Today we’d like to introduce you to Justine Schmidt.
Hi Justine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Silverpick Rock Shop began a long time before it ever had my name on it. My grandparents opened the original Silverpick Rock Shop in 1977 in Jensen, Utah. My grandpa was a retired miner and silversmith, and my grandma worked beside him, creating jewelry and handmade beaded crafts.
For me as a child, Silverpick Rockshop felt like stepping into another world. The air was earthy, scented with minerals and stone, and the walls were lined with fossils, lapidary tools, and amethyst that sparkled under the lights. Bins overflowed with every type of mineral, agate wind chimes, bookends, and massive geodes that seemed almost otherworldly. My grandpa’s handmade silver necklaces hung on displays, and rock tumblers hummed softly in the background. Another special memory from growing up there, was my grandma’s craft room, a space just as magical. Tiny drawers held every bead you could dream of, shelves lined with crystals and nostalgic knick-knacks, and sewing supplies were tucked into baskets and jars. I would watch her hands move with purpose and patience as she created, and she would let me string together my own little creations beside her. Together, the rock shop and her craft room were a museum, a workshop, and a sanctuary all at once. A place where time slowed, and magic felt real.
My grandma was the most loving and nurturing person I’ve ever known. She was the only true stability I had growing up, and she poured her heart into me in a way that shaped who I am today. I didn’t realize then how deeply those quiet moments of my early childhood would root themselves in my life.
The beginning of my own little shop, started after my grandma passed away in 2020. I felt completely broken. Losing her felt like losing my anchor. I was also raising 3 daughters alone at the time. In my grief, I didn’t know what I was building yet, I just knew I wanted to hold onto her somehow. I started buying crystals in bulk, dreaming of having my own rock shop one day, even though I had no idea where to begin. I assumed I would sell online, and my home slowly filled with drawers of rocks tucked into my dresser, shelves, and every spare space I had.
Then in 2022, a friend of mine who owns Happy Hippie Haus in Cleveland, Texas, reached out and invited me to participate in an anniversary market at his shop. That day marked the very first time “Silverpick Rock Shop and Apothecary LLC” ever set up a booth. I did really well, and had the best time. Almost overnight, I knew this was the path I was meant to be on. I went home with hope and a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in a long time, and began applying to local vendor markets, which I have been doing regularly ever since!
Starting my little shop has truly been a lifeline. Setting up at local markets have not only helped support my family, but they’ve also given me a way to work without sacrificing being present for my kids. Motherhood is my most important job, and markets have allowed me to build a life around that. During the week, I create at home while dedicating my time to family. On weekends I have a market scheduled, we load up and work together. My five children are growing up within this business, learning to set up, interact with customers, and understand what it means to create something from the ground up, and I am extremely proud of that.
My dad was also inspired by what I was doing, and taught himself wire wrapping and lapidary work which he regularly sends to me to sell at my booth. I think that’s really amazing, because he is slowly bringing the original rock shop back to life just in a different way. He still lives on the property in Utah and the old storefront building, that he helped my Grandpa build all of those years ago, is now his personal workspace for “Lapidary Arts by Gramps.” It really just is a multi-generational venture at this point, all rooted in how much we loved my grandparents and being inspired by what they created. I find myself sitting in front of my own craft supplies and beads, while stringing together crystal sun catchers, and I feel my grandma with me. It’s almost surreal how life has come full circle, how those childhood memories have turned into the work I do today. Every piece I create feels like a continuation of her story, a way to keep her spirit alive. One day, I hope to locally open a storefront the same way my grandparents did, not just as a business, but as a place of inspiration. A space I can pass down to my children, the same way my grandma passed creativity, love, and possibility down to me. Silverpick Rock Shop isn’t just what I do. It’s my healing, my family, and my legacy all woven into one.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building this business hasn’t been a smooth road at all. Along the way, I’ve faced both personal and professional challenges. I’ve had to learn the ins and outs of the market world through trial and error, figuring out the hard way which markets were a good fit, which ones were slow, and taking big risks like setting up a booth out of state with high fees and travel costs, never knowing if I’d make back my investment. All while juggling my family life, raising three daughters with a completely absent co-parent, building a new family with someone I love, showing up to markets pregnant and tired, bringing babies and kids along, and somehow keeping it all together while managing paperwork, inventory, and creating new pieces for my shop along the way. It’s overwhelming sometimes, but I always adapt and stay consistent.
We’ve been impressed with Silverpick Rock Shop and Apothecary, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Silverpick Rock Shop has roots going back generations, specializing in crystals, fossils, handmade jewelry, sun catchers, and one of a kind crystal creations. What sets us apart is that everything that we make can be customized, which includes crystal bracelets, air-plant suncatchers, wire-wrapped jewelry, crystal mushroom gardens, and even wire-wrapped crystal potted plants. Some of my inventory or the rocks used in new pieces of jewelery are even from my grandparents original rock shop, which I think is really neat.
What also makes us special, is that our booth doesn’t feel like your typical commercial business, you get me every time! I don’t branch out or hire anyone to run it for me, creating a truly personalized experience. Every piece we make carries intention, care, and a little bit of magic, and I love sharing that with everyone who stops by.
What we are most proud of, is to be part of Plant Con International, the nation’s largest plant expo, and in 2025 we set up our shop with them in Houston, Orlando, New York City, and Dallas, sharing our love of crystals with people around the nation.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We are set up regularly with local markets in the area which include Houston Plant Market, The Sunset Bazaar, Bayside Bazaar, Baytown Trade Days, and Plantcon International!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/SilverpickRockShop
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/SilverpickRockShopAndApothecary
Image Credits
Main feature photo credit is to :
Obed Esquivel
