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

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.

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.

Kreinik is all about thread.  A family owned business located in West Virginia (where the cost of living is low and the scenery is beautiful) creates and distributes threads for the needlearts industry, as well as a number of other industries (fly fishing, for example).  Always open to new ideas and creative projects, Doug Kreinik, owner and mentor, is a wealth of information and inspiration.

For this internship you don’t need any background in the hand needlearts . . . and Kreinik is even offering pay . . . check them out by downloading the pdf here.

The Handwork Studio is a kids camp . . . Talk about a unique internship . . . Although they’re headquartered in Narberth PA, the camps are in DC and other nearby cities.  Interns are assistant counselors.  Imagine that . . . having an internship and going to camp at the same time.  The campers, from K – 12, learn the basics of needlearts and sewing, and have a great time in the doing.

Of course, for these positions (they’re looking for 6 interns), you do need to have experience in knitting, crochet and/or sewing . . . and you need to love working with kids.  FYI, their intern from last year is continuing to work with them!

The Handwork Studios is offering a stipend, as well.  Check them out by downloading their pdf here.

We continue to add more internship opportunities so check back frequently.

If you are interested in a specific position already listed, please complete your application as soon as possible.  We will match interns as applications are received.

Interweave Press is looking for an Assistant Editor – Yarn Group
Location:  Loveland, Colorado

Interweave is seeking a full-time Assistant Editor to provide key editorial and project management support for Interweave Knits and related special issues. This person will contribute to magazine content by writing and editing assigned pieces, researching, fact-checking, proofreading, and sourcing yarns for projects. Will also assist Editor in developing concepts for submission calls, and photoshoot planning and coordination. Must work collaboratively within and across teams to meet editorial and market group objectives.

Required skills:

* Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
* Knowledge of all stages of magazine development.
* Up-to-date content knowledge specific to market group – specifically, knowledge of yarns, yarn weights, and fiber characteristics, current knitting market trends and leaders in the industry.
* Strong attention to detail.
* Organizational and multi-tasking abilities.
* Exceptional communication skills.
* BA in English- or subject-matter related field. Publishing experience desired.
* Proficiency MS Word, Outlook, InCopy, Access, and other software as needed.

Please include cover letter, resume and salary history.

You can apply directly online by going to: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=INTERWEAVE&cws=1&rid=168

Host companies include retailers, wholesalers, designers, retailers and manufacturers of products for the needlearts and crafts industries.  Many of these companies are open to having someone either this fall yet, or during the winter months, as well as during the summer.

Download a pdf document with each company’s information and requirements by clicking on their names below.

Then, just fill out the intern/apprentice application on this site.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Anzula

Be Sweet, Inc

Barbara Bergsten Designs

Colonial Needle

Craft Akron

French Knot

Knots – Knitting on the Square

Lovelyarns

Stitchgrrl/Knitgrrl Studio

The National NeedleArts Association

The Stitcher’s Muse

The Yarn Shop

It’s time to sign up again to become a PiPN Host for the coming year (2010-2011).

NEW this year.

• Hosts and applicants can now choose any time period during the 2010-2011 academic year, as well as throughout the summer.
• Association members can now easily and quickly apply online.  Click here for the Host Application.
• Applicants will also be able to register online.

Previous Hosts have applauded the program, and have commented that the experiences were enjoyable and rewarding.

Our interns have echoed those sentiments.  Visit PiPN Lane to see more of what our interns have said about their experiences this year.

If you’ve never been a host, please consider participating this year.

It doesn’t take much . . . just a willingness to mentor a young, enthusiastic fiber arts lover, to share your knowledge and experience and love of this creative industry.

For more information, please visit TNNA.org College Outreach

There you will be able to download a quick overview of the PiPN program, as well as a more complete overview of the 2010-2011 requirements and schedules.

If you have been a PiPN host in the past, please complete the online application as well,  so we have all your updated information.

Click here for the Host Application.

Since the change in format this year, Career Counselors and Professors in Fashion Merchandising and Design, Textiles, Retail Management, and others, are opening the doors of their classrooms to PiPN.  

In the last months, I've presented PiPN to students at six colleges including West Virginia University, University of Alabama, Colorado State University, Carnegie Mellon, Kent State University, University of Akron and also met with the Art Institute of  Colorado in Denver.

I'm on my way to talk to students at the Art Institute of California in San Francisco and the California College of Arts, then on to Moore College of Art & Design and Philadelphia University. 

We're also receiving inquiries and applications from students attending Bryn Mawr, Georgia College & State University and East Tennessee State University.

If you're a student who is interested in participating, you can download the host information by going to clicking here. 

You can also download a student application by clicking here. 

If you're a TNNA member interested in being a host company, it's never too late to add your name to the list. 

Contact me at bdirect @ columbus.rr.com for more information. (remove the spaces when emailing, please)

I had the chance to speak to a large class of juniors and seniors, many of whom are looking for internships for this summer. The students were more than welcoming . . . and after my presentation, were eager to put their names on the PiPN interest contact sheet.

The opportunity to intern in a small business makes PiPN a real find for many students. Rather than spending the summer with a large company where experiences may be limited, PiPN students really get involved in their placements. In addition, they truly learn what it means to have a small business . . . so besides needlearts, they acquire true business survival skills.

We’ll be posting the updated lists of opportunities, with explanations, soon. So check back!

Route #1 is the same as it has been in the past.  Students from colleges across the country are invited to participate in, what we now call, the PiPN Summer Scholar Program.  A partnership with the University of Akron, Akron OH, this program is a 6 credit-hour summer experience. 

Route #2 is open to any student interested in an internship.  Those participating do not need to attend the University of Akron’s program. Rather, the internship is taken through their own schools, and students must comply with the requirements of their own colleges.  In this case, students may register with PiPN and be matched with appropriate internship opportunities.  Internships may take place any time during the year.

Route #3 is open to anyone not attending a college or university but interested in a career in the needlearts.  Apprentices may not already be or own professional needlearts companies. As in Route #2, these opportunities may take place any time during the year.

More information about each new route can be found at TNNA.org.