Close to 7,000 have gotten into the "Zone" — TNNA's Award-winning "Needlearts Zone," that is!
Throughout the last three years, volunteers have taught close to 7000 new stitchers in TNNA's award-winning Needlearts Zone at Maker Faires in San Mateo CA, Detroit MI and Flushing NY.
Maker Faire is known as the World's Largest DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Festival. Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event to MAKE, create, learn, invent, CRAFT, recycle, think, play and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science and technology.
Maker Faire is organized by MAKE Magazine and sponsored by Radio Shack, Cognizant, Microsoft, Autodesk, Digi-Key, CLIF Kid, Etsy, Epilog Laser, ShopBot, Sparkfun Electronics.
The Needlearts Zone has been given a free exhibit space by the Maker Faire organizers because we are there purely to educate and engage the attendees. The Zone shares the Maker Faire venues with thousands of other creative companies, ranging from those as large as Martha Stewart, to small group of Girls Scouts selling bottle cap necklaces, to independent artisans. From high tech to low tech, the array of exhibits is nearly overwhelming.
Our volunteers include TNNA and Guild members, as well as other community people who simply love to stitch and to share their passion for fibers with others. Everyone has a great time. Thanks to the generosity of our TNNA members, new knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers and needlepointers leave the Zone with their projects in hand (at no cost), a list of local retailers and guilds, and the desire to learn more.
TNNA's Needlearts Zone has been praised by Maker Faire attendees, staff and editorial sponsors. The exhibit has been awarded eight ribbons for exhibit design and education.