I first came across Pins & Needles only because a family member owned it. Despite travelling to the West Coast four times a year for more than a decade, I had never stepped inside. When we visited, we primarily spent time with family. My life in general was busy, fast, and full of corporate deadlines — and although I had enjoyed small creative moments growing up, crafting wasn’t yet part of my adult world.
After more than 20 years in IT, I reached a point where I knew I needed a big change. I’d lived in Christchurch and Wellington, built a successful career, and ticked all the boxes I thought I was supposed to. But something was missing. I wanted to slow life down a little to enjoy it, a new town, and a chance to reshape my life into something that felt more meaningful.
So when I heard Pins & Needles was for sale, something sparked. It felt like the opportunity I had been quietly craving for years. My crafting experience was modest — a few days learning to knit with Grandma, dried‑flower arranging and mosaic art at intermediate, and three years of sewing at high school with a teacher who made the experience miserable. It wasn’t until I became a stressed, burnt‑out adult that I rediscovered crafting and fell in love with the flow state it creates. What felt like an hour of calm focus was actually four. I was hooked.
By early 2025, I knew it was time. I needed to relocate, slow life down, and finally pursue my long‑held dream of owning a business. After many discussions, the West Coast made perfect sense. I finished my corporate role on a Friday and was at Pins & Needles on Monday for the handover. It was intense, exciting, and completely life‑changing.
Once the purchase was complete, my learning journey truly began. Over the past year, I’ve worked tirelessly to understand the business, the suppliers, the customers, the terminology, and the rhythm of retail. I’ve listened deeply to what people love, what they need, and what they hope to find in a local craft store on the West Coast.
A key part of our long‑term vision has always been evolving Pins & Needles from a purely bricks‑and‑mortar shop into a full, modern ecommerce experience. It’s been a long journey to reach this point, but we’re incredibly proud to introduce www.pinsandneedles.nz a space where customers across New Zealand can explore our products, learn, and connect with the creative world we love.
We’re equally proud to bring www.handmadewestcoast.nz to life. This platform has been built with a very clear purpose: to support local creators and help them reach beyond their hometowns to the wider New Zealand community. Our makers range in age from 10 through to 80 years old, each bringing their own style, skill, and story. Many of them don’t have the resources to build and manage an online store so this platform gives them a way to share their beautifully handmade products without the financial or technical barriers.
Handmade West Coast is more than a marketplace. It’s a celebration of local talent, a bridge between creators and customers, and a way to ensure that the incredible craftsmanship found on the Coast can be enjoyed nationwide. By giving creators a place to shine, we’re helping preserve the traditions, creativity, and community spirit that make the West Coast so special.
It has been the most glorious year.
