Get a behind-the scene glimpse at the inspiration and creation of this year’s Reveal Ornaments from the artists themselves.

A Home for a Gnome
Reveal Keepsake Ornament #1

What was the inspiration for this ornament?

“I’ve been making terrariums for a couple of years now. Actually, the first ones I made were for Hallmarket*. I’ve always been a gnome fanatic…gnomes and mushrooms. I don’t know why. And then one year I started collecting cool jars, and I wondered what I could do with them—so I started making terrariums. I started collecting any kind of glass things I thought were cool that could become terrariums, and then I started putting little paper clay gnomes in them.”

How did that transition into an ornament?

“I had submitted the idea to include gnomes and mushrooms in Keepsakes back when I first started 18 years ago. One of the first ornaments I did that was kind of terrarium-like was one of the Keepsake Ornament Club ornaments. For it, I wanted to do the water-globe effect without the water, so I just did it with the loose snow in it, and everyone really liked it.”

What is it about making terrariums that appeals to you?

“I just love creating a little scene inside. It kind of draws you into it…makes it a little more precious.”

Any fun facts about the ornament itself?

“I don’t do any terrariums with living plants in them. I have a hard time keeping things alive, so I use this imitation mossy grass, and we were able to use the same stuff I use on my personal pieces in the ornament.”

Are you hoping to do more terrarium-influenced ornaments?

“At this point I think people are almost coming to expect them. If Keepsake fans continue to like them, I’m happy to continue designing them.”

*NOTE: Hallmarket – An annual event, open to the public, where Hallmark employees display and sell items they’ve created based on their personal interests.