By Katie Aizon for The Guam Guide
Here’s the situation (or stitch-uation): crafts are chic, cool, and can be crazily creative yet can also be intimidating to learn as a beginner whether you’re crocheting, knitting, or sewing. Luckily our friends at Nomadic Needles, Guam’s comfort craft store, have everything you need to make that first stitch.
From humble beginnings as a business on the go to setting up a retail store in the heart of Hagåtña, Nomadic Needles offers craft enthusiasts the chance to conveniently find the materials they need for their latest creations and craft alongside others.
A Needle for Crafts on Island
Katie Parks comes from a long line of crafters, having grown up with family members specializing in different creative pursuits including sewing, quilting and painting. Yet, Katie shared her own crafting journey did not officially begin until after she welcomed her first child, committing to creating things for her children just like her family did for her.
After moving to Guam, she noticed how scarce craft-centric stores were on island despite many people sharing an interest in them. At the time, one of the only ways people were able to get materials was through online shopping which doesn’t really provide the experience of being able to feel out materials before purchasing or asking for advice, especially as a beginner.
Noticing the need to make craft materials accessible and provide a comforting retail experience for craft enthusiasts on island, she opened the Nomadic Needles storefront in 2022 to share her passion for crafts with others.
The name Nomadic Needles comes from Katie and her husband’s previous nomadic lifestyle due to often moving due to work. She started her initial business, Katie’s Awesome Creations, on the go and eventually settled with the Nomadic Needles we know today.
Sew Many Supplies to Choose From
Katie described walking into Nomadic Needles to be like walking into “the coolest grandma’s closet” and we couldn’t agree more.
Upon entering, everything will catch your attention you won’t know where to look first from the patterned fabrics, bright bundles of yarn, crochet kits, rows of sewing machines, or even tote bags embroidered with the Nomadic Needles trademark.
You’ll be positively overwhelmed but feel as if there’s something in the store that’s meant for you, just waiting for you to find it whether you’re a hobbyist looking to knit a sweater, a cosplayer wanting to create a costume from scratch, or a novice crafter.
All the tools you need to pick up or develop a new skill can be found at every corner.
And, if you’re lucky when browsing around the yarn during your visit you might even find a friend or two hidden among the colorful strands!
Aside from the retail store, Nomadic Needles provides sewing machine maintenance and offers a variety of beginner crafting classes.
Classes and Workshops Tailored for Beginners
For beginner crafters looking to discover a new hobby, Nomadic Needles invites you to try one or two of the following classes:
- Crochet
- Embroidery
- Knitting
- Quilting
- Sewing
Katie shared that classes are designed to be a steppingstone towards a craft of your choice and a low investment introduction to discovering a new skill. “Even if you get that one class it’s really just to set you in motion to see if you like it or give you the momentum to get started,” she said.
Classes are available for participants as young as eight years old and are a maximum of six individuals per session. Registration for classes and workshops can be made through Nomadic Needle’s website.
Ready to craft alongside Nomadic Needles?
Location: 422 West O’Brien Drive, Suite 103B, Hagåtña, 96910
Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., and Sunday - Monday, CLOSED for retail shopping.
Website: https://www.nomadicneedles.com/
