Lotus and Poinsettia (UPDATE)
Lotus and Poinsettia, 1st in the “Baby Fairy Messengers” series by Kristina Gaughran will be released early (in limited quantities) in conjunction with this year’s Dream Book event.
Although this boxed set will be allocated for this particular event, we have now learned that retailers can reorder more for replenishment in July.
Lotus and Poinsettia
1st in the Baby Fairy Messengers series
Reveal: 2015 NFL Keepsake Ornament
In addition to the nine previously announced NFL players Tom Brady (New England Patriots) will be included in the 2015 Keepsake Ornament line-up.
Tom Brady
New England Patriot
2015 Sneak Peek: Regional Keepsake Ornaments
Two Kansas City-themed Keepsake ornaments have been unearthed. Both ornaments are being released (in limited quantities) exclusively in Hallmark Gold Crown stores in the greater-Kansas City area beginning Ornament Premiere Weekend, July 11-12. To reserve either of these ornaments, call Amy’s Hallmark in Crown Center: (816) 283.0459.
Additionally Hallmark will be reissuing the two Texas exclusive Keepsake ornaments and the Colorado ornament from 2014. All three ornaments will be available at participating Hallmark Gold Crown stores in their respective states starting Ornament Debut Weekend, October 3-4, 2015. Please note: some local stores may have carry over stock from last year as such they may have them available sooner.
New
My Kind of Cow Town
A Kansas City Tradition
Re-issued
Texas Cutout
Texas Boots
Colorado Mountains
Keepsake Artists Facebook Chats
Have you wanted to ask the Keepsake Artists a question but can’t make it to the events or signings? Now you will have an opportunity to ask them questions from your own home. For the first time since 2010, Hallmark will be hosting LIVE chats via Facebook with some of the Keepsake Studio Artists. Stay tuned for more information.
Reveal: DESTINATION KEEPSAKES Event Exclusive 1932 Ford
We know you’ve been waiting for it, and we are happy to finally be able to reveal the KOC event exclusive 1932 Ford, a repaint of the 1st in the Keepsake Kustoms series.
1932 Ford
Keepsake Kustoms
Special Edition
2015 Hallmark Associate 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.
Joyful Snowman
Hallmark Associate Gift
Special Edition
Repaint of 2013
“A Snowman’s Joyful Job” ornament.
2015 Gift of Memories Event Promotion
Features a rustic wooden sign with a red ball ornament hanging from its right side.
Available beginning Gift of Memories event, December 4-6, 2015.
A Little Jingle
2015 KOC Member Ornament Premiere Gift
Keepsake Ornament Club (KOC) Members will once again receive a free ornament during Ornament Premiere when they purchase a Hallmark Keepsake ornament priced $9.95 or more. This years KOC Ornament Premiere gift, “Bundled-Up Bunny”, was created by Nina Aubé.
Bundled-Up Bunny
Features a gray bunny in a green coat with red buttons and a red scarf with white fringe.
Free with the purchase of a Hallmark Keepsake ornament
priced $9.95 or more (regularly $9.95)
In-Store Register-to-Win Drawings and Mystery Reveal Ornaments Campaign Canceled
For the first time since 2009 Hallmark Gold Crown stores will not be hosting register-to-win drawings as part of their in-store events. Likewise after four years Hallmark is discontinuing their Mystery Reveal Ornaments campaign.
Throwback: STAR WARS RETURNS!
In 1997, a year after Hallmark introduced its first Star Wars™ related Keepsake Ornaments, Star Wars™ celebrated a milestone anniversary, the 20th Anniversary year of the original theatrical release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope™. In response to the anniversary year, Lucas re-released the original trilogy in theaters*. This along with the impending release of the first installment of the long awaited prequel (just two years out) once again energized the Star Wars™ universe.
This set the tone for the new Keepsake Ornaments that were offered that year, including a new first in series piece. In honor of Star Wars Celebration, here is the original article about the 1997 Star Wars releases. Reprinted from Collector’s Courier: Volume Eleven, Number One.
With a major theatrical release of the (STAR WARS™) trilogy planned for this year*, STAR WARS enthusiasts are already gearing up to celebrate the 20th year of the original film.
The excitement began in 1996 with the “Millennium Falcon™” Keepsake Magic Ornament and “The Vehicles of STAR WARS” three-piece Keepsake Miniature Ornament set. This year, STAR WARS collectors and Keepsake Ornament collectors are eagerly anticipating the four STAR WARS Special Issue Ornaments that will arrive in Hallmark stores in time for the Keepsake Ornament Premiere in July.
“There’s been a very high level of anticipation among STAR WARS collectors for the Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments,” says Steve Sansweet, author of three books about STAR WARS memorabilia and owner of the largest private collection of STAR WARS memorabilia in the world. “These ornaments will be highly sought after because they’re dated, and they’re only being issued one year.”
The 1997 Keepsake Ornament line features four Special Issue Ornaments based on the original STAR WARS movie. Heading the cast of favorites is “Luke Skywalker™,” the first in the STAR WARS Collector’s Series.
Luke Skywalker
1st in the Star Wars™ series
Luke’s charming sidekicks—the best known team of droids in the Rebel Alliance—are known as C-3PO™ and R2-D2™. The team is so inseparable it’s hard to imagine them as anything but a two-piece Keepsake Miniature Ornament set!
Perhaps one of the most lovable STAR WARS character, the diminutive Jedi Master “Yoda™,” is being featured as a Keepsake Ornament that complements the STAR WARS Collector’s Series.
A dramatic Keepsake Magic Ornament, “Darth Vader™” is cloaked in black and looks every bit the threat that he is to those in the Rebel Alliance. The Imperial Commander’s light saber glows continuously and, with just the press of a button, you can hear the voice of James Earl Jones from the movie saying: “The force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi yet!”
Did You Know?
- The original STAR WARS movie was introduced in 1977. A major theatrical release of the STAR WARS trilogy is planned for this year, the 20th year of the film.
- STAR WARS trilogy videos released in 1995 sold 22 million units, making it the best-selling live-action video ever.
- A new STAR WARS novel came out in 1991. It jumped to No. 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list in its second week.
*The Star Wars Special Edition was a theatrical anniversary edition of the original trilogy, in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
The three movies were shown in USA from January through March with a monthly interval between each. A New Hope was released on January 31, 1997, followed by The Empire Strikes Back on February 21, 1997, and Return of the Jedi on March 7, 1997, but due to the box office success of the first two (mostly A New Hope which grossed the most of the three re-releases) it was pushed to a week later on March 14.