Artist Journal: Debra Nielsen (Creation & Molding Processes)
Monday, November 19, 2018
All of our ideas start with a concept idea, like my 2019 Pony for Christmas unicorn sketch shown here. We may do a story board with more photos or sketches to show the inspiration behind our idea also and help “sell” the idea. The next step is to actually sculpt the ornament in a special wax that is made for us here in-house. I use a hot tool designed originally for dental work. I can also start by melting a larger piece of wax in a toaster oven (not used for food!) and pinching it to shape first. Then I can add and subtract with the hot tool or dental hand tools. My favorite tools are actually made from old paint brush handles and exacto blades that are ground to a point. The wax can also be smoothed with sand paper, nylon hose, and chemicals. Then finally I clean the sculpt surface with rubbing alcohol.
We also separate out parts of the sculpt so it can molded properly by our Prototype studio. I have photos here of the display they have set up to show their process. They make a rubber mold of our sculpt, cast a “white body” in that mold for us to paint, and then make a gray mold sample to make a permanent mold from. So finally I paint the “white body” ornament and share my design with the team for final approval. This painted piece is the master that is followed in production. Every artist has unique methods they use in their work process. And as you can see, this process is a team effort.
On-Line Offer: QVC Exclusives
QVC Exclusive Keepsake Ornaments are now available on Hallmark.com.
ORDER NOW
Available on Hallmark.com or
by calling 1-(800)-HALLMARK
NOTE: Cindereley! Cinderely! and Fit for a Princes ornaments are sold together as a set.
On-Line Offer: Santa’s Sweet Treat Cart
The Santa’s Sweet Treat Cart (In-Store Artist Signings) Event Exclusive Keepsake Ornament is now available on Hallmark.com.
Santa’s Sweet Treat Cart
ORDER NOW
Available on Hallmark.com or
by calling 1-(800)-HALLMARK
Reveal: 2018 In-Store Artist Signing Local Club Host Gift
Frosty Fun Decade
Special Edition
Members of the local clubs that hosted a 2018 In-Store Artist Signing event will receive a repaint of the 9th in series Frosty Fun Decade, as a special thank-you gift for their efforts in hosting an event.
NOTE: The ornament quantities clubs receive are based on the Local Club Rosters submitted in the first quarter of 2018.
Reveal: 2018 Hallmark Employee Gift
Shopping Santa
Hallmark Employee Gift
Hallmark retailers will once again have the opportunity to purchase a Special Edition Keepsake ornament to use to thank their employees for their dedication.
Featured Artist: Matt Johnson
Title:
Hallmark Designer
Started at Hallmark:
2012
Started at Keepsakes:
2012
Hometown:
Fresno, California
.
From action figures to family scenes to the elegant beauty of Hallmark Heritage, Matt is an artist of many moods and scenes. What’s at the center of it all? A love of all things holiday, and the wonder it instills in all of us, child and adult alike.
Matt has designed for companies all over the United States, but his appreciation of toys has stuck with him since childhood. Toys play an especially important role in Christmas, a holiday that gives Matt the inspiration he needs when it comes to crafting tree-worthy trimmings in the Keepsake Studio. He admits “there’s just so many people around here that make it feel like Christmas all the time!”
Matt graduated with an Industrial Design degree from the University of Kansas, and continues to be a student of product design as he follows his passion for ornaments, toys and games. As someone who appreciates fun, creative and offbeat entertainment for kids, the Keepsake Studio was just the place for Matt to work, but an opening wasn’t so easy to come by. After a few years of working in the Midwest and along the East Coast, Matt made the move back to Kansas City with his family—and, as luck would have it, an opening in Keepsakes was waiting for him.
The work of a Keepsakes designer is a challenge, but Matt is happy to see his designs inspire wonder for kids and kids at heart.
November Keepsake Wallpaper
Remember the numerous times you have seen the classic TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas with this month’s free desktop or mobile device wallpapers featuring Hallmark’s A Charlie Brown Christmas Storyteller Collection.
Among the many Keepsake Ornaments found in this free wallpaper are the five Storyteller ornaments that perform the classic TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Storytellers Collection
Ornament Spotlight: Robin
Robin
The Beauty of Birds
14th in the series.
The Legend of the Christmas Robin
On that first Christmas, it is said, the night was wrapped in a bitter chill. The small fire in the stable was nearly out, and the Mother Mary worried that her baby would be cold. She turned to the animals about her and asked them for help.
“Could you blow on the embers,” she asked the ox, “so the fire might continue to keep my son warm?”
But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did not hear her. Next, Mary asked the donkey to breathe life back into the fire, but the sleeping donkey did not hear Mary either. Nor did the horse or sheep. She wondered what to do.
Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking up, she saw a plain, brown-colored little robin fly into the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals and had come to help her himself. He went over to the dying fire and flapped his wings hard.
His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the ashes began to kindle.
With his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly burst forth and burned the little bird’s breast a bright red. But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable. The Baby Jesus slept happily.
Mary thanked and praised the robin for all he had done. She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame, and said “From now on, let your red breast be a blessed reminder of your noble deed.”
And to this day, the robin’s red breast covers his humble heart.
-From “A Christmas Stocking” by Louise Betts Egan
Reveal: 2018 World Series Keepsake Ornament
Boston Red Socks™ 2018 World Series™ Champions
Special Edition
Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2018 World Series™!
Remember the home runs, the leaping catches, and all the heroics of Boston’s thrilling victory and ninth World Series championship! But don’t wait long—supplies are limited.
PREORDER NOW
Available at participating Hallmark Gold Crown Stores and on Hallmark.com
2019 Sneak Peek: Sarahs Hallmark In-Store Artist Signing Event
In conjunction with the Sarah’s Hallmark Friday night dinner in Johnston, IA, Hallmark Master Designer Joanne Eschrich shared a sneak peek of some of the designs she is working on for the 2019 Keepsake ornament line.
Glistening Lantern
Wings of Splendor
Contributors to post: Diana & Janet