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.

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.

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
 

This year, with the new format, close to 40 students registered for PiPN 2010.  More than half have been placed, with several still pending.

Congratulations to the following:

• Bagsmith
  • Ashley Schweikert – University of Akron
• BeSweet
  • Caroline Moore – State University of NY at Geneseo
• Blue Ball Mountain Spindle
  • Amy Church – Western Kentucky University
• CNS Yarns
  • Helen Cosgrove-Davies -  Bryan Mawr
• Coats-N-Clark
  • Samantha Lever – East Tennessee State University
• Crooked Fence Alpacas
  • Alyssa Edlund – University of Utah
  • Kimberly Trusken – Kent State University
• Handworks Studio
  • Trekina Miller – Missouri State University
• Knit Knack
  • Julia Rhoden – Colorado State University
• Knitgrrl
  • Abra Forman – apprentice
  • Sarah Jo Mosbech – apprentice
• Knitting on the Square
  • Alice Koelsch – University of Akron
• Loopy Yarns
  • Jacqueline Shunnara – University of Alabama
• Royal School of Needlework
  • Justin Campbell – University of Akron, graduate student
• SoHo Publishing
  • Claire Kersey – Georgia College & State University   
  • Amanda Montgomery – University of Akron
• Stitches Etc., Beth Gantz Designs   
  • Diane Capuano – apprentice
• Tanglewood Fibers
  • Mariel Snetman – University of Alabama   
  • Emily Sidle – University of Akron, graduate student
• Yarn Designers Boutique
  • Erin Rice – Art Institute of California-SF
• Yellowbird Yarn Room
  • Jennifer Weiland – University of Akron

There are still a number of opportunities available for this summer:

• Barbara Bergsten, Chagrin Falls OH
• City Knits, Detroit MI
• Cowgirl Yarn, Laramie WY
• Fiber Arts Yarn Shop, Cape May NJ
• Fine Points, Cleveland OH
• Kreinik Manufacturing, Parkersburg WV (2)
• Maria’s Knitting & Crochet, Chula Vista CA
• Red Barn Yarn, Pasadena CA
• The Needlepoint Boutique, Collingswood NJ

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)

PiPN 2010 now includes more than 35 unique internships in more than 30 companies and organizations, across the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Peru.

For students looking for valuable, hands-on experiences in companies involved in fiber, textile, fashion, design, and more, PiPN is it.
The complete list includes:
Bagsmith, Shaker Heights OH
Barbara Bergsten, Chagrin Falls OH
Be Sweet, Sausolito CA
Cestari, Ltd., Churchville VA in partnership with Hand Painted Knitting Yarns
City Knits, Detroit MI
CNS Yarns, Montreal, Canada
Coats & Clark, Charlotte NC – filled
Colonial Needle, White Plains NY
Cowgirl Yarn, Laramie WY
Crooked Fence Alpacas, Mona UT
Fiber Arts Yarn Shop, Cape May NJ
Fine Points, Cleveland OH
Handworks Studios, headquartered in Narberth PA (5 positions)
Knitgrrl, Cleveland OH
Knitting on the Square, Chardon OH
Kreinik Manufacturing, Parkersburg WV (2)
Maria’s Knitting & Crochet, Chula Vista CA
Misti International Alpaca, Arequipa Peru (2)
Plymouth Yarn Co., Bristol PA – more information to come
Red Barn Yarn, Pasadena CA – more information to come
SOHO Publishing, New York, NY (2)
Stitches Etc., Cleveland OH
Tanglewood Fiber Creations, St. Helens OR (2)
The Needlepoint Boutique, Collingswood NJ
The Stitchin’ Den, Estes Park CO
Yarn Designers Boutique, Big Bear City CA

More detailed information is available now at http://tnna.org/Outreach/College/tabid/154/Default.aspx

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!

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

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.

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.