2021 Reveal: Hallmark Employee Gift
A Trumpeting Thank You
Hallmark Employee Gift
Hallmark retailers will once again have the opportunity to purchase a Special Edition Keepsake ornament to use to thank their employees for their dedication.
2021 Ornament Insights: Holiday Lighthouse
Holiday Lighthouse
10th in the series.
Aloha from Holiday Lighthouse #10! Keepsake Artist Tracy Larsen was inspired to create his latest ornament while on a trip to see his son in Hawaii. Tracy said the newest ornament in the Holiday Lighthouse collection features tropical details like the “E Komo Mai” sign over the door, which means “Welcome.” Plus, “Don’t miss the holly design on Santa’s board and Santa giving the ‘shaka’ sign to his polar bear friend.”
2021 Video: Ornament Insights (Disney Queen Anna)
Arendelle has a new Queen! Celebrate Queen Anna as she proudly assumes her new role with this premium porcelain Keepsake Ornament.
Disney Queen Anna
Frozen 2
2021 Video: Ornament Insights (Noble Nutcrackers)
This year marks #3 in Keepsake Artist Terri Steiger’s Noble Nutcrackers series! Terri was inspired by the magic of winter when designing this year’s Duke of Winter ornament. Terri also found inspiration for this ornament in the Hallmark Archives!
Duke of Winter
Noble Nutcrackers
3rd in the series.
2021 Video: Ornament Insights (Disney Winnie the Pooh)
A jar full of honey is the perfect cure for the rumbly in the tumbly! This Disney’s Winnie the Pooh ornament is the perfect way to bring Pooh’s honey tree adventures to your own tree this Christmas.
Disney Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
Disney Winnie the Pooh
55th Anniversary
Local Club News: August 2021
Here is the latest Club communication that was received today.
Dear Local Club Presidents,
Hello from the Keepsake Village and Happy Summer! We hope this update finds you well. It’s been a busy summer here in the Keepsake Village, and we’re looking forward to all the fun yet to come this year! We’re planning another Facebook Live event, along with 150 brand new ornaments releasing at Ornament Debut, a special 6-day virtual event for KOC members only during the Trim the Tree event, and so much more! Not to mention open enrollment for the 2022 Keepsake Ornament Club. We can’t wait to share all the details with you! Keep reading to learn more about upcoming Keepsake events, 2022 KOC, sneak peeks, and more. Enjoy!
2022 Sneak Peek: Series
Here are two more sneak peeks from the 2022 Keepsake Ornament line featuring the 6th in the Cozy Critters series by Nina Aubé and 14th in the Season’s Treatings series by Sharon Visker.
Season’s Treatings
14th in the series.
Cozy Critters
6th in the series.
Artist Insights: 2021 Sweet Santa
Hallmark sat down with Tammy Haddix and Crista Couch to discuss their Sweet Santa ornament – releasing at Ornament Debut in October. Enjoy!
Of her inspiration, Crista recalled, “the Sweet Santa ornament began as an illustration for part of a 2021 Christmas collection group in our Visual Studios. The collection was a colorful group of images with an updated retro Santa and his sidekick reindeer enjoying a variety of fun Christmas activities. In some scenes, I included a few other little friends to join in the fun too. These images were originally painted in gouache and watercolor with a bit of digital work used to finalize them.”
The Santa was chosen to be featured in a variety of products such as greeting cards, gift bags and wrap, gift products (including a techno-plush Santa who plays hide-and-seek) and, of course, the “Sweet” little ornament for Keepsakes.
Enter Keepsake Artist, Tammy Haddix!
The ornament project and collaboration began with a series of drawings by Crista, based on the original Santa. Crista and Tammy eventually landed on one pose that appealed to them the most. From there, Crista handed off her drawings to Tammy for sculpting and hand-painting!
Tammy brought the Sweet Santa to life in 3D form through wax sculpting. The ornament will also have colored strings as attachments for the bows! At various stages during the sculpting and hand-painting process, Tammy would send pictures of progress to Crista to ensure everything was on track for their adorable Sweet Santa.
Tammy recalled of working with Crista, “It was very fun to work with Crista. I have known her for quite a few years, but we never got to work together on a project until now.”
And Crista recalled of working with Tammy, “Tammy was delightful to work with. She did an amazing job … she captured the essence of my original Santa perfectly!”
Did you know? Crista started her Hallmark career more than 17 years ago. During her years as a Hallmark artist, Crista has worked on all kinds of greeting cards and gifts. And, talent runs in Crista’s family! Her daughter is a Hallmark artist, and her other children are creative professionals too. Crista mentioned, “Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and I especially love creating fun and magical images for Christmas products.” When she’s not creating at Hallmark, Crista paints at home, where she enjoys spending time with her furry friends – a couple of Turkish Vans and an American Shorthair.
Sweet Santa
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “BBehind the scenes with Keepsake Artist Tammy Haddix and Hallmark Artist Crista Couch’s Sweet Santa!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, August 24, 2021. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/permalink/2736156716624335/
Artist Insights: 2021 Vintage Snowman
Hallmark sat down with Keepsake Artist Joanne Wright to discuss her Vintage Snowman ornament releasing at Ornament Debut in October. Enjoy!
Joanne: “I’ve always loved the vintage/nostalgic style that came out of the 50’s and 60’s, especially at Christmastime. Chad and I received such a great response for our Vintage Santa last year, that I knew my Snowman had to coordinate with him.”
You may remember Joanne and retired Keepsake Artist Robert Chad’s 2020 Nostalgic Santa which released at Ornament Debut last year. Joanne’s Vintage Snowman this year was also inspired by that ornament last year!
Joanne went on to say, “I’ve always turned this idea in, but sometimes the timing isn’t right. I was so happy when the team agreed to go with my Santa concept last year, and now, my Snowman! Not only was this a lot of fun to sculpt and paint, but it was especially fun to research the style, so I was true to the look.”
Joanne: “Because the end product is to be porcelain, I had to sculpt him @ 15% larger than actual size since porcelain shrinks during the firing process. The added bottle brush tree is the same size and shape as the one I used for Santa last year, so that they look good together. I think it really adds the finishing touch to him.” We agree, Joanne!
Joanne also mentioned that she knows how much you loved the Santa last year, and she hopes you’ll love the Snowman just as much this year! “I’m pushing for more characters in this style! We’ll see what happens!”
What do you think? Would you like to see more ornaments in this vintage styling? Let us know in the comments below!
Vintage Snowman
Premium Collection
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “BBehind the scenes with Joanne Wright’s Vintage Snowman!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, August 20, 2021. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/2946906972215974/
2022 Sneak Peek: Making Memories
Storytime Snuggles
Making Memories
15th in the series.
Here is a sneak peek of Storytime Snuggles, 15th in the Making Memories series by Tammy Haddix.
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2021 Video: Ornament Insights (Rudolph and Clarice)
Bundle up and celebrate love and friendship with the set of two Rudolph and Clarice ornaments. Inspired by the classic Christmas TV special, these two love birds are dressed in their cozy winter scarves and come bearing gifts.
Rudolph™ and Clarice™
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer®