Terri Steiger

During the Friday night Dinner in Clinton, MD Terri and Ruth were introduced. After the opening comments the floor was opened up for questions. Here are the questions that were asked, along with the artists responses.

Q. How long have you been collecting Hallmark Ornaments?

Terri: “Even though I have been with Hallmark since around 1996, I was unaware of Keepsake ornaments until 2002.”

Ruth: “I got into collecting antique ornaments from my mother Edna and Aunt Sophie as a child. I started collecting Keepsakes around 1987.”

Q. What type of media do you use to design your ornaments, 3D or sculpting?

Terri: “I typically use drawings. I will draw concepts and collect materials I would like to use with it and then send all of the components [drawings and materials] for it to be created. On occasion, I have been known to make a paper model of a design. For one ornament, I tried unsuccessfully to learn to knit. I ended up buying and cutting up old used sweaters. With a laugh she stated: “I have lots of yarn from my attempt if anyone needs some.”

Ruth: “I mostly use the computer to design my ornaments. I will use programs such as Photoshop or Illustrator. Occasionally I will use wax to sculpt an ornament. I would love to learn 3D computer designing but have not used it at this point.”

Q. Can you give us any sneak peak for next year?

Terri showed a picture board with two pictures. One of the pictures was of this year’s ‘A Season of Faith’ the other was ‘A New Season,’  the 2015 retirement ornament. She said that she loves the idea of Keepsake Ornaments being available everyday for such occasions as birthdays, graduations, retirement, etc.

A New Season
Retirement.
Features a metal leaf with a copper
dangle hanging from its stem. On
ornament: Every season tells a new
story. Dated. By Terri Steiger. 4½” h.
$14.95 USA QHX1099

Ruth also showed a poster with two pictures including ‘Radiant Cross’, an ornament she is designing for a new premium line of ornaments which will be released in 2015. There will be 12 ornaments in this collection. She said she drew inspiration for this design from antique Camphor glass necklaces.

Radiant Cross
Premium.
By Ruth Donikowski.

Q. What do you do if you have an ornament you are passionate about and it is turned down?

Terri: “I look sad, pout, and start to cry.” Terri laughed. “Seriously though, I may hold onto the design and reintroduce it another year. Sometimes I will make updates to it and reintroduce later.”

Ruth: “I will try to reintroduce it until it is approved. Sometimes it isn’t approved one year because there is something similar in concept but will be accepted for the next year.”

Note: Neither artist could give an example off the top of their heads of an ornament they had continuously reintroduced until it was acceptance.

Q. What is your favorite series?

Terri: ‘Father Christmas’ and ‘Frosty Friends’. “I believe they are timeless. Oh, and did I mention I like the ‘Christmas Cupcakes’ series too.

Ruth: ‘Father Christmas’ and ‘Snow Buddies’

Q. What is your favorite series that you designed?

Terri: Christmas Commemorative series

Ruth: Christmas Cupcakes series

Q. How many trees do you decorate? and or How do you decorate for Christmas?

Terri: “I decorate 2 trees. (My tree and a second tree for my daughters.) I also decorate my mantel with the Illuminations ornaments and or [Magic] cord ornaments.”

Ruth: “I live in a small place but decorates 3-4 small trees. I have a small tree on my kitchen table that is decorated with the [Christmas] Cupcakes series.”