Artist Journal: Edythe Kegrize (Majestic Cardinal and Majestic Lady Cardinal)
Majestic Cardinal and Majestic Lady Cardinal Progression
My Vision, inspiration, and creative process for Majestic Cardinal and Majestic Lady Cardinal!
Artist Journal: Anita Marra Rogers
Monday, July 29, 2019
Hallmark Keepsake Artist Anita Rogers has always considered herself to be more of a sculptor than an artist who draws. “I usually end up drawing an idea, then redrawing again and again,” she said with a laugh. “My sketches almost never come out like what’s in my head the first time. I don’t really think I draw as well as I sculpt!”
Anita Marra Rogers’ Toster Oven
Thankfully, Anita honed her knack for sculpting and has been an integral part of the Keepsake Studio for more than 30 years. And because she sculpts by hand, instead of digitally like other artists, she’s got a unique set of tools to help her in her day-to-day work. “I use a toaster oven!” she said. “I turn it on a low temperature to warm up my wax before starting a sculpt. Once I have the rough shape created and it cools off and hardens, I have a hot tool with various sizes and shapes of tips to melt and move wax around. I also have some metal sculpting tools to carve with—some especially made for sculpting—as well as other tools homemade from old paint brushes, razor blades, and even dental tools!”
Those unconventional tools have turned hundreds of designs into the ornaments for which Anita is known best. Sometimes, though, ideas are presented that never actually become an ornament. “I always keep some old drawings in my files,” said Anita. “Who knows, maybe they’ll still become ornaments some day!”
Besides making ornaments for three decades, Anita has also flexed her creative muscle by crafting. “I don’t really sketch for fun,” she said. “But I do love to tie-dye, and even make a little money doing it!”
Over the years, whether crafting fabrics or creating ornaments, Anita has looked to her fans for inspiration and she’s looking forward to seeing collectors at this year’s KOC Convention in Kansas City. “I am always inspired by the fans and getting to meet with them,” she said. “They are the most awesome group of people and they keep me going. I am always trying to do my best for them!”
Jeep used as Model for 2019 Hallmark Ornament
Bill Heins of Lyon County, Kansas is a Jeep fanatic.
1982 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
25th in the All-American Trucks series.
He has five of them in working order and several more that are in parts. Now, he has one that’s much smaller — small enough to hang on a Christmas tree.
One of his Jeeps was used to as a model for a 2019 Hallmark Christmas ornament.
Heins got in touch with Hallmark after a friend of his, Mike Starkebaum of Topeka, learned that Hallmark was looking for a stock Jeep Scrambler to model an ornament after.
“Mike knew mine was 100 percent stock,” Heins said. “So he contacted me.”
It had the dimensions Hallmark was looking for in a model.
They arranged a day for Heins to drop off his Jeep at Starkebaum’s store, 4×4 Land, so some representatives from Hallmark could come down and get the vehicle’s specs.
Heins dropped his vehicle and went to run another errand in Topeka. When he came back, the Hallmark representatives had been and gone.
Though the ornament was just released July 13, all this happened quite a long time ago. Hallmark ornaments are planned at least 18 months before they come out, as Heins learned when his Jeep became one.
Heins is honored to have something based on his Jeep hanging on Christmas trees all across the nation this coming holiday season. He’s especially honored to be able to gain recognition for Scramblers such as his and further the cause for such vehicles.
“Just to have a Scrambler ornament was quite a privilege,” he said.
Heins is a member of the Scrambler Owners’ Association, a national group open to those who own Scramblers, which were only built from 1981 to 1986.
Three of Heins’ Jeeps are Scramblers.
“When you’re wanting to see something preserved, you try to take the opportunities to allow it to happen,” he said.
Bill Heins of Lyon County, Kansas (right) stands with Steve Farley, Hallmark President of Retail Business in front of Heins’ Jeep Scrambler.
When the ornaments were released to the public for purchase, Heins was invited up to a Hallmark store in the Kansas City area, where the company is headquartered.
“The manager is a Jeep person and had found out about my involvement,” he said.
The manager, Misty Heitman, wanted to have one of the vehicles at her shop to draw attention to the ornament reveal and to let shoppers get a good look at it before buying a miniature version.
Heins agreed to drive up to the shop, purchase a few of the Jeep ornaments, and show people his Scrambler. Another friend who owns a similar Jeep also attended.
“We believe in preserving the Scrambler Jeep and this is just a small way to make sure it happens,” he said.
The ornament is part of a series Hallmark has been creating each Christmas for years, based on vehicles.
According to Heins, the 2019 ornament is the first one the company has ever made that was based on a Scrambler.
It is white with a Christmas tree and a large, wrapped present in the bed of the truck.
A Jeep Scrambler belonging to Bill Heins was used as the model for the 2019 Hallmark Christmas Ornament.
The ornament differs from Heins’ Jeep in some ways. Heins’ Scrambler is brown, for one thing. But it’s the preservation of the Scrambler that counts, as far as he’s concerned.
“Mine was just a small part of it,” he said.
The ornaments are currently available for purchase in Hallmark stores around the country.
By Lydia Kautz lydia@emporia.com
Reprint of: “Lyon County man’s Jeep used as model for 2019 Hallmark ornament”
♱ In Memory of – Steve Goslin (UPDATED)
Steve Goslin
June 12, 1960 – July 24, 2019
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of beloved Hallmark Keepsake Artist Steve Goslin. Please click on the attached link to see his full obituary or sign his guestbook.
Steve, a Shawnee, Kansas native, was born to parents who were both Hallmark artists. He credited his interest in art to his family’s own “dinner table art school” each night.
However, before his career in art began he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving for five years before his honorable discharge. Upon returning home he attended Penn Valley Community College where he earned his associate’s degree.
While at Hallmark he worked in many departments before joining the Keepsake Studio, including the mailroom, manufacturing department, and security.
The Lone Ranger™
Lunch box
Even though he worked at Hallmark for 41 years, most Hallmark collectors did not know of him until they saw his name in the 1997 Dream Book, which credited him to the Lone Ranger Lunch Box ornament. His date of actually joining the Studio though was 1995. Beyond his credited work there, he also did a lot of technical work on ornaments that remain uncredited.
For artistic inspiration, he often looked to Michelangelo, whose work he was fortunate enough to see in person while on a trip to Italy. At Hallmark two of his favorite Keepsake Ornament sculptors were Duane Unruh and Ed Seale. For Steve, Ed’s 1985 “Santa’s Ski Trip” represented his belief that life should be fun. “Santa deserves a vacation, too!”, he said.
Eventually, though, perhaps his most favorite sculptor in the Studio was Debra (Murray) Nielson, whom he married on New Year’s Eve 2012. Their wedding including a traditional Scottish kilt for the groom and a cake with unique toppers for both Debra and Steve. Both were Jeeps, a shared passion. Steve’s was his own 1943 Ford GPW (2012) Keepsake ornament and Debra’s was the 2001 60th Anniversary Jeep ornament by former Keepsake Artist, Chris Webb.
Outside of his work for Hallmark, he was known for his ability to play the bagpipes. Many KOC convention attendees may remember the year he marched the parade of costume goers into the Friday night dinner and on to the stage playing them.
Art That Blows
Band of Angels
Steve was also part of the group of Keepsake Artists, that have lent their time and talent to re-purpose donated, non-functional musical instruments into pieces of art for the Art that Blows, Band of Angels charity auction. For 2019, Debra and Steve collaborated on “Cleveland”, a stylized Sousaphant (elephant) sculpture made of brass instruments.
In July his passing was announced on social media. Steve Goslin was 59 years old.
For those wishing to honor Steve, the family requests donations be made to Christmas in October; 3261 Roanoke, Kansas City, MO 64111 or to the Veterans Community Project; 8900 Troost Avenue; Kansas City, MO 64131.
UPDATE (10.07.19) – On a sadder note, we’d like to recognize the passing of Hallmark Artist Steve Goslin. Steve’s Hallmark career spanned 41 years, which included designing a number of Keepsake Ornaments, and he was recognized by many for his caring and creative spirit. Beyond his work for Hallmark, Steve shared his creativity and enthusiasm with the Kansas City community. One of those passions, which you’ll read about in this issue, was working with his wife, Keepsake Artist Debra Nielsen, to raise funds for the Kansas City-based charity, Band of Angels. Please keep Steve’s family in your thoughts during this time.
Excerpted from: “Cover letter included with For Keeps: Volume 18, Issue 3 Fall 2019”
Home & Family: DIY with Tammy Haddix
Hallmark Ornament Artist Tammy Haddix shows you how to turn your Christmas tree into a winter wonderland using lanterns and Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. Tammy also talks about the new Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments including, Frosty Fun Decade and Tammy’s Tree Farm, the first in the series that was named after her!
Tammy’s Winter Wonder Lantern