Artist Insights: Holiday Lighthouse
Aloha! Hallmark sat down with Tracy to discuss his tropical Holiday Lighthouse, 10th in series. Enjoy!
Tracy also mentioned of his 10th in series design, “look for the “E Komo Mai” sign over the door. It means “Welcome.” Also, don’t miss the holly design on Santa’s board and Santa giving the ‘shaka’ sign to his polar bear friend.”
Holiday Lighthouse
10th in the series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Tracy Larsen’s Holiday Lighthouse #10!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, July 28, 2021. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/2929967007243304
Artist Insights: 2021 Cookie Doe
Hallmark sat down with Keepsake Artists Nina Aubé and Matt Johnson to chat about their adorable Cookie Doe ornament releasing SOON at Ornament Premiere! Keep reading to learn more about the inspiration and collaboration of Matt and Nina to bring this ornament to life for you this year.
Nina also mentioned, “I LOVE ice cream (who doesn’t?), but I’ve never actually tried cookie dough ice cream! I did eat massive amounts of raw cookie dough when I was a kid though and lived to tell about it.” Yum!
We think it may be time for Nina to try out cookie dough ice cream in honor of this adorable ornament, do you agree?
Cookie Doe
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Nina Aubé and Matt Johnson’ Cookie Doe ornament” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, June 24, 2021. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/permalink/2736156716624335/
Artist Insights: 2021 Series
Here are some Keepsake Artists’ insights into an ornament each has created for 2021.
Nina Aubé
Hallmark Keepsake Artist
Stocking Stuffers
1st in the series.
Nina Aubé: “I’m a huge animal lover, so all the critters in this stocking are pets I’ve personally known and loved, including my beloved cockatiel Opie, who lived to the ripe old age of 25.”
Each ornament in this new series will feature a festively stuffed stocking designed by a different Keepsake Studio Artist each year!
Rocking Horse Memories
2nd in the series.
Matt Johnson: “I want this series to have a beautiful range of rocking horses! For this I used a bolder color palette that gives the horse a really rich character. I explored many color variations before landing on this design that feels just right.”
Matt Johnson
Hallmark Keepsake Artist
Edythe Kegrize
Retired Hallmark Keepsake Artist
Fancy Flamingo
Edythe Kegrize: “Flamingos have always been a favorite of mine, with their awkward elegance, vibrant color and impressive size. My hope is ‘Fancy Flamingo’ will stir up plenty of warm sunbaked memories or dreams of topical adventure yet to come.”
Sweet Decade
2nd in the series.
Tammy Haddix: “Sweet Decade was inspired by my sweet tooth! I wanted it to look like you could actually eat it! As a kid my siblings and I would create gingerbread houses. I think more candy ended up in our bellies than on the house!”
Tammy Haddix
Hallmark Keepsake Artist
“Keepsake Ornament Premiere Display.” Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, July 10, 2021.
Meet the Hallmark Keepsake Artists: Sharon Visker
Meet Keepsake Artist…Sharon Visker. Growing up, Sharon’s mother was always immersing herself in an art project and her brother seemed to be able to draw just about anything. In an atmosphere where art seemed like a part of everyday life, it was only natural that Sharon would want to give it a try. And she quickly discovered she was unusually good at it! She spent her childhood creating bulletin board displays, designing yearbooks, and winning numerous art competitions.
Her talent eventually brought her to Hallmark, where, after 15 years as an illustrator, she participated in a woodcarving workshop and discovered a knack she didn’t know she had…sculpting! A skill she’s been exercising ever since joining the Keepsake Studio in the year 2000. Sharon has some very exciting Keepsakes coming this year (including a tabletop piece)!
Re-issued
Living legacies
New artists continue the craft for a few fan favorites
Some Keepsake artists retired recently and passed the torch to a new generation, beginning in 2022. Here’s your first look at the artists chosen to carry on their craft—and their favorite ornament.
Jake Angell
Mary’s Angels – Keepsake Artist Jake Angell has a legacy to live up to in taking over the much-loved Mary’s Angels series. A fan favorite since 1988, Mary’s adorable angels tap into real human emotion, brought to life by Sculptor Robert Chad.
“I love trying to capture her style,” he says. “I want to keep the spirit of it alive. It’s about honoring her legacy.”
Sweet Trick-or-Treater
Not surprisingly, Jake’s favorite ornament as a child was one of Mary’s Angels. His first design in the series was inspired by the need for healing around the world and will be revealed next year.
Jake’s Favorite: 2016 Sweet Trick-or-Treater (Inspired by the series)
Emma Leturgez-Smith
Beauty of Birds – For Keepsake Artist Emma Leturgez-Smith, taking over Artist Edythe Kegrize’s Beauty of Birds series was a good thing. Emma has two parrots herself.
“I’m bird people,” she says. “I’m coming at it from the same angle as the fans. I want to make sure they reflect the essence of the real bird.”
For inspiration, she need only look out her window. Her house sits near a wooded area, an attractive feature for wild birds, especially cardinals.
Ravishing Raven
“In the winter the leaves fall away, and there’s white everywhere, but then you see these bright dots of red. It’s beautiful.”
Emma’s Favorite: 2017 Ravishing Raven (Inspired by the series)
Terri Steiger
Brilliant Butterflies – Known for her own Christmas Nutcracker ornament series, Keepsake Artist Terri Steiger is honored to pick up where Artist Edythe Kegrize left off on the Brilliant Butterflies series.
“I love her use of blue and purple,” she says. “She used a lot of iridescent colors and gems and each one looks like it’s in flight.”
Brilliant Butterflies
1st in the series.
With each new ornament, Terri is eager to see where the butter ies can go. Expect to see new colors, patterns and design elements.
“Every ornament is an opportunity to express something new,” she says.
Terri’s Favorite: 2017 Brilliant Butterflies, 1st in the series.
Tom Best & Rodney Gentry
Nostalgic Houses and Shops – Friends and Keepsake Artists Tom Best and Rodney Gentry are collaborating on Nostalgic Houses & Shops. Taking over the series, which premiered in 1984, from Artist Don Palmiter was an honor and a challenge.
Inspiration comes from their mutual interests and observations of architecture. Rodney and Tom have lots of ideas in the works and can’t wait for their ornament to debut in 2022.
“I think it carries on the tradition,” Rodney says. “It continues the artistry of Don. I think collectors will be pleasantly surprised.”
Arts & Crafts Bungalow
28th in the series.
Palmiter Hardware & Supply
34th in the series.
Tom’s Favorite: 2011 Arts & Crafts Bungalow, 28th in the series.
Rodney’s Favorite: 2017 Palmiter Hardware & Supply, 34th in the series.
Lisa Vogel
Christmas Cupcakes – They look sweet enough to eat, but Keepsake Artist Lisa Vogel delights in the idea of collectors displaying her Christmas Cupcakes every year at the holidays.
Taking over the series from Artist Ruth Donikowski in its 13th year is a fun-filled opportunity. Each cupcake is crafted from felt, some with a generous handful of sprinkles.
Berry-licious
3rd in the series.
A collector herself, her holidays spent with family are her inspiration.
“We eat and catch up with everyone. Santa stops by to pass out gifts and then the kids start opening,” she says. “It’s loud, chaotic and amazing!”
Lisa’s Favorite: 2012 Berry-licious, 3rd in the series.
Allie Jachimowicz
Heirloom Angels – When tapped to take over Artist Ruth Donikowski’s Heirloom Angels series, Allie Jachimowicz was more than eager.
“I presented 5 years of concepts to prove I could do it,” she says.
Allie was drawn to the sweetness of the angels, inspired by vintage porcelain figurines. With her own modern style, she has ideas on how to carry the series forward.
Heirloom Angels
5th in the series.
And when her first Heirloom Angel debuts in 2022, Allie can hardly wait for collectors to get their first glimpse of her.
“I wanted to make her feel alive,” she says. “She means so much to me.”
Allie’s Favorite: 2020 Heirloom Angels, 5th in the series.
“Living legacies.” For Keeps 20 Summer 2021: 4-5