LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (November 4, 2024) — She creates Christmas trees and wreaths from holiday ornaments, vintage jewelry, and other baubles and in November Lynchburg resident and artisan Venita McGee will host her second annual Friends & Family holiday shopping events. The first will take place on Saturday, November 9 in Lynchburg and the second on Sunday, November 17 in Shelbyville. This year’s events offer 36 trees.
“Last year’s Friends and Family event in Lynchburg was by far my favorite show,” McGee said. “After seeing so many friends, we decided to add a second event in Shelbyville. I can’t wait to see everyone.”
{Editor’s Note: To read our 2022 interview with McGee about her Christmas tree art, click here.}
The Lynchburg event will take place at the County Building located at 241 Main Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Shelbyville, event hours are noon to 4 p.m. at The Fly Arts Center located at 204 South Main Street. Shoppers can take advantage of special prices only offered at these events.
McGee, age 83, makes vintage-inspired lighted tabletop Christmas trees. In her 20th year, her pieces have been shipped both nationally and internationally. Each piece features miniature ornaments, vintage jewelry and a timepiece. The latter is her signature element and often a search for shoppers to identify. Each tree, which range in height from 12 to two inches, is unique, based on the colors and style of items McGee chooses. Each tree represents approximately five days of detailed work to create.
McGee resides on her cattle farm near the Moore County, Bedford County line, She retired from the Empire Pencil in Shelbyville after a 42-year career. •
{The Lynchburg Times is a locally-owned and locally-operated community newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee and one of the few women-owned newspaper in the state. We cover local news and events as well as the tourism and whiskey industries in southern, middle Tennessee. Click here to support us.}