Do you have a few adorable angora rabbits and are wondering what to do with all of the gorgeous and soft fiber they grow and shed? Are you a fiber artist and fiber farmer interested in turning what was once a hobby into a business now that you have a dozen or more of the little cuties hopping around? Either way, the following guide will help you to build a well-rounded marketing strategy for selling your beautiful and soft angora fiber.

During the first season of selling my Pure Angora Knits I learned that there are a lot of misunderstandings among the general public about how I could possibly make my knits and items with out some kind of harm coming to my beloved English angora rabbits. It shocked me that people would ask me if I hurt or killed my animals in order to gather their wool. Even when I thoroughly explained that I only brush the wool off my bunnies when they go through their naturally occurring shedding that happens every 3-4 months and that removing the excess wool they grow is necessary to keep them healthy, some people were still not convinced and would eye me with suspicion as they walked away from my display. In order to help educate my customers I am putting together a picture story board to show the entire process of creating my finished knits. This would be the second photo. My bunny Violet is my lovely model. The pile of wool sitting next to her I groomed off of her in one sitting. It took only thirty minutes to remove this wool. The photo of her in full fluff I posted a few days ago if you want to take a look. Notice she is still alive and well. She is not bald or sad or harmed in any way. She is still the fabulous bunny she always was, just less fluffy. And in a couple of months the cycle repeats. Happy bunnies and super soft yarn and knit wear. I call it a win win. What about you? #fiberart #fiberanimal #fiberbusiness #fiberarts #urbanfarm #urbanhomestead #crafty #etsy #etsyseller #englishangorabunnies #angora #wool #handcrafted #handspinning

A photo posted by Melanie Wales (@pureangoraknits) on Mar 31, 2015 at 4:30pm PDT

1. Educate Your Customers

However and wherever you decide to sell your angora products, the most important thing is to educate your customers about your rabbits and your products. Let them know how your bunnies are raised and how you lovingly remove the excess fiber your rabbits grow and shed regularly. Help teach your customers that their is absolutely no reason for any cruelty to remove their wool and definitely no reason for an adorable angora rabbit to die in order to gather its wool.

This little lady does not know how to take a bad photo! Every photo we took of her yesterday was perfect. Her name is Saffron and she is another happy member of our ever growing family of English angora bunnies. #pureangoraknits #englishangorabunnies #urbanfarm #angora #fiberanimal #fiberfarm #fiberarts @bumblebeeacresfarm isn’t she growing up well?!

A photo posted by Melanie Wales (@pureangoraknits) on Mar 22, 2015 at 12:07pm PDT

It is a wonderful thing that more customers are asking questions about where things come from and about the conditions in which animals are raised, so be sure to explain why your wonderful grassroots business is nothing like those horrible factory farms.

2. Decide What To Sell

In full production mode. #handmade #handspun #handcrafted #urbanfarmer #angora #angorayarn #artisan #fiberarts #fiberfarm #knittersofinstagram #knitting #urbanfarm #sustainability #shophandmade #buyhandmade #etsy #etsyshop #etsyseller #pureangoraknits

A photo posted by Melanie Wales (@pureangoraknits) on Dec 2, 2014 at 9:13am PST

Do you simply want to sell the fiber, or do you want to get crafty and create value-added products? Yarn can hand- or mill-spun, blended with other fibers or just on it’s own, and dyed or undyed. You can even go a step further to make knitted or crocheted products, such as scarves and hats. Remember, if you do want to sell knitted or crocheted items, your fiber must first be spun into yarn. This adds time if you spin it yourself and expense if you have it spun at a mill. The deeper you go down the “rabbit hole” of craftiness, the more money you can sell your angora fiber for—but it takes more time and expense to get there.

3. Create An Online Shop

Three new skeins of heavenly hand spun 100% English angora yarn now available through my Etsy shop. #handspinning #handspunyarn #angorayarn #angora #wool #fiberarts #fiberfarm #urbanfarm #pureangoraknits

A photo posted by Melanie Wales (@pureangoraknits) on Jul 29, 2015 at 11:04am PDT

Once you know what you want to sell and you have an inventory of products, it’s time to start selling. We are in a wonderful age of technology where any of us can create an entire online shop in a relatively short period of time. Choose a platform like Etsy or create your own website to help reach customers beyond your local area. Even if you have a booming handmade and fiber arts community and are interested in only attending local markets, most markets require in their applications that you already have an online website or shop. Plus, having an online shop will give people across the country and around the world an opportunity to find you.

4. Vend At Local Craft Markets, Farmers Markets Or Fiber Festivals

We are all set up @thecityflea holiday market! Everyone is getting all decked out with twinkle lights and it is going to be gorgeous here in Washington Park when the sun goes down. Come out and shop for the holidays!! We are here till 10. #etsyseller #handmade #handcrafted

A photo posted by Melanie Wales (@pureangoraknits) on Dec 13, 2014 at 1:12pm PST

With a business name and a transient vendor’s license, you are on your way to selling your wares at a local market. Knowing from the start what angora products you want to sell will help you determine the local markets right for you. If you’re focusing on raw fiber ready for spinning, a farmers market may be the best choice for you. If you have hand-knitted mittens and toys, handmade-craft markets are a great option. Fiber festivals in general will be a great way to connect with local fiber farms and fiber artists, as well as with customers that are specifically in the market to buy fiber.

Search online for market opportunities in your area. Most markets and festivals have websites and online applications. Make sure to take note of application deadlines and booth fees. Some markets also charge a small application fee.

If you can’t find a suitable outlet in your area, consider starting one yourself. Other farmers and crafters in your area would love an opportunity to sell their goods locally and in person—and you just might be the perfect person to get a new market started and thriving.

5. Build Your Social Media Skills

A few ounces of super soft angora wool from my very own bunnies are ready to be donated to the wonderful folks @fibreshare for their share packages. Shipping out today! #fibreshare #pureangoraknits #angora #wool

A photo posted by Melanie Wales (@pureangoraknits) on Aug 24, 2015 at 9:58am PDT

Free social-networking sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to tell your followers where you are selling locally and online and are good ways to educate your potential customers about your fiber farm and farming practices. Plus, sharing plenty of photos of your cute angora rabbits will only bring a smile to your customers’ faces.