
With a desire to promote the needle arts community, Leslie Wolfe opened Isabelle's Parlour in late fall of 2013. With the help of her grandchildren, and son and daughter-in-law as well, she began renovations on a neglected and forgotten building on the property that her landscape contracting company owns. Although the property is 2 ½ miles outside the town of Wickenburg, it is located on a main highway and has good access with plenty of parking. When asked why her shop is in such an odd location, she simply replies, the rent's good!
Each season – the shop is closed July to mid-September – has brought expansion. More yarns keep coming in and the footprint keeps being enlarged to provide a more comfortable 'parlour' for those wanting to come and spend the day knitting. Classes are available and inspiration covers the walls and shelves. Although you'll find plenty of wool here, there is also a wonderful selection of silks – Leslie's favorite fiber! - linens and cottons for our more temperate climate here in the desert.
And to answer the most commonly asked question – who is Isabelle? - well, that's Leslie's mother, the most amazing seamstress and knitter ever!
15 years, or so, ago, when she began her jewelry business, Leslie wanted to honor her mother and everything she had instilled in her, so the business became Isabelle Designs. When she tired of the seasonal craft fairs, it was her husband who quipped, why don't you set up the spare apartment behind our house as a studio with your yarn, sit and knit and the customers can come find you. Well, that thought just kept growing! And, again, it was her husband who suggested Isabelle's Parlour - that way the ladies can come sit and knit with you in your Parlour! he said. And so here we are, more than 5 years later, exploring the amazing world of fiber, the arts that make them a joy and the people who bring such a special creativity to inspire and amaze!