.:*:. Spartanburg, SC Q&A session .:*:.
In a surprising turn of events, The Spartanburg Local Club Dinner became the first such event this year to not include a Sneak Peek presentation as part of it’s evenings activities.
Instead of giving a small presentation highlighting a few of their 2013 Keepsake ornament designs, the attending artists opted for an old-fashioned Q & A session. During the Q & A it was revealed that there will be a horse ornament and a “Like Father, Like Son” ornament included in next years Keepsake Ornament line.
Apopka, FL Sneak Peek
During the Local Club Dinner Sneak Peek presentation in Apopka, the Keepsake Studio Artists in attendance revealed some of the designs they have created for the 2013 Keepsake ornament line.
Here is a list of what was shown:
Cookie Cutter Christmas*
2nd in the series
Features a sweet little snowmouse, in a red onesie, writing a letter to Santa. He is standing on a sheet of paper while using his body to brace the over-sized candy cane shaped pen he is using. A Christmas tree, stocking festooned fireplace and wreath complete the scene inside a heart shaped cookie cutter.
A Tropical Holiday
2nd in the series
Features a sweet little snowmouse, in a red onesie, writing a letter to Santa. He is standing on a sheet of paper while using his body to brace the over-sized candy cane shaped pen he is using. A Christmas tree, stocking festooned fireplace and wreath complete the scene inside a heart shaped cookie cutter.
A Tropical Holiday
15th Anniversary
KOC Exclusive
Special Edition
Handcrafted. Features three inquisitive kittens pawing around Santa’s sack. A white kitten reaches for a present sitting on top of the bag, while a gray kitten sneaks up on a dinosaur toy on the opposite side. A third black kitten with a white face has found his way into the sack and is holding on to a teddy bear.
Seasons Treatings*
5th in the series
Features a jolly wolly Santa platter with Christmas candy (divinity, a candy cane, a couple pieces of ribbon candy, peanut brittle and fudge) arranged on it.
I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas
Features a squirrel (wearing a baseball cap) and a small frog standing on top of a tree stump with an empty present in front of them.
Press the button to see the ornament illuminate and hear music from “Nuttin’ for Christmas.”
Jingle Frogs
Features three frogs (one big and two smaller) wearing Santa hats while sitting on a lily pad base. The base has cattails painted on it.
Press the button to see the frogs mouths’ move and hear an un-frog-gettable version of “Jingle Bells”.
*UPDATE: Although attendees were not allowed to photograph the items included in the Sneak Peek presentations, pictures of “Cookie Cutter Christmas”, 2nd in the series and “Season’s Treatings”, 5th in the series, were released as part of the Swap Party Sneak Peek presentation. As such we have added them to this post to help individuals visualize what they look like.
Apple Valley, MN Sneak Peek
At the Local Club Dinner event in Apple Valley, the Keepsake Studio Artists in attendance gave a Sneak Peek presentation featuring some of the designs they had created for the 2013 Keepsake ornament line.
Here is a list of what was shown:
Three French Hens
3rd in the Twelve Days of Christmas series
NOTE: Although the prototype for “Three French Hens” was presented at the event, pictures were not allowed. As such we have included a picture of the earlier released concept sketch to help individuals visualize what this piece looks like.
Indigo Bunting
The Beauty of Birds
Special Edition
Repaint of 2012 8th in the series
Additionally Edythe had a early preview of the special edition Lady Bunting that will be released later this year in conjunction with October Debut.
“Arena”
STAR TREK™
Features the Gorn captain and Captain Kirk battling it out.
Press the button to hear music and sound effects from this iconic scene.
A Kitchenette for Christmas
Features a medium pink one piece unit. The left side of the piece consists of a stove (cook top range/oven combo) with a light green coffee pot on it. The door to the stove opens to reveal a cut white frosted chocolate cake. An over-the-range microwave is positioned above the stove. The wall in-between the two appliances has three canisters painted on it. On the ornament’s right side there is a sink and window with a green and white gingham, ruffled valance. Above the window is a shelf with a couple of plates adorned with cherries. Below the sink is a refrigerator which also opens. On the side of the fridge there is a dishtowel. The back of the ornament is textured like wood siding.
*NOTE: Although event attendees were not allowed to photograph the items included in the Sneak Peek presentations, we have included a previously released concept sketch of “Three French Hens”, 3rd in the Twelve Days of Christmas series, to help individuals visualize what this piece looks like.
**UPDATE: A concept sketch of “Indigo Bunting”, Beauty of Birds, Special Edition, was included in the KOC Event Sneak Peek presentation that accompanied the third Local Club mailing. As such we have added it to this post to help individuals visualize what it looks like.
Ornament Reveal Clue #11
This year, four Keepsake Ornaments will be revealed during Ornament Debut Weekend. You can get a head start guessing what those ornaments might be by watching our series of video clues right here.
Here’s the eleventh clue to one of the four Keepsake Ornaments that will be revealed during Ornament Debut Weekend, October 6 & 7, at your Hallmark Gold Crown store.
Click on the image below to play the video.
Voice over (Kristina Gaughran): When we’re asked to come up with something that’s magical and exciting, a lot of it (The objective) is capturing just the aw and the wonder. As a new mom, I try to see things (as if I am seeing them) for the first time (just) like how my son sees them. For this particular ornament, I am trying to capture the fun and joy of kids being excited about going to a county fair and the joy that they have. I wanted to bring the excitement to these little characters as well.
Share your thoughts in the comment section of this post.
Kris’ Penguins
(Ornament Debut Reveal #1)
By Kristina Gaughran
$34.95 USA QXG3241
Hallmark Gold Crown Exclusive
In-Store Artist Signing Local Club Host Gift
Members of the 16 local clubs hosting a 2012 In-Store Artist Signing event will receive a repaint of the 3rd in series Frosty Fun Decade, as a special thank-you gift for their efforts in hosting an event.
Frosty Fun Decade
Special Edition
What Were The Top 10 Ornaments (by units moved) During 2012 Ornament Premiere?
The Magic Cord, the “light string” extension cord used to power the ornaments of the same name, was the most popular item picked up during Ornament Premiere. Three factors contributed to this years unusual leader. In addition to a well received promotion (Free Magic Cord with the purchase of any Magic Cord Hallmark Keepsake Ornament), the Magic Cord technology has started to catch on and is gaining wider acceptance and thirdly, the release of popular designs including: Trimming the Tree, a Frosty Friends complement piece; Peanuts Pageant and two series pieces as Magic Cord ornaments.
The highest selling ornament during this same period was Cookie Cutter Christmas, the 1st in series piece by Nina Aubé featuring a sweet snowmouse inside a festive cookie cutter. For a complete list of the other ornaments that rounded off this years top ten (twelve) please see below.
#1 MAGIC CORD
(promo)*
13′ long.
Regularly $5.95 USA
#2 COOKIE CUTTER CHRISTMAS
1st in the series
By Nina Aubé. 2¾” h.
$12.95 USA QX8301
#3 SWEET MOUSE
(Free KOC gift)*
By Katrina Bricker. 1½” h.
Regularly $7.95 USA LPR3801
#4 FROSTY FUN DECADE
3rd in the series
By Tammy Haddix. 3¼” h.
$9.95 USA QX8284
#5 PAINTED BUNTING
8th in the Beauty of Birds series
By Edythe Kegrize. 4″ w.
$14.95 USA QX8101
#6 MAGICIAN MICKEY
1st in the Mickey’s Movie Mouseterpieces series
By Ken Crow. 2½” h.
$12.95 USA QX8294
#7 SEASONS TREATINGS
4th in the series
By Sharon Visker. 3¼” w.
$9.95 USA QX8074
#8 STERLING ROSE
25th in the Mary’s Angels series
By Robert Chad. 3″ h.
$9.95 USA QX8271
#9 FROSTY FRIENDS
33rd in the series
By Tom Best. 3¼” w.
$12.95 USA QX8044
#10 CORN POPPER™
Fisher Price™
By Rodney Gentry. 2½” h.
$12.95 USA QXI2664
#11 LIONEL® NUTCRACKER ROUTE
CHRISTMAS TRAIN LOCOMOTIVE
17th in the LIONEL® Trains series
Wheels turn. Handcrafted and metal. 3¼” w.
$19.95 USA Qx8211
#12 SNOW BUDDIES
15th in the series
By Tammy Haddix 2¾” h.
$12.95 USA QX8024
*NOTE: During Ornament Premiere both the Magic Cord and Sweet Mouse were FREE with a qualifying purchase, as such we have included the top 12.
Ornament Reveal Clue #10
This year, four Keepsake Ornaments will be revealed during Ornament Debut Weekend. You can get a head start guessing what those ornaments might be by watching our series of video clues right here.
Here’s the tenth clue to one of the four Keepsake Ornaments that will be revealed during Ornament Debut Weekend, October 6 & 7, at your Hallmark Gold Crown store.
Click on the image below to play the video.
Voice over (Steve Goslin): When the art director told me I was going to do this particular ornament, I was very excited. It just so happened that I have this vehicle at home. We picked him up in a farm field and cleaned him up and my sons named him General. I knew every curve and every nut and bolt when I was getting ready to sculpt it. It was like doing one of my friend. So I hope you’ll be excited about him to.
Share your thoughts in the comment section of this post.
General
Ornament Debut Reveal #4
Jeep®
2013 In-Store Artist Signing Events
In Addition to next years national KOC event, Hallmark will be having four In-Store (Keepsake ornament artist) Signing events in 2013.
Retailers will compete later this year in the “Keepsake Ornament Gift of Memories Weekend Contest” (December 7-9, 2012) to win one of these highly coveted events.
Winners will be announced during the first quarter of 2013.
Swap Party Register-to-Win Prizes
Participating Hallmark Gold Crown stores will each be giving away two Silver (repainted) Frosty Astronaut ornaments as part of an in-store register-to-win drawing that will be held in conjunction with a new Swap Party* event (October 14, 2012).
NOTE: Prizes will be limited to 2 ornaments per participating Hallmark Gold Crown store.
Astronaut Frosty
Special Edition Repaint
Astronaut Frosty
* Swap Party – An In-Store sponsored event that helps mystery ornament shoppers complete their sets by giving them a chance to trade mystery ornaments.
Two Turtle Doves Pulled From Shelves
Due to a non-safety-related quality concern affecting it’s aesthetics, Two Turtle Doves, 2nd in the Twelve Days of Christmas series, has been pulled from store shelves and placed back in production.
As a result of this unexpected quality issue, this ornament will not be released until October 6.
Two Turtle Doves
2nd in the Twelve Days of Christmas series
UPDATE (7.15.12):
Although Hallmark has not released specifics regarding the aesthetic concerns that prompted them to pull the Two Turtle Doves late last week, here are some of the predominant quality issues that have been observed:
- The registration on the bird’s eyes is off (the paint doesn’t align with the sculpt).
- The gold paint, applied to accent the title and verse engraved into the birds bodies (which should have been wiped off) was left on and appears thick and blotchy.
- The lavender paint on the birds heads and tails is smudged and finger prints appear in the paint.
- The pink under paint on the birds necks and breasts is absence with the darker over spray applied directly to the unpainted piece.
- From Digital Dreambook user marylynn, “I boldly ‘went behind the curtain’ at my Hallmark store yesterday, and while I loved the sculpt, the colors were exceedingly pale – almost like a paint wash. It was a huge contrast from the bold colors of the Partridge last year. It took me a while to come to love the boldness of the Partridge’s non-traditional colors, but I did. I was expecting the same ‘tone’ this year, and was mildly disappointed. I did not see any other defects – certainly nothing to warrent a recall.”