Featured Artist – Debra Nielsen
Title:
Hallmark Keepsake Artist
(Production Designer)
Started at Hallmark:
August 1997
Started at Keepsakes:
August 1997
Hometown:
Clinton, Iowa
Deb Nielsen grew up raising horses, and was an artist, seamstress and beauty stylist along the way. She never imagined that one day, she’d draw from all these experiences as a Hallmark Keepsake Artist. Now Deb’s love for animals (and beautiful, detailed sculpting) are on proud display in all of her Keepsake creations. That includes the ornaments in the A Pony for Christmas series, which Deb has guided since artist Linda Sickman retired several years ago.
Sculpting horses can be tricky, but this labor of love has become a life-long passion for Deb. Her authentically inspired designs require a sharp eye for detail that comes from a childhood of growing up around horses—and around the growing collection of models on her desk!
Deb has always loved art—and her beautiful show horses. These were, after all, the inspiration and models for her first drawings and paintings as a child. But when it came time for college, she went to beauty school rather than an arts program. Deb knew she didn’t want to teach, but she didn’t know there were other options with an art degree! Ironically, Deb now uses her cosmetology experience to fashion the hair and makeup on Madame Alexander® ornaments.
In addition to her other talents, Deb used to sew wedding gowns, and she is able to use that fashion experience in the fabric attachments she creates for our ornaments. Deb loves the details of her job, from dreaming up new ornament concepts to the intricate sculpting detail involved in bringing her sculpts to life.
And more than a Keepsakes Artist, Deb is the proud mother of Mallory, who “expresses her art through words,” has successfully achieved her Masters in Communication, and is now a proud wife and mom herself.
In Deb’s spare time, she enjoys painting, interior design, exploring the great outdoors and spending time with her husband—fellow Hallmark Keepsake Artist Steve Goslin.
2017 Reveal: Frosty Friends Puzzle
Together in Any Weather
Frosty Friends
Puzzle
Hallmark’s playful, whimsical Frosty Friends Keepsake Ornament series debuted in 1980 and was an instant hit. Each year, a new design features a charming little boy hanging out with a different polar friend. Whether they’re paddling a kayak, sledding down a hill, or carving a totem pole out of ice, these friends are always happy, frosty, and fun.
1000 interlocking pieces
30″ w. x 24″ h.
$19.95 USA
2017 Reveal: Star Wars™: The Last Jedi™
In conjunction with Force Friday II, Hallmark has revealed the two Star Wars™: The Last Jedi™ ornaments not pictured in the 2017 Dream Book.
Rey™
Star Wars™: The Last Jedi™
Praetorian Guard™
Star Wars™: The Last Jedi™
The first features Rey, the hopeful hero, with her lightsaber. From the deserts of Jakku to the remote island of Ahch-To, Rey is challenged beyond her expectations as she begins training with Jedi legend Luke Skywalker. The second one depicts the Stoic and ruthless crimson-clad Praetorian Guard, the First Order’s elite protectors, standing ready to defend the sinister Supreme Leader Snoke against any threat.
2018 Sneak Peek: STAR TREK™
“The Naked Time” (1966)
STAR TREK™
In conjunction with the official STAR TREK Convention in Las Vegas, August 2-6, 2017, Hallmark revealed the next TOS scene that will be memorialized as a Keepsake Ornament in 2018. It is “The Naked Time.”
2018 Sneak Peek: WELCOME to Keepsakes VILLAGE
Although the WELCOME to Keepsakes VILLAGE, KOC 30th Anniversary Event celebrated the last three decades that the national club has existed, it also gave a glimpse into what is to come by revealing several 2018 offerings. Throughout various seminars and at the Friday Night Special presentation, 2018 Sneak peeks were either shared during the presentations or included in the room decor.
During “A Close Look at Keepsake History,” Charles V. Young (Product Development Manager) and Samantha Bradbee (Hallmark Historian) talked about the origins and history of Keepsakes, including several favorite series and revealed what is in store for 2018.
Nostalgic Houses and Shops
35th in the series.
1938 GMC® Pickup
Nostalgic Houses and Shops
Special Edition
Companion to Festive Firs Christmas Tree Farm.
(Referenced but not shown.)
2245P Texas Special Locomotive
LIONEL® Trains
23rd in the series.
LIONEL® 2245C Texas Special “B” Unit
LIONEL® 2436 “Summit” Observation Car
Movie Night
Snowball and Tuxedo
18th in the series.
Thru the Mirror (1936)
Mickey’s Movie Mousterpieces
7th in the series.
Charlie Brown
A Charlie Brown Christmas Collection
Storytellers
Linus
A Charlie Brown Christmas Collection
Storytellers
Snoopy
A Charlie Brown Christmas Collection
Storytellers
Schroeder
A Charlie Brown Christmas Collection
Storytellers
Lucy
A Charlie Brown Christmas Collection
Storytellers
During the “Holiday Décor Tutorials,” “Holly Jolly Delight,” the 9th in the Christmas Cupcake series was incorporated in one of the four decorating projects which was comprised of confectionary delights on a multi-tiered cake stand along with a couple of other domed cake stands.
Holly Jolly Delight
Christmas Cupcakes
9th in the series.
During the “Keepsake Innovation Panel,” Phu Dang (Product Design Engineer), Kurt Gaulke (Product Design Manager) and Jean Newton (Senior Engineer) talked about the making of some of Hallmark’s most innovative ornament designs including the “Star Wars Storytellers Collection” and “Santa’s Christmas Clock.” At the end of the presentation, Phu shared a working model of the Snowflake Tree Topper which will be included in the 2018 Keepsake Ornament line.
(Product in Development)
As part of the “Friday Night Special, 30th KOC Anniversary Presentation,” Nicole Reid (Product Director Keepsake Ornaments) shared several exciting 2018 Sneak Peeks.
Star Wars™ Collection
Storytellers
Star Wars™ Collection
Storytellers
Storytellers
Storytellers
Storytellers
Porcelain Tabletop Tree
Christmas Carnival
1st in a five-part series.