Sweater Making

Today began my February Workshop. The focus this month is on sweater making. Here is my friend Diane wearing a truly amazing rendition of a workshop inspired cardigan. She made the buttons with Fimo. Diane was a workshop attendee at the first one I offered back in June 2008. She got hooked on the process and has made several LOVELY pieces.
Monday and Tuesday round out this month's workshop. The Third Sunday in March I start a new workshop on button vests, incoporating used wool overcoats that are woven and wool knits like sweaters. We will learn combination techniques and general structural know-how pointers will be discussed.

Making

I recently made a batch of New Flag Blankets. You can see one if you scroll down a way. Designed in my company's prior incarnation and we sold a BUNCH of them wholesale. I loved the design, especially in light of the times. Now is the first time I can remember not being ashamed by our flag. Barack Obama's election has allowed me pride in our national emblem.
While cutting material for the blankets the correlation Barack made in his inaugural speech to the country being a patchworked quilt was right in my hands. In the material I use there are many handknit sweaters from all sorts of places. Traditions tell tales of place and people. Hesitation struck me as I came upon this sweater. Certianly handknit on fine needles of experience and skill probably in Irealand. The country of my birth and heritage. I wanted to save it to look at and honor - for a second - until I realized that incorporating it into the mix would allow many that honor.

I hope Barack and Michelle like the blanket they inspired. They have inspired global HOPE, so with great gratitude I send them a humble gift of one of the batch - with bits of the Irish heritage sewn in.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Tech Help and Tidbits - GO OBAMA

Hi There,

Sorry for the long silence. I have been in edit mode DEEP. Working on the teaching book I have in the works. This week I am illustrating which is fun and time consuming so not alot of time to catch up here. I am wondering if anyone can help me figure out how to put my google account on my blogger account? It is sometimes very hard to update my blog because I set it up ages ago using a different email address than the gmail address I now have. Every time I go into blogger it tells me that I need to update my account with a google account. When I try to do that, it tells me that it is not possible to use a gmail account as the primary email address for the blog. - I thought that is what blogger was asking me for - my google account - which I think - is my gmail account. Blogger help is a bit of misnomer in this situation. Does anyone have advice for me? Sorry to be so needy in the tech dept but this has me confused.
I would love to stay in better touch and I think help in this area would be a great first step.

Tidbits for the last 2 weeks:
We went to Sarah Humphrey and Gary Rowe's wedding on a super RAINY day at the end of September. It was in Norwell, MA in a LOVELY spot! We stayed with my dear friend Filis Warren in Stoneham. The girls were all dressed up in their best dresses and new shoes. We all had a BLAST dancing and playing and giving all our best love vibes to the newly weds.

Sweater Making workshop coming up on October 19. Need to fill a few more spots for the all day 10-4 event. All materials and tools are included for $150 - which includes lunch too. Join in the fun and spread the word!

I postponed my fall Studio Sale and Giant Studio Tag Sale until November - still need to pick a date so stay tuned on that.

If you live in Massachusetts, the deadline to register to vote is October 15. Please vote for change and fair representation. GO OBAMA!


Thanks!

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.

Recycled Textile Garment Construction

My first email blast announcing the recycling/hand sewing workshops scheduled for Saturdays in June went out over the weekend. There was lots of interesting feedback from many of you - for which I am always most grateful! Your input feeds my learning and it is really helpful.

Many of you had similar questions that I have done my best to answer here:

At four sessions - one every Saturday in June, students will be constructing a project from recycled wool sweaters.
At the first workshop, people will learn how to make an adult sized sweater pieced from discarded wool sweaters. Students should bring a sweater or sweatshirt they like the size and shape of - the fit will be duplicated and used for their project. While we will focus on the construction of a particular garment, students will have learned the basics in general garment construction using simple sewing, cutting and piecing techniques by the end of the day. The skills learned each week can be translated easily.
Workshops are limited to 10 students and cost $125.
The only equipment needed to produce the items taught are scissors and a needle and yarn. (Not low-tech but really no-tech.) We will provide all tools and materials, along with a delicious lunch. The only thing required is a garment as mentioned above, an eager willingness to learn, and patience. A decent sense of humor is a helpful tool to bring as well and certainly never goes to waste.

If you would like to get on my email newletter list just email me here.
Oh, and the new name for my business is Sanctuary.

I hope this all makes sense. I worked on getting our new digs at the rectory cleaned and painted today. More on that tomorrow. It is time for me to get some rest!

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.

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.

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

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?