When Andrew Kim left consulting, he wasn’t planning to build a creative movement. He was restless. Curious. Searching for something more tactile than spreadsheets and strategy decks. Then he found tufting.
“I loved how immediate and physical the medium felt,” Kim says. “There’s something powerful about pushing yarn through fabric and seeing your idea take shape right away.” That curiosity became Scattered Kind Tufting Studio, now known as the first dedicated tufting studio in New York City. What started as experimentation evolved into a cozy, welcoming workshop space built around a simple idea: “Made for you, made by you.”
At the time, accessible tufting studios barely existed in the U.S. Kim saw the gap and built the space he wished he had had. But he was intentional about what it would feel like. “I wanted the studio to be more than just a place to make rugs,” he explains. “It needed to be a creative environment where people could slow down, reconnect with themselves, and feel genuinely welcomed.”
That emphasis on atmosphere is what separates Scattered Kind from a typical craft class. The studio is designed to support both connection and quiet focus. Some visitors arrive with friends, ready for a shared experience. Others come alone, seeking solitude and concentration.
“A big part of my intention was to create a space that meets people wherever they are socially and creatively,” Kim says. “Some want to meet new people. Others want a place to create without pressure. Designing a studio that feels inclusive to both extroverted and introverted personalities has always been central to my work.”
The name itself carries that philosophy. “Scattered Kind reflects two ideas that felt important to me,” he shares. “The scattered nature of creativity and curiosity, and the kindness that comes from shared artistic experiences and community.” That balance between individuality and togetherness is embedded in every workshop. Guests design and tuft their own pieces, learning the technical process while also expressing something personal. The result isn’t just a rug — it’s a tactile memory.
Kim’s artistic perspective has also been shaped by boundary-pushing creators like David Nott, whose sculptural tufted works blur the line between functional object and fine art.
“His pieces aren’t just carpets,” Kim says. “They exist more like installations. Seeing tufting pushed beyond traditional floor coverings opened my eyes to how material, texture, and form can create emotional impact within a space.” That influence shows up in the studio’s ethos. Tufting here isn’t treated as a novelty craft. It’s positioned as an art form.
Still, the mission remains grounded in accessibility.
“I believe creativity should feel accessible, not intimidating,” Kim says. “Everyone deserves a space where they can exist genuinely, whether they’re there for connection, solitude, or something in between.” In a city that moves relentlessly fast, Scattered Kind offers something rare: permission to slow down and make something with your hands. Not for perfection. Not for productivity. Just for the experience of creating.
And maybe that’s the real draw.
You don’t just leave with a tufted piece. You leave having proven to yourself that you can build something from scratch, loop by loop, thread by thread.
In a world that often feels scattered, that kind of grounding feels intentional. And deeply kind.
