New York Comic-Con Exclusive Keepsake Ornaments Announced
Hallmark has announced it will be making its first visit to New York Comic Con International at the Javits Center (Oct. 13-16), the East Coast’s biggest popular culture convention.
“We are excited to participate for the first time in New York Comic Con,” said Beth Dorr, associate product manager for Keepsake Ornaments. “The convention gives us a great opportunity to meet and interact with more of our most passionate fans who can’t travel to the West Coast and reward them with exclusive opportunities and sneak peeks.
In addition to receiving a sneak peek of Hallmark’s Star Wars products planned for 2012, attendees will be able to purchase limited-quantity event exclusive Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments including:
A two piece set of astromech droids featuring R2-Q5 and R2-A3. Fans of the iconic film series will recall the black-bodied R2-Q5 as being assigned to the second Death Star and the red-trimmed R2-A3 flew along with X-wing starfighter pilot Wedge Antilles.
Set includes 2 astromech droids, R2-Q5 (black and bronze-bodied) and R2-A3 (red-trimmed), from the original trilogy.
Limited-quantity (800 pieces)
U.S.S. Defiant: The ill-fated U.S.S. Defiant is from the third-season episode “The Tholian Web” and celebrates the 45th anniversary of the original “Star Trek” television series. Based on a 2006 Keepsake Ornament of the U.S.S. Enterprise, it features luminescent paint that allows the ornament to glow green in the dark as seen in the fan-favorite episode.
Features luminescent paint that allows the ornament to glow green in the dark.
Limited-quantity (700 pieces)
This will mark the first year that Hallmark will create convention exclusive Keepsake Ornaments for New York Comic Con. Hallmark has produced exclusive Keepsake Ornaments in recent years for events including Comic Con International, Star Wars Celebration V, the National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention and Disney’s D23 Expo.
Visitors to the Hallmark booth 110 will receive a series of collectible buttons featuring quotes from the new line of Star Wars Gifts coming exclusively to Hallmark Gold Crown stores spring of 2012. A different limited-quantity design will be given away each day of the convention.
Other activities include visits from Star Wars characters courtesy of the 501st Legion and fun giveaways.
KOC 25th Class Reunion: Event Dinner Gift Repaint
A Pony for Christmas
Special Edition
Attendees of the KOC 25th Class Reunion Friday night dinner were given a special edition, repainted version of the 14th in the A Pony for Christmas series as they entered the Crown Center Exhibit Hall.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
What Were The Top Selling Limited-quantity Ornaments During 2011 Ornament Premiere Weekend?
Although sales may vary by store, based on the available information, the top three selling special edition, limited-quantity ornaments during Ornament Premiere weekend were:
- It’s All About the Shoes!
The Wizard of Oz - Peaches ‘N’ Cream™ BARBIE® Doll BARBIE™ Ornament
- Sleeping Beauty
Precious Moments®
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
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
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.