Charleston Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 8
Business Spotlight: Skyler Shourd & Callow Fibers
For Skyler Shourd, creativity has never been just a hobby—it has been a lifelong passion that has shaped her family, career, and now her newest adventure as the owner of Callow Fibers.
Skyler grew up in Colorado with two older sisters and a younger brother and remembers her childhood as one filled with love, creativity, and encouragement.
She married her high school sweetheart and best friend, Brian, and together they began building a life centered around family and learning. After Brian completed graduate school in mathematics in Indiana, the couple relocated to the Pacific Northwest when he accepted a position as a software engineer in Seattle. Looking for more space to raise their family, they spent several months searching before discovering Bremerton.
"We fell in love with the small-town feel," Skyler says. "There were so many unique local businesses doing interesting things." Ten years later, they are still proud to call Bremerton home. Brian works remotely for an education company, while Skyler has dedicated herself to homeschooling their two children, Ada (14) and Max (11).
With a degree in education, Skyler originally chose homeschooling because she recognized some of the challenges within traditional education. What she didn't expect was just how much she would enjoy it.
"I absolutely loved homeschooling," she says. "Being able to teach my children while having fun together has been incredibly rewarding."
Both children participate in the Home Link program, attending classes one day each week while continuing their education at home. The family has also become deeply involved in the performing arts through Enoch City Arts Theatre. Their daughter, Ada, recently starred as Alice in Alice in Wonderland, and Max will play Gene in the upcoming musical North Platte Canteen. The whole family has performed at ECA over the years and have had tons of fun and gained confidence through their theatrical experiences. Skyler describes the theater as an incredibly welcoming community and credits its director, Anne, for creating an environment where every person feels supported and encouraged.
Nearly three years ago, Skyler discovered another community that would become an important part of her life. While attending Kitsap Pride, she stopped by the West Sound Roller Derby booth, where the enthusiastic members invited her to attend the league's New Skater Program. Looking for new connections and a fresh challenge, she decided to give it a try.
Despite having little skating experience beyond rollerblading years earlier, Skyler quickly found herself surrounded by an inclusive and supportive community. Today, she serves as the newly elected President of West Sound Roller Derby after spending the past two and a half years as the organization's secretary. She values the league's welcoming atmosphere, which includes women as well as non-binary and transgender skaters, and appreciates the friendships and sense of belonging it has brought to her life.
Creativity, however, has always remained at the heart of who Skyler is. Her mother operated a home-based sewing business, creating draperies, pillows, and quilts, and Skyler learned to sew at just five years old. As a child, she made her own Halloween costumes and clothing for her dolls. Today, she still finds joy in sewing garments, refinishing furniture, and tackling creative projects of every kind. "Creating is cathartic," she says. "When you make something with your own hands—whether it's for yourself or someone else—it nourishes something inside you."
Although she once operated a successful custom crafting business, she eventually realized that creating on demand had taken much of the joy out of the process. Stepping away allowed her to rediscover her love for making things simply because she enjoyed it.
That journey has led to the opening of Callow Fibers, a dream years in the making. More than a yarn and fabric shop, Callow Fibers has been designed as a creative gathering place for the community. The store will feature a carefully selected collection of yarns and apparel fabrics, along with a cozy living-room-style seating area where people can gather, connect, and create. A dedicated classroom space will host workshops taught by Skyler and other talented instructors, giving beginners and experienced makers alike opportunities to learn new skills.
Even the shop's logo reflects Skyler's artistic spirit. The design grew from her own sketches and doodles inspired by her Scandinavian heritage.
Skyler hopes Callow Fibers will become a place where creativity flourishes and friendships are formed.
"When people create something themselves, it gives them a sense of accomplishment," she says. "That feeling inspires them to keep learning and trying new things."
As Callow Fibers prepares to open its doors on July 25, Skyler is equally excited to now play a bigger role in the Charleston Business District. https://callowfibers.com/ "I love the energy here," she says. "People are passionate about moving the district forward and helping it reach its full potential. Everyone has been so welcoming and collaborative."
She looks forward to seeing more vacant storefronts filled with thriving businesses, creating even more reasons for people to visit, shop, and explore the neighborhood. With her passion for creativity, education, and community, Skyler is sure to make Callow Fibers a wonderful addition to the Charleston Business District—and a place where inspiration is woven into every visit.