A family's winning passion for needlepoint

Right to left: Cindy Saltzman, her Mom Betty Gelman,
and sisters Randi Gelman and Bonnie Kruger

A Toronto family has built a highly successful business in the absorbing craft of needlepoint. Cindy Saltzman began Needle Art in a small way in 1993. Today, with the collaboration of her mom, Betty Gelman and sister Randi, Cindy owns a Needle Art that is the foremost producer of needlepoint, a unique source of sewing advice and a thriving retail store. A third sister, Bonnie Kruger, is a vice-president of Homefront, the home accessories shop that sponsors this blog. It is a family fully in retail.  Needlepoint is an ancient skill that has evolved through centuries. Families with needlepoint heirlooms cherish them as I treasure a dining room set with needlepoint chairs done by my Grandmother a hundred years ago. Most of us are not familiar with this artful craft. Those who make needlepoint were usually taught by a relative. They are often addicts to their needles, threads and canvasses. The busy and talented ladies of Needle Art can be visited at the shop at 9078 Leslie Street (Highway 7 and Leslie) (905) 709- 7759. Cindy, Betty and Randi travel North America to display and sell their work. They sell out very quickly. To give an example, one canvas of an owl sold 60 pieces in three days. They also sold 250 Christmas tree canvases and hundreds of ornaments. The website http://www.cindysneedleart.com. Check Sew Much Fun and some of the finished canvases. Christmas Trees, Turkey, Foxy Frog, Judaic and Scrap Book. This store is the only one of its kind in Toronto and if you want to see beautiful thread art it is worth a visit. Trish