Crispina ffrench, sweater, and used clothing alchemist since 1987, currently lives in a renovated Roman Catholic rectory with her studio next door in the church in Pittsfield, MA. She divides her time between her children, recycling business and developing the property, she and her husband, purchased in 2006. The goal is a community of creative endeavors including organic urban farming, utilizing sustainable building practices like rainwater catchment and alternative energy sources, and hotel/hostel music venue. This development is happening in collaboration with several like-minded reconstructionists of different sorts.  Learn more at www.AlchemyInitiative.org

Historically, Crispina ran a wholesale recycling company that manufactured blankets, rugs, pillows, sweaters and Ragamuffins from recycled textiles from 1987 until May 2008.

Her first book, The Sweater Chop Shop, was launched August 27, 2009 with Storey Publishing.  You can email Crispina for your signed copy ($25, including domestic shipping) or purchase it at many national chain or, better yet, small locally owned bookstores.

To email me crispinaffrench@gmail.com