I have traveled the world, sailed the ocean blue, lived in three countries, run a 40-person production crew for 20+ years, written a teaching book, and recycled over 100 tons of used clothing. I love the outdoors, gardening, animals, my hubby and three kids who have lived adventures that surpass most. I've spent years on the international tradeshow circuit, sat on the jury of the NY International Gift Fair, ate ice cream with Ben and Jerry, tripped around Burning Man with Mountain Girl, sat in meditation with Ram Dass, worked with Eileen Fisher, designed for Timberland, produced for Crate and Barrel, upcycled with Patagonia, and danced my tail off at many a music festival — mostly with my kids.

The only job (other than waiting tables in college) I’ve ever had has been one I have created. Two years after graduation from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design I found myself with 40 employees and no business plan. Ever since starting college, I have funded my own personal path of creativity and high-jinx by selling my ‘Straw Into Gold’ wares. Now that my younger kids are 11 and 12 years old, my focus is back on marketing my work, classes, materials and blog. My plan is to hit the Etsy jackpot and make my shop crazy popular to the point where it is hard to keep up with demand. New items post nearly weekly in my Etsy and web shops. Stop in and shop and help me actualize my plan!

Fun-filled AWESOME give-aways are always in the works at www.crispina.com, where you can learn about happenings at my studio, housed in the giant former Roman Catholic Cathedral-turned-Makerspace called Shire City Sanctuary that my hubby and I own in The Berkshires.

Everything you find here in my little corner of Etsy are all my original designs. My clothing, home furnishings and Ragamuffin designs have evolved with much love and tweaking over the past 20+ years of this uproarious creative path I call life. I infuse my work with the kindness, DIY spirit of freedom and creativity in which I choose to live my life. I want you to own one of my blankets, rugs or garments and feel comforted by the good intentions I do my best to impart into each item I make. Honest originality and thoughtful consumption are what IT is all about to me.

You may have noticed a healthy and ongoing trend here on Etsy of recycled sweater creations that look an awful lot like the ones I make. Congratulations! You have found the place where that trend all started! I encourage my students and appreciators to take my process and make it their own. The world will never see too much recycling. This self-generated competition gives me inspiration to move on, never missing an opportunity to create a new trend.

Part adventurer, collage artist, treasure seeker, environmental steward, and part seamstress, my work allows me the joy found in combining passions. Everyday I feel blessed to have found this happy path. It is only fair to share this wealth of all good things, which brings me right around to my deep-rooted need to teach and expand my knowledge.

Thank you kindly for stopping by. I hope you come back often and let yourself be known. While your are at it, take a gander around my (@crispinaffrench) facebook, instagram, pinterest, and blog. Send messages, Make suggestions, Just say hi.

OX Crispina