A variety of crystals and hand-made jewelry cover every inch of display space in Natasha Selle’s inventory at The Heart of Garnet Crystal Shop in Shawano.
Selle, from Tigerton, is a vibrant addition to Shawano’s downtown shopping district. She set up her unique shop Feb. 14 in the former State Farm Insurance building at 207 S. Main St..
Among the crystals she sells are rose quartz, amethyst, carnelian and blue celestite.
Many of her hand-made natural crystal necklaces sell for less than $15. She has pendant necklaces for $10. Her crystal keychains are priced from $3-$5. Crystal balls start at $10. Worry stones and small carvings start at $3.
Setting and keeping prices affordable is a priority for Selle.
“Because I do everything myself, I can offer good prices,” she said. “It’s not all about the money for me. I’m big on having a price range that everyone feels comfortable with.”
Selle said that she wants to spread the abundance and joy in what she does.
“I do giveaways of a different crystal every week,” she said.
Customers can enter the weekly drawings by filling out entry slips in the store. A large amethyst piece was the giveaway recently.
In addition to the wide variety of crystals, gemstones and jewelry pieces, the store also features larger pieces that may be used as home décor or specialty pieces for customers who are interested in the spiritual component of crystals.
“I’m happy to be here and happy to answer anyone’s questions,” she said. “If someone is interested in getting into crystals, I’m happy to direct them to find their perfect piece.”
Selle understands that everyone’s beliefs are different. She has combined her own Christian beliefs with the spiritual side of crystals.
Crystals have been seen as healing objects in numerous religions for centuries.
According to Selle, some people just like crystals because they are pretty.
“That’s cool,” she said. “A lot of people aren’t into the spiritual side of crystals, and that’s awesome, too.”
Selle started creating hand-made jewelry in May 2020 and began selling online.
“It grew, and it blew up, and it was amazing,” she said.
Selle had to ask her dad to help her so she could finish orders timely. He learned how to make jewelry with her, which she said was a lot of fun.
“I really needed to be out with the people, instead of just online,” Selle said after receiving a lot of encouraging and positive feedback about her creations after she started selling them in markets and craft shows.
Selle began looking for a brick-and-mortar location, and chose Shawano.
“There’s something beautiful about the energy in downtown,” Selle said, adding that there is a small-town feel in Shawano, but that the downtown shopping district has a bigger town feel.
Selle’s fiancé, Zachary Krause, is very supportive of her endeavor. Selle said that he helped to remodel the space, building a counter for her and helping to paint and put in shelving.
The store is named after the garnet gemstone. According to Selle, the garnet is known for passion, purpose and a fiery drive inside of people.
“I feel that my purpose is to spread some love and happiness and all that good stuff,” Selle said. “One of my favorite stones is blue celestite.”
It is believed that its properties support the nervous system, reduce stress and soothe, calm and help with clear decision making.
To help customers identify and choose crystals, Selle displays the names and descriptions of the possible spiritual properties of each type. For example, Selle explained that clear quartz is popular because it is believed that it amplifies energy and helps cleanse the aura (the energy field that surrounds all living things) and harmonizes the chakras (the way energy moves through the body).
“I like to think of these crystals as our tools and our helpers,” Selle said. “I think we can all use a little reminder to be kinder to ourselves, kinder to others.”
Selle, mother to Remington, 7, and Aubry, 2, welcomes children into her shop. Children can find animal-carved stones or crystal key chains in the store, for example. She said that some children who come in tell their parents that they want to work there when they grow up, because it is so fun.
“Breakable geodes are some of the favorites of children,” Selle said. “They can hammer and crack them open, and they just love them. It’s amazing.”
Geodes are spherical and hollow and when opened can reveal colorful crystals.
Selle said that she has something for everyone in her store.
“If you don’t see something you like, I can always search for it, or I can make it,” she said. “That’s the fun part about what I do. I get to make pieces that are personalized for people.”
Creating custom pieces is one of the services she enjoys offering. She is also available to try to repair jewelry pieces.
“I really love this community,” Selle said. “I’ve loved meeting everyone. I’ve loved everyone’s feedback.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Heart of Garnet
WHERE: 207 S. Main St., Shawano
WHEN: Noon-5 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Hours could expand during the summer.
ONLINE: Learn about daily happenings at Heart of Garnet’s Facebook page.
Business crystallizes in downtown Shawano
