Featured Artist – Sharon Visker
Title:
Hallmark Artist
Started at Hallmark:
September 1983
Started at Keepsakes:
January 2000
Hometown:
Albuquerque, New Mexico
.
Sharon Visker has been a Hallmark artist for over 35 years. In that time she’s worked as an illustrator, and become an accomplished Keepsake Artist with experience in many mediums. What Sharon loves the most about her job is the kinship she feels with her fellow artists. “We’re such a tight-knit group,” she says. “We help each other and can call on each other when we’re working on something to get other’s input. I landed in a good place.”
Her mother seemed to be taking an art class or immersing herself in an art project during every spare moment. Her brother seemed to be able to draw just about anything. And in an atmosphere where art seemed like a part of everyday life, it was only natural that Sharon Visker would want to give it a try.
She quickly discovered she was unusually good at it. So good, in fact, that her friends would offer to buy the bubble gum cards she copied for fun. Which made Sharon realize she had the ability to be an artist who could make people notice her work.
Throughout grade school and high school, the opportunities for Sharon’s work to be noticed occurred frequently and took various forms. She created elaborate bulletin board displays, designed yearbooks, entered—and won—numerous art competitions.
Her exceptional talent eventually brought her to Hallmark, where, after 15 years as an illustrator, she participated in a woodcarving workshop and discovered a knack she didn’t know she had. A knack for sculpting—which she’s been exercising ever since for the enjoyment of Keepsake Ornaments collectors.
Updated Registration Opening Time
Registration for the 2019 Convention will open up tomorrow (February 28, 2019) at 1:00 p.m CST (earlier than expected.) Registration was previously set to open at 5:00 p.m. CST.
Registration will take place on the official Convention website.
Get Your First 2019 Keepsake Ornaments Now!
You think the thrill of collecting Keepsake Ornaments begins in July? Oh, it will start a lot sooner than that for select Hallmark Gold Crown Stores as they kick off the 2019 Keepsake Ornaments season with an early release of four popular Keepsake Ornaments. Summer Tanager, 15th in the Beauty of Birds series; Eastern Bluebird, miniature; and Brilliant Butterfly, 3rd in the series all by Keepsake Artist Edythe Kegrize and Sweet Pea Fairy, 15th in the Fairy Messengers series by Keepsake Artist Kristina Gaughran are now available at participating Hallmark Gold Crown Stores.
Summer Tanager
The Beauty of Birds
15th in the series.
Eastern Bluebird
Miniature
Brilliant Butterfly
3rd in the series.
Sweet Pea Fairy
Fairy Messengers
15th in the series.
2019 Sneak Peek: Dream Horse
Dream Horse
Appaloosa
Here is a sneak peek of the 2019 Dream Horse by Debra Neilsen.
Local Club News: February 2019
Here is the latest Club communication that was received today.
Hello Local Club Presidents,
We hope this message finds you well! We are very excited to share more details about the 2019 KOC Convention, being held in Kansas City August 8-10, 2019. Registration for the convention will go live at 5 PM CST on Thursday, February 28th. Until then, we hope you encourage your members to visit our event website, live now, to learn all about this year’s magical Convention experience.
Check out the convention website to learn more where you’ll will find details about the overall experience, the event agenda, artist signing information, breakout sessions details, and you can check out all of this year’s event exclusive ornaments! Thanks to your suggestions, you’ll notice some big improvements this year!
We suggest using the Group pages on the Community site to connect with your members about your plans to attend the event, as well.
There is more on Keepsake Community.
Please share this information with your local clubs and as always, we would be happy to answer your questions on Keepsake Community or through 1-800-Hallmark.
We are looking forward to experiencing the magic this year at the 2019 KOC Convention! We hope to see you all there!
Sincerely,
The Keepsake Village
Experience the Magic: Giveaway Prize Ornaments
Here is a sneak peek of three ornaments created exclusively for the 2019 convention that will be available to win through out the event. Additional ornaments and prizes will also be available to win.
Frosty Friends
Event Exclusive
North Pole Tree Trimmers
Event Exclusive
Beer Stein
Event Exclusive
2019 Sneak Peek: Experience the Magic (Santa’s Workshop) Product Shop
Here is a sneak peek of the brand new, convention exclusive product that will be available during registration and at the convention in Santa’s Workshop Product Shop.
Purchase quantities are on a first come, first served basis and limited to one of each ornament per person.*
Product Shop
The Magic of Christmas
North Pole Village
Santa and His Reindeer
Member Exclusive
Sledding Shenanigans
Event Exclusive Repaint
Puppy Love
Special Edition
A Pony for Christmas
Event Exclusive
Blue-Gray Tanager
The Beauty of Birds
Event Exclusive
The Dognapper
Disney
Mickey’s Movie Mouseterpieces
Event Exclusive
Mystery Bag
Personalized Convention Commemorative
Photo Ornament
Keepsake Ornament Club
2019 Convention Ornament
2019 KOC Convention T-shirt
*NOTE: At the convention in Santa’s Workshop Product Shop, quantity restrictions will be waived on Saturday, August 10 for remaining product.
Crown Rewards Bonus Points will be awarded after the convention.
Experience the Magic: Welcome Bag and Dinner Gifts (UPDATED)
Here is a sneak peek of the Experience the Magic!, 2019 Keepsake Ornament Club Convention, welcome bag.
Welcome Bag Includes:
- Three exclusive convention ornaments (over $40 in value)
- Commemorative tote bag
- Lapel pin
- 10 event buttons
- Lanyard and several Hallmark gifts (over $40 in value)
Frosty Fun Decade
Event Exclusive
Remember the Magic
Keepsake Ornament Club
2019 Convention
NOTE: Charter members will receive an extra ornament ($12.99 value)
UPDATE: (6.6.2019) – Additionally an exclusive ornament will be given away as you enter each of the (Friday and Saturday) dinner events.
UPDATE: (6.19.2019) – Now, more goodies in your registration bag when you arrive!
To allow attendees the opportunity to get additional ornaments signed and to support the variety of travel plans our attendees have, you will receive all three Event ornaments included with your registration inside your registration bag when you arrive! These will no longer be handed out at be evening dinners. There are still so many reasons to attend the Friday and Saturday evening events and we hope to see most of you there. Expect good food, entertainment, laughs with friends and artist appearances! It’s going to be a magical time!
2019 Keepsake Ornament Club Convention
We are so excited to share more information about the 2019 KOC Convention with you, including the overall agenda, what’s new with the convention this year, Product Shop details, and more!
Stay tuned. The site preview will go live on Tuesday, February 19th at 5:00 p.m. CST.
2019 Sneak Peeks: A Closer Look at the Magic
Along with their new 2019 KOC Membership cards, club members are receiving a brochure of 2019 Sneak peeks with commentary from the artists.
Prince of the Forest
Noble Nutcrackers
1st in the series.
“Each nutcracker in this new series will illustrate a theme, with each one featuring various attachments in different materials to help showcase the nutcracker’s special kingdom.”
Mischievous Kittens Surprise
Which kitten will you find inside? That’s the fun of a mystery ornament! A special repaint of the third ornament in Nina Aubé’s Mischievous Kittens series, there are two colors of kittens to add some feline fun to your tree this year!
Mom
Family Cake Pops
Daughter
Family Cake Pops
“I was in heaven being surrounded by all my favorite candies, which I literally made each ornament out of to test! The finished ornaments will reflect the original ones down to every last detail. Hopefully no one will try eating them!”
Dad
Family Cake Pops
Son
Family Cake Pops
Limoges Snowman
“I have always been fascinated with the little Limoges boxes that came in all sorts of shapes and sizes when I was growing up. This ornament will be made of porcelain with a metal clasp. I’m making it a fairly good size, too, so that’s not only a standout on your tree but also serves as a place to store a note or charm for yourself or someone special.”
Fabulous Flute
“My inspiration for this whole unofficial series is my son, who played in the marching band in high school and college. I’m trying to get as many instrument sections represented as I can, with this year’s ornament focused on woodwinds. The snowflakes represent the sounds of the flute, with several smaller snowflakes used since the flute makes a smaller sound.”
“One of my favorite things about this tree trimmer is that we are using an actual tied-ribbon bow. The concept drawing for this bow-tying elf was done several years back as I was planning ahead on what the series might look like. The inspiration came from the bow-making machine in the Hallmark Visitors Center. I think the addition of a real bow (red for the store release version and gold for the special 2019 KOC Convention version) adds a nice touch to the ornament.”
North Pole Tree Trimmers
Event Exclusive
“A Closer Look at the Magic.” 2019 Brochure.
