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Getting to know your Keepsake Village
These villagers have some fun passions and hobbies when they’re not busy creating Keepsake Ornaments!

Emma Leturgez-Smith

The Keepsake critter crew

For as long as she can remember, Emma Leturgez-Smith has been an animal lover. “I snuck home turtles, crawdads and frogs as a kid, and we had all kinds of pets. My first bird was a small budgie, who was my best buddy through middle school. He made me fall in love with birds.

“Today I have two parrots, Tequila and Matcha, who have made so many appearances on video meetings, they’re honorary Keepsake team members. They entertain us by mimicking kissing sounds-especiallv if they spot my husband and me kissing. It’s like being teased by kids!”

Emma’s dog, Finley, a 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier, is also a member of the Keepsake team. “He’s a big fan of my work-from-home schedule and also attends meetings as his nap schedule allows.”

Rounding out Emma’s critter crew are two hermit crabs and three roly-poly bugs. She says, “All of our animals love and entertain us in their own ways and they’re all family.”

Jake Angell

A monstrous universe

As early as second grade, Jake Angell was drawing monsters. “My monsters were originally inspired by Jim Henson creations,” he says. “I grew up on Sesame Street, The Muppets, Labyrinth and Dark Crystal and really enjoyed trying to draw all the Muppets.

“Now, they’re starting to become their own little universe. Last year I started working on my own gnomes, too, that live in the same forests as some of my newest creations, meditating monsters.”

So, where can you meet these monsters? Jake explains, “I was at our local convention, Planet Comicon, in March. I hope to start doing some online sales in the future but, for now, with limited time, I just do a couple shows for fun.”

The fun carries over to everything Jake has learned, too. “It’s been a great experience teaching myself how to take these monsters from paper to actual models. l’ve learned a lot about 3D printers, casting and painting to make my dreams a reality.”

Godzilla’s loft

When it comes to pop culture, Art Director Kurt Gaulke will tell you; *You name it, I collect it. I collect toys, monster stuff, comic books and records, just to name a few. But the showstopper of my house is definitely my Godzilla collection.

“As a little kid, I was into drawing monsters, dinosaurs and Godzilla. I’d pore over photos in my Famous Monsters of Filmland magazines and then draw them. Then came 3D model kits and figures and even a robot, and those things were my entry into collecting.”

Kurt still has those Godzillas of his childhood, and his collection has grown exponentially. “We built a loft in my house just for my collection. I recently took a lot of stuff down and was rearranging and dusting, and I can tell you dusting Godzilla toys is not easy! I came to the realization that I need to dial back. But there are definitely worse habits–at least that’s what I tell myself and my wife.”

Tammy Haddix

Mini gnomes, big world

Tammy Haddix has loved gnomes for as long as she can remember, so she thought it would be fun to make them herself! “The artwork in Wil Huygen’s book ‘Gnomes really captivated me, and I started creating my own miniature gnomes in 2011. I love building their worlds in cute little containers, like jars or lanterns. I work in paper clay and paint them with acrylic paint, then I use found objects for their worlds.” After opening an Etsy shop, Work of Whimsy, Tammy’s creations have become so popular that she ships her gnomes all over the world.

“I’ve shipped a gnome necklace to Greece for a bride to wear at her wedding, and my gnome cake toppers have gone to Canada and California, My creations have gone everywhere from Australia to Switzerland, Ireland, New Caledonia, Italy and more.”

Long considered good luck charms, as well as protectors of homes and gardens, gnomes are mythical little spirits, and it’s no surprise that Tammy’s tiny charmers are so popular. “Gnomes can do anything you can imagine,” she smiles. “You just have to believe in their magic.”

“Getting to know your Keepsake Village.” For Keeps 22 Summer 2023: 4-5.