Mrs Costa, wife of Wollondilly MP Phil Costa, has many hidden talents. One of them is spinning alpaca wool.

She said when her husband worked at Buxton Public School 25 years ago the school bought some spinning wheels and set up groups for locals.

``One of the teachers spun and she showed me how to do it,'' Mrs Costa said. ``Then I took it home and played and played and taught myself.'' The Costas now own 16 alpacas, which are shorn once every year.

Mrs Costa puts the wool through a machine to fluff it and get the dirt out before she spins, washes and dries the wool for her mum, Norma Joass, to knit into beanies, scarves and vests. Mrs Costa said the alpacas all had names and ranged in colour from white to black and different shades of brown.

``We have some friendly ones, some spit, some kick, but we do have one boy that likes to come up and be around people, he will even give them a kiss,'' she said.

``We also have some for sale.''

The alpaca garments will be on sale at Wollondilly North Rotary's Swap Meet and Market Day on Sunday, April 18, from 8.30am to 2pm on the football ground of Oakdale Workers Club, Burragorang Road.

For more information or to book your stall call Louisa on 46808358 or Nick on 46597426 or rcwnswapmeet@live.com.