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2011 Keepsake Ornament Survey

Survey will decide the look of Hallmark’s first ‘co-created’ ornament

For any collector who’s ever wished to help design a Keepsake Ornament, that chance is here.

KOC members and anyone who enjoys Keepsake Ornaments can voice their opinions on the design of an ornament for the 2012 line. Results of an online survey will guide a Keepsake Artist’s hand in creating it. Rebecca Muller, associate merchandise manager for Keepsake Ornaments, describes the survey as one way for collectors to create something specifically for themselves.

As a business, Hallmark has been developing more opportunities for people to create their own products, Rebecca says, including personalized cards and party plates as well as monthly contests as part of the Your Greeting Card Competition on the company website. She calls this Keepsake Ornament more “user-influenced” than created, as a Keepsake Artist will still play a big part in its final design.

Polar Bear
Tammy Haddix

Gingerbread Boy
Kristina Gaughran

Snowman
Joanne Eschrich

Santa
Ken Crow

Penguin
Sharon Visker

Moose
Tracy Larsen

In the survey, ornament fans will be asked to select one of six characters chosen for their iconic connections to the holiday season. Survey questions will also decide a seasonal theme for each character as well as any props or activities depicted on the ornament. If voters decide on an ornament with Santa in summery shorts and a beach umbrella or a polar bear decorating holiday cookies, then that’s what an Artist will create.

Participation is open to anyone—but the deadline is quickly approaching. All surveys must be completed by Oct. 15, 2011. The ornament will not be a Club-exclusive design, but one that is available to anyone.

“I’m excited to see how everyone will vote,” Rebecca says, “and to watch this fun, new ornament come to life.”

Vote today!

Vote at Hallmark.com/KeepsakeSurvey

“A 2012 Keepsake Ornament Created by You.” For Keeps 10 Fall 2011: 4


NOTE: During the KOC 25th Class Reunion “Sneak Peek” seminar, Hallmark announced it’s first ever collector influenced ornament on-line survey.

August 5th, 2011|0 Comments

2011 Event Register-to-Win Door Prizes

During the KOC 25th Class Reunion event this weekend, Hallmark will give away 32 event exclusive repaints (8 each of 4 designs)*, one “Mrs. Claus Cupboard” (signed by all artists) and one Autographed Sports Ornament four time a day for both days of the event.  Winners will be posted at: 9:00am, 10:00am, 1:00pm & 2:00pm. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

The four designs include: Viola, 24th in the “Mary’s Angels” series; the 21st in the “Puppy Love” series; the 13th in the “Mischievous Kitten” series and Partridge in a Pear Tree, 1st in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” series.

Viola
Repaint of 2011
24th in the Mary’s Angels series

Puppy Love
Repaint of 2011
21st in the series

Mischievous Kittens
Repaint of 2011
13th in the series

Partridge in a Pear Tree
Repaint of 2011
1st in the Twelve Days of Christmas series

August 5th, 2011|0 Comments

2011 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament

The 2011 Mayor’s Christmas Tree ornament, which depicts the old fashioned charm of a pair of child’s mittens, is made from the trunk of the 2010 Kansas City Christmas tree, which graced Crown Center Square during the last years holiday season.

Holiday Mittens
2011 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament
31st in the series

$12.50 USA + Tax (Shipping is an additional $9.95 per order and includes shipping insurance)
Limit 2 ornaments per customer while quantities last.

To purchase this ornament:

  • By Mail (KOC members only): Download Order Form, fill it out and mail it to the enclosed address.
  • By Phone: call (816) 274-7251 (after October 1, 2011)
  • At Crown Center: Available starting Friday, November 25. (the day after Thanksgiving)

* NOTE: All proceeds from ornament sales go to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which assists thousands of Kansas City’s less fortunate each year.

August 3rd, 2011|0 Comments

2012 Barbie Ornaments Sneak Peek

In conjunction with the National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention (NBDCC), Hallmark once again provided an advance screening of the Barbie Keepsake Ornaments that will be released later this year and a Sneak Peek of next years line. Amongst the 2012 ornaments that were reveled were:

Stunning in The Spotlight™ Barbie® Doll Barbie™ Ornament
Fashion Model Collection

Matinee Fashion™ Barbie™ Ornament
19th and final in the Nostalgic Barbie™ Ornament series

Shoe Chandelier Barbie™ Ornament

Brava, Ballerina! Barbie™ Ornament

Provencal™ Barbie® Doll Barbie™ Ornament
Fashion Model Collection

Student Teacher Barbie® Barbie™ Ornament

Tweed Indeed™ Barbie® Doll Barbie™ Ornament

August 2nd, 2011|0 Comments

KOC 25th Class Reunion Pins

We are happy to announce the release of our 2011 Limited Edition Digital Dreamer lapel pins, which have been designed to commemorate this years 25th Class Reunion event (being held in Kansas City on August 5 & 6).  In keeping with the events theme, each of the five designs reinterprets a different popular Keepsake ornament series with a school related spin.

My Puppy Ate My Homework
Inspired by the Puppy Love series.

Team Buddies
Inspired by the Snow Buddies series.

Arctic Academy
Inspired by Playful Penguins (unofficial series).

Sweet School Days
Inspired by the Noelville series.

Twinkie Bus
Inspired by the Santa’s Sweet Ride series.

*Pins are available for $7.50 USA each or a set of all five designs for $35.00 USA.

These pins are of the highest quality. They have been created using the Cloisonné process. This means that each pin has been die-struck from a copper/bronze base, hand-filled with a powdered glass-like mixture, fired at 1,600 ℉ and then individually hand-polished and silver-plated.

Each pin design features an array of colors including some with “glistening” accents, and screened details, has 2 posts (to hold them perfectly in place) and rubber clasps. Additionally all the designs incorporate a custom dated back stamp denoting the edition size of 750 pieces. Now that you have see the designs, we are sure you will agree that they are the perfect way to commemorate your reunion experience or to just add a memento to your collection.

NOTE: If you’re interested in purchasing or pre-ordering (for the event) any or all of these pins, please send an email to digitaldreambook@gmail.com specify which one(s) you would like, if you will be picking them up at the event or want them shipped to you (after the event), the method of payment you wish to use and any other questions that you may have. For your convenience in addition to cash payment (at the event) we can accept payment through Pay-pal. Mail order transactions can also be completed using Pay-pal or personal check. If you know someone who is attending the event and want to have them bring the pins back for you to save on shipping, we’ll make sure we have details of your transaction completed by next Tuesday, August 2nd.

July 26th, 2011|0 Comments

What Were The Top 10 Selling Ornaments (in dollars) During Ornament Premiere?

The Father Christmas limited edition tabletop display, was the top selling Keepsake Ornament during Ornament Premiere weekend.  Ken Crow’s latest masterpiece, Santa Comes to Town, was the second highest selling ornament.  For a complete list of the other ornaments that rounded off this years top ten please see below.

1. Father Christmas Tabletop
Limited Edition tabletop display
Based on the 5th in the series piece from 2005.
By Joanne Eschrich. 6⅗” x 12” x 6”
$24.95 USA with a Hallmark Keepsake ornament purchase of $50.00 USA or more
(regularly $49.95 USA) LPR3427

2. Santa Comes to Town
By Ken Crow. 5″ h.
$44.95 USA QXG4127

3. 726 Berkshire Steam Locomotive
16th in the LIONEL® Train series
3¾” w.
$19.95 USA QX8717

4. Partridge in a Pear Tree
1st in the Twelve Days of Christmas series
By Edythe Kegrize. 3¾” h.
$12.95 USA QX8919

5. Father Christmas
8th in the series
By Joanne Eschrich. 5½” h.
$19.95 USA QX8769

6. Ireland
1st in the Angels Around the World series
By Katrina Bricker. 4½” h.
$14.95 USA QX8917

7. Clock Cleaners
Mickey and Friends
By Ken Crow. 5″ h.
$34.95 USA QXD1029

8. It’s All in the Shoes!
The Wizard of Oz
By Debra Murray. 2½” x 4½” x 3”
$14.95 USA QXE3039

9. Christmastime is Here!
The PEANUTS® Gang
By Tracy Larsen. 3¾” w.
$34.95 USA QXI2917

10. Romulan Bird-of-Prey™
STAR TREK™
By Lynn Norton. 4½” w.
$32.95 USA QXI2007

July 23rd, 2011|0 Comments

Mystery Reveal Ornaments Clues

Late last month we announced Hallmark’s plan to release “Mystery Ornaments”* later this year.  We now know these offerings will consist of 4 ornaments (2 of which are Magic) and a Magic Tabletop piece.  All 5 pieces will be released in conjunction with Ornament Debut. Clues* will be revealed from now until Ornament Debut Weekend. Here is your first set of clues as to what these ornaments will be.

Mystery General Motors Ornament
Revs up excitement for a great American centennial

Wheels turn
By Don Palmiter.  2” x 1¼” x 4”
$17.95  QXI2349

Mystery Ornament
A magic ornament you will really crow about.
Features light, sound & motion. Battery operated. (included)
3⅛” x 4⅝” x 3⅜”
$34.95  QXG3209

Mystery Ornament
An artist’s new spin on a jolly, old icon.
Features light & sound. Battery operated. (included)
By Bob Kolar.  3¼” x 3⅝” x 2⅜”
$24.95  QXG3207

Mystery Barbie Ornament
Fashion Model Collection
Celebrates a fashionable 10th birthday.
Handcrafted and fabric.
By Katrina Bricker.  3” x 4½” x 3⅜”
$19.95  QXI2479

Mystery Tabletop Piece
Show-stopping tabletop version of a past Keepsake Ornament.

Features light, sound & motion. Battery operated. (not included)
By Ken Crow.  7” x 10¾” x 5”
$99.95  QFM3907

*Future clues may be visual, audio or written (into stories from the Artists). 

3 different Frosty ornaments which will be randomly boxed to conceal their identities.  Consumers will only be able to discover which design they received after purchase. “All sales are final. No refunds, returns or exchanges.”

Each Frosty ornament is sealed in a box and placed in a non-see-through bag.
By Tom Best.  2⅛” x 3” x 1½”
$9.95  QK5009

Available beginning Ornament Debut weekend,
October 8-9, 2011

* Mystery Ornament – An ornament whose identity is not revealed until just before it is available for purchase at local Gold Crown stores.  In the past these ornaments have been released in conjunction with in-store events.

July 11th, 2011|0 Comments

2011 Reveal: SDCC Event-Exclusive Keepsake Ornaments

Hallmark Unveils Plans for Comic-Con 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 6, 2011) —  Hallmark announces its return to Comic-Con International in San Diego (July 20-24), providing 125,000 attendees access to Comic-Con-exclusive Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, a sneak peek of product for 2012 and visits with creators of popular Hallmark characters.

During the convention, Hallmark will sell limited quantities of the following Keepsake Ornaments:

IG-88 and Dengar, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™ – This two-pack features the assassin droid IG-88 and Corellian mercenary Dengar from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™. IG-88 and Dengar are the third and fourth bounty hunters to become Keepsake Ornaments. Limited run of 1,000 sets.

Comic Book Guy, The Simpsons™ – Wearing his own Comic-Con apparel, the Comic Book Guy from “The Simpsons” celebrates his 20th year as a popular cartoon character. This is the second year that “The Simpsons” has inspired an exclusive Keepsake Ornament for Comic-Con. Limited run of 1,000 Keepsake Ornaments.

Descending Upon Gotham, Batman™ – Batman swoops down from the dark heights of Gotham in this Keepsake Ornament. A repainted version of a 2009 Keepsake Ornament, the Caped Crusader wears a contemporary gray and black bat suit rather than the blue and gray one popularized in the 1960s. Limited run of 750 Keepsake Ornaments.

“We are excited to participate in Comic-Con for the fourth year,” said Beth Dorr, associate merchandise manager for Keepsake Ornaments. “The convention gives us a great opportunity to meet and interact with some of our most passionate fans and reward them with exclusive opportunities and sneak peeks.”

Visitors to Hallmark’s booth in the Lucasfilm Pavilion will be able to view many of the new 2011 Keepsake Ornaments as well as get a sneak peek of what’s to come in 2012. They also can pick up a series of collectible buttons featuring Star Wars Keepsake Ornaments. The series will feature five designs, with a limited quantity of one design given away each day of Comic-Con.

Throughout the convention, popular Hallmark characters hoops&yoyo™ will make visits to the Hallmark booth. Comic-Con attendees also will have the opportunity to engage with the creators of Hallmark characters, including Bob Holt and Mike Adair (hoops&yoyo), Peter Martin (Asteroid Andy) and John Wagner (Maxine).

John Wagner’s feisty character Maxine, the self-appointed “Queen of Crabbiness,” celebrates her 25th anniversary in 2011. Since 1986, she has appeared on millions of cards and thousands of books, as well as Keepsake Ornaments. On Thursday, July 21, and Friday, July 22, John Wagner will be on site to share the inspiration behind Maxine, discuss how he’s kept her character fresh for 25 years and answer questions. Hoops&yoyo creators Bob Holt and Mike Adair will sign autographs on Thursday, July 21, Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23. Asteroid Andy’s creator Peter Martin will visit the booth on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24.

In addition to on-site Comic-Con activity, Hallmark will administer various product giveaways of some current Keepsake Ornaments as well as exclusive and signed products via Twitter (@HallmarkPR, #ComicCon, #SDCC) before and during the conference. For more information about Hallmark and the full line of 2011 Keepsake Ornaments, visit Hallmark.com/Keepsakes.

IG-88 and Dengar
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™

Comic Book Guy
The Simpsons™

Descending Upon Gotham
Batman™


June 6th, 2011|0 Comments
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