2023 Sneak Peek: SHAZAM!
In anticipation of the theatrical release of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” on March 17th, here is a sneak peek of this year’s Shazam Keepsake Ornament featuring the iconic Super Hero in his vibrant red and gold uniform.
SHAZAM!
2023 Sneak Peek: Puppy Love
Terrier
Puppy Love
33rd in the series.
It’s National Love Your Pet Day, and that’s a doggone good excuse for a sneak peek of the 33rd ornament in the Puppy Love series, designed by Anita Marra Rogers. This terrier cutie will be available in July.
Ornament Spotlight: Studio Ornament
A ho-ho-whole lot of help
Read how every artist in the Keepsake Village contributed to this year’s Santa’s Workbench studio ornament.
The Artist at Work
Studio ornament
As part of our big 50th anniversary celebration, the Keepsake Village has been hard at work collaborating to create a very special studio ornament, Santa’s Workbench, shown above.
As you know, these studio-created ornaments are a team effort. With the merging of so many details and artistic styles, along with the number of design decisions to be made, these studio pieces take time to develop. This one, for example, was started in July of 2021 when Tom Best created the initial concept.
Anita Marra Rogers, the lead artist for the piece, was responsible for taking the idea and determining which elements would be designed by which artist based on their specialties.
“Each artist in the Keepsake Studio had a part in it, so I wanted to make sure a little of everyone’s personality or styling came through,” she tells us. From traditional sculptors to artists who create computer renderings, Anita wanted to bring together all the aspects of the studio.
Hearing her talk about the process might make your head spin. But, thankfully, she had Art Director Kurt Gaulke to help determine how each part of the ornament’s intricate design could work together in harmony.
“After the concept was chosen,” Anita says, “Robert Hurlburt crafted the structure of the whole thing, and Tracy Larsen was assigned to sculpt Santa in the same styling he has used for past club-exclusive ornaments.”
Tom Best chimed in to say that “the basic idea of Santa at his workshop drafting table came from Kurt, our art director, along with Jim Tronoski.”
And if you’re thinking the idea seems like the perfect fit for a 50th anniversary piece, you’d be right. The assortment of toys and ornaments displayed across his desk were all meticulously designed by artists throughout the studio.
“Every item at his drafting table is a nod to past ornaments throughout Keepsake Ornament history,” Tom adds.
While discussing this undertaking, Anita let us in on a sneak peek you won’t want to miss
“On top of Santa’s desk, you’ll find some drawings he’s been working on for future products,” she says.
That’s right. You won’t just have an amazing ornament created by the entire Keepsake Studio, you’ll also get a glimpse of ornaments yet to come.
The Artist at Work sketch
The Artist at Work side view
“A true labor of love.” For Keeps 22 Spring 2023: 7.
Ornament Spotlight: Christmas Angels
A true labor of love
Joanne Wright shares the inspiration behind #6 in the Christmas Angels series.
Good Cheer
Christmas Angels
6th in the series.
The one question people always have for Keepsake artists is how they come up with the ideas for their ornaments. And you’ll find that no two answers are the same. Some artists are inspired by hobbies, trends or nature. Others simply dig deep into their imaginations. For Joanne Wright, inspiration for the latest ornament in her Christmas Angels series came from a beloved family member.
“My daughter-in-law Jill is beautiful and full of grace, so that is why I thought she’d be the perfect model.“
Joanne mentioned how excited her daughter-in-law was about the prospect. Who wouldn’t be?
“She was so thrilled when I asked her if she would pose for me,” Joanne continues. “She even helped me brainstorm around the story that the finished ornament would bring.”
The sixth ornament in her Christmas Angels series, which will be available for purchase at Ornament Premiere in July, is as elegant as it is endearing. Working with her editor, Lindsay Evans, Joanne chose to have the angel holding a poinsettia.
“Poinsettias symbolize the Christmas season and the miracles it celebrates,” Joanne says. “They also mean joy, cheer and success, which all represent Jill.”
Her process always begins with sketches, drawings and working with her model to ensure the proportions and gestures feel perfect. That’s when the sculpting begins-using a proprietary wax created here at Hallmark. Once the sculpted piece is approved and molded, she begins to paint and add attachments.
One such addition to this ornament was the message “Christmas is a season of love and good cheer” on the bottom of the ornament. We couldn’t think of a better sentiment to add to such a beautiful story.
Christmas Angel 2023 sculpt with pictures of Jill modeling
Christmas Angel 2023 sculpt
“A true labor of love.” For Keeps 22 Spring 2023: 7.
2023 Sneak Peek: Father Christmas’s Reindeer
Father Christmas’s Reindeer
Special Edition
Here is a sneak peek of this year’s limited-edition Father Christmas’s Reindeer Keepsake ornament! It will be available at Ornament Premiere in July!