Announcement: 2019 Keepsake Dream Box Ship Date
2019 Keepsake Dream Box
The 2019 Keepsake Dream Box and accompanying Keepsake Ornament Club Collectors Edition Dream Book will begin shipping April 1, 2019.
2019 Reveal: Mary Hamilton Collection
As part of this year’s religious gift offerings, Hallmark has released three Mary’s Angel porcelain figurines and a snow globe, all based on past Mary’s Angels series designs.
“Safe & Snug” Lamb
“Safe & Snug” Lamb
“Let Your Love Shine”
Light Up Lullaby
Water Globe
2019 Sneak Peek: Cat Photo Holder
Kitty Claus
Photo holder
Here it is! A sneak peek of the 2019 Kitty Claus photo holder ornament featuring Anne Epperson’s cat Trixie, the winner of last year’s fan photo facepaper contest!
Featured Artist – Debra Nielsen
Title:
Hallmark Keepsake Artist
(Production Designer)
Started at Hallmark:
August 1997
Started at Keepsakes:
August 1997
Hometown:
Clinton, Iowa
.
Debra Nielsen’s Iowa childhood bestowed her with a love and appreciation of animals. She was inspired by the horses she raised and showed with her sisters, and she’s rarely been without a dog by her side. Now, with expert instinct and a careful hand, Deb creates Keepsake Ornaments that celebrate those beautiful horses and other animal friends.
Sculpting horses can be tricky, but this labor of love has become a life-long passion for Deb. Her authentically inspired designs require a sharp eye for detail that comes from a childhood of growing up around horses—and around the growing collection of models on her desk!
Deb has always loved art—and her beautiful show horses. These were, after all, the inspiration and models for her first drawings and paintings as a child. But when it came time for college, Deb went to beauty school rather than an arts program. At that time in Clinton, Iowa, an art degree most likely would have meant becoming a teacher, but she felt called to bring her vision to life on a daily basis. Ironically, she now uses her cosmetology experience to fashion the hair and makeup on Madame Alexander® ornaments.
In addition to her other talents, Deb used to sew wedding gowns, and she is able to use that fashion experience in the fabric attachments she creates for our ornaments. Deb loves the details of her job, from dreaming up new ornament concepts to the intricate sculpting detail involved in bringing her sculpts to life.
And more than a Keepsakes Artist, Deb is the proud mother of Mallory, who “expresses her art through words,” has successfully achieved her Masters in Communication, and is now a proud wife and mom herself.
In Deb’s spare time, she enjoys painting, interior design, exploring the great outdoors and spending time with her husband—fellow Hallmark Keepsake Artist Steve Goslin.
2019 KOC Event: Hotel Reservations
The 2019 KOC Convention (August 8-10, 2019) is expanding with events at both the Westin Crown Center Hotel and Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.
A limited number of rooms are available at a discounted rate ($171.00/night) for August 8, 9, 10 & 11 at the Sheraton as well as ($175.00/night) at the Westin Crown Center Hotel. Both hotels, are adjoined via an enclosed walkway. Reserve your room early and mention the 2019 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Convention to receive the discounted rate.
- Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
reservation line: 1 (866) 932-6214.Hotel: 1 (816) 841-1000 - Westin Crown Center Hotel
reservation line: 1 (888) 627-8538
Hotel: 1 (816) 474-4400
You will be able to book online in late 2018/early 2019 after the hotel completes technology updates.
If you have already made your hotel reservation outside of our room block, please contact the property directly and request to be moved into the “2019 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Convention block.” Registration information coming in early 2019.
2019 Reveal: Heritage Collection
The Heritage Collection is inspired by Hallmarks long, rich heritage and passion for connecting, creativity, and craftsmanship. Their history, their legacy, and their commitment to all things beautiful and meaningful have been reimagined for you to enjoy and share.
Angel with Wreath
Baby’s First Stocking
Beautiful Blue Bird
Charming Nutcracker
Dapper Fox
Elegant Blue Egg
Festive Snowmen
Floral Onion
Flower and Holly Ball
Heart of Love
Mistletoe Ball
Nautical Santa
Poinsettia Ball
Regal Red Bird
Santa with Bells
Snowman Dome
Three Pretty Birds
Traditional Snowman
2019 Sneak Peek: Halloween Keepsake Ornaments
The Halloween Vulture
The PEANUTS® Gang
Spooky Sugar Skull
Tiny Black Cat
Miniature.
Happy Halloween!
7th in the series
Bewitching Black Cat
Stately Little Raven
Miniature.
Frank on Guitar
Wolfgang on Drums
Share the Magic: Ken’s 2019 Tabletop Tease
Ken Crow and the Case of the Missing Train
Keepsake Master Artist Ken Crow has a sneak peek of his 2019 Tabletop Decoration that he’s eager to share….if he can track it down. Find out if his detective work pays off.
2018 Member Exclusive – Product Shop (UPDATE)
Seven of the eight 2018 Member Exclusive Product Shop ornaments are still available. KOC Members can now order a second of any of these designs.
ORDER NOW
Available on Hallmark.com or
by calling 1-(800)-HALLMARK
Christmas Window 2018
(Keepsake Korners Café)
Christmas Windows
16th in the series.
Winter Wonderland
Glam Gown Barbie™ Ornament
Fashion Model Collection
Cocoa Cutie
Miniature
Inside Story
3rd and Final in the series.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
Disney
Songs of the Season
Six-piece set
Ken Crow: Creating Christmas Keepsakes for Your Tree
Behind the Scenes with Hallmark Ornament Artist
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For Hallmark master artist Ken Crow, it’s Christmas 365 days a year.
“I only thought I was only going to be here two years and I’ve been here 39 years and four months and I’m still just starting,” said Crow.
His job full time is creating the Keepsake Ornaments at Hallmark.
“Throughout my career at Hallmark, I’ve made over 500 ornaments,” said Crow. “They range from ornaments that are miniature that are this big to normal size ornaments to mechanical ornaments to table toppers.”
But, where does it all begin for this artist?
“So, to create an ornament, a sketch will take me as quick as five minutes to as long as a couple of days,” Crow said.
From there, he has to get the thumbs up by a committee. If approved, Crow heads to his computer to sketch.
“I used to sculpt by hand, with my left hand, with wax and clay. And now, I’m 100 percent digital and I sculpt with a mouse with my right hand,” said Crow.
It takes a whole team of writers, art directors, engineers and more to bring the ornament to life. After he finishes, a prototype type is printed.
A life size version is printed for Crow. It comes out all gray, so the artist can determine what color everything needs to be. Months later, it’s on the shelves at stores around the world.
“When they buy it, there is nothing like it. That means I did a job, someone liked what I did and they are going to have a happy experience on their Christmas tree,” said Crow.
There is one ornament representing something to him, it’s the ornament of his son and daughter from the 1990’s.
He is grateful to be living his dream.
“I kind of look at it like I’ve been given a gift and I get to make things and that’s my gift. My gift is to make people happy with the things that I’ve made,” Crow said.
His holiday ornament featured in the story is available in Hallmark stores.
The 2019 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Convention will be held at the Westin and Sheraton Hotels in Crown Center on August 8-10, 2019.
By: Jordan Betts