JewelsGems Gift Shop is “Where sticks, stones, wood and paint become art!” said owner/artist Jewel Brown on her company website, www.jewelsgemsllc.com.
It is store number six, located in the quaint Wilbur’s Country Store mini strip mall, located at 735 Route 94 in Frelinghuysen. The shop is owned by Brown, a local resident of Fredon for the past 23 years.
Brown’s gift shop has been open for six years, surviving the Covid lockdown when many small businesses were forced to close.
“I would like to thank my customers for shopping in JewelsGems,” Brown said. “It means a lot to me that my art is appreciated.”
“This is not a jewelry store. I am Jewel and these are all my gems!” Brown explained with a wave about the store showing her beautiful creations. Her logo is a jewel and many of her designs are marked with a glittery stone discreetly incorporated within the piece.
There is something for everyone. There are cigars, humidors, ties and socks for men. There are collectables and wooden signs with cute sayings. There are original paintings in watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed mediums. There are cases of beautiful silver and semi-precious stone jewelry and hand-beaded earrings in every color. There is always a holiday collection of household decorations.
“I always remember making my own things,” Brown said. “I was 8 years old when I started crocheting, knitting and sewing my own clothing. I learned young that if I wanted something, I could figure it out and be creative.”
She began making jewelry when she was a teenager and sewing pearls on fabric for wedding dresses. Brown is an accomplished seamstress amongst her other talents.
Brown made handcrafted gifts for family and friends and soon their friends were buying her gifts. She always had a nine-to-five job as a special education teacher, but in her spare time she would sell at arts and crafts shows all over the state, such as Warren County’s Arts and Craft Show, the Sussex County Fair Arts and Crafts Show, Sussex County Vo-Tech and Wilbur’s Arts and Crafts show.
Her husband, Isiah, would help with the heavy set up and break down. Some of the shows were juried, the best shows to attend, and she has shown at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), a museum that holds a prestigious arts and crafts show each year.
In her many years, she has made wedding table decorations, custom boxes and wine glasses, custom bird houses and paintings with beloved pet portraits on them and jewelry.
There is always something new at JewelsGems. Brown is always working on new projects. Stop by and meet her. Hours of operation are: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, check out both of her websites at http://jewelsgemsllc.com/#posts and at http://jewelzjemz.com or call 973-298-0851.
Stop by the gem of Frelinghuysen soon.
MB Journe, Contributing Writer
My name is Marybeth Journe, I feel blessed to be living in this part of New Jersey. I have enjoyed this community taking advantage of the lakes and woods. Always supporting the local businesses that make this my home. As a local artist myself, I know many of our residence if not by name, at least by sight. I feel comfortable interviewing others. I have worked for The Paulinskill Valley Chronical where I provided articles, photographs and billing. I consider myself an artist, journalist, naturalist, gardener and a teacher for the YMCA Camp Mason. I look forward to the work ahead
