Archive for the ‘PiPN 2010-2011 Opportunities’ Category

This year, we placed the second largest group of interns in the history of the PiPN program.  From California to Peru, the new recruits have already begun their on-site stints.  If you’ve been watching, we’ve posted several blogs from a few of them already, and hope to have more as the summer wears on.

PiPN’s Pathways Open Up Even further

We are continually receiving applications from both host companies and potential interns, so we’ve decided to open our process to matching students with hosts throughout the year.

We’ll still focus our student recruitment efforts towards positions in the summer months, but will maintain an active matching process for fall, winter and spring placements.

If you’re a TNNA host company who did not match with an intern this summer, we’ll be contacting you soon to see if you would like to keep your position active.  If you’re thinking about having an intern in the future, feel free to go to the Host Application and send it in now.  We will be updating the opportunities available on a quarterly basis.

PiPN 2011 interns and apprentices to date

Sophia Adodo
Texas Woman’s University, Denton
The Handwork Studios, Narberth, PA

Dania Carter
Mississippi State University
The Handwork Studios, Narberth, PA

Leah Chapman
RISD
KnitWhits, Emeryville, CA

Necol Dattilo
Kent State University
Stitchgrrl, Akron, OH

Sarah Ellison
Kent State University
Acorn Street, Seattle, WA

Kimberly Esasky
U of Akron
SoHo Publishing, NY, NY

Alice Faye Huff-Idom
U of Akron
Business Directions inc, Columbus, OH

Kelly Kleiden
apprentice
Helen Hamann, Tennessee

Alice Koelsch
U of Akron
Craft Akron, Akron, OH

Kelsey Leib
Kent State University
Stitchgrrl, Akron, OH

Mary Markeshewski
University of Alabama
Tanglewood Fiber Creations, Seattle, WA

Elli McHugh
Eastern Washington University
BeSweet, Sausalito, CA

Christina Musich
Carnegie Mellon University
Colonial Needle, White Plains, NY

Crystal Spann
Mississippi State University
TNNA, Columbus, OH

Heather Stanco
Carnegie Mellon University
Misti International Alpaca Yarns, Arequipa, Peru

Brigitte Tijerina
SCAD
Misti International Alpaca Yarns
Arequipa, Peru

Rylee Tomlinson
Mississippi State University
TNNA, Columbus, OH

Kelsey Tucker
U of Akron
Stitch, Piece ‘N Purl, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Just a quick update . . . the PiPN internship applications have been coming in, with more students having applied this year . . . by this time . . . than ever before.  But, this year, we have more positions than ever before . . . So if you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time.

I’m also happy to announce three new opportunities posted just a few days ago.  Y2Knit, an amazing yarn company located in both Funkstown MD and San Francisco CA is offering a great internship for someone looking to eventually have a full time job. (Who isn’t looking for a full time job!) This company is run by two sisters who have more talent than I can even begin to describe.  They’re looking for help with marketing, as well as design . . .

I’ve also just posted two positions with Misti Alpaca in, of all places, Peru!  They’re offering room and board (but you do have to get there yourself . . .)  These positions require skills in knitting and crochet, as well as a good grasp of Spanish.  The interns who were placed there a few years ago had an incredible experience.  I’m sure this year will be no different.

So, again, if you already haven’t registered . . . or if you have and one of these positions appeals to you, let us know.  We’re getting close to our match date (early April) so you have no time to waste.

If positions aren’t filled after that date, we will continue to accept applications, but you may not be able to get the placement of your choice.

Although we’re still adding a few internship positions, and getting more information from others, recruitment for TNNA’s Pathways into Professional Needlearts 2011 is officially underway.

Rebecca Cross teaching fiber techniques at Kent State University

In the past few weeks, we’ve visited the University of Akron, our first hub for the PiPN Summer Scholar Program, as well as Kent State University where our hands-on needlearts class originated.  Over 50 students attended our presentations, and we’ve already heard from quite a few interested in internships.

Recently, PiPN hosted a group of award winning student designers in Nashville at TNNA’s Needlecraft Market.  The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association sponsors a fiber arts design competition yearly.  This year, AOBA staff and volunteers got a peek at how a  TNNA hotel show works, the world of stitching, as well as the PiPN program.

In the coming months, PiPN will be at career days at the Savannah College of Art & Design, Carnegie Mellon University,  and the Fashion Group International in Dallas, where we will be awarding a Best of Show in Needlearts to one of the student participants.

We’re also making plans to visit several of the Art Institutes of America in California, and hoping to work more closely with them in the coming year.

If you know of colleges offering programs in arts, textiles, fiber arts, crafts, fashion design & merchandising, marketing or entrepreneurship (or others). . . or a student who simply loves to create, let them know about PiPN.

With the addition of Mississippi State University as a second hub, we anticipate many more applications this year, so positions will fill rapidly.

Deadline for applications is March 30, 2011.  After matching all applicants at that time, we will continue to accept applications for any other open placements.

PiPN’s 2010-2011 opportunities have been updated as of January 26, 2011.

I’m pleased to say we now have 30 internships or apprenticeships available for the coming spring and summer seasons. . . . and we still have several companies who have committed but just haven’t had the time to finish the paperwork.  (I think they really could use an intern or two!)  I anticipate we will definitely have close to 40 spots available by the beginning of February.

The opportunities are all over the country — Massachusetts to Montana, Ohio and California . . . even British Columbia.  (We’re hoping for some openings in a company in Peru, as well.) Some are wholesalers or designers, some are small local yarn shops, and some are hand painted needlepoint artists.  There’s the chance to learn how to design knitwear or needlepoint canvases, or how to dye yarn, or care for Alpaca.  There are opportunities to develop new merchandising or marketing plans for a small retailer, or help develop a social media program for an international company.

You don’t need to know how to knit or crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch or embroider . . . although a love of textiles, art and design, fiber and fashion is definitely helpful . . . It’s always a plus to work in a field you love and have a real passion for . . .

For a complete listing go to our 2010-2011 page.

These are valuable, hands-on learning opportunities for just the right individuals.  PiPN is seeking a select group to join our PiPN family.

In addition to participating in the internship program, all PiPN graduates become members of the PiPN Alumnae Group for a period of two years.

PiPN Alumnae members may attend any TNNA show at no charge.  They can access member-only information and services via TNNA.org and may enroll in classes and programs at member rates.  They do not have buying privileges.

So, if you are, or if you know a student interested in entering the professional world of specialty needlearts, let us know.  Fill out the application . . . you can have an amazing future ahead of you.

Knitwhits is a knitting and crochet pattern company located in Emeryville CA.  Recently, the company has expanded its offerings by adding a line of hand-painted knitting yarns, as well.

Located between Berkeley and Oakland and across the bay from San Francisco, this internship offers a great opportunity to learn all the basics of hand-dyeing yarns from prepping to post-dyeing yarn care, packaging and shipping.  You’ll be assisting with marketing and promotions as well.

Knitwhits is a great place to work and a great place to learn.  Check out more by downloading their information here.