Meet “Krissy” the Mermaid of Truro
Christine Richmond Wold
Early Artist Training
Christine “Krissy” Richmond Wold has both an innate and learned proclivity for her craft. She attended the Silver Mine School of Art in New Canaan, Connecticut in the 1950. And, she learned sculpting and casting at Darien High School in Connecticut in the 1960s.
Krissy grew up surrounded by art and artists. Her Grandfather Wold was a tailor in Seattle, Washington in the 1930s. And her mother Barbara Shank Wold Babcock was a watercolor artist and taught in Port Townsend, Washington and Truro, Massachusetts. Growing up in stately Connecticut homes reinforced Krissy’s passion to create beautiful things.
Krissy always knew that art was her path, and over the years it took many forms. She purchased her first sewing machine when she was 22 years old and used her training in sculpture to sculpt with textiles. Some textiles artists use patterns, but Krissy’s approach is different — she “free cuts” and measures by eye — making each project unique.
She is best known for her slipcover work — since you cannot tell her slipcovers from traditional upholstery. Krissy made her first slipcover in 1970 when she had an ugly sofa and went to a friend’s mother who had worked for a slipcover department at a Boston-based store. After 15-minutes of instruction, she was able to sculpt her own slipcover. Her second slipcover was commissioned and paid for by a client.
Over the past 50 years, Krissy has sculpted thousands of slipcovers for clients. During this time, she has also stitched for yachts and fishing vessels, upholstered the interior of antique cars, sewn flags, lettered boats, designed hooked rugs and rock gardens. She has worked on lawnmower bags, designed and tailored fine clothing, and even made a few sails. Like the lyrics of Frank Sinatra’s song, “My Way”, Krissy has been guided by her own passion for art and learned the skills she needed along the way as a self-taught artist — she did it “her way”. And, that is the story of how Krissy became a Master Seamstress.
Interior Arts in the 2020s
Krissy was born in late 1940s in Seattle, Washington. Though unlike many of her peers, she is still practicing her trade — sometimes cutting 300 yards of fabric or more a week. She stitches everything soft for the thoughtful home.
The finishing on Krissy’s projects are usually done by hand. And, drapes are always done by hand — allowing the fabric to fall into its natural shape. She uses the proper threads and linings on all of her projects to deliver long- lasting projects of the highest quality to her clients.
At this time, she is taking limited upholstery projects. If you have a special project, please inquire.
The Creative Process
Krissy is not a trained “interior designer” but works with her clients by getting to know their taste and listening attentively. She is both the designer and the artist. Once she has a sense of their preferences, they discuss colors, patterns, and textures that match their style — and, then Krissy creates their dream.
She designs the project, sells the fabric, creates and installs the project so her clients have a one-on-one, personalized experience — not one that is subcontracted out. She works with one client at a time so once a project is underway, there is no interruption until it is finished and installed. And, she is as industrious as she is expeditious — Krissy’s turnaround time for an eight-cushion sofa is still 36 hours!
The Mother + The Mermaid
Krissy is mother to three wonderful adult daughters. In her free time, when not working or visiting with dear ones, she cares for her mystical landscape and estate in Truro and can be seen swimming along the shoreline — like the mermaid she is in spirit.