Thanks to the help of Kristi Schwechheimer, the PiPN Alumna from 2009 who has taken on the role (and I might add, lots of responsibility) of PiPN Alumnae Group Director, we now have more complete information about the vast array of host companies offering internship experiences through PiPN 2010.

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

Thanks to Dr. Holly Lentz and Dr. Barbara McFall of West Virginia U. . . and another thanks to Doug Kreinik of Kreinik Manufacturing, for enabling PiPN to visit this amazing college. It seems the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program is undergoing a major change, and in doing so, are formally including the hand needle arts in their curriculum. This fall, they’ll be offering a knitting course, and are planning other classes as well.

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!

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.