{EDITOR’S NOTE: The Times interviewed McGee about her trees last year. You can read that complete interview by clicking here.}
LOCAL NEWS | Local artisan, Lynchburg resident and Shelbyville native Venita McGee will display her popular handmade vintage-inspired tabletop Christmas trees at a special “friends & family” event in Lynchburg on Saturday. Everyone is invited to stop, shop and visit from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Moore County Building located at 241 Main Street – just off the historic Lynchburg square.
For more than 10 years, McGee has made the intricate trees in her home on her farm in Bedford and Moore counties. The treasures have been shipped across the country and sold at various craft shows and exhibits in the area.
McGee, age 82, is a 1959 graduate of Shelbyville Central High School. She retired in 2003 after a 41-year career in administration at Empire Pencil Company (now Sanford). Farming and staying in touch with her friends occupy most of her time, but, as the holidays approach, she can be found in her home workshop, making these one-of-a-kind trees.
The trees include a variety of vintage, contemporary and vintage-inspired ornaments along with a selection of vintage and antique jewelry, in addition to her signature timepiece. She carefully weaves a vintage watch among the ornaments, emphasizing the timeless nature of each piece.
“Each tree is different, and every tree is a labor of love,” McGee said. “Whether it’s a custom order or a theme I developed on my own, I put a lot of hours into making them special with hopes that they’ll find a special place in the homes and hearts of others.”
McGee sells trees, both electric and battery-powered, ranging in height from 12 to 22 inches. Saturday’s event will feature 25 of her trees. She’ll also showcase several of her custom wreaths which are 12 to 24 inches in diameter.
“Cold weather prevented me from participating in the only Lynchburg show I had this year, and I was so looking forward to seeing everyone who planned to attend,” McGee said. “We decided to host an event in Lynchburg, and offer everyone a very special, one-time-only price.”
Free refreshments will be served on Saturday and attendees are invited to bring ribbon for holiday decorating. Free bow-making will be offered for attendees while they shop.•
{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally-owned and locally-operated community newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee and one of the few women-owned newspapers in the state. They cover local news and events as well as the tourism and whiskey industries in southern, middle Tennessee. Click here to subscribe.}