Member Exclusive Offer: KOC Flash Sale
Hallmark made too many 2018 Songs of the Season sets! So for 3 days only, they’re offering these 6-piece ornament sets exclusively to KOC members at a special price $39.99 USA (regularly $99.99 USA) –that’s 60% off! This sale is online only and ends at 11:59 p.mp CT on Tuesday, August 6. But don’t wait long – supplies are limited.
Songs of the Season
ORDER NOW
Available on Hallmark.com
2019 KOC Convention: Experience the Magic (UPDATE)
This “1 Week Countdown! Important Updates and Reminders” email was just sent to all KOC Convention Attendees.
Dear KOC Member,
This time next week, we’ll be experiencing the magic of the 2019 Keepsake Ornament Club Convention in Kansas City! We have been waiting all year to see you and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
As we get closer, we want to share a few additional updates and reminders to help you plan. This email is long, but it’s packed with lots of helpful information designed to create a truly meaningful and memorable experience, so please read it all the way through. You’ll also find the latest information posted on the event app and website.
First, let’s get you checked in!
If you’re planning to arrive on Thursday at the start of the convention, feel free to check in at either convention hotel no matter where you’ve booked your stay. Convention checkin and registration bag pickup is available at both the Westin and Sheraton Crown Center hotels on Thursday, August 8. At the Westin, look for the Washington Park Place room on the Lobby level (left of main entrance). At the Sheraton, look for the Empire room on the Mezzanine level (3rd floor near connection to The Link walkway). If you’re planning to arrive after Thursday, you’ll find registration in the Sheraton lobby only at the Santa’s Helper Help Desk.
Remember to have your ID ready.
Wherever you choose to check in, you’ll be asked to confirm your information so please remember to bring a photo ID and be sure that the information on your ID matches the information on your registration. As always, we can only release one badge and bag per person and each registrant, including children, must be present and checked in to receive them. While children are required to be there to pick up their name badge and registration bag, they are not required to show ID.
Get excited for more time with Keepsake Artists!
The Artists are more involved in this year’s event than ever so we have made big changes to this year’s Artist Signing experience. The changes give you more time with your favorite Artists by allowing them to join you for Activity Sessions on Friday and Saturday. You will also see many of them in volunteer roles during this time and during the evening dinners. What does this mean for you?
- More time to chat and interact with the Artists! If you see them at Activity Sessions or throughout the event, say hello! As long as they are not taking a break, they would love to meet you!
- Your assigned Artist Signing sessions are still your one place to receive Artist signatures. Please do not request Artist signatures outside of these times as they are only allowed to sign during scheduled signing sessions.
- Artist Signing lines will move quickly! Our schedule is a bit more compact this year so we will need to move quickly to get everyone through the line and remain on schedule, with Artist Signings occurring every 20 minutes in North Pole Village. We hope you understand and appreciate your cooperation in advance.
What else can you expect for this year’s Artist Signings?
There are five Artist Signing locations throughout North Pole Village. You’ll be able to identify them on the map inside the Event Pocket Guide that you pick up at registration or on the event app.
There will be a limited number of tables and chairs outside the stanchion lines at each signing location. You may arrive up to 20 minutes before your assigned signing time so please find a seat, relax, prepare your ornaments and chat with family and friends. If all seats are taken, feel free to gather around the table area to prepare for your signing.
Ten minutes prior to your Artist Signing start time, we will use table icons and a random draw to determine the lineup order for the session. This means you don’t have to arrive more than 20 minutes early for your timeslot as the order will be determined for you.
Five minutes prior to your start time, line managers will scan each badge to verify registration and will send each table grouping to a specific line. Each line will be released one after the other for signatures.
This year, we’ve assigned volunteer assistants to help you through the line. They will meet you at the front of the line and be there to help if you need support holding anything as you move through the line.
REMEMBER: We can only allow two signatures per Artist. This rule applies regardless of what is being signed. For instance, one ornament and one box signing counts as two signatures. Two ornaments in one box also counts as two signatures. Please plan ahead and be mindful of this rule to help ensure that everyone is able to get the signatures they’re hoping for.
Don’t worry if you have back-to-back signings or arrive a few minutes late from another activity. As long as you arrive within your assigned 20-minute session, we will work you into the back of that session’s line. Just be sure to let the line manager know when you have arrived. Unfortunately, we cannot bump you to another session, so arriving during your assigned time slot is critical.
Making your way between hotels
We have structured the agenda to limit the amount of travel required between hotels but you will have plenty of options when necessary.
- Shuttle service. We are pleased to provide regular shuttle service between the Westin and Sheraton Crown Center hotels throughout the convention. There are two available stops at the Sheraton – the first drops you at the lobby and the second drops you at an entrance closer to North Pole Village. Be sure to tell your shuttle driver which door you prefer. Additionally, for those who need help transporting scooters or wheelchairs, ADA compliant mini-vans are available. All transportation vehicles will operate on a continuous first come, first served basis.
- Indoor walk through The Link. Many people consider The Link (an elevated pedestrian walkway) to be the fastest connection between the Westin and Sheraton Crown Center hotels. Once onsite, you’ll find ample signage and our team, as well as hotel staff, will happily guide you there.
- Outdoor walk through Crown Center Complex. If you prefer to walk outdoors, the hotels are separated by a short 3-block walk within the beautiful Crown Center Complex.
As a reminder, airport transportation to and from the hotels, and to and from Club Dinners, is on your own but we’re happy to help with suggestions once onsite.
View dinner menus and make changes to your agenda
To help prepare your tastebuds, we’ve added a sneak peak of this year’s dinner menus. Click here to view them. And if you’d still like to view or make changes to your personal agenda (perhaps, you’d like to add an activity session), you can so on the registration website or on the event app.
Getting help onsite
No matter the situation, we’re here to help. If you have convention related questions, comments or concerns while onsite, you’ll have several ways to find help. In addition to our volunteers . . .
- Santa’s Helpers Help Desk will be a stationary resource Thursday – Saturday in both hotels. Check the event app for daily times and locations.
- Mobile Help Elves will travel by “sleigh” between hotels to answer your questions on the go.
- KOC Convention Team Members, dressed in white volunteer t-shirts, will be happy to assist.
- Use the app! Stay plugged in to the event app for realtime updates, reminders and notifications.
In case of emergency
If you experience a medical or safety emergency while onsite, pick up the nearest land line phone at either hotel and dial 3. State your emergency and hotel operators will immediately contact 911 and dispatch appropriate help. Land line phones are available throughout both hotels and inside every guest room. The hotels also have onsite First Life Safety teams certified in CPR.
That’s all for now. We hope you feel our excitement because we can’t wait for you to experience the memories, magic and moments of the 2019 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Convention! Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help before next week. We’ll see you soon!
Sincerely,
KOC Convention Team
For questions, call 1-800-Hallmark. Specially trained KOC Care Agents are available 7 days a week to help.
We can’t wait to see you!
2020 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention
FORGOTTEN Paradise
A Tropical Fantasy Come to Life
2020 National Barbie® Doll
Collectors Convention
July 8- 11, 2020
August 26-29, 2020 CANCELED
Las Vegas, NV
- Mirage Hotel and Resort
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
UPDATE (04.27.20) – 2020 National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention to be postponed. New dates announced.
UPDATE (07.08.20) – National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention has been CANCELED for 2020.
2019 KOC Convention: Condolences for Hallmark Keepsake Family
This email went out earlier to all those that are registered for the Convention.
Dear KOC Member,
As excited as we are for next week’s convention, our hearts are heavy for the family of beloved Hallmark Artist, Steve Goslin, who passed away last week. This, of course, includes his wife and fellow Keepsake Artist, Deb Nielsen.
Despite her tremendous loss, Deb is determined to join us for next week’s artist signings and interview segments. As you can imagine, we expect this to be both a difficult and therapeutic process for her so we are thrilled that you will be there to help show how much we all care.
That said, in an effort to respect Deb’s privacy and help lift spirits, we ask that you refrain from sharing deep condolences during the artist signing. This will also help ensure that everyone who wants to has a chance to connect with Deb.
She will need our thoughts and prayers for the long road ahead, so there will be a card sending collection box located inside North Pole Village, at the Cards and Crafts station, where you’ll be encouraged to drop sympathy cards for Deb and her family.
Thank you for your understanding and for your expressions of care and concern. Keep an eye out for additional updates and reminders via email in preparation for next week.
Sincerely,
KOC Convention Team
For questions, call 1-800-Hallmark. Specially trained KOC Care Agents are available 7 days a week to help.
Coloring Page: Santa’s Magic Train
Santa’s Magic Train
Coloring Page
Sit back, relax, and create something beautiful! Based upon Ken Crow’s 2018 Santa’s Magic Train Keepsake Ornament, this coloring page is specially curated to bring you the Keepsake artist experience. With this wonderful illustration of the original ornament, you’ll enjoy discovering this treasured piece and making it your own.
Artist Journal: Anita Marra Rogers
Monday, July 29, 2019
Hallmark Keepsake Artist Anita Rogers has always considered herself to be more of a sculptor than an artist who draws. “I usually end up drawing an idea, then redrawing again and again,” she said with a laugh. “My sketches almost never come out like what’s in my head the first time. I don’t really think I draw as well as I sculpt!”
Anita Marra Rogers’ Toster Oven
Thankfully, Anita honed her knack for sculpting and has been an integral part of the Keepsake Studio for more than 30 years. And because she sculpts by hand, instead of digitally like other artists, she’s got a unique set of tools to help her in her day-to-day work. “I use a toaster oven!” she said. “I turn it on a low temperature to warm up my wax before starting a sculpt. Once I have the rough shape created and it cools off and hardens, I have a hot tool with various sizes and shapes of tips to melt and move wax around. I also have some metal sculpting tools to carve with—some especially made for sculpting—as well as other tools homemade from old paint brushes, razor blades, and even dental tools!”
Those unconventional tools have turned hundreds of designs into the ornaments for which Anita is known best. Sometimes, though, ideas are presented that never actually become an ornament. “I always keep some old drawings in my files,” said Anita. “Who knows, maybe they’ll still become ornaments some day!”
Besides making ornaments for three decades, Anita has also flexed her creative muscle by crafting. “I don’t really sketch for fun,” she said. “But I do love to tie-dye, and even make a little money doing it!”
Over the years, whether crafting fabrics or creating ornaments, Anita has looked to her fans for inspiration and she’s looking forward to seeing collectors at this year’s KOC Convention in Kansas City. “I am always inspired by the fans and getting to meet with them,” she said. “They are the most awesome group of people and they keep me going. I am always trying to do my best for them!”
Hallmark Live
If you will be arriving in Kansas City a little before the Keepsake Ornament Club event, be sure to check out the “Hallmark Live” events that will be taking place at the Hallmark Visitors Center.
Hallmark Live Schedule:
August 7 (Wed.)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Ken Crow & Anita Marra Rogers
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Joanne Eschrich & Sharon Visker
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Nina Aubé
If you’ve never been to a Hallmark Live event, it’s a small event with the artist(s) sharing concept sketches, sculpts and various types of production samples of their work (sometimes they even create while you’re there). Although the artist usually has a short presentation, much of the time is spent answering questions and chatting. There are a few places to sit, but most people stand or sit on the floor. It’s a small space that fills up fast, so arrive early.
Jeep used as Model for 2019 Hallmark Ornament
Bill Heins of Lyon County, Kansas is a Jeep fanatic.
1982 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
25th in the All-American Trucks series.
He has five of them in working order and several more that are in parts. Now, he has one that’s much smaller — small enough to hang on a Christmas tree.
One of his Jeeps was used to as a model for a 2019 Hallmark Christmas ornament.
Heins got in touch with Hallmark after a friend of his, Mike Starkebaum of Topeka, learned that Hallmark was looking for a stock Jeep Scrambler to model an ornament after.
“Mike knew mine was 100 percent stock,” Heins said. “So he contacted me.”
It had the dimensions Hallmark was looking for in a model.
They arranged a day for Heins to drop off his Jeep at Starkebaum’s store, 4×4 Land, so some representatives from Hallmark could come down and get the vehicle’s specs.
Heins dropped his vehicle and went to run another errand in Topeka. When he came back, the Hallmark representatives had been and gone.
Though the ornament was just released July 13, all this happened quite a long time ago. Hallmark ornaments are planned at least 18 months before they come out, as Heins learned when his Jeep became one.
Heins is honored to have something based on his Jeep hanging on Christmas trees all across the nation this coming holiday season. He’s especially honored to be able to gain recognition for Scramblers such as his and further the cause for such vehicles.
“Just to have a Scrambler ornament was quite a privilege,” he said.
Heins is a member of the Scrambler Owners’ Association, a national group open to those who own Scramblers, which were only built from 1981 to 1986.
Three of Heins’ Jeeps are Scramblers.
“When you’re wanting to see something preserved, you try to take the opportunities to allow it to happen,” he said.
Bill Heins of Lyon County, Kansas (right) stands with Steve Farley, Hallmark President of Retail Business in front of Heins’ Jeep Scrambler.
When the ornaments were released to the public for purchase, Heins was invited up to a Hallmark store in the Kansas City area, where the company is headquartered.
“The manager is a Jeep person and had found out about my involvement,” he said.
The manager, Misty Heitman, wanted to have one of the vehicles at her shop to draw attention to the ornament reveal and to let shoppers get a good look at it before buying a miniature version.
Heins agreed to drive up to the shop, purchase a few of the Jeep ornaments, and show people his Scrambler. Another friend who owns a similar Jeep also attended.
“We believe in preserving the Scrambler Jeep and this is just a small way to make sure it happens,” he said.
The ornament is part of a series Hallmark has been creating each Christmas for years, based on vehicles.
According to Heins, the 2019 ornament is the first one the company has ever made that was based on a Scrambler.
It is white with a Christmas tree and a large, wrapped present in the bed of the truck.
A Jeep Scrambler belonging to Bill Heins was used as the model for the 2019 Hallmark Christmas Ornament.
The ornament differs from Heins’ Jeep in some ways. Heins’ Scrambler is brown, for one thing. But it’s the preservation of the Scrambler that counts, as far as he’s concerned.
“Mine was just a small part of it,” he said.
The ornaments are currently available for purchase in Hallmark stores around the country.
By Lydia Kautz lydia@emporia.com
Reprint of: “Lyon County man’s Jeep used as model for 2019 Hallmark ornament”
2019 KOC Convention: Experience the Magic (UPDATE)
This email was just sent to all KOC Convention Attendees.
Dear KOC Member,
We are less than two weeks away from the 2019 Keepsake Ornament Convention and we can’t wait for you to Experience the Magic! We’re excited to share a few updates that we hope will help as you begin to finalize your plans. Most of this information is also on the website and event app so remember to log in for updates as we draw even closer to convention.
Registration, Reservations and Sign Ups
- Conference registration deadline: More is definitely merrier but the conference registration window is closing soon — July 31. Remind friends and family members that it’s their last chance to join you!
- Mobility rentals: As a reminder, scooter and wheelchair rentals are available through Chuck’s Mobility on a first come, first served basis and must be reserved before the convention. Click here to complete the rental reservation form and insert “KOC” to indicate the venue.
- Activity Session sign-ups: You’ll be excited to know that we have additional spots available in some of the activity sessions and that restrictions of signing up for each session just once have been lifted! If you like, you can modify your registration online or on the app to add activity sessions until the sessions reach capacity. As a reminder, artist signings sessions are still limited to one per artist grouping per attendee.
Preparation
To create your own personal agenda, we recommend using the documents below to fill in the sessions and times you’ve registered for. You can also print your personal agenda by logging into the event website.
- Click here to download and print the convention agenda at a glance.
- Click here to download and print a blank activity session schedule.
- Click here to download a blank artist signing schedule.
Event Experience Updates
- Meet and Greets: We’re excited to announce that Ken Wingard will co-host the Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” Trim Your Home activity session with Maria Provenzano. He will also join Maria for a Meet & Greet in North Pole Village Thursday, August 8 from 6 – 7 p.m. Join us and get your picture taken with the stars of the Daytime Emmy Award nominated “Home & Family.” Check the event app and website for additional Meet and Greet opportunities throughout the day on Thursday.
- Ken’s Graduation: You’ll also have a chance to say “goodbye” to Master Artist Ken Crow and help give him a proper retirement send off by sending him a Hallmark card at the Cards and Crafts station inside North Pole Village. While your time with Ken during your Artist Signing will be short, you will see more of Ken throughout the entire event – at Friday morning’s Experience the Magic Special Presentation, at both evening events and in the Saturday’s Keepsake Artist Interview sessions.
- Magic of Christmas Evening Event: We look forward to seeing you at the Magic of Christmas Saturday evening event where, together, we will help give the gift of Christmas to children who need it most. Silent and live auction proceeds will benefit the Kansas City area Boys & Girls Clubs of America, giving each child a $100 Christmas gift card! Click here for a preview of available auction items and prepare your bids!
Product and Product Shop Updates
- Online order deadline: Hurry! The option to purchase product online and receive a $15 Hallmark Gold Crown gift card when you pick your product up will close at 11:59 p.m. CST July 31. Can’t purchase that soon? No worries. You will still have an opportunity to purchase onsite in Santa’s Workshop Product Shop starting August 8 at 9:00 a.m.
- The Artist Studio Piece: This year’s studio piece, “The Magic of Christmas North Pole Village,” has been pre-signed by all your favorite artists who contributed to the design, and it’s available for pre-purchase or onsite at Santa’s Workshop Product Shop. Check out this video to see the artists signing this one-of-a-kind ornament.
- This year Santa has reorganized his workshop and you can expect: Lots of volunteers helping you get to the right place inside the product shop.
- An easy pick up line for pre-purchased orders including pre-purchased Mystery Bags and t-shirts.
- All product for sale will be on display in the center of the room for you to check out. Make sure to take a look at all of the new convention products and souvenirs we’ve added this year!
- If you decide to purchase product you love, you will pick up an order form, check the items you’d like to purchase and hop into our product shop purchase line, where your badge will be scanned and your order will be fulfilled.
- Shipping and Returns can also be found in this space.
- The Mickey’s Dognapper ornament is back in short supply: If you are among the attendees who were not able to purchase this ornament during your registration, you may have an opportunity to do so onsite on a first come, first served basis. Starting Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. in the product shop, we will offer one Dognapper ornament per registrant for purchase while supplies last. There will be a separate line for this purchase, and we will be scanning badges to ensure only attendees who have not yet purchased the item will have the opportunity to buy.
- Exclusive ornament restrictions lifted Saturday morning: We know when it comes to Hallmark Keepsake ornaments, one is never enough, so we will lift the one ornament per person restriction Saturday at 8:00 a.m. in Santa’s Workshop Product Shop. Saturday only you’ll be able to purchase up to five of each exclusive ornaments each time you get in line as while supplies last.
We hope this email helps you plan your convention experience. Look for more information heading your way soon.
Sincerely,
KOC Convention Team
For questions, call 1-800-Hallmark. Specially trained KOC Care Agents are available 7 days a week to help.
We can’t wait to see you!
♱ In Memory of – Steve Goslin (UPDATED)
Steve Goslin
June 12, 1960 – July 24, 2019
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of beloved Hallmark Keepsake Artist Steve Goslin. Please click on the attached link to see his full obituary or sign his guestbook.
Steve, a Shawnee, Kansas native, was born to parents who were both Hallmark artists. He credited his interest in art to his family’s own “dinner table art school” each night.
However, before his career in art began he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving for five years before his honorable discharge. Upon returning home he attended Penn Valley Community College where he earned his associate’s degree.
While at Hallmark he worked in many departments before joining the Keepsake Studio, including the mailroom, manufacturing department, and security.
The Lone Ranger™
Lunch box
Even though he worked at Hallmark for 41 years, most Hallmark collectors did not know of him until they saw his name in the 1997 Dream Book, which credited him to the Lone Ranger Lunch Box ornament. His date of actually joining the Studio though was 1995. Beyond his credited work there, he also did a lot of technical work on ornaments that remain uncredited.
For artistic inspiration, he often looked to Michelangelo, whose work he was fortunate enough to see in person while on a trip to Italy. At Hallmark two of his favorite Keepsake Ornament sculptors were Duane Unruh and Ed Seale. For Steve, Ed’s 1985 “Santa’s Ski Trip” represented his belief that life should be fun. “Santa deserves a vacation, too!”, he said.
Eventually, though, perhaps his most favorite sculptor in the Studio was Debra (Murray) Nielson, whom he married on New Year’s Eve 2012. Their wedding including a traditional Scottish kilt for the groom and a cake with unique toppers for both Debra and Steve. Both were Jeeps, a shared passion. Steve’s was his own 1943 Ford GPW (2012) Keepsake ornament and Debra’s was the 2001 60th Anniversary Jeep ornament by former Keepsake Artist, Chris Webb.
Outside of his work for Hallmark, he was known for his ability to play the bagpipes. Many KOC convention attendees may remember the year he marched the parade of costume goers into the Friday night dinner and on to the stage playing them.
Art That Blows
Band of Angels
Steve was also part of the group of Keepsake Artists, that have lent their time and talent to re-purpose donated, non-functional musical instruments into pieces of art for the Art that Blows, Band of Angels charity auction. For 2019, Debra and Steve collaborated on “Cleveland”, a stylized Sousaphant (elephant) sculpture made of brass instruments.
In July his passing was announced on social media. Steve Goslin was 59 years old.
For those wishing to honor Steve, the family requests donations be made to Christmas in October; 3261 Roanoke, Kansas City, MO 64111 or to the Veterans Community Project; 8900 Troost Avenue; Kansas City, MO 64131.
UPDATE (10.07.19) – On a sadder note, we’d like to recognize the passing of Hallmark Artist Steve Goslin. Steve’s Hallmark career spanned 41 years, which included designing a number of Keepsake Ornaments, and he was recognized by many for his caring and creative spirit. Beyond his work for Hallmark, Steve shared his creativity and enthusiasm with the Kansas City community. One of those passions, which you’ll read about in this issue, was working with his wife, Keepsake Artist Debra Nielsen, to raise funds for the Kansas City-based charity, Band of Angels. Please keep Steve’s family in your thoughts during this time.
Excerpted from: “Cover letter included with For Keeps: Volume 18, Issue 3 Fall 2019”