Ornaments by Jenny: Turning Special Memories into Works of Art

For Jenny Wathan, a simple holiday project created for her grandchildren has grown into a cherished tradition for families throughout the community.

Jenny, the artist behind Ornaments by Jenny, has been sketching and hand-painting ornaments for years. What began as something special for her own family soon caught the attention of others who wanted a one-of-a-kind piece to hang on their Christmas trees.

Today, Jenny’s hand-painted ornaments have become a holiday must-have for many local homes.

Each ornament is individually designed and painted with incredible attention to detail. More importantly, Jenny takes the time to understand the story behind each piece so she can capture the memory her customer wants to preserve.

From custom portraits of beloved pets to ornaments celebrating weddings, new homes, babies, anniversaries and other life-changing moments, her artwork turns memories into keepsakes that can be brought out year after year.

And you don’t have to start with a blank ornament. Jenny is also happy to personalize an ornament that you purchased somewhere else, adding names, dates or other special details to make it uniquely yours.

One longtime customer’s story shows just how meaningful Jenny’s ornaments can become. She began ordering ornaments from Jenny when she was still in high school. Years later, she is now a mom and has collected so many of Jenny’s creations that she has an entire “Jenny Tree” dedicated just to displaying them during the holidays. What started with a single ornament has become a Christmas tradition that tells the story of different chapters of her life.

For Jenny, however, art extends far beyond Christmas ornaments.

Her creativity can also be found throughout Fond du Lac. Jenny has completed murals locally, including artwork at the SSM Health maternity ward and Community Church, giving community members an opportunity to experience her talent on a much larger canvas.

You may also spot Jenny creating art right on Main Street. She has participated in Third Thursday on Main, where her chalk artwork gives visitors the chance to watch creativity come to life before their eyes.

Whether she is working with a tiny ornament, creating an intricate pet portrait, chalking on the sidewalk or transforming a wall with a mural, Jenny shares the same passion for art in everything she creates.

Perhaps that is what makes an Ornaments by Jenny piece so meaningful. It isn’t simply a decoration for the Christmas tree. It’s a small piece of someone’s story—carefully sketched, painted and preserved by a local artist who understands that some of life’s most special memories deserve to be celebrated year after year.

With the holiday season approaching, now is the time to have your own special memory turned into a keepsake. Ornaments by Jenny is accepting custom ornament orders through September 30. Whether it’s a beloved pet, a milestone moment or a memory close to your heart, Jenny can help create a piece that may someday become part of a holiday tradition of your own—or maybe even inspire your own “Jenny Tree.”