Flexible clips which are transported over a solid needle or through a hollow needle and methods of use thereof are described for tissue approximation and attachment and for joining a graft vessel to a target vessel. The tissue approximation or anastomosis clip includes a highly flexible or elastic material wrapped around and transported on the outside of a solid needle. Another embodiment is a flexible or composite clip which is transported within a hollow needle. The distal end of the clips has a tapered configuration to minimize resistance and facilitate tissue penetration. After placement of the clip in the desired location, the solid or hollow needle is withdrawn resulting in coiling or contraction of the clip thus approximating the tissue and securing the clip. Multiple clips can be loaded in the deployment device which is calibrated to deploy and secure one clip at a time. An additional embodiment is a needle point attached to a clip that overrides a solid shaft. Deployment is by pushing or displacing the clip portion from the shaft. A plurality of these needle-clips may be oriented on a circular ring which permits rapid clip deployment and tissue approximation, such as for anastomosis, and methods for subsequent ring removal or dismantling.