Artist Journal: Robert Chad
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Robert Chad’s Artist Sketchbook and Process.
Keepsake Artist, Robert Chad doesn’t fool around when it comes to brainstorming new ideas for his ornaments. Instead, he goes right to his sketchbook. “I’m not big on research,” he said. “I like to draw. A few of years ago, I bought an iPad with an Apple pencil, so I could start drawing digitally. It kind of got me back into drawing. There’s even a program I use that creates a video of your drawing—I’ve posted those videos on the Community web site before.”
Whether in a paper sketchbook or on his iPad, Robert’s ideas can go through quite the metamorphosis from his original concept to the actual ornament that ends up on Christmas trees in homes all over the world. “You’re always creating throughout the entire process,” he said. “Sometimes technical things get in your way, or the price. Plus, there are so many hands involved in the creation of our ornaments. That’s the truth about how things are made in Keepsakes—’it takes a village’ is not just a saying. It really does. By the end of the process, it’s become something a lot different than where it started.”
Robert remembers one ornament in particular that went through a big transformation before it became an ornament. “I worked on a hand-blown glass fox in recent years,” he said. I sketched it first, then Ken did some drawings and I really went from Ken’s insight, but in the end, it looked nothing like either of our sketches. The factory in Poland made changes to soften the look and make it work in blown glass—something we know very little about. Things changed and changed, but we ended up with a great ornament that has a ton of great detail.”
Dapper Fox
And detail is something Robert knows well. After more than 30 years of sculpting Keepsake Ornaments by hand, he still has a few tricks up his sleeve—one of them being the actual wax he uses to sculpt every day. “Years ago, Duane Unruh invented a concoction of wax that became the wax we all used,” said Robert. “The shop at Hallmark attempted to make us a wax that was similar, but never got close. You can’t get your hands on some of the original ingredients anymore. Interesting fact? I still have a big stash of the original wax that I use today. I melt down old sculpts and reuse that wax over and over and over. I’m using recycled wax from 30 years ago so every sculpt I’ve ever done is inside what I’m working on now.”
Box of recycled wax sculpts
Local Club News: September 2019
Here is the latest Club communication that was received today.
Dear Local Club Presidents,
Greetings from the Keepsake Ornament Club! Happy Fall! We hope that you’re getting excited to attend Ornament Debut to see the new line up of ornaments. We cannot wait to get to a store on October 5th to get our wish lists! We have some exciting news to share with you and we want to be sure that you’re the first to hear it.
Please see the attached for your September 2019 Local Club President updates, packed full of information about 2020 KOC, 2020 Artist Signings, and so much more!
Collector Profile: Carl J. Bedigian
Carl J. Bedigian
.
Carl Bedigian, a native New Yorker, born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, collected Hallmark Keepsake ornaments, with a particular love for the Magic (light and motion) designs.
He loved them so much so that he dedicated a wall in his apartment to them, using early Keepsake Ornament store fixtures for his powered display.
At the time, his goal was to eventually buy a home so he could own and display even more of his magic ornaments.
Carl’s Hallmark Display (Christmas 2000)
His life story is one of heroism.
After battling leukemia as a child, Carl grew up and loved to travel. In those travels around the world he would often pick up recipes to add to a beloved hobby, cooking. He may not have realized it at the time, but his talents in the kitchen would eventually come in handy.
He loved working with his hands, building a home or designing electronic circuit boards. Those skills led him to the New York Transit Authority where he worked as an elevator engineer. However, in 1993, he found his true calling, as a New York Fireman, where his love of cooking became invaluable to daily life at the firehouse.
214 Engine Company/111 Ladder Company
Fire House Memorial
Starting at Engine Company 228, he eventually moved to 214 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, known as the “Nuthouse,” where he would remain.
While stationed there, Carl heard of a young child in Europe who desperately needed a bone marrow transplant. No doubt having suffered from leukemia as a child helped motivate his next decision—to donate bone marrow to that unknown child across the ocean. The last time reported, that child had recovered and was thriving.
In 1998 Carl suffered a setback in his health with a spinal hemorrhage that left him paralyzed. For many this would have been a permanent, life-changing trauma. Carl, however, fought back. Within weeks he was walking again and eventually returned to serve the people of New York as a firefighter once again.
His wife said after that experience it left them both with the desire to live everyday as if it were their last.
FDNY Lieutenant Carl J. Bedigian
of Engine Company 214 in Brooklyn
Eighteen years ago today, Engine Company 214 was one of the first on scene responding to the calls for help at the World Trade Center Towers. Carl was in the South tower lobby bravely serving those in need when it fell. He was one of five members of his firehouse who never returned home. Carl, newlywed by just a year, died as a hero at 35 years of age on September 11, 2001.
Ten years after his passing, his wife Michele wrote him a posthumous letter that was published in the book, “The Legacy Letters: Messages from 9/11 Family Members.” Their story was later told on PBS Newshour.
A Wife’s Tribute to Her Husband
Citations:
Please consider:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a first-responders charity in honor of 9/11 hero Stephen Siller, who, while off-duty, raced on foot though the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to get to the twin towers, where he later died. The Foundation serves surviving families of first-responders and military primarily through home building or paying off existing mortgages.
2019 Video: Artist Insights (Here Comes Sandy Claws)
Here is a link to a Keepsake Ornament video showing Sharon talking about one of the designs she created for 2019.
Check out the Pumpkin King himself, dressed like “Sandy Claws” at the reins of his coffin sleigh—from the modern classic movie, Disney Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Announcement: Ken Crow “Retired”
Ken Crow
Hallmark Master Artist
(Retired)
After 40 wonderful years, our beloved Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Master Artist Ken Crow has retired from Hallmark.
THANK YOU KEN
FOR ALL THE MAGIC!
2019 Video: Artist Insights (Family Game Night)
Here is a link to a Keepsake Ornament video showing Rodney talking about one of the designs he created for 2019.
Who’s hungry for some holiday fun? Relive the memories of family game night and times spent playing together with this vintage toy-inspired design that looks just like the classic game and play pieces.
Artist Journal: Edythe Kegrize (Majestic Cardinal and Majestic Lady Cardinal)
Majestic Cardinal and Majestic Lady Cardinal Progression
My Vision, inspiration, and creative process for Majestic Cardinal and Majestic Lady Cardinal!
2019 Video: Thank You For All the Magic Mr. Crow
After 40 wonderful years, our beloved Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Master Artist Ken Crow has announced that he is retiring from Hallmark. We wish Ken the best in his new ‘master class of creativity,’ and will always be thankful for the countless smiles and memories his magic has provided.
2019 Video: Keepsake Ornament Club Convention
Earlier this month, Hallmark welcomed nearly 1,500 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club (KOC) super fans from across the country and Canada who descended upon Kansas City for the biennial KOC convention.
Experience the magic all over again! Relive the biggest moments and memories of the three days of the 2019 Keepsake Ornament Club Convention.
Reveal: 2019 KOC Event Exclusive Buttons
Hallmark once again gave away buttons in conjunction with the various activities at the convention, including seminars, workshops, games and the Saturday night dinner. Each location had a different button. Please see below for a breakdown of where each pin was given away.
Experience the Magic
Available at
The Magic of Christmas
Saturday Night Dinner
Frosty Fun Decade
Available at
Spin It to Win It
The Magic of Christmas
Available at
Innovation and Magic Panel Seminar
Santa and His Reindeer
Available at
License To Create! Panel Seminar
Mrs. Claus
Available at
World of Miniatures Exhibit
Frosty Friends
Available at
Keepsake Trivia
Puppy Love
Special Edition
Available at
The Art of Sculpting Workshop
Pack it Up! Tutorial Seminar
Blue-gray Tanager
Available at
Tom’s Cigar Hour Panel Seminar
Sledding Shenanigans
Available at
Trim Your Home Tutorial Seminar
Beer Stein
Available at
Scavenger Hunt