For Keeps: Volume 18, Issue 2 Summer 2019
Hear about new series from the artists, see what personal creative touch every Keepsake Studio artist added to the North Pole Village ornament, and take a look at some of the companion ornaments available this year, and so much more!
- Why start a new series?
- Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker Sweet #1) – Edythe Kegrize
- Cozy Lil’ Critters – Nina Aubé
- Prince of the Forest (Noble Nutracker #1) – Terri Steiger
- Holiday Parade – Tammy Haddix
- Join us at Ornament Premiere!
- Clever Cockatiel Ornament
- Blue Chiffon Fashion Collection Barbie™ Ornament
- It takes a (Keepsake) village
- Better together
- That’s Snow Sweet
- Father Christmas’s Reindeer
- Lady Summer Tanager
- Majestic Lady Cardinal
- Piranha Plant
- Golfing with Woodstock
- Wild Lion
- Are you getting our emails?
- Save the date
For Keeps – The Official Newsletter of the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club.
2019 Companion Ornaments: Better Together
When the Keepsake Studio brainstorms new ideas for ornaments, the same thought is always shared: “How great would it be to tell the story between two characters?” From this thinking, the studio creates limited-quantity companion ornaments.
Pinwheel Sweetness
Christmas Cupcakes
1oth in the series.
That’s Snow Sweet!
Special Edition
That’s Snow Sweet – A companion to Pinwheel Sweetness, these two frosted treats prove there’s always room for a little more dessert.
.”
Majestic Cardinal
Majestic Lady Cardinal – Cardinals are a classic Christmas icon. And this year, we’ve brought both the male and female cardinal to life in a metal form with splendidly intricate detail.
Majestic Lady Cardinal
Special Edition
Summer Tanager
The Beauty of Birds
15th in the series.
Lady Summer Tanager
Special Edition
Lady Summer Tanager – Keepsake Artist Edythe Kegrize always tries to keep in mind the coloring of the female bird that corresponds to the male in her Beauty of Birds series. And this year, the mate to the male Summer Tanager is a beautiful shade of yellow.
Father Christmas
16th in the series.
Father Christmas’s Reindeer – Father Christmas #16’s trusty companion, this reindeer was inspired by Keepsake Artist Joanne Eschrich wondering what animals would be present with someone like Father Christmas.
Father Christmas’s Reindeer
Special Edition
Golfer Snoopy
Spotlight on Snoopy
22nd in the series.
Golfing with Woodstock
Special Edition
Golfing with Woodstock – Golf club covers never looked so cute. Snoopy tees off while a familiar face gives pointers and adorns his clubs.
Mickey’s Circus (1936)
Mickey’s Movie Mouseterpieces
8th in the series.
Wild Lion – What’s a ringleader without his trusty lion? This companion was inspired by the classic Disney short “Mickey’s Circus,” created in 1936.
Wild Lion
Special Edition
Mario
Piranha Plant
Special Edition
Piranha Plant – This pesky plant has been a thorn in Mario’s side for years. And now, you can relive beloved gaming memories with these two classic characters on your tree.
The Magic of Christmas, North Pole Village: Artist Contributions
The North Pole is a busy place, especially at Christmastime! From getting mail to making toys to waxing the sled, everyone has a job. And to make this year’s convention-exclusive ornament extra special, every Keepsake Studio artist added their own personal creative touch to the North Pole Village ornament.
Keepsake Artist Contributions
Design Concept and Art Direction – Tom Best
Architecture and Structure Design – Robert Hurlburt
Front View:
- Mr. and Mrs. Claus Chimneys – Sharon Visker
- North Pole Flag – Terri Steiger
- Wreath – Edythe Kegrize
- Mailbox and Mailbags – Kristina Gaughran
- Toy Soldier Statues – Ken Crow
- Christmas Tree in Front Window – Jake Angell
- Snowman on Base – Tammy Haddix
Right Side:
- Wreath – Edythe Kegrize
- Cupcake Sign – Debra Nielsen
- Teddy Bear with Lollipop – Robert Chad
Left Side:
- Snowman on Roof – Joanne Eschrich
- Toy Workshop Sign – Matt Johnson
- Polar Bear Cub Statue – Anita Marra Rogers
Back View:
- Music Shop Sign – Rodney Gentry
- Wreath – Edythe Kegrize
- Santa’s Workshop Sign – Matt Johnson
- Sled Shop Sign – Terri Steiger
- Santa’s Sleigh – Orville Wilson
- Reindeer in Stable – Tracey Larsen
- Lantern near Stables – Nello Williams
- Penguin – Nina Aubé
Art Color Team and Technical Team: Jennifer Swanson, Susan Wieland, Lisa Vogel and Nita Obbink
The Magic of Christmas
North Pole Village
Event Exclusive
(front view)
The Magic of Christmas
North Pole Village
Event Exclusive
(right side)
The Magic of Christmas
North Pole Village
Event Exclusive
(left side)
2020 Sneak Peek: 2nd in series
Why start a new series?
There are so many reasons to start a tradition with a first-in-series ornament—new storytelling, never-before-seen concepts and unique design styles to look forward to year after year! Get the behind-the-scenes scoop on some of our newest series, straight from the Keepsake artists, and take a look at sketches of next year’s ornament.
Cozy Lil’ Critters – “The first in this series is the first from the Cozy Critters series that started in 2017. I changed the details in the clothing and the pose and other subtle changes to make it different from the original. What I love is that they get even cuter when they’re smaller; I like to think of it as the little brother to the original.”
.”
Cozy Lil’ Critters (2019)
1st in the series.
(Available at Ornament Premiere)
Cozy Lil’ Critters (2020)*
2nd in the series.
Holiday Parade (2019)
1st in the series.
(Available at Ornament Premiere)
Holiday Parade – “My dad was an auto body guy, and he liked to restore old cars. He even got me out there helping him. So it was really fun to get out there with my dad and restore old trucks back then, and so a truck series just seemed like a really fun thing to do.”
Holiday Parade (2020)*
2nd in the series.
Noble Nutcrackers – “Each nutcracker’s staff, crown and attachments are unique to their domain; this first-in-the-series has a bottlebrush tree crown, rope garland and real twine. I tried a lot of different kinds of roping for the trees, and I really liked the red and white because it was so Christmas-y and iconic. My hope is that this nutcracker can bring the wonder of nature to your tree.”
Prince of the Forest (2019)
Noble Nutcrackers
1st in the series.
(Available at Ornament Debut)
(2020)*
Noble Nutcrackers
2nd in the series.
Sugar Plum Fairy (2019)
Nutcracker Sweet
1st in the five-part series.
KOC Exclusive
(Available at Ornament Debut)
Nutcracker Sweet – “As I first started working on the ornament, I had this wonderful opportunity to visit the Kansas City Ballet as they prepared to do The Nutcracker performance. I think what amazed me the most was the up-close look I got at the tutu of the Sugar Plum Fairy and how wonderfully reflective and glittery it was. And to bring some of that magic to my ornament, I added fabric attachments and beads to make the ornament as sweet as a sugar plum fairy should be.”
Snow Queen (2020)*
Nutcracker Sweet
2nd in the five-part series.
KOC Exclusive
2019 KOC Convention: Experience the Magic (UPDATE)
This email was just sent to all KOC Convention Attendees.
Dear KOC Member,
This email is packed with important information and updates to help you Experience the Magic at the upcoming convention so please read it carefully and, as always, let us know if we can be of help.
Event Updates and Reminders
Local Club Dinner Night – Start Planning!
We can’t wait for you to get out and explore Kansas City and our amazing restaurant scene! To help make your dining experience all the more enjoyable, we have partnered with several local restaurants, some of which have agreed to provide a special KOC Convention discount. Click here for a list of participating restaurants and special offers, and please keep the following details in mind as you plan:
- Local Club Dinner Night is completely optional. It’s a great way to kick off the event with friends and family and get a taste of Kansas City local menu’s.
- Your options for dinner on Thursday night are not limited to the restaurants included on the list. These are just a few of our favorite recommendations for you to choose from.
- We recommend that you book reservations directly with the restaurant of your choice. You can book by calling the phone numbers provided or through the Open Table app.
- When you book your reservation, let the restaurant know that your group is attending the KOC Convention.
- As a reminder, Keepsakes is covering dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings as a part of your convention experience. Thursday night dinners will not be paid for. Make sure to take advantage the special offers!
- Seating options, table capacity and menus will vary at each restaurant
- Don’t forget to plan or arrange transportation for the evening! Transportation options include: Uber, Lyft, taxis available from the hotel valet stand, and the Kansas City Street Car. Also, many restaurants are within walking distance from the hotel.
Convention Ornaments – Now, more in your registration bag!
As you may have read in the recent Keepsake Community posting, we have decided to place more goodies inside your registration welcome bag! Now, all three Event ornaments included with your registration will be in your bag when you arrive instead of handed out at the Evening dinners. Now, these ornaments will be available to you in time for the Artist Signatures the following days. We hope to see everyone at both Friday and Saturday evening events. You can expect to enjoy great food and entertainment with friends, plus artist appearances! It’s going to be a magical time.
Local Club Centerpiece submissions are due July 12
Don’t forget! This year, Local Club members can submit a centerpiece for display at the evening events. This is a voluntary and creative way to show pride in your local club, and to share with fellow Collectors what your local club means to you. Centerpieces will be featured on the tables during evening events. There won’t be any prizes but your club’s participation will be considered as part of its submission for the 2020 Keepsake Artist Signing events. Complete this submission form by Friday, July 12, to participate. But first, here’s a quick review of the guidelines.
Want to participate? If so, please have your local club’s designated contact person complete this form. We’re excited to see what you create!
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 Reveal: Keepsake Celebrations
Celebrate special moments, capture important memories, and nurture meaningful relationships as they happen throughout the year with Keepsake Celebration ornaments.
Each of the twenty-five designs makes the perfect unique and customizable gift to commemorate life’s milestone occasions.
Baby & Family
Baby’s First Christmas
Worth the Wait
Photo holder
A Mothers Love
Disney Bambi
Love
Love Just Works
Made for Each Other
Photo holder
A Slice of Love
First Comes Love
Honor & Remember
Forever My Friend
Photo holder
Always with You
Faith & Encouragement
Faith Always
Beautifully Brave
Appreciation & Friendship
Thanks, Teacher!
So Grateful
Love My Tribe
My Mom My Friend
Milestones
Life’s Next Journey
Congrats, Grad!
Photo holder
Welcome Home
Sweet Welcome
Brave and Free
Memories
Sun and Fun
Picture Perfect
Disney Mickey Mouse
Mountainous Memories
Christmas in Canada
Keepsake Celebrations – A collection of year round ornaments designed to celebrate major life milestones.
2020 Sneak Peek: Season’s Treatings Special Edition Series
Each ornament in this new four-part series will help celebrate holidays and seasons throughout the year. Designed by Hallmark Artist Sharon Visker. Catch a new ornament each month, starting in January 2020.
Collect all four to complete the series!
Sweets for My Sweet
Season’s Treatings Special Edition
1st in the series.
Good Luck Sweets
Season’s Treatings Special Edition
2nd in the series.
Easter Sweets
Season’s Treatings Special Edition
3rd in the series.
Patriotic Sweets
Season’s Treatings Special Edition
4th in the series.
2019 Video: The Art of the Craft (Tinkerbell)
Here is a new Keepsake Ornament video showing Debra Nielsen talking about one of the designs she created with Katrina Bricker for 2019.
Designed by Debra Nielsen and Katrina Bricker, this sweet ornament will have you thinking happy thoughts all season long. Featuring a charming likeness of the beloved Disney fairy, Tinker Bell. The pretty pixie is looking her very best in this elegant, metal ornament accented with shimmery enamel finishes and sparkling gemstones.
Announcement: Ken Crow “Graduation”
Dear Local Club Presidents,
After 40 wonderful years, our beloved Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Master Artist Ken Crow has announced that he is retiring from Hallmark in late August 2019. The Hallmark Keepsake ornament team will continue to deliver the very best craftsmanship and magic functioning ornaments, as Ken always embodied. The Hallmark Keepsake Village wishes Ken the best in his new ‘master class of creativity’ and we’re looking forward to celebrating with him at the Keepsake Ornament Club (KOC) Convention August 8-10.
Please read below for a personal remark from Ken.
Ken Crow
Hallmark Master Artist
To be a Hallmarker for the past 40 years has been a magical adventure. Every year has taken me to a place where my imagination could find wonderful places of creativity. I am thankful for every teacher and influence that I have benefited from on each project from greeting cards and stickers to magic mechanical Keepsake ornaments. I have been a student in the greatest creative university that I could ever be a part of.
Now it is time for me to graduate and enjoy the new master class of creativity that I will explore. I gave Hallmark my very best and now I will enjoy the rest of my life going down new wonderful paths of creativity. If I can make one person smile with the artwork that I create, then I will be a happy person.
Thankful and blessed,
Ken Crow
Hallmark Master Artist
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to 1-800-HALLMARK.
Best regards,
The KOC Team
Reminder: 2019 KOC Membership Enrollment
Enrollment for 2019 Keepsake Ornament Club (KOC) membership ends on July 31, 2019. Until then, individuals can continue to enroll online, in store, by mail or phone to receive the benefits of membership. 2020 enrollment will be open in November.