It’s That Time of Year Again !!!
The Online Needlework Show is now open! This is probably my favorite time of the year … and it comes around twice!
I am a very firm believer that this is the stitcher’s opportunity to take a look — from the comfort of our own homes, in our pajamas or whatever else we’d like to wear (or not — your choice 
), and at whatever time of day is convenient for you — at all the different items available on the market to needlework shops and distributors from manufacturers and designers. We don’t usually get this kind of direct access but this is our chance to have an inside peek, and it is our obligation to take a look at what is there, make a list of what we like and would purchase, and then let our shops know. Too many shops today think the needlework industry isn’t doing well — this is your chance to let them know that the industry is doing just fine, but that the problem is that the shops haven’t been bringing home the items YOU want to stitch, or the tools you want to use.
So go take a look at all the wonderful offerings from this half of the year’s Online Needlework Show, make your list (and maybe even check it twice). Along your way, don’t forget to watch out for door prizes and other contests which may be offered by individual vendors! Then when you’re done, you just let your local needlework shop know what you want so they can order it for you! Simple!
Unless, of course, they’re not signed up to be buyers at the show, in which case you need to let them know how important this show in particular is for the current success and future growth of the needlework industry by putting them in touch with Cindy Ward (or have them read this article first if you think it will help 
) … and make sure you show them the nice long list of items you’ll be ordering through another shop on the list who is signed up as a buyer.
We’ve all got to work together to help bring all our local shops into 2007 — there are actually a lot of them who don’t even have an online presence yet, or who don’t monitor what’s going on in the needlework world through any online resources. Those shops are missing out on SO MUCH, and it makes me really sad to say that my local shop is one of them. I’m going to take some time to look through the online show, make my shopping list, and then go visit her with it because she has repeatedly said to me, “Cross stitch just isn’t doing very well,” and even, “Cross stitch is dying.” I completely disagree. She just isn’t paying any attention to what stitchers want to stitch right now, and so her customers have gone elsewhere for the products they want — especially since she’s turned her store primarily into a yarn store in order to stay in business. Obviously, I can’t force her to drink … but I can sure try by leading her to the water … Just look at all the fabulous designers who will be hosting booths in this Online Needlework Show (in the tags section)! Who would want to miss this? Not me … See you there!
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