Irish Inspiration

This post is to inspire you - my readers to check out these pictures taken on my Irish travels, and join in the flower making fun on June 26-28 at my flower making workshop. I still have room on all three days -

This post if also for my friend Diane who takes AMAZING pictures of flowers, morphs them into art and helps me at the workshops.

The details on the workshops are:

• They are held in my studio in Pittsfield, MA.
• 10-4 each day
• $150 per day
• Come one, two or all three days
• One and two day students can come on any day/s that work/s.
  

Scroll down to see what the flowers I have made look like and email me at www.crispinaffrench@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to register.

Workshop Schedule Change

Greetings from EXTRA snowy Shire City (also known as Pittsfield, MA).
After a bunch of requests came in for more weekend time offered for workshops I have decided to try it out for my March plan. I am teaching Button Vests and Jackets - now offered on Saturday the 14 through Monday the 16. Come for all three days or just one. The cost is $150 per day. You will have a finished piece and a head full of knowledge and inspiration to continue when the day is done. If you plan to stay for more than one day the learning never ends!

I took a bunch of pictures today in the snow storm that continues to dump quiet softness all around. In front is a Button Vest. Restyled overcoat with recycled sweater trim - the style is from the vault but continues to be super popular! You can make a longer one or even a jacket like the one pictured behind the vest!

Pre-Registration is a must. Please call or email for more information. Crispinaffrench@gmail.com or 413-236-9600

Learn All About It

Rough of latest cover idea for my first book due out in August from Storey Publishing.

Workshop Schedule for 2009

here it is - the thing people have been asking about. The full year of workshops I am offering in the studio. If you have difficulty reading the tiny type (which looked perfectly legible before I uploaded it!) let me know and I can email you an attachment that is bigger.

Soon my site at www.crispina.com will changed up to reflect what I am up to these days. Until then here is the calendar of events.
More to come . . like my book will be out in August! It is coming together and looking great!

Blanket/Scarf Workshop

Every time a workshop happens in the studio I seem to learn as much as I teach! This past Sunday a great group of all ladies indulged in scarf and blanket learning and construction. Lovely things were conjured up with sweater alchemy techniques developed over the last 20 years in my work.
Super tasty lunch of braised chicken, mesculin salad, and blue cheese, toasted walnut, and sage biscuits was catered by my great friends David Rizzardi and Judy Merritt. We had home made biscotti and coffee for a afternoon break.

The next workshop is scheduled to begin on the third Sunday in February, the 15th and carry on for the 16th and 17th. The focus next month is on sweater construction. The cost is $150 per day with Wednesday the 18th being free for three day workshop attendees. People are free to register for one, two, or all three days and can begin on any one of the three days. Lunch, as well as tools and materials used in the studio are included in the price of the workshop beginning at 10am and finishing at 5pm daily.

Call or email your questions or to sign-up.
413-236-9600 or crispinaffrench@gmail.com

Thanks!

Special Offer

My new years resolution is to be on time. So far I have been doing pretty well with physically showing up promptly but the deadline issue is yet to be tackled. The reason I bring this to your attention is because I have left marketing my fast approaching January workshop late. I need to have at least 5 students to run the class for any given day. I am offering a buy one and get one for half price special. To take advantage of this offer you must sign up by January 10. If you can find the time in your days from January 18-20 to take a class in my studio I promise to engage you in a wholly satisfying experience that will leave you inspired. Everyone will finish the day with a finished blanket or scarf. The process is done by hand. There is no experience necessary. All tools, materials and lunch is provided for they day. Classes begin at 10 and run until 5pm and the charge is $150 per day. (Bring a friend for $75!)

Studio Workshops

The first round of studio workshops offered sporadically in 2008 were such a great success that I will be offering monthly 3-day workshops in my Pittsfield studio throughout 2009. Beginning the third Sunday of each month, I will teach a class in a specific subject. January's lessons on scarf and blanket making begin on the 19 and will carry over to the 20, and 21. Students can join in any day - or two or all three. Single day students will certainly finish a scarf and/or baby or lap blanket. People who stay for more than one day will have the opportunity to complete a larger, more intricate project and learn more involved techniques.
All materials and tools are included in the daily price of $150. If students are interested in staying for three days the fourth day (a Wednesday) is a free finish-up day.
Those with paid registration for the first workshop of 2009, by January 10th can bring a friend for half price.

There is no prior experience necessary although a strong desire to learn is a must.

Classes are limited to 10 people and run from 10-4pm. Barter, sliding scale fees and tuition assistance are available

Tools and materials are available for purchase if students are interested in continuing on with the technique after the class.

Feel free to contact me with any further questions or just leave a comment that I can respond to here so everyone can see.

November Workshops

I am not sure why there is an underline on my text here and honestly I am too tired to figure it out at the moment. Sorry it must be a little difficult to read!

Wanted to let you know that there are a flurry of workshops coming up in November. There are open slots each day but not many so sign up soon!

Attached is a cute color poster for anyone who wants to print it out and hang it in a high crafter-traffic area that would be GREAT! For the rest of you, here is the information that is most useful...

There are a flurry of workshops being offered in the studio this month. I am holding them all back to back to acomadate some out of town guests coming all the way from Texas.

Sooo
As the weather gets colder and we begin to think about the traditional gift giving time of year, consider taking a class in making things that are wonderful to give as gifts.

Here is the Schedule
Sunday, November 16 – learn to make Crispina style sweaters collaged from used sweaters in a shape and color of your desire
Monday, November 17 – choose between Rug weaving and Ornament Workshop including our notable wreathes and bobbles
Tuesday, November 18 – Scarves, Blankets, and Pillows or Ragamuffins - your choice.

Each day is $150. Sign up for all three days and have a free workday in the studio on November 19 to finish nearly completed projects.
The class fee covers all tools and materials as well as lunch. Sweater making workshop students should bring a garment to use for a pattern.
Open studio hours available every Wednesday to prior workshop students at $10 hourly or $45 for the day. Materials are available to take home at $5 a pound.

Feel free to leave a comment with any questions. To sign-up I just need you to send a check with a note in the memo line telling me which day you would like to join. Hope to see some of you soon!

Workshop Coming Up!

Violet says, the mornings are chilly, heating fuel is expensive. Come to my mom's sweater making workshop on October 19 in her studio in Pittsfield and learn how to stay warm this winter!

Details:
Sunday Oct 19, 2008 10-4pm, $150 everything included, sign up now before it is too late!
To sign up, call the studio at 413-236-9600 and leave a message. I'll call you back to cofirm.

Workshops

Due to popular demand the October workshop has been changed to a Sweater Making lesson. Details are:
October 19 10-4 at my studio in the former Notre Dame church (40 Melville Street) right in the heart of Pittsfield. Come join the fun and learn how to make Crispina style sweaters from 100% recycled wool sweaters.
The class costs $150 and includes the use of all tools and materials as well as lunch.
Please contact me via email to confirm your place as class size is limited to 10. Thanks, crispinaffrench@gmail.com

It is not too late to join in the learning on Saturday June 21 for Crispina’s first ever Ragamuffin making workshop. The class is to be held at the 40 Melville Street cool basement studio and will run from 10-4 at a cost of $125. All materials, written instruction and a healthy lunch is inculded. Students need no prior experience but should have a solid interest in hand work. They will finish the day with a completed stuffed ‘animal’ and inspiration to make many different types and sizes.
All work is done by hand with scissors, a needle and thread making the transition to working at home on other similar projects easy. Call 413-441-9766 or email crispinaffrench@gmail.com for sign-up or to ask questions.

Workshops on Melville Street

I want to let you know about a series of workshops I will be offering in my Pittsfield studio at 40 Melville Street. Every Saturday beginning the first week of June, I will be teaching a project using recycled wool sweaters, yarn, hand sewing needles, and good sharp scissors. Students will end the day with a finished (or nearly finished) project, written instructions, and a materials list. All tools, and materials, and a healthy lunch will be provided.
Workshops will be held from 10-5pm. No prior experience is necessary although a love of handwork makes the learning process so much fun! The cost is $125 and classes are limited to 10 people.
Please also note that my contact information is changing.
Here are all the new digits:
Sanctuary
Crispina ffrench
40 Melville Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Cell: 413-441-9766
http://www.crispinaffrench.blogspot.com
AND – just so you know, we live right next door at 50 Melville for personal mail or visits.

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?