It seems as if the summer just began, and yet here we are . . . a day away from the first of September, and two major events for TNNA.

When Maker Faire Detroit took place at the very beginning of August, we looked at the World Maker Faire in NYC as a spot in the distance.  Now it’s almost here.

If you happen to be anywhere near Flushing NY (and the Hall of Science), on September 25 and 26, you really should stop by to see what all the excitement is about.  In fact, if you’re able, you might consider signing up to help teach any one of the needlearts, knitting, crochet, needlepoint or cross-stitch at The National NeedleArts Association’s Needlearts Stitch Zone.  It’s easy to volunteer, just go to the Jooners site (http://www.jooners.com/guest?t=help&p=none&l=-3ff95ae9:12a75146ff3:-4c17) and fill in your name and cell phone number in the appropriate time slot.  I guarantee, you’ll have a great time.

TNNA’s generous donors supply all the materials, you supply the knowledge and the passion!

There’s also the Fall Needlecraft Market, of course, in St. Louis on the 25th and 26th at the Embassy Suites.  You can download the Buyer Registration at http://www.tnna.org/TradeShows/FallShow/tabid/159/Default.aspx.  A cash and carry show, this is a great way to pick up those extra items you really need for the coming season.  In a relaxed atmosphere, you can take classes, visit with friends, and recharge your spirits.

Both events offer you the chance to spend a few days surrounded by what you love the most (besides family, of course) . . . fiber, fun and friends.  I can’t think of a better way to welcome the fall.

After sending out a quick email to thank our Detroit Maker Faire volunteers, I received such wonderful responses, I just had to note a few of them.

Sue K. sent a great picture, and although it’s not one of the new stitchers we taught at Maker Faire, I just had to post it . . . It demonstrates how very skilled our volunteers are, and is a testament to the fact they can motivate just about anyone to learn.

Several volunteers commented about how nice it was to spend time with other fiber artists, as well as welcome newcomers to the needlearts.   Dawn Pollard, Treasurer
of the Monguagon Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America and a
member of Needlepoint by Night, part of the American Needlework Guild told us she “walked away from the event in a great mood” and sent her best “to each of you that helped to bring the love of needlework to the Metropolitan Detroit area!!”

In fact, I don’t recall anyone leaving without asking to be notified again next year.

I have a feeling volunteer list for the Stitch Zone in Dearborn is going to fill up quickly in 2011 . . . in the meantime, we’re in the planning stages for Maker Faire NYC, to be held at the New York Hall of Science on September 25 and 26th.  We’ll be sending out information soon.  If you want to know more now, send an email to tnnamaker@gmail.com.

The needlearts were hot at Maker Faire Detroit the last week of July . . . but not because of the weather.  Although we were outside (under a tent), our Needlearts Stitch Zone volunteers seemed cool and comfortable . . . even as they feverishly taught over 500 new stitchers throughout the two-day event.

Following a fantastic Maker Faire in San Mateo . . . the second year for TNNA there . . . we looked forward to the Detroit event with excitement and a little bit of trepidation.  This was a new venue, and we weren’t sure how it was going to work out, especially since we were going to be along a causeway on the Henry Ford Museum grounds.  But we really didn’t need to worry.

Set up went amazingly well thanks to the help of the Maker Faire organizers and the Henry Ford Museum people. Cherry pickers can be great fun.

Our display rose over 17 feet, pointing everyone towards TNNA’s Needlearts Stitch Zone.

Our enthusiastic volunteers (around 40 total) couldn’t have been more fantastic.  There were times when a single volunteer would be teaching  four or more new stitchers.  Even when we weren’t overloaded with “makers,” the volunteers kept busy with their own projects or teaching each other new techniques.  We even had people come by just to sit and stitch . . . or spin . . . with everyone else.

Sharing the joy of stitching seems to transcend the simple act of knitting or crocheting a stitch, or drawing a fiber through a canvas.  One of our volunteers expressed her heartfelt reaction to seeing the light of accomplishment in a young girl’s eyes with her first row of stitches.  Another volunteer noted how teaching renewed her own spirits as she watched new stitchers feel the first fires of passion for the fiber arts.

At least a thousand “makers” stopped by.  They were attracted by our giant needles, as well as our lavish display of yarns, knitting needles and crochet hooks . . . or by the people working on hand painted needlepoint canvases.  Half already knew how to knit, crochet, needlepoint or cross-stitch . . . or embroider or quilt.  It appears, in the midwest the fiber arts are definitely alive and thriving.

The others came because they always wanted to learn how to stitch.  There was a young man who had tried knitting before but just couldn’t get it right . . . because he was left handed.  Frederikka Payne of Aurora Yarns (a TNNA distributor who has been involved in all the TNNA Maker Faires  . . . taking care of all the yarn donations and teaching her fair share as well) turned him into a new knitter!  He left with a ball of yarn and a bounce in his step.

Everyone had a great time and offered to come out next year again.

Because it was the first year, the numbers of visitors was somewhat lower than in California where Maker Faire originated and has existed for a while now.  Organizers estimated over 25,000 . . . as compared to 90,000 in San Mateo. But the event was definitely a success, and we’ve been told they have already reserved the last weekend in July at the Henry Ford for the next two years.

To see the slide show with pictures of our volunteers and our happy new stitchers, go to TNNA.org.

I know it’s summer and there’s so much going on, but on those hot humid days, doing a little indoor surfing can be relaxing and informative.  If you haven’t stopped by TNNA’s Web site, TNNA.org in the past month, it’s time.

Did you know you can already register online for the Fall Needlecraft Market, September 25 – 26, 2010 in St. Charles/St. Louis MO.  Fall, you say?  Certainly far, far away.  But it will be here before you know it, and now’s the time to make your plans, and let your customers know you’ll be bringing home some treasures for their holiday purchases.

You can also find information about PiPN 2010 — TNNA’s Pathways into Professional Neeldlearts internship/apprenticeship program.  This summer’s students have been in the field since the middle of June, and are finding their experiences to be beyond their expectations.

I recently heard from one of the interns working with Handwork Studios.  Trekina Miller of Mississippi State University commented “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!!”

To streamline the entire process we’ve created an online Host Application Form.  You can now go online and request an intern for the upcoming fall, winter or next year.  Students will also be able to register online within the coming months.  If you’ve been a host in the past, please let us know and we can make sure you’re information is entered correctly.

You’ll also see that TNNA is heading off to Maker Faire in Dearborn MI this week. We’ve had an enormous response from volunteers who have offered to come out to our Needlearts Stitch Zone

to help teach knitting, cross-stitch, embroidery, needlepoint and crochet.  In fact, we’ve pretty much filled all our time slots!  If you’re in the area, you should stop by the Henry Ford Museum.

If this is even half as much fun as the San Mateo Maker Faire, it’s bound to be a real kick.

Stitch N’ Pitch has been in full swing this season.  Check out what’s been going on by visiting StitchNPitch.com.

It seems the D0 It Yourself Movement has given way to a whole new awareness, appreciation and personal involvement in crafts and, in the same vein, the needlearts.

I recently received an email from Pete Poitras, the “P” in JP Needlepoint, and TNNA’s Needlepoint Group Chair.

It was all about a “craft social” which is, simply, lots of people getting together to work on craft projects.  They don’t have to be the same projects  . . . They could be anything from stamping, buttons, T-shirts, cross-stitching, knitting . . . well, you get the picture.

The article was specifically about the Chicago Craft Social which included total strangers, in their 20’s and 30’s who even paid to spend the night at — what the organizers call — the biggest craft party in the nation.  The event is held four times a year in suburban Chicago.

The article states, “More than (offering crafters a chance to try new techniques, find inspiration and sample new materials),
Craft Social is a chance to build a community for a new generation of do-it-yourselfers who follow popular crafting blogs, search YouTube videos and post their own tutorials online.”

The organizer Amanda Edwards, says “People are craving community, so we say make stuff, make friends and meet with other people.”

The event is being compared to the “Stitch ‘n Bitch movement” . . . but it seems to me it’s more like the Maker Faire events that TNNA has been involved in recently.  Talk about community  . . . the San Mateo Maker Faire in May 2010 brought out 90,000 people who simply wanted to learn about “making stuff.” TNNA’s Needlepoint Stitch Zone entertained over 1000 new stitchers, thanks to the help of close to 50 volunteers from local guilds, TNNA members (wholesalers and retailers), Ravelry followers, and other local stitchers.

I guess, some of it wouldn’t be called crafts.  At Maker Faire, there were all types of “making” going on from high tech to low tech and everything else in between.  But it certainly was a community, and it certainly was creative.

TNNA is planning to be at Maker Faire in Detroit on July 31st and August 1st.  Although we don’t anticipate quite the turnout we had in San Mateo, we can expect a great, enthusiastic crowd.  If you’re able to teach one of the needlearts (crochet, knitting, needlepoint or cross-stitch/embroidery), and would like to come out to join the fun, please go to Jooners and sign up for a convenient time slot.  We still could use a few people . . . and best of all, you get in for free on the day you volunteer.

But even better, you get to participate in a type of “craft social” . . . people who love to simply create coming together, in community, to share new ideas, techniques, materials and good times.  What a great way to spend a day.

Recently TNNA sponsored an award-winning Needlearts Stitch Zone at the San Mateo Maker Faire event.  We were there last year, and taught more than 1000 new fiber enthusiasts.  The theme was “recycling” and so we incorporated yarn made of grocery bags into the kids programming and the display.

This year, the theme of the event was “children,” so we were even more tuned in to the kids.  Again, we spent time knitting, crocheting and stitching (needlepoint) with the kids on our oversized needles, hooks and canvas.  You can get a glimpse of what it was like at http://tnna.org/Outreach/tabid/100/Default.aspx.  And, again, we estimate we taught over 1000 new stitchers . . . this time, even more appeared to be under the age of 12.

Now you might think, ok . . . these kids really aren’t going to go home and knit or crochet . . . but we also know most of the fiber lovers of today first learned when they were younger than 12.  So, today’s play will eventually turn into tomorrow’s passion.  We also know, many of the parents who were watching will go home and get out their old projects, left unfinished years ago and just waiting for the moment they’ll be picked up again.

Recently, Jules Kliot (Lacis and the Museum of Lace) sent me some picture of an event at the Exploratorium in San Francisco in early July.  They demonstrated lace making to young and old . . . These picture really tell the story.  Even the young ones were enthralled, and obviously were able to pick up the techniques themselves.

If you have pictures of young stitchers, send them to us so we can show the world the stitchers of tomorrow.  (Of course, get their parents’ permission first!)

The National NeedleArts Association’s June NeedleArts Market had it ALL.  From beginning to end, it was filled with . . . well, it’s difficult to grasp it all.  I guess you really had to be there.

For those of you in the professional needlearts community who made it to Columbus OH, you enjoyed a long weekend filled with education, education and more education.  The TIPs program, a first time event for TNNA, was a huge success.  Wholesalers were able to present, demonstrate and offer marketing tips for their new products and techniques.  Classrooms were filled and responses were totally positive.

The Mini Sessions in the Member Lounge also drew huge crowds.  Attendees took a brief respite while they learned about everything from social marketing to inventory management, trends and more.  This was a chance for everyone to ask questions and get answers in a small, more informal setting.  You just couldn’t help but soak up some knowledge just by being there.

Oh, and then there were all the new products (33 new exhibitors, in fact) and new events.  The Needlepoint Group hosted a Networking evening highlighting finished products (check out WorldofNeedlepoint.com to see a bit of what you missed), and TNNA members sponsored a Happy Hour on Saturday in celebration of TNNA’s 35th anniversary . . . complete with a pianist (Joe Dunlap from Columbus OH).

Thanks to modern technology, Ravelry was able to send out some “in the moment” postings about the Yarn Group’s Fashion Show on Friday evening.  And, although you’ll be able to see the entire Fashion Show on YarnGroup.org in just a few days, it’s simply no substitute for being there, in person.

If you were there, you would have been energized by the keynote speaker Ann Lofgren from Zingermans.   You would have heard Marilyn Murphy accept the TEN Award, and met the newest PiPN interns.

If you had attended the Member Meeting on Monday morning, you would understand what Maker Faire is . . . and why TNNA’s Needlearts Stitch Zone won two awards in the Bay Area.  If you’re from the Detroit area, you could already be planning on how you can participate in the Detroit Maker Faire coming up July 31st and August 1st. If you want to be involved, please email us at TNNAmaker@gmail.com.

At the meeting, you would have been one of the first to hear the latest statistics pertaining to our industry in the latest survey: The State of Specialty NeedleArts 2010 developed by India Wood of Hart Business Research.  The summary is available online to members. The entire survey will be available in the fall (again free for members but available for a fee for non-members).

Besides the excitement, the shopping, the sharing, and the learning, there was a lot of business going on.  Wholesalers, when not busy with customers in their booths, spent time talking about new ideas, new partnerships, and new ways to attract new customers.  Retailers, when not in classes or on the show floor, shared stories of challenges, failures and successes.

If you had been there, you would have felt the energy and the inspiration.  You would have laughed and hugged old friends and new.  You simply can’t get that anywhere else.

TNNA’s Needleart Stitch Zone won — not one — but two blue ribbons at the recent Maker Faire in the Bay Area.

Our giant knitting needles, crochet hooks and needlepoint canvas engaged the young and old, big and small alike.  After letting the visiting kids try their hands at the oversized craft, the individual pieces were hoisted (by our volunteers . . . thank you very much!!!) into a display pointing the way to the place to go . . . The Needlearts Stitch Zone

And speaking of volunteers.  This was an amazing group.  We don’t have the entire list compiled yet, so I’m not posting it now . . . but let me just say, each and everyone gave their time and their hearts to share the needlearts with all the “makers” who passed by . . . which we figure exceeded 1200 new stitchers!  They taught crochet, knitting, needlepoint and cross-stitch . . .one at a time, or five at a time, and without a break!

I can mention our core Maker Faire volunteer team.  These people have been working for the last several months to make this all happen.  Jocelyn Grayson took charge of volunteers for the event, and introduced us to Jooners, a new easy, online method of volunteer sign up.

Frederikka Paine (Aurora Yarns) and Cathe Ray (Needle in a Haystack) managed to pull together all the teaching materials for San Mateo and are already collecting materials for Detroit and New York.  Dale Lenci (DJ Designs) helped manage the display set up . . . and did I mention, all of these people also helped recruit volunteers, and were at the event, teaching, helping and doing whatever else needed to be done.  (Dale even taught crochet!)

Materials were generously donated by our members . . . again a list we’ll share once we know we have it all complete.

But we do want to say “thank you” now to everyone who helped make this a great needlearts success.

So we won in more ways than one . . . in fact, we all won in many ways at Maker Faire . . . Everyone had a great time, volunteers and “makers” alike.  Everyone who stopped by the Needlearts Stitch Zone went away with a new passion for fiber . . . and a ball of yarn, crochet hooks or knitting needles, cross-stitch or  needlepoint kits.  Everyone left with a smile . . .  and a sticker letting the world know they had been “in the Needlearts Stitch Zone.”

Check out some of the media about the Maker Faire event at these sites:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?entry_id=64185

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/enjoy-this/Creative-Wonderland-in-Silicon-Valley-94692389.html

Our trade show committee is consistently trying to come up with more ways to provide information and knowledge to our show attendees.  Not just more “stuff,” but more real education, more practical ideas they can quickly implement in their own shops.  The extensive formal curriculum offers information on myriad needlearts techniques, marketing tactics and technical questions, but there’s always been a cry for more.  A hunger to learn . . .

TIPs is part of TNNA’s answer.  If you haven’t already signed up for this new program, you need to.  Your ticket gives you the chance to go to 6 half-hour sessions on Friday morning.  You get to pick and choose on the spot.  The sessions are being held by exhibitors, each of whom is presenting ideas and information retailers can use to help sell product, grow their businesses, increase their profits, right now . . .

The education is continuing on the show floor with several Mini Sessions.  This was a new program TNNA initiated in January to enthusiastic crowds.  After reviewing last year’s experience, this year, the program is going to be even better.  The “classroom” is going to be moved to the Member Lounge.

Topics range from social media, to creating exciting events.  Here’s the whole schedule as it stands.
Saturday, June 12
11 am SOCIAL MEDIA 101: Figuring out Facebook
Presented by: Jaime Guthals, Public Relations Director, Interweave Press

12 pm FASHION AND COLOR TRENDS FOR FALL/ WINTER 2010/2011
Presented by: Trisha Mal colm, Editor in Chief, Vogue Knitting Magazine

1 pm YOUR SALES REP CONNECTION: How to get the most from this valuable relati onship
Presented by: Bonnie Lively, Thirty years of needlearts industry experience as sales representative, shop owner, instructor, and designer

2 pm EASY AND EFFECTIVE E-NEWSLETTERS
Presented by: Annie Bakken, Marketing Manager, Interweave Press

3 pm BASICS OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Presented by: Steve Elkins, Owner, Webs – America’s Yarn Store

Sunday, June 13
11 am BASICS OF INENTORY MANAGEMENT
Presented by: Steve Elkins, Owner, Webs – America’s Yarn Store

12 pm SOCIAL MEDIA 201: Tapping into Twitter
Presented by: Jaime Guthals, Public Relations Director, Interweave Press

1 pm TRICKS OF THE TRADE: Create a Compelling Ad for Your Retail Shop
Presented by: Jessica Cepek, Marketing Manager, Yarn Market News

2 pm DISPLAYS THAT WOW: Create a Visually Striking Display on a Tight Budget
Presented by: Karin Strom, Editor in Chief, Yarn Market News
3 pm CREATIVE EVENT PLANNING: Tips for your Yarn Shop
Presented by: Gabrielle Stein, Events Manager, Yarn Market News

These Mini Sessions are free! They offer a time to “take a load off” and learn something.  And with all the booths and all the new products to see, you’re going to need to take a rest now and then.

When you’ve soaked up enough knowledge, found enough treasures and spent enough money . . . and just want to “set a spell,” you can stop by one of the rest areas located throughout the show floor.  This year, each of our Special Interest Groups (The Yarn Group, Needlepoint Group, and Counted Thread & Embroidery Groups) are going to be doing something “special” in one of the comfort zones.  Just another chance to see something you might not have seen yet, and to learn something new.

TIPs stands for “Trends, Ideas and Products,” the new educational program being offered on Friday morning, June 11th at TNNA’s NeedleArts Market.  The name, borrowed from the quilting industry, doesn’t really explain what this program is all about, or how invaluable this information can be to a retail shop owner.

You really need to read the entire list — over 35 as of today (May 17th), and it appears more are being added as we get even closer to market.  The great thing is, you don’t need to decide which sessions you want to attend now.  You can wait until that day.  And if you go to one session and it’s not what you anticipated, you can move on to another.

The presenters aren’t just doing ads for their products, they’re providing information that’s both practical and powerful — real tactics that can be implemented in a real retail shop . . .  ways to engage and excite customers  with new products and techniques, events and more.

There are presenters focusing on yarn, and there are some focusing on products for the stitching side of our industry.  There are some that apply to any retail shop.

Another bonus . . . If you sign up for the TIPs program and for the Retailers Luncheon, you can save yourself $10 . . . That’s $10 that you can use for the Saturday afternoon Happy Hour, another new program this year.

It all sounds like a productive and fun time . . . and an opportunity not to be missed.