A Word from Natasha Lehrer, Founder of Esther's Place

Our main goal for Esther's Place is to provide a country setting of encouragement and inspiration, and to tell stories of shepherding to those that appreciate and understand. Sheep to us are one of the Lord's finest creations and this is the reason we are so passionate towards encouraging their eminence in the lives of consumers. We are partnering with the USDA to promote wool and particularly that which our nation produces, so consumers like you can support farmers in their honest and sincere efforts.

At Esther's Place you'll find woven into every aspect genuine rural insight and a pride in American-made products. From finely crafted equipment and a broad medley of beautiful, natural fibers, to the classes and retreats we offer, it is clear that your experience here will be unique and enjoyable. We personally invite you to talk with us, and better yet, to visit and take pleasure in the beauty of fiber arts at Esther's Place, A Fiber Arts Studio.

Sincerely,

Natasha Lehrer
Founder of Esther's Place

Directions

201 W. Galena Street (Route 30) Big Rock, IL 60511 tel 630-556-WOOL (9665)

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm

Take Route 88 west to Sugar Grove/Route 56 exit. Continue on Route 30, over Route 47. Pass school and take the first right onto Lincoln Avenue for parking.

Our History

Illinois has been blessed with an abundance of rich, fertile land. It has drawn and allured Americans for centuries. Farmers who traversed the prairie to settle their lives in this land far west of the colonies were taken back at the sheer vastness and beauty of Illinois. Men came to conquer the indomitable prairie, women came to make a home, and their spinning wheels and looms came to provide a sense of belonging, a sense of calm.

The click-clack of wheels and the rhythm of knitting needles provided families with more than necessary clothing. It became an art passed from generation to generation, a comforting and soothing routine for working women, and most importantly, a heartfelt tie between the enduring sheep of Illinois farms and the warmth and well being of the farm's family.

By the time Illinois found itself in a war between the states, spinning wheels and looms were being replaced by machines and factories, industrializing these revered arts so common and known to the nation's people. As the nation began a shift away from the agricultural heritage it was founded upon, more and more people grew distant from the farm. from its simplicity and its freshness; its significance and its character.

At Esther's Place, we desire to create a warm and joyful experience that welcomes you to engage in fiber arts in a unique way, through discovering the agricultural and historical significance of these fascinating arts. Just over an hour's drive from Chicago, Esther's Place is located in the quaint, rural village of Big Rock.

We welcome all to come and restore that meaningful connection between the farm and fiber arts, and learn the skills that have molded and shaped generations. Though such skills were a necessity in yesteryear, they also enriched and enhanced cultures spanning the ages of time. Today more than ever, it continues to be a captivating and fascinating pursuit that beckons us to take a closer look at our past.

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