"Our Story"

One question we are asked many times, “How did you get started?” It has been requested by many that we publish this “little” story on the web.

We actually began “doing” these in 1987. We had a Craft shop (The Tulip Tree) in Springdale, Arkansas where we taught classes on Folk Art Painting & many other projects. We held our first class & it was a hit. So many people wanted more designs, more classes, wanted to purchase the kits to do in their homes. We went from 1 design to over 150 in the next several years. Most are traditional quilt designs & some novelty type designs, all-stemming from Quilt books.

We continued with these thru May of 1990 at the store. We sold our store in 1990 & thought we would semi retire. Little did we know? We had so many requests for these after we sold the store; we were forced to form another company, Uniquely Jewell. My husband had been traveling internationally for the poultry Industry for many years & was giving that up to stay in one place. While “looking” for something local, he began to cut all the Wood Quilts & I was painting them. We actually delivered to many stores. Soon, it became obvious we needed help. We enlisted the aid of family members & a friend. Soon it was another and another & another…my husband never did “find” that local “thing”.

A daughter in law in Lake Wawasee, Indiana (Joannie Wert) asked us to teach a class in her home.. While planning a trip to Goshen, Indiana to visit family, we scheduled a class in my daughter-in-law’s home. It started with about 8 people. A couple of them were from out of town & wanted us to teach a class in their town. So each time we wanted to visit family, we would work in a class. Soon it was, work in a visit when we scheduled a class. From Lake Wawasee, Indiana, we held classes in Michigan, Many in Ohio, other parts of Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Minnesota & more. It became a “real job” real fast.

We traveled back & forth for a couple years & it finally got to be too much. We have since trained many people to do what I was doing. They purchase the kits from us & paint for Boutiques, craft Fairs & or teach classes. We now have painters that paint & cutters that cut. Some of our painters have been with us for 8 years. We have one who started at 13. He is now 17 & still painting. We use local people & each is trained extensively before painting on their own.

All pieces are hand cut & Hand Painted then shaded for that unique look. Although there are others who attempt this art, we always say “Often tried but never duplicated.” It has taken us many years of “practice” to perfect these. They will never be perfect because they are “hand crafted” but they are about as perfect as they can be. We price our wood quilts by the degree of difficulty in painting & cutting. A smaller one may actually cost more than a bigger one to produce.

My Husband & I run the company, do wholesale Trade shows & get older & more tired each day.

We have been truly blessed that so many wonderful people love our work. It has been a team effort. We thank each & every one of you.

John & Jewell Wert
PS: It is time to retire! 03/01/04
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Second Generation Continued!

"Full Circle"

As of March 1, 2004, the business is being operated by the very ones that began this madness! David & Joannie Wert of Noblesville, Indiana are now the "Proud Owners".

David, the son of John Wert, resides in Noblesville, Indiana with his wife Joannie and two children.

David began his woodworking career in 1983 building custom office & residential furniture. Quality & customer service has been a priority for him from the beginning and will remain a priority in the Wood Quilt business.

The two of them will be "Showing" at wholesale Trade shows, local high end Craft Shows, teaching classes on painting & assembling the wood quilts.