AN artist and keen recycler has made a unique Christmas decoration... out of 20 pairs of spectacles.

Jan Fallows, who has embraced her creative streak since she was a teenager, wanted to make something quirky for her home this year.

Mrs Fallows, who lives in Colchester, said she has brought together her love of art and education to construct the two-feet tall Christmas tree out of spectacles she has saved over the years.

It was a quick turn around, and she had the whole structure together within an afternoon.

It uses glasses of all types and colours and thicknesses to create an eclectic mix.

She said: “It’s a table decoration and I made the base out of glasses cases which are very colourful.

“The glasses are all interlinked using a glue gun and I have dripped the glue down the sides to look like snow cascading.

“I also put a light in the middle which looks really effective. It looks like crystal when it is all lit up.

“By looking at it without the light you wouldn’t think it was made out of glasses, you get quite an interesting effect.”

She said the piece was to promote recycling at Christmas time, a period when there is a lot of extra waste.

Mrs Fallows has been using mixed media to create all sorts of works over the years, but wanted to make something festive this year.

She added: “As I already had the vision it only took me about two hours.

“ I like experimenting with different ideas, I use art as a kind of therapy.

“I’ve been doing art ever since I learned to draw.”

A couple of years ago Mrs Fallows had an exhibition at Colchester Library called It Doesn’t Cost the Earth which was made up of tables, wall hangings and other furniture all made out of recyclables.

She has also made pieces for Essex County Council as well as councils in the north of England and even for councils abroad.

She said: “I’m a carer for my parents at the moment but I am going to try to make time to do my art, I think that’s important.

“I’m interested in art and education so I like to link both.”

Mrs Fallows also has her sights set on her next project which is likely to be of an even bigger scale, made out of recycled plastic.

Her special tree currently has pride of place next to her log burner although she is thinking of taking it to Emmaus Colchester, a charity supporting homeless people back into work.