This is the first entry from our 2009 PiPN interns.  They’ve all left the comfort of Akron OH and have entered into their new environs as interns in our various host companies.  This is the beginning of the rest of their . . . . well, you know how that goes.

From Cyndy Hartline interning with Coats & Clark, NC
Last week of June 2009

Charlotte, North Carolina is a beautiful place. There are flowers blooming everywhere and all the buildings, apartments, businesses, malls and houses in the area where I live and work are probably less than twelve years old. Coats and Clark has been located in Charlotte for about eleven years and in this new building for five. The company has a long history that dates back to the early 1800’s.

The people I have met are so nice. My first night here, I had dinner at Wolfgang Pucks Bistro and our desserts were on the house to welcome us to Charlotte. Then the hostess gave us free appetizer coupons to use next time.

My neighbor and host, Nancy Thomas, is the Creative Director at Coats. We ride to work together and she makes sure I don’t miss anything (both at home and at work).  Nancy always reminds me to take pictures and explains why something is done a certain way. She has written seven books on knitting and crocheting. She is extremely knowledgeable on every aspect of this business.

In my first week, I have attended meetings where new booklets were being planned and organized, new colors were being designed and named and new products that are just in the beginning stages of being introduced. I have seen sketches from designers with swatches proposing a new product. I am lucky to be working with people that have been in the industry in for years in so many capacities.

I didn’t realize that there were companies that built booths for trade shows. I got to go to our booth to get it ready for a trade show in Orlando next month. We put all of our samples and finished garments where we want them, and then our contact tears everything down and sends it to the show and sets it up again.

The most exciting thing that happened is that Nancy Jewell, the manager of New Product Development Sewing Products has asked me to make a bag that will showcase our threads for a photo shoot. I have to make some sketches and if she likes one, she will provide all the materials from our fabric and thread department. She gave me a couple of ideas, one of which is couching – one of the techniques that I just learned in Fiber Arts class.

Nancy and Bobbie are encouraging me to knit. They gave me my own set of knitting needles and I take home yarn every day. Bobbie wants me to knit swatches, try some patterns and evaluate our website and cd’s through the eyes of a new knitter. This may become my final project.

I took a page from Jenn, Zoe and Kari’s book and go out every night, even if it is just to the pool. I went out with my supervisor, Bobbie Matela (who has edited hundreds of books) and her husband for dinner and a tour of Charlotte. I go visit yarn stores, malls (there are a lot of malls), and to events (most of the strip malls have live entertainment on certain nights) and shopping. I am really have a good time and learning a great deal.

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