Archive for the ‘PiPN 2010 Opportunities’ Category

A multitude of new internship opportunities have become available for PiPN 2010.

The National NeedleArts Association’s Winter Trade show gave us the perfect place to talk directly with many of TNNA’s members. And the members responded enthusiastically.

We are still in the process of putting together more in-depth information about each of these companies and the experiences they offer. We appreciate your patience . . . as we have so many new ones to add now. (And I expect more companies will also come on board . . . so if you don’t see what you’re looking for, let us know.)

Here’s the whole list of interested companies. Please feel free to check out their web sites, but, again, please don’t contact them directly.

Complete Listing:
Barbara Bergsten, Chagrin Falls OH
Be Sweet, Sausolito CA
Cestari, Ltd., Churchville VA in partnership with Hand Painted Knitting Yarns
CNS Yarns, Montreal, Canada
Coats & Clark, Charlotte NC
Cowgirl Yarn, Laramie WY
Crooked Fence Alpacas, Mona UT
Fiber Arts Yarn Shop, Cape May NJ
Handworks Studios, headquartered in Narberth PA (3 positions in various locations in PA)
JoMar Threads, Culver City CA
Fine Points, Cleveland OH
Knitgrrl, Cleveland OH
Knitting on the Square, Chardon OH
Kreinik Manufacturing, Parkersburg WV (2)
Maria’s Knitting & Crochet, Chula Vista CA
Plymouth Yarn Co., Bristol PA
Red Barn Yarn, Pasadena CA
SOHO Publishing, New York, NY (2)
Stitches Etc., Cleveland OH
Tanglewood Fiber Creations, St. Helens OR (2)
The Fibersphere, Valencia CA
The Needlepoint Boutique, Collingswood NJ
The Stitchin’ Den, Estes Park CO
Yarn Designers Boutique, Big Bear City CA

I know most of you are busy traveling or enjoying the company of friends and family. But some may already be seriously looking for summer internships now, before the rush sets in.

We’re pleased to add several new companies to our list for PiPN 2010.

The entire list as of 12.22.09 is:
• Barbara Bergsten, Chagrin Falls OH
• Be Sweet, Sausolito CA
• Cestari, Ltd., Churchville VA in partnership with Hand Painted Knitting Yarns
• CNS Yarns, Montreal, Canada
• Coats & Clark, Charlotte NC
• Fine Points, Cleveland OH
• Knitgrrl, Cleveland OH
• Knitting on the Square, Chardon OH
• Kreinik Manufacturing, Parkersburg WV (2)
• Stitches Etc., Cleveland OH
• Tanglewood Fiber Creations, St. Helens OR (2)
• The Needlepoint Boutique, Collingswood NJ

We anticipate more companies coming on board during next month as we’ll be all together at TNNA’s upcoming winter trade show in Long Beach CA.

We also are planning to put up more extensive information within the coming few weeks. So CHECK BACK SOON!

And don’t hesitate to email if you have any questions.

I had the privilege of presenting the PiPN program to students at Dominican University, just west of downtown Chicago, last Thursday. (The University has about 4000 students in total.) Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Susan Strawn, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, I had an audience of eager young students interested in knowing more about the needlearts and the opportunities available in this industry.

As it turns out, Dr. Strawn . . . or Susan . . . as she likes to be addressed, began her career in the arts years ago . . . but as an illustrator first, then author, doing work with Interweave Press when it was just starting out. Later she went back to school to earn her PhD, and has been with Dominican University for the past 4 or 5 years (I believe . . . ).

After my presentation, Susan and I had a chance to chat. She currently teaches a fabulous survey class during the fall semester that includes a number of fiber techniques, including shibori, surface embroidery and embellishment . . . and more. (There were lots of others but know I don’t have all the terminology accurate . . . the number of techniques, both traditional and evolving, is absolutely mind boggling.), Susan showed me some of the pieces her students have created. Totally amazing. According to Susan, there was a waiting list for the class this year. Susan commented that “The appeal has been both a little surprising as well as exciting.” It just goes to show the interest in the fiber arts.

Several of the students showed interested in learning more about the PiPN program. We also are hoping to work more closely with the University in supporting their needlearts educational efforts.

The list of PiPN 2010 opportunities keeps growing. We’re still in the process of publishing the details but wanted to let everyone know about the hosts already on board. Many of these companies have mentored interns in the past. They’re all committed to making sure their interns always have an amazing experience . . . something they can take with them to any career in any industry. Many of the interns have reported “life changing” experiences, in fact.

As of 11/11/09, our hosts include:
Barbara Bergsten Needlepoint, Chagrin Falls OH
CNS Yarns, Montreal Canada
Coats & Clark, Charlotte NC
Fine Points, Cleveland OH
Kreinik Manufacturing, Parkersburg WV
Tanglewood Fibers, St. Helens OR
The Needlepoint Boutique, Collingswood NJ

More companies are signing up daily, so check back again. If you are looking for an internship in a specific type of company or in a particular location, please let me know. Email me at bdirect @ columbus.rr.com (remove spaces before emailing).

ITAA . . . That stands for International Textile and Apparel Association, an amazing organization comprised of college educators who focus on everything fiber, fashion and design related. These are professors and graduate students who have a passion for texture, weave and drape, history and more . . . and are committed to sharing their knowledge with others. Nearly 400 of ITAA members convened in Seattle . . . and PiPN was there.

We chose to set up our table in the Career & Recruitment area, which turned out to be the perfect spot. By the end of the session, we had talked with educators from schools such as University of Alabama, Stephens College, Wayne State University, SUNY, Savannah College of Art & Design, the Art Institute of San Francisco, the Art Institute of Denver at Colorado State University, Seattle Pacific University, Kansas State University, Lasell College, Oklahoma State University, Kent State University and Ohio University. Everyone wanted to know how their students could get involved.

Because of the changes in the PiPN format this year . . . the addition of the two new routes (internship only and apprenticeship only), more schools are getting involved, enabling more students to access the opportunities.

In the meantime, we’re still adding new hosts to our list and will be posting a more complete list soon. Check back, or contact me at bdirect@columbus.rr.com.