Ellice wrote:
I don't think the Needlework Industry on the whole is declining that much -
it is the LNS that are hurting. The proliferation of web-shopping has done
that. Many shops are surviving by doing e-business, or something else (my
local that has most of the income from the frame shop, followed by the
needlework portion of the shop & antique needlework boutique. Designers who
sell directly to the public, retail - frequently LNS are stopping carrying
them (why pay for the inventory if you're in competition to sell with the
designer).

My dream is for shops to be more like the one in Monica Ferris' Betsy
Devonshire mystery books. All encompassing. The knitters; the lace
makers; the canvas, counted and surface embroiderers all come to Monday
Brunch, oooh and ahh at each other's work, occasionally do something new.

Dianne