How Jewelry designer, Michele Buckler got wrapped up in gemstones

When I was growing up, I would visit my grandparent’s large farm outside of Baltimore,  Maryland. On weekends, my Aunt Janice, who I called A.J., would pick me up after work and we would spend quiet afternoons roaming the farm.  One of my favorite activities was walking the winding stream by the swimming hole - I was completely enthralled with all the pretty colors and shapes of the different stones we would find.  A.J. and I would put our finds in our pockets to show my Grandparents when we got back to the house where I would play with them for  
hours.

As I grew older, A.J. expanded my horizons on stones through books and by taking me to local stone shows and rock shops in the area. Soon I began to identify the stones we would find on our farm excursions.

When I was nine, A.J. took me on my first airplane trip and bus tour. We visited Bryce Canyon,  Grand Canyon, Red Creek Canyon, Zion Canyon, and Yellow Stone National Park. When everyone else would go shopping at various stores, A.J. and I would take off our shoes and walk the rivers, filling our socks with all the precious gems of the area. Back on the bus, our finds were the hot topic of the day. 

After high school, I attended college in Elkins, W.V. While there, as often happens, other things caught my attention, but I carried my love and appreciation for gemstones. I would always have some kind of stone either in my pocket or on my desk. When I was not feeling well or felt out of balance in some way, I was drawn to my beautiful stones. Somehow, those gems would always make me feel better.

I pursued my goal of helping children after college, armed with a BS degree in Elementary  Education, Child Psychology, and Social Work. I enjoyed this work, but I felt that something was missing. 

Years later, I met a jewelry designer who created beautiful necklaces and rings by wrapping stones in gold-filled or sterling silver wire. Watching and talking to him for hours as he created his jewelry, I finally asked him to teach me how to make beautiful pendants and rings.  Although he only taught one or two students every couple of years – both not wanting to saturate the market with the art or for it to become a dying craft – he agreed to teach me. His teachings have changed my life forever.  MJB’s Gem Wrap was born. 

“Mother Nature did the artwork, I just put a frame around it.”

For five years, I attended around 37 craft shows a year on the East Coast.  Then one day while in Lewes, I saw a quaint shop with a “space available“ sign.  At that moment, I decided that it was time to open Just For You, Unique Gifts, now Sand N Stones, Delaware, Holistic, and Nature Shop.

Today, I enjoy simpler things, like spending time with my loved ones including my Yorkie, wire wrapping, spending time walking the gardens and beaches of Delaware picking up Sea Glass,  Sea Pottery, Cape May Diamonds (which I call Delaware Bay Diamonds), Beach Stones, and  Shells and photographing Delmarva in all of its beauty.  I also enjoy going to rock and gem shows and gift shows.

When I think of Lewes, I think of Cape Henlopen State Park where I spend countless hours walking and photographing my surroundings, and “Living The Lewes Life®’’. I also think of the rich history that Lewes has to offer. I knew that Lewes would be the perfect place for Sand N Stones, Delaware, Holistic & Nature Shop.