2021 Companion Ornaments: Artist Signing Event
Santa Claus–pictured on page 6 of this year’s Dream Book–coordinates with Santa’s Next Stop, the 2021 Artist Signing Event piece.
Santa’s Next Stop
Special Edition
Santa Claus
Companion to Santa’s Next Stop
Santa Claus – Here comes Santa Claus! With cookie in hand, the jolly old elf enjoys a much-deserved snack amid all his hard work on Christmas Eve. This festive Christmas tree ornament features a classic depiction of Santa in his signature red suit.
Artist Sketchbook: Series
Here are some sketches and storyboards on a few series pieces.
Gnome for Christmas
1st in the series.
Gnome for Christmas, by Keepsake artist Gregor Benedetti, will showcase Christmas through the eyes of this adorable little odd couple, Gnaughty and Gnice. Gregor says, “These little characters will show that despite their differences, they can sit back and have a good laugh together, and they would wish the same for all of us.”
Father Christmas
18th in the series.
The Father Christmas series continues this year, and this storyboard and sculpt from Keepsake artist Joanne Wright give you a peek behind the design curtain.
If you love Keepsake artist Terri Steiger’s Noble Nutcrackers series as much as we do, you have a new tabletop piece to look forward to! It’s based on the Noble Nutcrackers #1 design, featured here in these sketches!
Noble Nutcracker
Table Decoration
Duke of Winter
Noble Nutcrackers
3rd in the series.
In 2019 Keepsake Artist Terri Steiger’s new “Noble Nutcrackers” series debuted. In April of that year, she shared pictures–of the storyboard she created for the series–which included a sneak peek of future editions. One of the sneak peeks was of the things she gathered for inspiration for this year’s Duke of Winter.
2021 Video: Ornament Insights (Brilliant Butterflies)
This year marks #5 in the Brilliant Butterflies series! Hear from Keepsake editor Lindsay Evans as shares more about the graceful pink and yellow features of this gorgeous butterfly with scalloped edges, metallic gold paint and beautiful gemstones. Available for purchase right now!
Brilliant Butterflies
5th in the series.
Brilliant Butterflies #5 is the last ornament in the series by retired Keepsake artist Edythe Kegrize, but not to worry! Keepsake artist Terri Steiger will continue this series, where she will carry on the artistry and sparkle that you know and love of the Brilliant Butterflies.
2021 Reveal: Charter Member Ornament
Sweet Charter Member
Miniature
Charter members will receive a little something extra in their 2021 Dream Box in appreciation for all the loyalty and support they have given to the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club since year one.
Keepsake Ornament & Gift Bundle
Sweet Decade
Special Edition
Keepsake Ornament & Gift Bundle
This Keepsake Ornament & Gift Bundle is inspired by the 2nd ornament in the Sweet Decade series.
Includes:
- Large Red and White Striped Gift Bag
- Good Mail Greeting Card
- Snowman Keepsake Ornament – Repainted version of the 2nd ornament in the Sweet Decade series.
- Snowman Stacked Mug Set
Promotional offer: $29.99 USA (Valued at $48.00 USA)
Valid: 07/10/21 – 12/24/21 (While supplies last.)
2021 Video: Ornament Insights (Fressia Fairy)
Keepsake Artist Kris Gaughran shares all the adorable details of her Freesia Fairy ornament.
Freesia Fairy
Fairy Messengers
17th in the series.
The pretty pixie with big blue eyes and silky brown hair–is dressed in a sweet flower petal dress and features sparkly accents on her iridescent wings–is available for purchase NOW!
2022 Sneak Peek: Series
The 2021 Dream Box includes a little booklet entitled “Behind the Designs.” The booklet tells the stories behind nine Keepsake Ornaments and reveals five 2022 Sneak Peeks.
Stocking Stuffers (2022)
2nd in the series.
Gnome for Christmas (2022)
2nd in the series.
Holiday Parade (2022)
3rd in the series.
Beer Stein (2022)
10th in the unofficial series.
Cookie Cutter Christmas (2022)
10th in the series.
Ornament Spotlight: Stocking Stuffers
Stocking Stuffers
Created by Nina Aubé
Available at Ornament Premiere
Stocking Stuffers
1st in the series.
“All of the critters in this stocking are pets I’ve personally known and loved. The bird is my beloved cockatiel Opie, who lived to the ripe old age of 25. The hamster is Wiley, a friendly little hammie I had in college. The dog was inspired by my sister’s feisty schnauzer, Russell. The kitten has the same sweet face as my niece’s cat, Nala. And as a child, I had a bunny named Thumper that looked just like the bunny in the stocking!”
Nina Aubé’s family didn’t have a fireplace mantel when she was growing up but that didn’t stop them from hanging Christmas stockings. They simply improvised and hung them on their buffet drawer handles! So, creating this first in the Stocking Stuffers series brought back great memories for Nina.
“Upon awakening at the crack of dawn, it was tradition for my two sisters and me to make a beeline for our stockings. We’d immediately start gobbling up the candy inside. There was always a small gift in each stocking, in my case usually a small animal figurine or doll. I adored tiny toys and objects and still do, so perhaps that inspired me to put cute little animals in this ornament. Plus, I love animals, of course!”
Nina hopes the personal connections that inspired her design of this ornament will bring you fond memories of your own traditions that you’ll share those memories with loved ones.
2022 SNEAK PEEK
Stocking Stuffers
2nd in the series.
You can look forward to a different Keepsake artist creating a new Stocking Stuffers ornament for this series every year, adding to the meaning and memories behind each design. Anita Marra Rogers will bring you the second in the series in 2022.
“Stocking Stuffers.” Behind the Designs. 4-5
Ornament Spotlight: North Pole Village
North Pole Village
Created by Sharon Visker
Available at Ornament Premiere
North Pole Village
“This ornament was a huge collaboration between me, my design manager, our engineers, editor, and music studio. I had a vision of what I wanted it to be, and they all contributed to making the magic happen. The story comes to life with Santa’s voice, a light show, the elves, getting ready for Christmas and music from ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’.”
When you imagine all of the magic at the North Pole, what comes to mind? And how could you put so much magic into one ornament? That was Sharon Visker’s challenge, and she shared what inspired her creative vision.
“I grew up in Colorado, and we would visit the North Pole there at the foot of Pikes Peak. I would also write letters to Santa every year, and I remember putting them in a special Santa mailbox.”
“When I imagined what the North Pole might be like, those memories came back to me, along with all the stories I’ve heard about the North Pole and what happens there. I started designing with a vision of what it might look like if the North Pole was on a mountain. I knew I needed the elves’ workshop and the reindeer. Of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus would be there with Santa’s sleigh and everything he needs For his big night!”
All those memories came together in Sharon’s North Pole Village, and her love of Christmas comes through in each detail. “I love how Santa brings you into the world of the North Pole. It’s really magical, and I hope everyone enjoys the ornament as much as I enjoyed creating it!”
“North Pole Village.” Behind the Designs. 6-7
Ornament Spotlight: Duke of Winter
Duke of Winter
Created by Terri Steiger
Available at Ornament Debut
Duke of Winter
Noble Nutcrackers
3rd in the series
Terri Steiger has always loved snow. Growing up in Cleveland, she remembers sitting by the window outside the bedroom just waiting for the snow to begin.
“I would get so excited to see the first flakes! I looked forward to walking to school in the snow and remember my red mittens having frozen clumps of snow on them and my fingers being numb from the cold. But that didn’t stop my siblings and me from playing in the snow for hours. I would catch snowflakes and wish they would never melt because they were so pretty.”
That love of snow was the perfect inspiration for the third in her Noble Nutcrackers series, the Duke of Winter. Terry says, “I wanted to portray him as king of all things icy, frosty and snowy, as my homage to my favorite part of the season.”
She also became intrigued by nutcrackers when she visited a German gift shop while in college. “I would go in there and look at all the nutcrackers, and I was fascinated by them. I bought one, which was a stretch on my art students budget, but I was drawn to the design and quality of the wooden guy.”
For Terry, this design is all about wonder.
“I hope you’ll like the icy, glittery feel of the nutcracker. I wanted the dense glitter around the shoulders to look like snow falling and the design to give a nod to the beauty and intricacy of each snowflake. My hope is that his crowd will capture that moment in time for you when a single snowflake can evoke a sense of amazement.”
It’s a feeling that Terry still anticipates each winter as she waits for the first magical snowflakes to fall.
“Duke of Winter.” Behind the Designs. 8-9