I think this is a valid question in today's world and especially with the economy what it is.  Where have all the needle workers gone??? I've talked to fellow shop owners, who like myself are lamenting about the lack of business, how the industry has changed, how things are worse than they've ever been.  I'm sure that many people surf and shop on line for their needle art needs, but after talking to people who have been in business for 40, 30, 20 years, the needleart business is no longer what it was in the past.  What could have brought us to this point?  Could it be the lack of the younger generation showing any interest in this beautiful art form?  Could it be that because many schools in the U. S. no longer teach the art of the needle as part of the school curriculum, while in European countries the art of the needle is still a part of the school curriculum?  Could it be the expense factor as less and less Americans wanting to needlepoint, cross stitch or other needleart hobbies can afford the cost of items needed to work on an item? In the needlepoint field, hand painted needlepoint canvases have become more and more expensive. Counted Cross Stitch charts and books also have gone way up in price. Has the art of the needle become a hobby of the well to do, rather than a hobby for anyone who loves to stitch and do hand work?  Have counted cross stitch fabric prices gone through the roof, unless you buy from the tube? How can we interest more people in the art of the needle?  Should needlework be less expensive so that more can afford to do hand needlework? Should we shop owners and hand stitchers alike be going to service groups like 4-H, home extensive and the like and offer to teach needleart on a voluntary basis? What should be done to encourage and revive the needlearts? What do YOU think?