Attending Artists
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Return to 2014 Signing Map

keepsAKers’s In-Store Artist Signing Event

Event Date: Saturday, September 6, 2014

Location & Contact Information:

Hop’s Hallmark Shop #3
800 E. Dimond Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99515

(907) 336-8477
Email: [email protected]

Attending Artists

Tom Best

Tom Best

Friday Night Dinner “With the Artists”

Open to the general public

Date: Friday, September 5, 2014

Time: 4:00 a.m.* – 8:00 a.m.

Dinner Begins: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Gateway Hall (located just outside the Alaska Zoo grounds)

Event Fee:  $35.00 USD/attendee

Includes:

  • Admission to the dinner
  • Admission to the Alaska Zoo (a $15.00 value) *Stroll through the zoo prior to the event to meet
    many of Frosty’s friends.

Reservations: To reserve a spot for our dinner, please email us at: [email protected]

Dinner: Features Alaskan cold water seafood

  • Fresh Silver Salmon
  • Halibut
  • Additional menu items TBA

Those individuals who attend the dinner will be given a product voucher which will guarantee the ability to purchase the event exclusive ornament.

Saturday Signing

  • Artist will be available for signing  from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Event Recap

To the surprise of many, Tom didn’t have a presentation prepared for the Friday night dinner. Instead of giving a personal insight into one of his 2014 Keepsake ornaments and sharing a Sneak Peek of one of his 2015 Keepsake ornaments, the floor was opened up for questions. Here are the questions that were asked, along with his responses.

Q. What can we do to get more Alaskan animals on your Frosty Friends pieces?

Tom: “There are many filters for approval in the creative process for ornaments. Some animals may seem like a good idea at first but later in the creative process are disapproved.”

Q. How long does it take from the idea of an ornament till it makes it to the shelf?

Tom: “About a year. I am currently working on ornaments for 2016.”

Tom went on to say “Some of my ideas for ornaments that I don’t have time on my schedule to personally work/sculpt/craft myself are given to other artists to bring to life.”

Q. Can you provide examples of those.

Tom: “Certain Star Wars figures and some of the older Hot Wheels figures.”

Q. Do all ornaments start as a sculpture?

Tom: “No, some start as sketches, or are digital designs.”

Q. Have you seen anything here in Alaska since you arrived for inspiration?

Tom: “Yes! However, sometimes you don’t know how you are going to use something until you are in that creative mode and then it just pops into your head.”

Q. What are your favorites series that you have worked on?

Tom: “Tin toys, beer steins and guitars”

Q. How long will Frosty Friends continue?

Tom: “There is no end in sight at this time.”

Event Product