Artist Insights: Mrs. Claus’s Sewing Cabinet
Hallmark sat down with Keepsake Artist Anita Marra Rogers to chat more about the Mrs. Claus’s Sewing Cabinet ornament releasing on June 4 at 11 a.m. CT! Anita was the lead on the project, and she worked with the entire Keepsake Studio of Artists to bring the ornament to life. Keep reading to learn more of what she had to say about the process.
Don’t forget to join Hallmark on the Keepsake Facebook page on June 4 from 10-11 a.m. CT for their virtual Keepsake Artist Signing Facebook Live event! Anita along with art director Kurt Gaulke will be chatting more about the Mrs. Claus’s Sewing Cabinet ornament and answering all your burning questions! There will be signed giveaways as well for those in attendance. The giveaway is the Mrs. Claus’s Sewing Cabinet ornament signed by the entire Keepsake Studio! The event is completely free! See you on 6/4 from 10-11 a.m. CT.
As you can probably guess, Anita had tons of fun being the lead artist on this piece! She said, “I love to boss people around. Just kidding!”
She went on to say, “I like the opportunity to do a little bit of art direction. The hardest part of leading this is trying to figure out which parts can be assigned to traditional sculptors, digital sculptors, and surface design artists. It’s got to be divvied up just right. Once I got that figured out, I sent out the preliminary sketch to the studio and let them know which elements were to be done by which type of artist.” See below for the original concept sketch and the rough color sketch where she was trying to figure out what colors to put where. The final ornament ended up much different from the sketch, but we love it all the same! Anita mentioned, “as you can see from these, I am not very good at drawing, that’s why I sculpt. It comes more naturally to me.”
Once she sent out the preliminary sketch, Anita said, “then at the announced time and day, it was open for sign-ups! Of course, I got first choice.” As you should, Anita! “I think most everyone was happy with the item they got to work on. There wasn’t any bickering over parts.” Success!
Because most of the Keepsake Studio are working primarily from home, there were unforeseen challenges. Anita described, “every so often we (Kurt, the art director and I) would meet up at Hallmark’s corporate headquarters here in Kansas City to look at the parts that were being turned in by the various artists to compare for size, etc. Funny story, the first time we saw Sharon’s mice they were about twice the size they are now. They looked more like rats than mice! We had to ask Sharon to re-do the mice, so that they were less rat-like.” Thanks for reworking those mice, Sharon!
Anita went on to say, “it was interesting and a little challenging trying to bring this all together working almost completely virtually. It was kind of like herding cats getting all the artists on the same page. I think it came together nicely. I know our fans are going to love it. I know I do.”
Mrs. Claus’s Sewing Cabinet
Special Edition
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Anita Marra Rogers and Mrs. Claus’s Sewing Cabinet ornament!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, May 2, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3128341824072487/
Save the Date!: 2022 Dream Book Facebook Live Event
Hallmark will be hosting a Dream Book Facebook Live event on April 14. The event is completely free – all you have to do is go to the Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments Facebook page from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. CT on April 14.
Sheyda Abvabi Best
Nello Williams
Orville Wilson
Hear from artists Sheyda Abvabi Best, Nello Williams and Orville Wilson as they share all about their NEW first in series ornaments releasing this year, what’s on their Wish List, and more! Be sure to tune in live for the chance to win giveaways and more!
Location: Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments Facebook page
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2022
Time: from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT
To participate simply set up a facebook account and click on the Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments Facebook page link on April 14 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT.
Artist Insights: Brilliant Butterflies
When Edythe Kegrize retired, she happily passed the torch of her Brilliant Butterflies series on to fellow artist and friend, Terri Steiger. Hallmark sat down with Terri to discuss her Brilliant Butterflies #6 ornament – available for purchase SOON! Keep checking back on Hallmark.com and in your local Hallmark Gold Crown store. Enjoy!
It all started out as a sketch by Edythe, and Terri said she simply continued with the materials that Edythe used.
Along the way, Terri paused for a few moments of self-reflection as well. She said, “it’s hard to try to follow such a talented artist like Edythe and intimidating since she has such a loyal fan base.” Terri went on to say how honored she is to pick up where Edythe left off. Specifically mentioning, “I love her use of blue and purple. She used a lot of iridescent colors and gems and each one looks like it’s in flight.”
Terri comes by her love of her new series honestly with her personal favorite in the series being the 2017 Brilliant Butterflies #1. With each new ornament, Terri is eager to see where the butterflies can go. Expect to see new colors, patterns, and design elements.
Terri said, “I hope to bring some vibrancy to future butterflies. I have been doing a lot of research of butterflies from around the world.” And we can’t WAIT to see that research come to life! She expressed, “every ornament is an opportunity to express something new.”
Brilliant Butterflies
6h in the series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Terri Steiger’s Brilliant Butterflies ornament, 6th in the series!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, February 24, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/HallmarkKeepsakes/photos/g.2330268633879814/5517502984929742
Artist Insights: The Beauty of Birds
Hallmark sat down with Emma to discuss her Tufted Titmouse ornament releasing in March this year. Enjoy!
The inspiration for the 18th in series ornament was a collaboration between Emma and retired Keepsake Artist Edythe Kegrize. Emma said, “the Tufted Titmouse was a sketched design that Edythe had already finished before retiring. From there, it was my responsibility to make sure I kept with Edythe’s vision while sculpting. In that way, it was kind of like an extra step of practice before taking over the series completely.” We can’t wait to see where Emma’s takes this series in the future! Do you agree?
When Emma mentioned she brought Edythe’s vision to life while sculpting, we had more questions and Emma answered! Of her process, she mentioned, “it was sculpted entirely digitally! Which is always a bit tricky when starting from a 3D sketch, but not really anything new for Keepsake artists.”
Artist Insights: Fairy Messengers
Hallmark sat down with Kris to discuss her Iris Fairy ornament releasing in March 2022. Enjoy!
When asked what inspired her Iris Fairy, Kris’s response might not surprise you if you’re familiar with her favorite color
Kris said, “purple is my favorite color and I felt it was time again to look at a purple flower for the series.” When asked WHY purple is her favorite color, Kris mentioned, “no reason, it’s just been my favorite since I was a little girl.” How special to be able to bring that lifetime love of color into one of the most beloved series!
Kris went on to say, “the Iris flower has such a unique shape, and the meaning of the iris is faith, hope, courage, wisdom and admiration, so her pose helps to reflect that.”
She is certainly a beautiful reminder of all things Kris mentioned above. And so darn pretty too! Don’t miss the touch of glitter on her skirt and wings!
Kris continued, “I think her skin tone goes beautifully with her flower color. She has such a sweet expression. I think she turned out so beautiful.”
We think she turned out beautiful too! What do you think? Who is already planning to add this one to their collection when she releases in March 2022?
Iris Fairy
Fairy Messengers
18th in the series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Kristina Gaughran’s Iris Fairy, 18th in the Fairy Messengers series!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, December 17, 2021. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3032230473683623/