alpaca farms to pursue development of an alpaca textile company.  Her animal experience includes 10 years as a Veterinary Assistant, raising Cashmere Goats for over 10 years and keeping a fiber herd of alpaca wethers for over 9 years. Horses, sheep and rabbits were among earlier livestock kept on her property.

JUDGING EXPERIENCE

Judge - 2010 NORTHWEST ALPACA SHOW - FLEECE JUDGE

Judge - 2010 EMPIRE FIBER EVENT (NY) FLEECE JUDGE

Judge - 2010 EMPIRE FIBER EVENT (NY) Fiber Arts Competition

Judge - 2010 PACIFIC COAST ALPACA NETWORK - Spin Off Competition

Judge - 2010 PALMETTO CLASSIC - Spin Off Competition

Judge - 2009 MAPACA (PA) Fiber Arts & Skeins Competition

Judge - 2009 MAPACA (PA) Spin Off Competition

Judge - 2009 VAOBA (VA) Spin Off Competition

Judge - 2009 NJAC (NJ) Spin Off Competition

Judge - 2009 EMPIRE FIBER EVENT (NY) Fiber Arts & Skeins Competition

Judge - 2008 PAOBA BREEDERS SHOWCASE (PA) Skiens Competition

Judge - 2008 MAPACA (PA) Spin Off Competition

Judge - 2008 MAPACA (PA) Fiber Arts & Skeins Competition 

Judge - 2008 EMPIRE FIBER EVENT (NY) Spin Off Competition

Judge - 2008 EMPIRE FIBER EVENT (NY) Skeins Competition

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Current - Fiber Chairperson for PA Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association 

2010 - Coordinator/Operator PAOBA Farm Store at PA State Farm Show

2009 -Spin Off Superintendent PAOBA Breeders Showcase

2009 - Coordinator/Operator PAOBA Farm Store at PA State Farm Show

2008 - Spin Off Superintendent PAOBA Breeders Showcase

2007 - Color Checking MAPACA, MONTEREY PRONK
2007 - Fleece Show Assistant PAOBA
2006 - Fiber Arts Coordinator PAOBA Breeders Showcase

2005 - 2006 Chairperson for AOBA Raw Fiber and Fiber Products Committee
2005 - Fleece Show Coordinator PAOBA Breeders Showcase

2004 - Fleece Show Coordinator PAOBA Breeders Showcase

2003 - 2004 Assistant Chairperson for AOBA Raw Fiber and Fiber Products Committee
2003 - Fleece Show Coordinator PAOBA Breeders Showcase

2003 - Present Fiber Chairperson for the PA Alpaca Owner & Breeder Association
2002 - Assistant Fleece Show Coordinator PAOBA Breeders Showcase
2001 - Assistant Fleece Show Coordinator PAOBA Breeders Showcase
General Volunteer 2004 AOBA Nationals - helped where needed