There’s nothing quite like a parade⏤ the excitement of kiddos running to scoop up candy, the happy hellos from your neighbors, the music from the marching band. It just brings a smile to your face! Those are exactly the feelings Keepsake Artist Tammy Haddix set out to capture in her Holiday Parade series. And after just a peek at the 5th ornament in the series, it’s safe to say: Tammy’s done it again!

Featuring an adorable snowman in a bowler hat and bright blue scarf, this year’s ornament was inspired by someone very close to our heart.

“I reached out to all my fellow artists and asked a few questions about if they were to own their own shop in a cute little Christmas town. It was so fun to read the responses and get to know them a little bit better,” Tammy says. “The truck you see is inspired by my good friend Nello Williams, who loves music and even makes his own guitars!”

Once Tammy decided on the theme, she got to work sketching, crafting, and bringing this toe-tapping truck to life. She says she began by sketching in the Procreate app on her iPad. Then she reused a past truck sculpt to make sure the undercarriage and size remained the same.

“I move the wax around to create a whole new truck,” Tammy says. “The hardest part is deciding how to change up the body of the truck without copying any actual styles or brands.”

After the truck is designed and sculpted, it’s time to add the signage and those little details we love. This year’s design features a “Nello’s Music Shop” logo with a vinyl record, a musical note hood ornament, real spinning wheels, and a Christmas tree guitar tucked in the trunk.

“It’s super exciting when I finally get to paint, design the shop logo for the side of the truck and add all the fun details. But, if I’m being honest, my favorite part is sharing it with the person who inspired it! It’s so fun to see what they think,” Tammy says.

Holiday Parade #5 will be available in just a few months at Ornament Premiere in July. Tammy hopes you enjoy lining up all your trucks and creating a little Christmas parade of your own.

“And stay tuned because there are some exciting things coming soon that go with this series!” Tammy says.
Music to our ears!

Holiday Parade
5th in the series.

Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Tammy Haddix about her Holiday Parade, 5th in the series, that will be releasing at Ornament Premiere!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, March 21, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3377491769157490