Archive for the ‘PiPN Lane’ Category

We recently emailed all the PiPN 2010 interns and apprentices to see how their summers have been going.

To share just a few . . . Trekina Miller from Mississippi State College first found out about PiPN at the Dallas Career Day in 2009.  As I recall, she made a beeline to the PiPN booth the next year (this past April), excited to see we were there again.

Handwork Studios in Narberth PA was Trekina’s first choice.  She recently wrote “I just wanted to thank you again for helping me find this awesome internship with the Handwork Studio. I love it and everyone that I am working with. I look forward to going to work everyday. I am also working with the Fashion Bootcamp program in Rosemont, PA for the Handwork Studio. I can not thank you enough for this great opportunity!!”

Earlier in the summer, I heard from Laura Kelly, owner of the Handwork Studio.  Laura was instrumental in connecting us with the Philadelphia area schools.  She commented that Trekina was a terrific addition to her team.

Erin Rice from the Art Institute of California – San Francisco was placed at the Yarn Designer’s Boutique in Big Bear CA.  She’s been updating the shop’s blog throughout the summer, and thought that might be the best way for everyone to see what she’s been up to.  It starts out with “My first week in Big Bear is coming to a close and it has been nothing short of beautiful, educational, and just what I needed to dive into after graduation.”  Check out all her postings at http://www.yarndesignersboutique.com/blog.html.

We’re also getting emails from PiPN alumnae who are looking for jobs within the industry. We’ll be posting their resumes as they come in.  Please consider these PiPN veterans if you have an opening of any kind.  They’ve certainly proven themselves and have demonstrated a true commitment to the needlearts.

Summer is in full swing, and we have come to mid-way point of the PiPN 2010 internships.   Sherry and I have been very excited to hear from the participants about their experiences thus far and what they have been learning in their placements. 

This year’s turnout was fantastic, and it felt very rewarding to see the entire process through.  It was no easy task to get to this point.  There were ups and downs, but I can say I positively learned so much and feel great about what was accomplished. 

It took time to get information out there to students and graduates about the PiPN program and what it has to offer.  I’m continually impressed by the number of people who are so passionate about fiber and needlearts, and how many were so excited to learn this program was available.   This year the number of applicants quadrupled compared to years before and we were able to place twenty-one students (twice last year’s numbers) from around the country.  It has been wonderful to see the improvements in the program and also the success of changes from years past. 

A great benefit of the program is the Alumnae Group.  PiPN students who satisfactorily complete the program attain alumnae status.  This allows them to attend trade shows and stay in the loop with TNNA and the PiPN program for two years past their internships.

I’m looking forward to keeping the alumnae a tight nit group and to keep them active in TNNA and the PiPN program.  This summer, I personally was able to reconnect with a friend I met while participating in PiPN at The University of Akron.   It had been a year since I had seen her, so it was great to be able to catch up.  The PiPN Alumnae Group made it all possible.

The weekend during the trade show in Columbus was also a blast.  The PiPN group met at the convention center downtown Friday evening for the fashion show.  This was my third show, and I’ve enjoyed the fashion show each time.  There are always a couple great standout pieces.  The collection also featured a former PiPN Student Design Competition Winner as well as a former Project Runway winner!! 

The actual trade show Saturday and Sunday was outstanding.  I am always impressed by the time and energy the exhibitors put into their booths.  I enjoy walking around to each and seeing the great displays of merchandise and products.  The energy at the shows is always a pleasure to be around.  There is an excitement and buzz in the room, which I see each time.

I’m excited and looking forward to what is next for the PiPN program.  In the last couple years I’ve been a part of it, the program has continued to develop and grow.  Exciting opportunities are just around the corner.  I’m also looking forward to hearing back from our summer participants, and we will be posting their blogs on the website for everyone to enjoy.

Until next time,
Kristi Schwechheimer
PiPN Alumnae Coordinator
 

New Blog!!
I’m excited to be a part of the TNNA website with the addition of my own blog, called PiPN Lane.  I have never had my own blog before… so I’m thinking it won’t be perfect, but I’m going to try to keep it as interesting as possible for everyone who reads it.  I’m happy that this addition was possible and for me to continue to have an acting hand with PiPN.

I’m now an alumni of the PiPN program and also graduate from The University of Akron. During the summer of 2008 I was enrolled in the fiber arts class and also completed my internship this past summer with SoHo Publishing in New York City.  I had a great experience with PiPN.  The fiber arts class was awesome; I felt it was the perfect test on the limits and creativity for the students all in different ways.  When I first saw the schedule for the class, I held my breath for a second.  I thought the days would be so long, but once we jumped into the needle arts the days flew by and before I knew it the class was finished. We spent time working on our projects, helping one another, and also getting to know the professors and other students.  I don’t want to spill too much info about the class, for those who have not taken it yet, but at times I thought there is no way I could have finished everything, but I managed to and it felt both relieving and rewarding.  It was great to see the differences in each student’s ideas and creativity.  The personality of the students came through in all of the projects.  The opportunity to attend the trade show was also amazing and I definitely recommend it to upcoming students.  My experience with the internship was really one of a kind! I loved living in New York City for the summer and had a blast interning with SoHo Publishing. 

I graduated in August from Akron and this last month has been least to say, quite crazy.  I have recently received a promotion and I have moved to Columbus to be a manager at a Victoria’s Secret store.  This has been exciting and rewarding, but I feel like I have left my heart in NYC.  My goal for the next couple months would be to move back to New York City.  I’m in the process of saving money and looking for apartments for myself and a new roommate, who is also a graduate from Akron.   There is so much opportunity in the city and I feel like the world would be at my fingertips.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed about a marketing assistant position with SoHo Publishing.  For the meantime I’m continuing to do what most other recent college graduates do and I’m searching, applying for jobs, and hoping for an interview.   I’m also enjoying spending time with my family and friends, a promotion, and my new activities with PiPN. 

I’m  looking forward to getting in contact with other PiPN alumnae to see where everyone is at and what they have been up to since graduation or completing their internship experiences with PiPN.  I’ve have put together a list of topics to blog about, and one that will be in the near future will be all about PiPN alumni.  I’m hoping that some of the other alumnae will be interested in the blog and want to throw in some topics and blogs of their own. 
‘Til next time,
Kristi Schwechheimer