This month, we are delighted to spotlight Jo-An Thomas, the visionary behind Shop Thrifty Treasures, a curated online boutique offering an exquisite selection of vintage and contemporary jewelry, art, and home decor. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Jo-An combines her extensive artistic background with a commitment to providing high-quality treasures at accessible prices.

After a successful career in corporate America, Jo-An transitioned to pursue her passion for art and design. With over 25 years of training and experience in the USA, China, and Japan, she founded Shop Thrifty Treasures to offer discerning shoppers unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect her expertise and aesthetic sensibility. Each item in her collection is carefully curated, ensuring that customers receive only the finest selections without the hefty price tag.

Shop Thrifty Treasures specializes in a diverse range of products, including:

Jo-An's philosophy is simple: luxury doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. She believes that discerning fine from mediocre should be effortless for her customers, and she takes pride in doing the hard work of curating exceptional pieces for them.

Beyond her role as a curator, Jo-An is a seasoned Chinese Brush Painter with a rich artistic background. She has studied under renowned masters such as Diana Kan, Zhuo HeJun, Wenda Gu, Henry Wo Yue-Kee, and Ning Yeh, Ph.D. Currently, she continues her studies under Mayee Futterman, a disciple of Ning Yeh. Jo-An's work has been exhibited in various galleries, and she is an active member of The Sumi-e Society of America, the Morean Arts Center, and the Suntan Arts Center.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Jo-An is the president of TESA (The Exhibiting Society of Artists of Greater Tampa Bay), teaches Chinese Brush Painting classes for beginners at the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her dedication to sharing her craft with others reflects her passion for the arts and her commitment to fostering creativity within her community.

Jo-An Thomas exemplifies the harmonious blend of artistic passion and entrepreneurial spirit, offering customers not just products but curated experiences that enrich their lives with beauty and elegance.

Jo-An paints under the name Jo-An Frances, and you can find her work at Jo-AnFrancesArt.com.