2023 Sneak Peek: Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion
Here is a sneak peek of two 2023 Keepsake Ornament designs shared on Hallmark.com.
Season’s Gardenings
Fashionista with Wheelchair
Barbie™ Ornament
Artist Insights: 2022 Nostalgic Houses and Shops
Hallmark: Can you believe that this year brings the 40th ornament in our Nostalgic Houses and Shops series? This iconic series is one of the longest running ones in our history—which started in 1984 with the Victorian Dollhouse.
After Don Palmiter retired, Tom Best and Rodney Gentry took over this beloved series to release last year’s Bicycle Shop. And, for 2023, they’re releasing this amazing piece that was designed after one of the homes in Tom’s old neighborhood.
Tom: “I went back to my old Kansas City neighborhood I lived in for 30 years,” Tom told us. “It’s an area of town that was built up between 1910 and 1920. It’s filled with Tudors of every size and shape. It’s impossible to find any two that are the same, and they have so much character.”
Hallmark: According to Tom, his role was to come up with the building concept, design, color, and details. From there, Rodney developed the structure of it with a 3D modeling program on the computer. Coming up with the concept, however, proved to be quite a task.
Tom: “The hardest part was choosing ‘the one’,” according to Tom. “After several tours through the neighborhood, I took about a million photographs and had about the same number of ideas for what this year’s ornament should be. Though Rodney and I, along with our art director Charles Young, narrowed it down.”
Hallmark: One of the most important elements of this collection is how uniquely different each one must be year after year. And with a series this vast, that job can become more and more challenging. But our Keepsake artists are always up to the task, as Tom reminded us of when he told us that #41 was nearly finished as well.
As for this year’s ornament, a retired Tom reflected on his role in this Keepsake Ornament series proudly. “Rodney and I are quite happy with how this one, and the others we’ve created, turned out. We were happy to take over Don’s vision and hope you like where it’s going. Look for more to come as Don Palmiter’s township grows…stretching the city limits of your tree.”
Traditional Tudor
Nostalgic Houses and Shops
40th in the series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Tom Best about the 40th ornament in our Nostalgic Houses and shops series that will be releasing at Ornament Premiere” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, January 12, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2330268633879814
2023 Sneak Peek: Cat Photo Holder
Purr-fect Christmas
Photo holder
Here is a sneak peek of the 2023 Purr-fect Christmas photo holder ornament, featuring Judy Harless Cook’s cat Amaunet, the winner of last year’s fan photo facepaper contest! Releasing at Ornament Premiere in July!
New Keepsake Studio Artist: Iman Zadrozny
Introducing Iman Zadrozny
Hallmark sat down (virtually) with their newest Keepsake artist to get to know her and they’d love for you to meet her, too!
Iman Zadrozny
Iman: “Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I spent my younger years collecting the vibrant fall leaves in Watertown, MA. My first loves in art were pencil drawing, acrylic painting and collage. I learned digital art programs at a relatively young age, too. I have a bachelor of fine arts in illustration from Ringling College of Art and Design. I had so many great influences who helped shape me into the artist I am today. From teachers to my parents, friends and professors, they all helped me find my way.”
Iman: “I did an internship with Hallmark in the summer of 2021. I was so thankful to have Orville Wilson as a mentor. He’s such an amazing artist, and I learned so much.”
Iman: “When I got to Hallmark and saw that they really do value artists with a diverse skill set, I knew I’d found my place. I’m not just any one thing, I want to be everything -a digital artist; a traditional artist, a painter, a sculptor! It was so refreshing to find a place that not only accepts my path as an artist but encourages me to branch out in my skills. My position at Hallmark is unique-l’m an illustrator and a sculptor for both the Visual Studios and the Keepsake Studio, so it gives me a chance to work with so many amazing people who are passionate about their work.”
Iman: “My favorite so far was the one I made for Thor: Love and Thunder. I’m a big Marvel nerd, and Thor is one of my favorite characters, so getting to sculpt him made my inner child so happy. When the ornament came out, I went to my Hallmark store only to find it had sold out! After checking two more stores and online, I finally found one. The feeling of knowing how dearly my work was treasured by Keepsake fans out there was so moving.”
Baby’s 1st Christmas
Winnie the Pooh Collection
Iman: “One of the ornaments I have coming out is Baby’s First Christmas (at right). It was inspired by the Tigger stuffed animal I had as a child that I was obsessed with, so I wanted the ornament to be reminiscent of a soft hug.”
Iman: “I’m lucky to be able to work from my home in Orlando, FL. Hallmark has been so accommodating to make me feel as welcome and comfortable as possible. From weekly virtual sketching together to lunch hangouts, we’ve been doing our best to stay as close as we can. A big thank-you to everyone who has welcomed me into the Hallmark family!”
Iman’s designs
“Introducing Iman Zadrozny.” For Keeps 21 Winter 2022: 6.
Artist Insights: Mythical Mermaids (New Series)
Hallmark: If you’re a fan of Kris Gaughran’s Fairy Messengers series, then do we have a treat for you. Did you know Kris has been working on an all new series? That’s right! Her first in series Mermaid Keepsake Ornament will be released in 2023 and we can’t wait!
Kristina: “I have been a fan of mermaids, and all things fantasy, for as long as I can remember,” Kris says. “Since I work on the Fairy Messengers, I wanted to explore some other friends that could also live in their world but give them a look all their own.”
Hallmark: Each of the mermaids in her series will be based on real sea life. “I’m excited to explore the diversity that could be found in their world,” she continues. “Much like I do in my fairy world series. Each mermaid will be a unique take on a real fish and the type of mermaid that might have that tail.”
Kristina: “I’m hoping that this first one will get the fans curious as to how the series will progress. I wanted to take a different approach to these mermaids, something a bit more unique and playful in their styling. I really think it will appeal to people of all ages.”
Hallmark: In designing this series, Kris was surprised at how true to her initial sketch the design stayed.
Kristina: “It was a bit unusual for how I work to be honest,” she continued. “I had so many options to choose from, with so many unique and colorful fish out there. I just love the sweetness of her pose and side glance. Most of all, I’m thrilled about finally being able to create a series like this. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to design a mermaid ornament. Being able to bring this series to life really makes the little girl in me quite excited!”
Hallmark: Keep your eyes open for this fun and fanciful new series. And if you need anything else to get you excited about this new series, Kris let it slip that the first 5 ornaments in this series have already been sketched! That’s right…FIVE more are already in their final planning stages.
Mythical Mermaids
First in a new series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Kris Gaughran about her first in series Mermaid Keepsake” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, November 28, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3291599657746702/