New Stuff

Finally got in the studio for some creative time. Here are a couple of baby blankets ready for the shop - actually the one on the left sold in minutes after it was posted this evening!

Been at the studio for the last few hours working on new blanket structures - more individual and one of a kind. Will post images of that process tomorrow.

Sure do love to make things!

Yard Work

It has been hard to find time for creative work these last weeks. The kids were sick sick sick. Fevers, coughs, respiratory congestion. Then Chris got it and finally after thinking I survived the bout I ended up with a ear infection that resulted in a ruptured eardrum. It is really a bummer. My hearing is still muffled.

Got a line full of diapers done today in the cool sunshine. The yard got raked and the girls each scored mini rakes from the hardware store.

Tonight I am deep in the throes of second pages editing for The Sweater Chop Shop. It is fun but tedious.

Inspiration

Every once in a while I am blown away by something. Could be an artist, piece of artwork, or experience. That strong inspiration makes me happy or excited, builds desire in me to reach out and connect that feeling to others. Here, let me share with you the artwork of fellow vintage collager extraordinaire: Lisa Whatmough and her production company, Squint Limited based in London England.

What do you think a room filled with her furnishings and my soft goods would be like? Dreamy I say!

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!

Potholder Rugs

This is Juan and he is a master rug maker. Here he is working on a 5x7 tenango Potholder rug for some folks out in the Bay Area for their newest family member's bedroom. Nice way to start life!
The rugs are all handwoven just like you see here. They are made with recycled wool sweaters or t shirts. There are no dyes or harsh chemicals used in the process. We machine wash and dry all the raw material in 185 degree water with a biodegradable soap.
If you are interested in ordering one you can visit the my online shop by clicking on the items for sale at the right of this post. If you are interested in learning how to make your own potholder rug you can register for my three day workshop in April - the 19-21. Post a comment here to do that and I will give you all the details.

January 7, oops its the 8 2009

This is the view out my early morning window today. It is so pretty - peaceful and the din of the city just revving up for the day.


Couple things:
1.
I have been getting tons of requests for product from all sorts of nice people all across the land. It feels really good to have the demand but a little overwhelming too.
Just so you know, production went from a 40 person crew until April 2008 . . . to me.
And Juan weaving rugs as fast as he can.
Sarah, the RISD intern turned amazing assistant just left for ENGLAND! Would you believe! She is moving there with her new, british hubby - off to seek their fortune. I will miss her spirit and amazing capacity around the house and studio! The adventures were many and mostly FUN.
2.
Since I have had a little time to spend with the development of my web presence, all manner of friendly tree hugging recyclers have been dropping by to check in. Thanks you guys! I feel like my circle of friends is back. It was really strange to go from attending major INTERNATIONAL tradeshows where I met and saw most of my oldest friends a couple times a year to being a semi-home based Pittsfield Girl. I mean I love the pace change - fo sho but I miss the rest of it.

Back to the subject of that LOVELY looking fresh snow.
Yesterday the view was the heavily drenched slush look. All gray, drippy, wet.

I got an appointment with the Dr. to check out little miss Violet's diaper rash and got not much else done. Took a L O N G time to get places in the weather and I was so glad they could take her right away. She had been commenting on how her bummy hurrt mommy.
Seems better already.

Back to the 'Couple Things':
Be patient peeps! New stuff will go up on Etsy soon! Sometimes bummies take presedence over pretty much all else.

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.

Crispina and Friends Studio Sale

It was a huge success! I am talking about our recent studio sale.
23 of the Berkshire's finest - and funnest, gathered on the weekend of the 13 and 14 of December and sold lots of super cool stuff.
Enticing scents from the hot food and amazing baked goods from Judy Merrit and David Rizardi's Tutti Baking Co. filled the air. Music wafted through too from Steve Elling and his friend Christopher who played traditional Italian mandolin and acordian tunes as we opened on Saturday.
My new friend Shirley Edgerton and her AMAZING, eloquent, engaging, fine young group of steppers and drummers added their magic to festivities. They were raising money for competition uniforms and subsidizing a trip to the inauguration for a few of the group. In exchange for donations they were wrapping gifts in paper they had made and performing a few times each day.

This is certainly the tip of the iceberg but at the moment I have a little stenographer here helping me making this post one to be continued.

I hope I can get mention in here of my dear old friends Heather Cupo and Sean Kimball who came by with Louisa age 6. It was super fun to meet her for the first time and Heather had on a vest I had made prolly 10 years ago - and so did another customer I didn't know. They got to meet and I took their picture!

Sorry for the lack of well designed layout. I am a novice blogger and need help. Does anyone know how to move pictures around?

Cheers for now - check back soon!

December Studio Sale

After making several unsuccessful trouble shooting attempts to correct the problemo of VERY WEIRD color translation of the accompanying image, let me just say that:
On December 13 and 14 I will be hosting a brand new kind of studio sale! 23 of the Berkshires and surrounding area's finest makers will gather at my studio to sell their wares from 10-5 both days. Affordable gourmet lunch will be available on site as well as Holiday greenery, pottery, jewelry, mobiles, and more. Gift wrapping will be provided by donation by Melville Street's very own Youth Alive. There will be music and hooping and all manner of high jinx to be had as well as a lot of great gift ideas inclucing Dolphin Studio Calendars and John ffrench ceramics.

Calendar Time

The ffrench family business, called The Dolphin Studio started 38 years ago by John and Primm, (my Mom and Dad) is in the throes of another busy calendar shipping season. We produce a hand silkscreened calendar every year and have since the beginning. When I was a kid printing was one of the daily chores that each kid was required to carry out. It was our task to register the paper on the table and then carry the fresh, wet prints from the print table to a clothesline to hang to dry. Since then things have gotten a lot more organized and fluid.
Primm cuts all the stencils, John did do all the printing single handedly for many years. This year he had help from his friend and master screen printer John Ahlen.
Sofie, my sister, and I have been heading up the mailing and shipping departments. It has been really great to have time to add this to my day.
Just last year Primm hand wrote each mailing label and 'thank-you for your order' enclosure. She swore off it after literally doubling sales due to features in the NY Times Magazine and DailyCandy.com. Sofie and I hold onto her personal touch as much as we can while adding computer printed labels and UPS pick-up to the mix.

We normally sell out by mid December and they are going fast so if you want to get one, don't wait. They cost $50 and can be ordered right from here: The Dolphin Studio.

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!

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

Settling In

My life has been a magical whirlwind of crazy activities for the last three and a half years. I got married after being a single mom for 11 years. My husband is a kind and wonderful friend, mentor, dancer, joker, lover, and plumber. We have had two girls and bought a church and rectory since our wedding day in October of 2004. Our household also includes my son, Ben, age 15, and our dog Okemo, a lab/pitbull cross. We live on the third floor of the rectory we are renovating into 6 separate living spaces that we intend to sell as condos but would rent in the meantime, or even do a rent to own deal to the right people.
I am an avid recycler and have run a business manufacturing soft home goods from recycled wool sweaters for more than 20 years.
We moved into our new home on May 15 after more than two years of floating from one squatting quarters to another. Unpacking boxes, moving in furniture, landscaping our grounds, and generally organizing our family and life is where I have focused my energy since the beginning of a summer long hiatus taken from my job.
Here I plan to share in depth stories of my everyday, my family, friends, business thoughts, lifestyle goals and challenges.
Check back often to learn of the community we are working to build, full of our amazing supportive friends, neighbors, and yet to be known mysteries waiting to unfold. Let me know what you are doing and thinking about and how your days are filled.

Best Stroller Ever

We have the best stroller around. I go everywhere with it and the comments and curious questions abound. While it was quite expensive, we have used it literally everyday since our youngest has been old enough to ride in a stroller. Design ingenuity, quality, and comfort are exceptional but most important to me is the remarkable ease of use. It is a breeze to maneuver through doorways, crowded sidewalks, and over hiking trails, which is where we use it nearly every day. The stroller opens and closes easily, comfortably holds cargo in addition to the children and has all sorts of useful accessories. We use the sun/insect guard and the snow/rain cover. It was made in New Zealand by a cute company called Phil and Ted's. We bought ours online.