Artist Insights: 2023 Noble Nutcrackers Special Edition
If you’re a fan of nutcrackers (and who isn’t?) then 2023 is your year! There are three Noble Nutcrackers coming: two in October and, in July, the king of them all—a special edition created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Keepsake Ornaments!
Noble Nutcrackers
Special Edition
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Terri Steiger about her 50th Anniversary Special Edition Noble Nutcracker releasing at Ornament Premiere!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, May 30, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3423284951244838
Ornament Spotlight: Lil’ American Trucks
1954 Mercury M-100 rides again
Alex So brings it to life in mini form.
1954 Mercury M-100
Lil’ American Trucks
1st in the series.
For lovers of pickup trucks, the 1954 Mercury M-100 is a gem. Sold only in Canada, the Mercury M-series was built by Ford and based on their F-series trucks.
One important difference in the two truck brands was the grille, and the Mercury grille is what first caught the eye of Keepsake Artist Alex So, back when he was doing a college research project.
“I fell in love with the design language of the Mercury grille. It really stood out from the others.”
To create the truck Alex fell for in miniature ornament form would not be easy, but he was up to the challenge. “I was passionate about preserving as many details of the M-100 as possible,” he explains, “and our team really pushed the limits of what we could manufacture to capture the essence and beauty of it.”
Alex hopes his passion for vintage trucks comes through in his new Lil’ American Trucks series, which will feature a different classic each year. “I really want to celebrate people who love their trucks,” he says. “The process of seeing my design sketches turn into 3D models and then into mockup samples was exciting. But the most enjoyable part was seeing the finished product ready to go on the shelf-and hopefully land on the tree of a vintage truck lover like me.”
“1954 Mercury M-100 rides again.” For Keeps 22 Summer 2023: 6.
Artist Insights: 2023 Rocking Horse Memories
Rocking Horse Memories #4 is almost here! Can we get a yeehaw? Because this year’s ornament—featuring beautiful blue, white, red, brown, and silver coloring—has a subtle Americana theme thanks to Keepsake Artist Matt Johnson.
“I look at prior years to see what we have not done before with regards to the color palette. I then narrow down the colors and provide some different views to plan out the patterns on the body,” Matt says.
He also did a deep dive into horse history to ensure that the ornament is not only amazing to look at, but also accurate.
“The Spotted Saddle Horse, as seen on this year’s ornament, is a horse breed from the United States that was developed by crossing Spanish-American type gaited pinto ponies with gaited horse breeds, such as the Tennessee walking horse,” Matt says. “The result was a colorful, smooth-gaited horse used both in the show ring and for pleasure and trail riding.”
After gathering inspiration and digitally designing the ornament based on last year’s sculpt, Matt says he took a trip to his local fabric store to source material for the tail.
“I stand around in the aisle holding the embroidery floss, my Pantone fan books and earlier rocking horses to decide colors. Employees usually are curious about what I am doing so I tell them I am building a rocking horse for my dollhouse!” Matt says.
The ornament is made with a mixture of other materials, too.
“The rocking horse is styrene. The stirrups are bent wire that is plated and the gemstones on the rockers are glass,” Matt says.
The result is a charming chestnut brown rocking horse that delights us with the details- from the little gold crown on the saddle to the flowers on the bridle and harness.
Rocking Horse #4 will be ready to giddy up and go at Ornament Premiere in July.
Rocking Horse Memories
4th in the series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Matt Johnson about his rocking Horse Memories, 4th in the series, that will be releasing at Ornament Premiere!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, May 3, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3404034966503170/
2023 Collection: Final in series
This year brings one last chance to collect three series that are coming to an end. Collect the final additions to complete your collection.
Clara
Nutcracker Sweet
5th and Final in the series.
Winter Cardinals
Marjolein’s Garden
10th and Final in the series.
UNO™
Family Game Night
10th and Final in the series.
2023 Collection: New Series
Year upon year of wonder. Begin a new tradition to your celebration with unique ornament series you can enjoy every Christmas.
Cute as a Button
1st in the series.
Each ornament in this series will feature a cute hamster using colorful buttons (of all shapes and sizes) to create things in its world.
Cute as a Button
1st in the series.
Mythical Mermaid
1st in the series.
Each ornament in this series will feature a different mermaid with a beautiful fish tail each year.
Mythical Mermaid
1st in the series.
Latina Holiday Barbie™ Ornament
1st in the series.
Each ornament in this series will feature the timeless style icon dressed in her festive finery.
2023 Latina Holiday Barbie™ Ornament
1st in the series.
1954 Mercury M-100
Lil’ American Trucks
1st in the series.
Each ornament in this series will feature a different miniature American truck, that has earned a special place in our lives and our memories, authentically patterned after the original vehicle. Wheels turn.
1954 Mercury M-100
Lil’ American Trucks
1st in the series.
Ornament Spotlight: Cute as a Button
Cute as a Button
When Keepsake Artist Nina Aube was little, so were her pets. Growing up in a small apartment in Chicago, she enjoyed creating clothing, furniture and vehicles for all her little critters, using everyday objects like candy boxes, spools–and buttons!
“Tiny pets are dear to my heart. I had a lot of hamsters growing up, and I’ve always found their perky, cuddly faces and gentle dispositions to be especially adorable.
For this series, you’ll see these happy little hamsters using buttons of all shapes and sizes in creative and festive ways to celebrate the season!”
Cute as a Button
“Cute as a Button” 2023 Dream Book: 10
Ornament Spotlight: Mythical Mermaids
Mythical Mermaids
1st in the series.
Fanciful Friends
Keepsake Artist Kristina Gaughran has been a lifelong fan of mermaids.
“I’ve wanted to design a mermaid ornament for a long time, so I’m really excited about creating this series. I’m planning different ethnicities with beautiful tails inspired by real fish. This year’s was inspired by the mandarinfish. There are so many possibilities with all the amazing, colorful fish in the sea, and I hope to bring something unique and playful to each of these fanciful friends.”
Wondering what next year’s mermaid will be? Kris says, “I‘ll only hint that it includes my favorite color. And I really hope you love them as much as I love working on them!”
“Fanciful Friends” 2023 Dream Book: 13
Ornament Spotlight: Snowtop Lodge (2024 Sneak Peek)
A Snowtop Lodge Christmas Concert
Since 2005, Keepsake Artist Joanne Wright has been bringing smiles to snow people lovers with her popular Snowtop Lodge series. This year, familiar series favorites have gathered to bring you a tabletop Christmas concert, complete with synchronized light show.
“It was so exciting to bring my characters to life,” Joanne says. “We worked carefully to choose carols to perfectly match each one. When you add a character to the stage, that snow person sings while the tree lights up with a color-themed light show created to perfectly fit its personality.
“Oh, and you might notice a new character in the group. The snow person with the red stocking is a sneak peek of the series ornament that will come out in 2024. That ornament will be porcelain to match the rest of the series, and I can’t wait for you to meet her!”
“A Snowtop Lodge Christmas Concert” 2023 Dream Book: 15
Christmas Concert
Snowtop Lodge
Christmas Table Decoration
Features a 2024 Sneak Peek
of the 20th in the series.
Ornament Spotlight: Lil’ American Trucks
1954 Mercury M-100
Lil’ American Trucks
1st in the series.
For the Love of Trucks
Keepsake Artist Alex So’s passion for vintage trucks began with a college research project.
“The 1954 Ford Mercury M-100 was the first truck that caught my eye. Its design was unique, with a brand-specific grill that really stood out, and I fell in love with it. So for me, it’s exciting to create these trucks in miniature scale, while preserving as many details as possible to capture their beauty. This series is a celebration of everyone who loves their pickup trucks.”
So what’s coming next? Alex will only say,
“You can look forward to another exquisite, iconic miniature truck!”
“For the Love of Trucks” 2023 Dream Book: 64
2023 Sneak Peek
Here are two more sneak peeks from the 2023 Keepsake Ornament line featuring Just Believe by Gregor Benedetti and the 15th in the Season’s Treationgs series by Sharon Visker.
Just Believe
Season’s Treatings
15th in the series.