TNNA Winter 2019 Highlights February 22, 2019 12:12

We just got back from the Winter 2019 TNNA show, and as always - it was amazing! This was the second winter show to take place in a hotel format - this year we were in Portland, OR.  Next year we'll be closer to our home base as the show will be in Austin, Texas Jan 23-26, 2020.

Why TNNA?
Purl & Loop is a big fan of TNNA because it provides us an opportunity to connect with our current and future customers.  We get to learn about their shops and their customers and design and provide products that help them grow their customer base.  We love showing retailers how our products can blast through both their shop stash and their customers’ yarn and thread stash as well. Twice each year, this is our opportunity to surround ourselves with the other members of our fiber arts business tribe.

New Format, New Opportunities
The hotel format has enabled us to have less distracting conversations with both attendees and fellow exhibitors, which has resulted is loads of ideas and inspiration that is implemented throughout the year. It's making these connections with other business owners that is truly the heart and soul of the TNNA shows.

The Future of Fiber Arts
On another note, TNNA strives to grow the needle arts marketplace and one way to do so is to create future needle arts enthusiasts among children and teens. TNNA Foundation, comprised of volunteers, is working hard to make that happen.  Thanks to proceeds from the Spinzilla registration fees, the TNNA foundation has the funds to provide complimentary spinning and weaving kits to organizations committed to teaching spinning and weaving to children and teens.  Click here to get more information on this worthwhile project!

TNNA in Pictures
A rising tide raises all ships - and the TNNA members know that better than anyone. Here are a few of the folks helping out the TNNA foundation with either product donations or expertise.

This is Tom Collingham and his family owns and operates Colonial Needle Company. Tom is also a member of the TNNA Board of Directors and his company donated the plastic tapestry needles in the TNNA Foundation weaving kits.

This is Angela and Barry Klein, the owner and operator of Trendsetter Yarns.  Barry is a long time TNNA member and has served on the Board for many decades in a variety of capacities.  Trendsetter Yarns (make this a hotlink) donated the weft yarn bundles in the TNNA Foundation weaving kits.

This Diane Bertelson of Pepperberry Designs.  Diane is on the TNNA Board of Directors and she is the volunteer chairperson of TNNA Foundation.  She has devoted countless volunteer hours to coordinate the suppliers of the kits and the process for requesting and receiving the kits.
This is an example of a hit metallic thread from Doug Kreinik of Kreinik Threads.  What makes this a hit?  This thread was used in a Game of Thrones costume and you can read about it here:  http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2013/08/got-metallic-threads.html. Kreinik donated the warp thread for the TNNA Foundation Weaving kits.
This Courtney Kelley of Kelbourne Woolens and she was super busy writing orders all weekend.  Courtney serves as one of the TNNA Board of Directors.
This is Jacqueline Sava of Soak.  She is also on the TNNA Board of Directors.  
Fellow Wood Lovers
This is Chris and Michri Barnes of Brittany Needles - Brittany was next to us at last year’s TNNA Winter Show in Las Vegas and it was great to see them in Portland.  I am personally very envious of all the machines and tools they get to use to make their USA products.
This Katy from Katrinkles but I always just call her Katrinkles because I think the name is adorable.  Katrinkles makes all their products with laser machines just like we do.  When we were struggling to connect with other laser machine owners to brainstorm ideas for maintenance and production efficiencies, Katrinkles was one of the few folks who talked with us.  Her business has grown in so many ways and it has been great to see how such consistent work really pays off.
This is just a snippet of my own experience at TNNA.  Twice a year I feel surrounded by a tribe of folks who “get” what we do even if what we do is not what they need for their own businesses.   To be around so many like minded people in one place twice a year is an enriching and creative experience for us and we hope it is for others as well.