Meet Emmalee Shook | Personal Jeweler and Master of Crystology

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emmalee Shook and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emmalee, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I started Amber and Haze in 2011 with a purpose of helping people. Since then I have helped thousands of people over the world with the healing qualities of Baltic amber and crystal healing jewelry. I’ve focused on high quality materials and I stand behind my products. My customers wear their jewelry for many, many years and usually come back to adorn their close friends and family. Everything is made to order to the customers specifications. I am a certified Master of Crystology and I just love tailoring jewelry to suit it’s wearer! I know that there are alot of other places to buy amber jewelry but we genuinely care about each and every one of our customers!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Gosh! This is a loaded question, I’m not sure where to begin. I started Amber and Haze in 2011 and searched for years before I found my beloved amber supplier. Most companies use a baroque shape for their beads. I started with those but found they were pokey and broke easily. There had to be a better option. I began my long friendship with this supplier in 2017 when they made my first batch of beads for me according to my specifications: almost perfectly round and between 4mm-6mm. They are pricey but so worth it! They are not only beautiful but more comfortable and durable than the baroque shaped. They blend well with my crystal and gemstone beads! It’s been trial and error since the beginning but over time I have perfected my art and feel confident that the quality is hard to beat! We offer jewelry for the whole family from bracelets, anklets, necklaces, waistbeads, earrings, rings and don’t forget collars for pets! Everything is made to order so customers can either choose a style in the length and clasp style that they want or they can completely customize a piece however they want! Either way, everything is unique! Especially if you customize though. The process is pretty easy. I have a listing on my store specifically for this and you start by selecting the length you need and leave a note on the order telling me a little bit about what you want. When I get ready to make it, within 5 business days, I message back with questions and pictures of options. Customer usually tell me about their ailments to which I “prescribe” crystals and gemstones and tell me about their favorite colors. I have many colors of cords as well so its all customized. After everything is strung up I then hand-knot between each bead to make them even more durable for jewelry that will last forever!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I just love Colorado! I live in Colorado Springs so of course we would hit up Garden of the Gods first! It is literally right down the street from my house! We don’t even have to leave my house though for the magnificent view of Pike’s Peak. I am so blessed to have it smiling at me from my backyard! I love to take visitors to our 3 downtowns: Manitou, Old Colorado City, and downtown Colorado Springs. Some of my favorite local establishments are: The Rabbit Hole, The Golden Bee, Yellow Mountain Tea House, and Mother Muffs. We would have to hit up a concert at Red Rocks, not too far and always a great time!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Again here I would have to give a shoutout to my customers. They have been so supportive over the past 11 years! A little back story: I started on Etsy in 2011 and it was my main source of business until February of this year. They changed their policy to disallow the sale of beaded amber jewelry. I was out of business overnight. It was devastating! My website was with an affiliate of Etsy so it was out of business too! I scrambled to set up a website with some help from a local momma that owns Woven Dreams Web Creations. Shay is truly a lifesaver! All the while I kept sales going and made a seamless transition! I thank my lucky stars for all of my wonderful customers!

Website: amberandhaze.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberandhaze/

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/company/amberandhaze

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amberandhaze1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmberandHazeJewelry/

Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amberandhaze