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Title:
Hallmark Keepsake Artist
(Production Designer)

Started at Hallmark:
August 1997

Started at Keepsakes:
August 1997

Hometown:
Clinton, Iowa

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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.

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