Sublime Stitching, based in Austin, Texas, sells embroidery patterns featuring pirates and pieces of sushi.

ECONOMIST: Hobbies

At the age of 16, Zhou started her entrepreneurial career as a peddler of embroidery hoops, needles and patterns.

FORBES: Smart Investments Push Fortune Of China's Queen of Costume Jewelry, Zhou Xiaoguang, And Her Husband Over $1 Billion

Influenced by indigenous craft, the embroidery of Venetian courtiers who ruled the country beginning in 1489, and ancient Greek and Byzantine geometric patterns, Lefkara lace is made by hand in designs combining four basic elements: the hemstitch, cut work, satin stitch fillings and needlepoint edgings.

UNESCO: Culture