New shop in Spencer offers rocks, gems and jewelry galore

SPENCER — A new lapidary workshop has opened in Spencer, offering rocks, gems and jewelry in all colors, shapes and sizes.

The owners of Atelier Yvona, Yvona and Dave Gunderson, told EastIdahoNews.com that what was a hobby they started 14 years ago has become a full-time gig.

“When people come in, they go, ‘Man, this is a jewelry store,” Dave said. “And that’s the impression that we want to get across because we have a lot of nice jewelry plus we have a lot of nice rocks.”

Yvona has been hunting rocks her entire life. Her mother was a geologist, and her father was an entomologist, so in her childhood they would travel Europe and hunt for either rocks or bugs. But it wasn’t until Yvona was an adult that she started doing anything with the rocks she collected.

Then, some years ago, Yvona took a class from the Idaho Falls Rock Club. There she learned how to make jewelry out of minerals, and has since become recognized as one of the most skilled wire wrappers in the area.

“I really enjoyed doing it. It was my relaxing time – making stuff out of the rocks,” Yvona said.

So Yvona and Dave started Yvona’s Pebbles, a hobby store they would take on the road to rock and mineral shows. They expanded into bigger shows, and they finally decided to open a store, which opened just a few weeks ago. And the store is chock full of everything from rings fitted with sparkling gems to marbled bolo ties.

Dave said that a lot of their rock comes from Brazil, as they befriended Badin Stones, a mineral seller from there. They also have minerals from Spencer and across the globe from places like Madagascar, Australia, India and Ethiopia.

When customers visit their shop, Yvona said they’re frequently introduced to the real boss at Atelier Yvona: a golden retriever named Mikki.

“Our puppy, less than two years old, definitely runs our lives,” Yvona said. “In the store, she loves people, so she welcomes everybody who comes through the door.”

More information on Atelier Yvona can be found on their website. The shop’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the week. The shop is at 1400 Highway 91 North in Spencer.

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