Press Release: Hallmark Introduces Limited Availability Products for 2018 Events
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, itty bittys® and gifts among items planned at three events
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 19, 2018) — PopMinded by Hallmark will continue its participation in the nation’s largest pop culture fan gatherings later this year with limited quantities of products and collectibles inspired by iconic characters and developed for exclusive availability at three events.
PopMinded, which debuted in 2016, is Hallmark’s way to celebrate fandom with gifts and collectibles created and curated with all fans in mind. PopMinded continues and expands on Hallmark’s decade-long tradition of providing event attendees access to Hallmark’s ever popular event exclusive products available only through convention pop-up stores.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornament designs, itty bittys® plush characters, and other gift items will be sold in limited quantities at the three events remaining on their 2018 convention calendar:
- Comic-Con International San Diego, to be held July 19-22 in San Diego, California
- The Official 2018 Star Trek Convention, scheduled Aug. 1-5 at the Rio Suites Hotel in Las Vegas. (Star Trek exclusives only)
- New York Comic Con, set for Oct. 4-7 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.
Limited Availability items include:
Star Wars™
Lando Calrissian™ and Lobot™
Star Wars™: The Empire Strikes Back™
Boba Fett™
Star Wars™: The Empire Strikes Back™
itty bittys®
BB-8™ Perpetual Calendar
Star Wars™
A golden variation of the Resistance hero droid BB-8™ serves as a perpetual calendar that features an additional set of date cubes in aurebesh, the famed language used throughout the Star Wars galaxy.
Total production run: 1,200.
$40.00 USA
STAR TREK™
Ready Player One
Lieutenant Arex and Lieutenant M’Ress
STAR TREK: The Animated Series™
Gorn™
STAR TREK™
itty bittys®
A Gorn™ itty bittys® plush becomes the first Star Trek alien adversary in that collection.
Total production run: 2,500.
$10.00 USA
The Iron Giant
Ready Player One
Marvel Comics
Captain America • Iron Man • Thanos
MARVEL
PXL8®
Set of three
A Marvel Avengers three-pack of PXL8® ornaments inspired by Captain America, Iron Man and Thanos.
Total production run: 1,500.
$39.00 USA
Dr. Strange
MARVEL
PXL8®
A PXL8® ornament inspired by Dr. Strange.
(sold separately)
Total production run: 1,500.
Additional pop culture content:
An expanded line of PXL8® style collectible enamel pins featuring 8-bit renditions of favorite characters will debut at PopMinded events in 2018. The pins, available while supplies last, will include three different two-packs of PXL8 pins featuring fan-favorite couples:
Ant-Man & The Wasp
MARVEL
PXL8® Enamel Pins
$15.00 USA
Aquaman™ & Mera™
DC
PXL8® Enamel Pins
$15.00 USA
Boushh™ & Han in Carbonite™
Star Wars™: Return of the Jedi™
PXL8® Enamel Pins
$15.00 USA
Leia in Boushh disguise and Han Solo in Carbonite.
These pins, first made available at Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Wash., will be sold at Comic-Con International San Diego and New York Comic Con.
In addition to the sets, PopMinded will offer the following Convention Exclusive PXL8® style collectible enamel pins:
Black Panther
MARVEL
PXL8® Enamel Pin
$8.00 USA
Exclusive to Emerald City Comic Con
Thanos
MARVEL
PXL8® Enamel Pin
$8.00 USA
Exclusive to Comic-Con International San Diego
Quark™
STAR TREK: Deep Space Nine™
25th Anniversary
PXL8® Enamel Pin
$8.00 USA
Features a stylized rendition of the Ferengi bar owner.
Exclusive to the Official Star Trek Convention.
Deadpool
MARVEL
PXL8® Enamel Pin
$8.00 USA
Exclusive to New York Comic Con
A limited number of 2018 exclusive Keepsake Ornaments will be available for sale later this year to members of the Keepsake Ornament Club. Information for joining the club can be found online at Hallmark.com/KOC
At the end of the 2018 convention season in October, any remaining stock of the year’s exclusives may be made available for sale online. Check for details at PopMinded.com
Additional details about prices and daily allocations for each exclusive product as well as activity plans for each event will be announced closer to the respective convention dates. Look for additional non-exclusive Hallmark pop-culture products including greeting cards to be available at each event.
Artist Journal: Tracy Larsen
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Generally, I try to be observant of what’s around me that can give me inspiration. That can be anything from random objects or places, to artwork and artists that inspire me.
I then try to start processing what I see into potential new ideas that would work for an ornament. I then do some quick, loose thumbnail drawings on a sketch pad or often on a 3X5 that leads to more refined sketches of the idea.
My initial training was in 2D artwork as an illustrator so I have a number of 2D artists that I admire and will often turn to them for inspiration. I try to identify what it is about their work that captures my interest and appreciation—the kind of gestures they use, the expressions on faces, the action of a pose and interaction of characters. I used to use a cabinet full of files with images of things that I would use as research. Now, I search on the internet for inspiration to begin the process. For instance, when I’m doing one of my Santas in a vehicle, I’ll look for car stylings that convey the attitude that I’m wanting for that particular idea.
Flight or Fancy Concept
I use paper and pencil to give shape to my particular take on an idea. I sketch and re-sketch an idea until it is at a point that I like it. At times, I will do this in the material I’m sculpting in—twisting and turning it to get the gesture right. That can be done in clay, wax or on a 3D computer program. I mainly use the computer now to create my ornaments, so I will often take my sketch and import it on to a plane in the 3D program and then I’ll start to shape my “virtual clay” to match the sketch. I try not to go with what just comes out first. I’ll refine and adjust as I go along.
My style is generally whimsical, rather than cute or elegant. I try to induce a chuckle, rather than an “Awwww” (as in “that’s adorable!”) or “Ohhhhh” (as in “That’s beautiful!”), though I won’t turn down those responses if get them, either.
Artist Sketchbook: Edythe Kegrize (UPDATED)
Bewitching Bat
This is an early sketch of my 2018 Bewitching Bat ornament. He will be coming out this July.
Halloween is a fun time to design products for. This little fellow has an overall iridescent luster as well as glitter designs on his wings. He is all dressed up and ready for a Halloween party.
These are some early sketches and working models of Pretty Parrot. A KOC exclusive to look for in Oct.
It was so fun to work on this colorful tropical bird in flight. Not something I have ever witnessed in person but hope to someday.
Pretty Parrot
Little Bird Trio
Keep an eye out in Oct for my Little Bird Trio. Here is my sketch for these little fellows.
I love that clip on birds fit on branches of the tree that may not support much else. I love to fill every available space on my bird tree.
UPDATE (06.25.18) – Added Pretty Parrot
UPDATE (06.29.18) – Added Little Bird Trio
Q&A: Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
Member Exclusive
Keepsake Artists Edythe Kegrize and Robert Hurlburt were asked to tell more about creating this year’s club exclusive “Winter Wonderland”.
2018 Reveal: Stanley Cup® Champions Washington Capitals®
Stanley Cup® Champions Washington Capitals®
Special Edition
Congratulations to the Washington Capitals. For their first time ever, the Capitals are Stanley Cup Champions. Join the celebration and commemorate this historic win with this special Keepsake Ornament. But don’t wait long – supplies are limited.
PREORDER NOW
Available at participating Hallmark Gold Crown Stores and on Hallmark.com
Local Club News: June 2018
Hallmark is saying farewell to the printed version of the Collectively Speaking Newsletter to Local Club and/or store sponsors. In the future Local Clubs and store sponsors will receive the same types of exciting news, fun stories and games via email directly from the KOC.
Here is the first such Club communication that was received today.
Hello Local Club Presidents and Club Leaders! Summer is here in Kansas City and the heat is on! It’s hard to believe it’s been since March that we’ve touched base. I hope you are enjoying your 2018 Keepsake Dream Box and the benefits as well.
As a valued member of our Keepsake family and an important influencer and communicator for your club members, we want to keep you informed about some important and fun information related to the KOC. Here are a few important updates we want you to know about.
Q&A: Ken Crow
Keepsake Artist Ken Crow was asked to give a little more background on some of his ornaments coming out later this year. Here’s what he had to say!
Santa’s Magic Train
Ken: Toymaker Santa is happy and loves to have fun with the things he creates. He was the perfect character to play with a train set!
Off We Go!
Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Ken: Disney characters make animated fun to come to life! When I see a Disney film or cartoon, I want to become those characters and do the things that they get to do. They bring out the kid in me and make my ornaments more fun.
Steamboat Willie
Disney Mickey Mouse
Ken: This year is the 90th anniversary of Disney’s Steamboat Willie, which is where we first met Mickey Mouse. The ornament is in black and white because the original short film was black and white when it came out in 1928.
Sweet Treat Cart: Artist Contributions
Every artist in the Keepsake Studio helped in the creation of this ornament–each one loves to add his or her own special touch!
Keepsake Artist Contributions
Design Concept and Team Coordination – Edythe Kegrize
Cart Structure – Robert Hurlburt
Snowflake Design on Cart – Terri Steiger
Snowflake Wheels – Jake Angell
Treats:
Snowman Cupcake – Robert Chad
Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes – Joanne Eschrich
Christmas Tree Cupcakes – Nina Aubé
Rocking Horse Cookie – Debra Nielsen
Santa Cookie – Sharon Visker
Gingerbread House – Ken Crow
Plum Pudding Under Glass Cloche – Tammy Haddix
Jar with Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Sticks – Nello Williams
Jar with Star and Tree Cookies – Orville Wilson
Gumdrop Tree – Matt Johnson
Yule Log Cakes – Anita Marra Rogers
Holiday Lollipops – Tracy Larsen
Bottom Shelf:
Napping Kitten – Kristina Gaughran
Bottom Shelf Illustrations – Tom Best
Candy Jars on Bottom Shelf – Rodney Gentry
Tech and Color Team: Nita Obbink, Jennifer Swanson, Lisa Vogel, Susan Wieland
Sweet Treat Cart
Event Exclusive
(right side)
Sweet Treat Cart
Event Exclusive
(left side)
Ornament Spotlight: Chutes and Ladders®
Chutes and Ladders®
Family Game Night
5th in the series.
Designed to look just like the classic game box, this Keepsake Ornament will evoke fond memories of family fun. Artist crafted by Orville Wilson, and 5th in the Family Game Night series, it even features mini versions of play pieces and the game board!
Featured Artist: Ken Crow
Title:
Hallmark Senior Artist
Started at Hallmark:
August 1979
Started at Keepsakes:
November 1983
Hometown:
Long Beach, California
.
At their core, Keepsake Ornaments crafted by Ken Crow are about storytelling. His 2018 creations feature beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus—take a closer look at them, and you’ll find deep layers of meaning and detail.
Most of us doodled in our notebooks during high school, but Ken Crow’s drawings were a real learning experience. In his 11th grade history class, he discovered that his pictures were worth a thousand words. History teacher, Mr. Ciriello, began letting Ken use creative illustration instead of taking class notes.
During a civil war lesson, Ken drew battle scenes. When Ciriello explained how an economy works, Ken sketched his teacher running a treadmill turning the cogs of an economic engine.
Ken calls Mr. Ciriello’s encouragement the “green light” for his ability to express his artistic sensibility. Ken always understood the power of communicating ideas through art, and he became an editorial cartoonist for a newspaper. Now he conveys a sense of history and emotion in the expressive and complex work he does with Keepsake Ornaments.
But how did Ken go from drawing to becoming an expert in mechanical Christmas ornaments? As a child, he tore apart every toy he ever had to see how it worked. He even made other toys out of the spare parts. For Ken, Keepsake Ornaments will forever keep him connected with that inquisitive kid inside.