Artist Jessie Fries started making vintage jewelry Christmas trees back in 2020 and now sells her festive creations at The Art Shoppe in Plymouth, a business she runs with fellow artist and business partner, Eddy Murray. “We are a working studio, where we create original artwork, jewelry and other creations that are relatively affordable for everyone,” says Fries. “We have created the sort of space we would like to find if we were on the outside coming in.”
Fries fashions her jewelry trees from broken bits of vintage and modern costume jewelry, which she finds at thrift stores or receives as donations from friends and people in the community. She has also bid on random assortments of vintage jewelry sold by the pound through online auctions. Each tree is assembled on a black velvet background, which Fries spatters with gold paint. She then layers unique bits of jewelry to form the shape of the tree. Carefully selecting unique pieces, bracelets are transformed into glittering garlands and beads and brooches become other Christmas ornaments and stars. Once complete, the trees are placed in ornate frames.
The Art Shoppe’s Holiday Open House is scheduled for Saturday December 3. Guests can come in to mix and mingle, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, prizes and, as always, complimentary gift wrapping of purchases. “We also do a fundraising food/can drive the week of the open house, which is our way of giving back to the community,” says Fries. “This year we plan to donate to Shane Gives Back Inc. in Carver.” To view more unique artwork, visit The Art Shoppe, 84 Court St., Plymouth (second floor) or on Facebook @TheArtShoppeJessartStudio.
