How do springs work?

Springs when used , either they store energy or absorb energy. When we are pulling or pushing the spring, we are using the force , that means we are doing WORK and using energy. Tighter the spring, harder it is to deform. The energy what we use is not getting lost , as per law of conservation of energy. Then where it is stored? Most of this energy is stored as POTENTIAL ENERGY in the spring. When we release the spring, even this energy is released. For example : when we wind a mechanical clock , we are storing the energy by tightening the spring. As the spring loosens, this energy is slowly released and powers the gears inside and turns the hands around clock face. Now when all of this potential energy which was stored in spring is over , turning of hands on clock face too stops.