Alice Faye Huff-Idom and the Yarn Resource Catalog

Alice Faye Huff-Idom, a student at University of Akron, recently completed her Pathways into Professional Needlearts (PiPN) internship with my company Business Directions inc.  As part of her responsibilities, Alice has helped create the Yarn Resource Catalog.  Thanks to her, Barry Klein of Trendsetter Yarns, TNNA’s Yarn Group, as well as one of TNNA’s PiPN interns Rylee Tomlinson, the catalog is near completion.  I’ve now contracted with Alice to complete the mock-up.  So good-bye to Alice the intern. Hello to Alice the sub-contractor!

Here’s what she had to say:

Working as a PiPN intern this summer far exceeded my expectations. I not only learned   about the characteristics of unfamiliar yarns, but I learned more about the creative side of marketing and how to create a yarn catalog.

Creating a catalog allowed me to become more comfortable with Excel and how to collaborate with a professional such as Sherry Mulne. The experience with Sherry gave me a preview of what it would be like having a career as a creative marketing consultant and made me recognize my strengths and weaknesses.

I also learned that it is important to meet deadlines for clients including Sherry, to have an open mind and to show that I was willing and able to get the task done no matter how hard I had to work.

Finally, I would like to thank Sherry for welcoming me into her home and sharing her knowledge with me throughout the summer.

Here are the trip details.

• Dates: May 13, 2012 through May 24, 2012
• Itinerary:
  • Tour begins in Cleveland OH, with first stop in Milan
  • Next stop — Como to visit the Ratti Museum and Silk Manufacturing
  • Then to Venice.  (Dr. Jennings encourages you to book the lagoon boat ride to Burrano Island to see the lace workers and museum.)  If time allows, a visit to the Fortuny Museum.
  • Off to see the sites in Florence and visit a silkscreening and batik studio.
  • Then to Rome and a visit to a papermaking atelier, among others
  • Back to Cleveland
• Costs include airfare.

• The program is being organized by Dr. Jennings through EF College Study Tours,

• Information pertaining to costs and fees can be found at www.efcollegestudytours.com.  Once on the site, fill in tour # 1045590 in the appropriate box.  (If a pop-up happens, ignore it.)

If you’re interested, don’t delay.  Prices may go up Aug. 31st by another $100 or so, unless they have 5 registrants by that time.  Then they hold fast.

This is certain to be a trip of a lifetime.  It would also be a great opportunity to get together with past PiPN interns to compare notes, network and do a little needlework at the same time.

Personally, I’d love to go.  Maybe I’ll see you in Florence in 2012!

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.

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, 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

Shannon has been a great mentor, including me in her meetings and in the general planning of her business so that I could really see what it takes to run a small business in the art and craft world. I’ve gotten to do a little bit of everything while I’ve been here. I’ve worked on knitting patterns and knit samples, and I researched and wrote an article for Yarn Forward, the UK knitting magazine that she edits. I’ve gotten to meet other local artists and business people that she works with on a regular basis. It’s been really useful for me to see what kinds of opportunities, both in business and the arts, are available in this area and might apply to me back home. One of the big projects that I took on this summer was working on her new online store; she sells a wide variety of fiber arts supplies as well as knitting, crochet, embroidery, and cross-stitch patterns from a wide variety of designers. Tech-savviness is not one of my strengths, so it has been really useful for me to learn to work with some of the on-line software that she uses.

It’s been a great summer; I’ve gotten to help Shannon start really interesting several long-term projects in different areas. The hardest part about the internship ending is that I won’t get to see all of these cool projects that we started continue to develop first-hand.

At SoHo Publishing I worked on a number of different projects.  Generally, I worked with marketing in our magazines, Vogue Knitting, Knit 1, and Knit Simple, or with our book publishing side of the company.  I have never worked for a magazine company before and I was able to learn such a different side of advertising that I had never learned in classes.  I enjoyed being able to see the issues of each magazine come together piece by piece and it’s really amazing to see it all happen.  Sometimes, it seems like ciaos, but once the copy is finished the pages all make sense together and it is awesome to look through it for the first time.  It has felt like such an accomplishment to say that I was able to be a part of it.

Some of my favorite days during this internship were being able to help at the photo shoots.  I was able to go along to two of them, one for Knit Simple and the other for Vogue Knitting.  The issues that we worked on were for Holiday 2009.  It was at first crazy that we were setting the back grounds to look like winter and dressing the models in sweaters, but we were in a studio overlooking a beautiful view of the New York.   At one point, I even texted my mom to tell her I felt like I was in a movie! Those days I was able to work closer with some people that I generally didn’t get a chance to work with.  The Art Director was really inspiring.  He set the background and still shots and really had a great eye for what would be perfect in the magazine.  I also worked hand in hand with the stylist.  It was amazing being able to help with the outfits and accessories that the models were being photographed in.  I was defiantly on cloud nine.

Along with the marketing projects and photo shoots, I also learned so much about the Textile and Knitting industries. I myself am not a great knitter… (at all), but I try and I loved to see the editorial staff knit some of the most beautiful garments I have ever seen.  During the lunch hour a group of people would hang out at the table to knit and talk.  I would ask what they were working on, and they were knitting the designs created by the designers, which were going to be in the Vogue Knitting magazine.  SoHo Publishing employees a group of very talented knitters. Being that I worked in the Marketing Dept. we spent a good amount of time working with Yarn companies all over the U.S. and it was nice to get to know more about the Yarn Industry and all the companies involved in so many different ways.

Overall, I’m so happy that I was able to not only be a part of a great internship, but also the experiences I gained through both The University of Akron and PiPN.  AkronU. and PiPN has brought me great opportunities, but also more importantly I have met so many people who really inspire me. As my final days of being an undergrad student at Akron come, it makes me excited and confident to use these experiences and what I have learned while taking my step into the professional world.

• Justin Campbell, University of Akron; hosted by Dr. Susan Kay-Williams, Royal School of Needlework, London
• Kari Capone, University of Akron; hosted by Jessica Cepek and Doreen Connors, SoHo Publishing, New York
• Kathleen Guanciale, University of Akron; hosted by Becca Smith, Bagsmith, Shaker Heights, O
• Cynthia Hartline, University of Akron; hosted by Nancy Thomas, Coats & Clark, Charlotte, N
• Lori Henry, University of Akron; hosted by Liz Tekus, Fine Points Inc., Cleveland
• Jennifer Lynn Kennedy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh; hosted by Francis Cester and Joann Walus, Cestari, Ltd., Churchville, VA, in partnership with Hand Painted Knitting Yarns
• Erin Scheiner, University of Akron; hosted by Ann Forquer, Wool and Willow Needlepoint and designer Barbara Bergsten, Shaker Heights OH
• Kristi Schwechheimer, University of Akron; hosted by Jessica Cepek and Doreen Connors, SoHo Publishing, New York
• Sothea Soum, University of Akron; hosted by Heidi Massengill, Stitch Cleveland, Lakewood, OH
• Zoe Valette, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI; hosted by Shannon Oakey, Knitgrrl, Cleveland

The newest class has already been immersed in needlepoint, embroidery and counted thread, and are loving it!  Their first week was capped off with a study tour . . . or what we used to call a “field trip” . . . Whatever the name, it was a wonderful opportunity for our students to visit some of the local host companies, as well as enjoy the amazing exhibits at both Kent State and Stan Hywet.  Check out the slide show at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRPY7R58-SQ

This week, the students will be attending The National NeedleArts Association’s June Needlearts Market in Columbus OH.  They’ll get a chance to meet the people who make up our industry, attend the Teacher Meet & Greet, Needlepoint Premier and Yarn Group Fashion Show.  Then they’ll be able to roam the floor of the show . . . something only open to the professionals in the field.

Some of the students will also be offering their own products for a Chinese Auction to help raise funds for their summer internships.

Natalie Dugan - 2008 PiPN Intern

Bonjour!

Montreal is quite an interesting city…filled with the old and the new. I am starting my third week now, and both the city and CNS Yarns are treating me very well! The language barrier has been challenging, but certainly manageable.

I am learning a bit of French. I am living in a more English speaking side of town, and also a corner block away from a popular street called “Sherbrooke,” filled with great one-of-a-kind shopping and quaint french eateries.

It takes me about 25 minutes to get to and from work, between walking and the subway. I am in the “textile district,” and on the 12th floor of my building, which provides an amazing view of the mountain and the city. CNS Yarns Inc. is a manufacturer/wholesaler/distributor of specialty knitwear yarns.

I am extremely happy with the experience I am getting thus far. I am learning so much about business practices in general, CNS Yarns’ industry and operations, as well as international trade and operations. 75% of CNS Yarns’ customers are in the U.S., leaving about 15% throughout Canada, and about 10% in Europe and South America.

My team has been so welcoming and certainly teaching me a lot. I have been meeting many nice people here. I play soccer on a recreational team every Thursday, which is so much fun.

The mosquitoes here are INSANE! Bug repellent has been my “best-friend.”

Some people I met here took me “up-north” over this past weekend, and I was able to see the country side of Montreal…beautiful!

I also got the chance to go through my first ever Zip-Line Course. It was so challenging, and so much fun! This summer’s journey has kick-started a growing experience for me, both educational and personal. I hope everyone is enjoying their internships so far. I am anxious to hear about them.

Take care and God Bless!!

Natalie Dugan