Finding a Focus

There have been so many things going on in my life for so long it is difficult to find a focus for my postings here.
These are my two youngest kids - or little tids - as Lucy (on R) would say. It was a warm day - the first with windows rolled all the way down and wind blowing hair. Violet - especially LOVES it. The dress she has on was mine when I was a baby.

Crafting a Business

Hey! Did you see the new book out from Country Living editor Kathie Fitzgerald? The title is Crafting a Business – Making Money Doing What You Love. It is a collection of 28 fine ladies who have innovatively created jobs they love. I am featured on page 80.

Funny that I find myself crafting a new business, - one with a solid plan and preparation and milestones to check along the path. It feels completely fresh to be formulating such a thing. The company I founded and have been associated with for the last 21 years morphed from my college senior-project into a company with 40 employees within 2 years. Many wonderful lessons, people, challenges and successes were all important parts of the mix. The resounding issue in my memory is that there was never time to plan – now I have that! Wow!

May 1, 2008 is my first official day of lay-off. The thought of free time is sooo exciting to me!
Once I have a chance to delve into that time, of no work, the vision of my ideal job will become clear. It will be my mission to formulate a plan to achieve the goals set forth in my next few weeks. It is exciting to think about time to do just that. . . think.

Can you tell how excited I am? The last time I had a summer off I was thirteen years old!

In the meantime collecting unemployment is completely new to me. I wonder how that all works?? One thing is certain, and that is, that I won’t be bringing in the income I am accustomed too and will need to supplement.

Anyone out there interested in signing up for some hands-on learning workshops? I am setting aside Saturdays in June to teach – here in the studio. Class size is limited to 6. Each week will focus on a different project. Here is the tentative schedule:

June 7 – Adult size zipper hoodie cardigan

June 14 – Kids size zipper hoodie cardigan

June 21 – Big Wreaths

June 28 – Flowers

Workshops will be held from 10-4. A healthy lunch will be served. The cost is $200 – all materials included.

Email me to sign up. Also let me know if there are other things you would like to learn.

Last Studio Sale???

Hope everyone local has had a chance to get out in that lovely Spring sunshine! We have been having amazing clear sunny days without our notorious humidity. We could use some rain for sure - fo Shizzle!

Rumors are flying around about changes happening at Fuchsia, Inc. dba Crispina Design Workshop. It is with good reason as there are things happening that are exciting yet a little difficult to explain - and still so many 'unknowns'.

Here is a short historical summary:
Crispina ffrench (that's me) sold her 15 year old recycling company to Nancy Fitzpatrick, a well known figure in our community in 2003. Nancy, local philanthropist, and business leader made the decision to purchase the company based on the company's need of financial and business structural support. Nancy bought in 100% and I became Creative Director for the company founded in 1987. I had found my Fairy God Mother!

The support Nancy brought with her gave me confidence in the company, product, and myself as a manager/desinger/leader.

For 5 years Nancy spent more money than could be imagined on keeping the business afloat. As we entered our annual planning meetings held in February this year, it became apparent that 2008 had started with very soft sales and we needed to get all hands on deck selling.

Long story short, even with the efforts that were made sales continued to be soft right through the first quarter of the year.
Around the beginning of March, Nancy hired a business shrink to write the company a viable business plan. There was lots of research to conduct and numbers to crunch and the shrink thought the planning process would encompass two months of his time. As he embarked on his mission our office and retail store staff eagerly supported the idea and compiled data to contribute to the first solid business plan in the history of Fuchsia Inc.

While all this work was happening to formulate a business plan it became apparent to Nancy that she really needed to simplify things in her life and let go of her connection to the company.

YiKes! Was my first response but as the days passed I began to understand the beauty in the opportunity that had been presented to me. I have been running Crispina Design Workshop in one incarnation or another for 21 years! (that is HALF my life!) Nancy’s decision is allowing me to stop and evaluate my desires, needs, and creativity. It is an once in a life time opportunity to take a couple of months off, spend time with the clear idea that I can manifest the future of my choice. What a lovely gift! - One of so many that Nancy so generously laid on me over the years.

Phew! Glad that is over!

Rumors are flying around about changes happening at Fuchsia, Inc. dba Crispina Design Workshop on Melville Street in Pittsfield! It is with good reason as things are happening that are exciting yet a little difficult to explain - and still so many 'unknowns'.

Here is a short summary:
Crispina ffrench (that's me) sold her 15 year old recycling company to Nancy Fitzpatrick, a well known figure in our community in 2003. Nancy, local philanthropist and business leader made the decision to purchase the company based on the company's need of financial and business structural support. Nancy bought-in 100% and I became Creative Director for the company founded in 1987

The support Nancy brought with her gave me confidence in the company, product, and marketability of the company and the products from it.

In the following 5 years Nancy spent more money than could be imagined on keeping the business afloat. As we entered our annual planning meetings held in February this year, it became apparent that 2008 had started with very soft sales and we needed to get all hands on deck selling.
It also became apparent, or reiterated, actually, that Nancy and I needed to get on the same page for the future of the company change course toward financial viability.

I had morphed from being Creative Director to taking on the daily running of the company. This included product development and design, supporting marketing material design, trade show booth design, set-up, selling, training and tracking employees, scheduling, purchasing, marketing, advertisement design for the studio and our retail store, working with large volume retailers to develop product for them specifically, watching our numbers, working to empower our employees, preparing materials for our home sewers, and so much more. I tried to accomplish all of this without many key tools that would have been useful. An on time budget, an annual planning meeting held in a timely manner, a business plan, clear communication with our owner. I was not able to make any financial decisions, not even able to give a hard working employee a small pay increase without verifying it with our bookkeeper and owner. This is an example of the less than empowering environment I worked inside of for much too long!

Phew! Glad that is over!

Sorry for all the people who counted on the company for a paycheck or product for their venues. I will miss our employees, customers, vendors, and all the wonderful people who came into my life through that business.

I feel strongly that something more suited to my desire will come to fruition. Stay posted here. I will be keeping my progress noted and let you all know what I am up to. Thanks to each of you for your support and friendship over the years!

In the meantime, I will be filling retail orders and doing some small local shows selling product I am making to support my next endeavor.

Next Steps - post studio sale planning

Our Earthday studio sale was well attended in spite of the lovely weather this weekend. People drove far to see us! We had a people from Maine, Tarrytown NY, Natick MA, and lots of locals.
We were motivated to move lots of inventory at great prices as things are changing on the backend of the business.
I am taking the summer off to think about what I want to do. This opportunity has presented itself for me with the help of our company owner, who is in a transitional place herself. As she becomes involved with a new, consuming, project her ability to stay connected to our workshop becomes difficult. She decided that she had to step away and refocus on other things in her life.

Soooo, this leaves me with a once in a lifetime window of opportunity. While I step out of the studio to evaluate my next steps my days will be filled with gardening, spending time with my two littlest family members, Lucy - age 2 and Violet 14 months, and working on my book.

Studio Order

A handful of us have spent the last two days getting the studio organized, merchandised, and polished-up for our EARTH DAY studio sale. We are selling a huge amount of goods that are from our current season and ones gone by as well as amazing one of a kind treasures from the vault. Pricing has never been better!

This studio sale comes at a time when we need to clear out the shelves and make way for a new paradigm. Part of that paradigm is getting me back into the creative end of things.

It is funny how so many blessings are the direct fruit of the things that we fear most or feel we are least prepared for handling. Are you familiar with Pronoia? It is How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings - Learn more about that and get yourself a good hardy laugh with the horoscopes here too.

The images that accompany this post, picture some one-of-a-kind NAME blankets I, personally, made for a new account in Italy. It has seemed crazy how infrequently I have had the opportunity to be a maker in the last couple of years. That process is wonderfully rewarding and refreshing and something I need to be sure to build into my next chapter!

Blankets like these are available upon request, made to order, but not shipping until late summer or early fall. Let us know the name and general color ideas. The best way is if you also give us a fair amount of freedom to make a real treasure for you

Prospect of Free Time

While the tables are turning in the business I founded 20 years ago, there are exciting options presenting themselves as the chapter unfolds.
For the first time since I was 13 years old I will have the summer to focus on things other than the design and production of 100% post consumer recycled wares.

My husband and I bought a church and rectory in the heart of Pittsfield two years ago. We are nearing completion of the rectory renovation. It now is configured as 6 separate living spaces for rent or sale. We are moving into the third floor unit at the end of the month with our three kids. The prospect of unpacking boxes for the first time nearly 2 years is exciting! I will get some pictures to show the space and finishing touches as they come about.

My first desire is to get a garden in at the rectory next door to the studio. I am making a lasagne garden. The process is new to me but so far I love how easy it is! This picture was taken last summer of Lucy who is now 2. She loves to garden as much as her mother.

Studio Sale to beat them ALL!

This weekend we are hosting our annual EARTH DAY studio sale in our fabulous Melville Street Studio, in the lower level of the Notre Dame church, right in the heart of Pittsfield. Click here for directions
We have been manufacturing amazing blankets, our famous Pot Holder Rugs, Ragamuffins, and a fashion line of sweaters all made from used wool sweaters since 1987.

The thing that is different about this particular sale is that it is the end of an era. Crispina Design Workshop, which has been comfortably humming along under the umbrella corporation called Fuchsia, Inc. is about to come to a close. A solid restructuring of the company in response to a less than flourishing economic outlook is in the works. This means that there will be lots of great deals like we have never given all available - first come first served. Our hours are 10-5 both Saturday and Sunday the 19th and 20th. If you would like to be an early bird, stop by on Friday evening after 5 when we have a soft opening scheduled until 8pm.

The changes coming up are exciting. I am looking forward to seeing what the next chapter has in store. Many creative, community-oriented ideas are bubbling up and will be put to text in the coming weeks. Stop back to learn more! Stop by the studio sale get a great deal on any of our wares. Be sure to get one of the most amazing rugs on the planet - and see Juan in action making them!

Do It Yerself

For literally years my friends at Storey Publishing have been wanting me to make a book. I say make rather than write because, as it comes together, there are lots more illustrations than words.

The book is written as a making tool with guidance on how to create all manner of items by hand using wool sweaters as raw material.

Now that I have been offered the opportunity to take a break from my extra-full-time job running the production recycling company that made Crispina wares, I will have time to focus on getting a great manuscript together. The writing part is due to be finished within the next month - but that doesn't mean you will see the finished product anytime soon. I am learning that the publishing business takes longer than I had imagined.

Rather than making you wait to see what is all about, check back here for updates spelling out different projects. I welcome feedback and help being sure my how-to steps are clear and there is interest in each of the projects outlined.
Is there interest in small and affordable workshops held in the my Pittsfield studio focused on individual projects from the book?

Opportunity to Evaluate

Crispina, a studio production company, has been creating wonderful heirloom home furnishings from recycled textiles for 20 years, ranging from the famous Pot Holder Rugs™ to throws, pillows, Ragamuffins™ and a fashion line of sweaters.

We are restructuring the company ahead of the fall and winter season.

I, Crispina, the person, will be taking a long overdue break this Spring/Summer to work on the new vision for the studio.

We will have our annual EARTH DAY studio sale as scheduled - April 19 & 20.

The studio and retail store are chock full of amazing examples of our product all at the best prices ever!
Come see!

If shopping online works better for you, you can see what I am talking about at: our website and www.crispinastudio.etsy.com. Wholesale customers should call us for pricing at 413-236-9600.

Thank you each for your support and friendship. I look forward to the next chapter and will keep you all up to date as the next chapter unfolds.