{"product_id":"sylvias-alpaca-nesting-heart","title":"Sylvia's Alpaca Nesting Heart","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e.prod-wrapper{font-family:'Poppins',sans-serif !important;color:#3d3327 !important;line-height:1.7 !important;font-size:16px !important;max-width:900px !important;margin:0 auto !important;padding:0 !important;box-sizing:border-box !important}.prod-wrapper *{box-sizing:border-box !important}.prod-wrapper p{margin:0 0 14px !important}.prod-hero{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#c45c00 0%,#b84800 100%) !important;color:#ffffff !important;border-radius:14px !important;padding:34px 28px !important;text-align:center !important;margin-bottom:26px !important}.prod-hero-icon{font-size:40px !important;display:block !important;margin-bottom:10px !important}.prod-hero-title{font-size:26px !important;font-weight:700 !important;margin:0 0 8px !important;line-height:1.3 !important;color:#ffffff !important}.prod-hero-subtitle{font-size:16px !important;font-weight:400 !important;margin:0 !important;line-height:1.6 !important;color:#ffeede !important}.prod-story{background:#fffbf0 !important;border-left:4px solid #c45c00 !important;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0 !important;padding:24px 26px !important;margin-bottom:26px !important}.prod-story p{font-size:18px !important;font-style:italic !important;color:#7a4000 !important;line-height:1.7 !important;margin:0 0 10px !important}.prod-story-author{font-size:14px !important;font-style:normal !important;font-weight:600 !important;color:#9a7a4a !important;display:block !important}.prod-section-title{font-size:20px !important;font-weight:700 !important;color:#b84800 !important;margin:0 0 16px !important;line-height:1.35 !important}.prod-section{margin-bottom:30px !important}.prod-includes{display:grid !important;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr) !important;gap:12px !important}.prod-include{background:#f4f1ea !important;border:1px solid #e8e2d6 !important;border-radius:10px !important;padding:18px 14px 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!important;color:#b84800 !important;display:block !important;margin-bottom:6px !important;line-height:1.4 !important}.prod-feature-text{font-size:14px !important;color:#4f463a !important;line-height:1.65 !important;margin:0 !important}.prod-expert{background:#3d3327 !important;border-radius:12px !important;padding:26px 28px !important}.prod-expert-label{font-size:11px !important;font-weight:700 !important;letter-spacing:1.2px !important;text-transform:uppercase !important;color:#e0a86a !important;display:block !important;margin-bottom:12px !important}.prod-expert-quote{font-size:16px !important;font-style:italic !important;color:#f4f1ea !important;line-height:1.75 !important;margin:0 0 14px !important}.prod-expert-author{font-size:14px !important;font-weight:600 !important;color:#ffffff !important;display:block !important}.prod-expert-role{font-size:13px !important;color:#b8ac99 !important;display:block !important;margin-top:2px !important}.prod-perfect-for{display:flex !important;flex-wrap:wrap !important;gap:9px !important}.prod-perfect-tag{background:#f4f1ea !important;border:1px solid #e8e2d6 !important;border-radius:40px !important;padding:8px 16px !important;font-size:14px !important;color:#4f463a !important;display:inline-block !important}.prod-list{list-style:none !important;padding:0 !important;margin:0 !important}.prod-list li{padding:12px 0 12px 32px !important;position:relative !important;border-bottom:1px solid #efeade !important;font-size:15px !important;color:#4f463a !important;line-height:1.65 !important}.prod-list li:last-child{border-bottom:none !important}.prod-list li::before{content:\"\\2713\" !important;position:absolute !important;left:4px !important;top:12px !important;color:#5f7a52 !important;font-weight:700 !important;font-size:16px !important}.prod-list li strong{color:#3d3327 !important;font-weight:700 !important}.prod-guarantee{background:#f2f5ef !important;border:1.5px solid #cfdcc6 !important;border-top:4px solid #5f7a52 !important;border-radius:12px !important;padding:24px 26px !important;text-align:center !important}.prod-guarantee-icon{font-size:30px !important;display:block !important;margin-bottom:8px !important}.prod-guarantee-title{font-size:17px !important;font-weight:700 !important;color:#40573a !important;display:block !important;margin-bottom:6px !important}.prod-guarantee p{font-size:14px !important;color:#55604e !important;margin:0 !important;line-height:1.65 !important}.prod-note{background:#fffbf0 !important;border:1.5px solid #f5d79a !important;border-radius:10px !important;padding:20px 22px !important}.prod-note-title{font-size:15px !important;font-weight:700 !important;color:#b84800 !important;display:block !important;margin-bottom:6px !important}.prod-note p{font-size:14px !important;color:#7a5a2a !important;margin:0 !important;line-height:1.65 !important}.prod-specs{border:1px solid #e8e2d6 !important;border-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important}.prod-specs-row{display:flex !important;border-bottom:1px solid #efeade !important}.prod-specs-row:last-child{border-bottom:none !important}.prod-specs-row:nth-child(odd){background:#faf8f4 !important}.prod-specs-label{flex:0 0 38% !important;padding:12px 16px !important;font-size:14px !important;font-weight:600 !important;color:#3d3327 !important}.prod-specs-value{flex:1 !important;padding:12px 16px !important;font-size:14px !important;color:#5c5346 !important}@media (max-width:600px){.prod-includes{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr !important}.prod-features{grid-template-columns:1fr !important}.prod-hero-title{font-size:22px !important}.prod-specs-label{flex:0 0 45% !important}}\u003c\/style\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"prod-wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-hero\" style=\"color:#ffffff !important;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-hero-icon\"\u003e🐦\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"prod-hero-title\" style=\"color:#ffffff !important;\"\u003eCut by hand in a stone barn at Blockley, Gloucestershire\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-hero-subtitle\" style=\"color:#ffeede !important;\"\u003eSylvia Wintle (67), retired district nurse, north Cotswolds — packing the last of their herd’s fleece before the place is sold after Christmas.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-story\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“A jackdaw landed on the back of one of our alpacas and started pulling fleece straight off him. Came back every morning for a fortnight. The birds worked it out long before I did — I only noticed what they had been telling me all along.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-story-author\"\u003e— Sylvia Wintle, Blockley, Gloucestershire\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section-title\"\u003eWhat’s in the box\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-includes\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-include\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-icon\"\u003e❤\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-name\"\u003eThe Mesh Heart\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-desc\"\u003eCut by hand from rabbit netting. No two come out the same shape.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-include\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-icon\"\u003e🧵\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-name\"\u003eFour Fleece Colours\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-desc\"\u003eDark brown, cream, caramel and charcoal. All undyed.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-include\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-icon\"\u003e🔗\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-name\"\u003eHanging Chain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-desc\"\u003eFitted and ready. Out of the box and onto the tree.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-include\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-icon\"\u003e📜\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-name\"\u003eSylvia’s Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-include-desc\"\u003eWhere to hang it, when to refill it, which birds to watch for.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section-title\"\u003eWhy alpaca fleece and not anything else\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-features\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-feature\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-icon\"\u003e🌡\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-title\"\u003eThe Hollow-Core Advantage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp class=\"prod-feature-text\"\u003eAlpaca fibre is hollow through the centre, so it traps far more warmth than solid fibre. A nest lined with it holds heat through a cold Cotswold night in March — which is exactly what eggs and new chicks need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-feature\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-icon\"\u003e💧\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-title\"\u003eThe Lanolin-Free Difference\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp class=\"prod-feature-text\"\u003eUnlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fleece carries no lanolin. Nothing greasy, nothing to irritate. Soft and clean against a chick’s skin from its first day out of the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-feature\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-icon\"\u003e🌿\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-title\"\u003eThe Safe-Collapse Structure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp class=\"prod-feature-text\"\u003eSynthetic thread holds a loop and tightens over time. Alpaca fibre compresses and breaks down inside the nest instead — no loops, no rigid strands, no entanglement risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-feature\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-icon\"\u003e⛅\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-title\"\u003eThe Shed-Water Finish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp class=\"prod-feature-text\"\u003eAlpaca fibre repels moisture on its own. A wet British spring runs off rather than soaking in, so the lining stays dry instead of turning into a cold mat underneath the chicks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-feature\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-icon\"\u003e🔧\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-title\"\u003eThe Refill Frame\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp class=\"prod-feature-text\"\u003eThe heart is a mesh frame, not a disposable. When the birds strip it bare — and they will — push fresh fleece, raw wool or pet brushings back through the hexagons and hang it up again. Season after season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-feature\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-icon\"\u003e👁\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-feature-title\"\u003eThe Hexagon Grip\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp class=\"prod-feature-text\"\u003eThe mesh openings are wide enough that a goldfinch or a wren can get a proper grip and pull a strand free, tight enough that one gusty night doesn’t empty the whole heart across the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"prod-expert\" style=\"background:#3d3327 !important; color:#f4f1ea !important;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-expert-label\" style=\"color:#e0a86a !important;\"\u003eFrom a wildlife rehabilitator\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp class=\"prod-expert-quote\" style=\"color:#f4f1ea !important;\"\u003e“Fibre entanglement is something we see every single spring. Chicks come in with synthetic thread wound around a leg or a throat, and almost always it has come from nesting material a parent bird collected in a nearby garden. Natural fibre such as alpaca fleece compresses and breaks down safely. Synthetic fibre does neither. Our earliest nest-builders start in February, so putting soft natural fibre out over the winter is one of the simplest things a household can do.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-expert-author\" style=\"color:#ffffff !important;\"\u003eDr Frances Aldridge, Ph.D.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-expert-role\" style=\"color:#b8ac99 !important;\"\u003eAvian Ecologist \u0026amp; Wildlife Rehabilitator · Windrush Valley Wildlife Care, Northleach, Gloucestershire\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section-title\"\u003eMade for\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-perfect-for\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-perfect-tag\"\u003e🌳 Garden birdwatchers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-perfect-tag\"\u003e🌼 Cottage and wildlife gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-perfect-tag\"\u003e🧒 Grandchildren who want a job\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-perfect-tag\"\u003e🎁 Mothering Sunday\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-perfect-tag\"\u003e🎒 School nature clubs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-perfect-tag\"\u003e🏠 Balconies and courtyards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-perfect-tag\"\u003e🪶 Wildlife carers and volunteers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-perfect-tag\"\u003e🎉 The gardener who has everything\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section-title\"\u003eWhat you’re actually getting\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"prod-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFleece from one named herd.\u003c\/strong\u003e Eleven alpacas at Blockley, shorn in June 2026. Not a blended bale from three countries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInner fleece only, four colours.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sylvia sorts out the coarse guard hair by hand and packs only soft inner fibre — dark brown, cream, caramel and charcoal, from four different animals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-cut frames.\u003c\/strong\u003e Gordon cuts and shapes every one from offcuts of rabbit netting in the barn. Slight differences in shape are the point, not a fault.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNothing added.\u003c\/strong\u003e No dye, no scent, no treatment. Washed, dried, packed. That’s the whole process.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt to stay out.\u003c\/strong\u003e The frame lives outdoors year-round and weathers to a soft grey. Refill it each spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"prod-guarantee\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-guarantee-icon\"\u003e🤝\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"prod-guarantee-title\"\u003e30-day promise\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003eHang it out. If no bird has touched it and you’re not glad you bought it, email us within 30 days and we’ll sort it out — no forms, no posting it back at your expense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"prod-note\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"prod-note-title\"\u003eA note on the last batch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003eJune’s clip was the final shearing of the Wintle herd. Every heart still listed is made from that fleece — when it’s gone there is no next season to make more from. Because each frame is cut and shaped by hand, expect small differences in outline and in how far the fleece sits proud of the mesh. The colour blocks fall differently on every heart too, because they come off different animals. That’s what handmade looks like.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-section-title\"\u003eProduct details\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eFrame\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eHand-cut hexagonal galvanised wire mesh, weathered finish\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eFilling\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eRaw alpaca fleece, inner fibre only, undyed and untreated\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eFleece origin\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eWintle herd, Blockley, Gloucestershire — final shearing, June 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eDimensions\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eApprox. 30 × 28 × 8 cm\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eColour\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eFour undyed fleece colours: dark brown, cream, caramel, charcoal\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eMounting\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eHanging chain fitted — branch, fence post, washing line or balcony\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eRefilling\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eRefillable through the mesh with raw wool, alpaca fleece or pet brushings\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eCare\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eLeave outdoors year-round. Brush out old nesting debris each winter.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eBest hung\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eHang from autumn onwards — the earliest builders start in February, peak nesting season in Britain runs April to June\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-label\"\u003eMade by\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"prod-specs-value\"\u003eSylvia \u0026amp; Gordon Wintle, Blockley, Gloucestershire\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Handmade by Sylvia Wintle","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59273975726428,"sku":"BRG-ANH-UK-01","price":35.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0903\/4081\/9292\/files\/sylvia-gallery-a1.jpg?v=1790329748","url":"https:\/\/backroad-goods.com\/products\/sylvias-alpaca-nesting-heart","provider":"BACKROAD GOODS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}