At Pilchuck Parlor, we believe the best way forward is to look back to the days when things were made to last, nothing was wasted, and a little creativity could stretch a dollar. Inspired by the handwritten journals of Granny Greatest—our founder’s real-life great-grandmother who ran a modest general store during the Great Depression—we’ve built a brand that honors the past while making sense for today.
Meet
Granny Greatest
At the heart of it all is Grandma Greatest—a tribute to wisdom, resilience, and doing more with less. She was inspired by founder Robin Japar’s real-life great-grandmother, whose handwritten Depression-era journals—filled with homesteading skills and herbal remedies—sparked the creation of our brand.
Granny Greatest and Granddad ran a General Store during the Great Depression. When times got tough, they helped keep their community afloat. With neighbors out of work and short on money, Granny accepted barters—trading goods and labor for much-needed essentials. And she wrote it all down.
Her journals are filled with old-fashioned homesteading skills, natural recipes (like how to make lye from wood ash), and clever tricks to stretch every penny and repurpose every scrap.
“We had to save everything. I
made underwear, slips, dresses and
even bedsheets from feed sacks.”
Lovingly passed down through the generations, these journals are now the beating heart of Pilchuck Parlor.
We’re here to carry Granny Greatest’s legacy forward—because the old ways still work. Because your home, your hands, and your habits can shape a more sustainable future.
Join the Pilchuck Parlor Community
Whether you're a seasoned maker or just starting your DIY journey, we invite you to be part of our growing community. Follow us on social media, explore our shop for digital downloads, and join our workshops to learn, laugh, and create together.
Let’s craft a more sustainable, handmade future—one project at a time!