Artist Insights: 2022 Nostalgic Houses and Shops
Hallmark: Can you believe that this year brings the 40th ornament in our Nostalgic Houses and Shops series? This iconic series is one of the longest running ones in our history—which started in 1984 with the Victorian Dollhouse.
After Don Palmiter retired, Tom Best and Rodney Gentry took over this beloved series to release last year’s Bicycle Shop. And, for 2023, they’re releasing this amazing piece that was designed after one of the homes in Tom’s old neighborhood.
Tom: “I went back to my old Kansas City neighborhood I lived in for 30 years,” Tom told us. “It’s an area of town that was built up between 1910 and 1920. It’s filled with Tudors of every size and shape. It’s impossible to find any two that are the same, and they have so much character.”
Hallmark: According to Tom, his role was to come up with the building concept, design, color, and details. From there, Rodney developed the structure of it with a 3D modeling program on the computer. Coming up with the concept, however, proved to be quite a task.
Tom: “The hardest part was choosing ‘the one’,” according to Tom. “After several tours through the neighborhood, I took about a million photographs and had about the same number of ideas for what this year’s ornament should be. Though Rodney and I, along with our art director Charles Young, narrowed it down.”
Hallmark: One of the most important elements of this collection is how uniquely different each one must be year after year. And with a series this vast, that job can become more and more challenging. But our Keepsake artists are always up to the task, as Tom reminded us of when he told us that #41 was nearly finished as well.
As for this year’s ornament, a retired Tom reflected on his role in this Keepsake Ornament series proudly. “Rodney and I are quite happy with how this one, and the others we’ve created, turned out. We were happy to take over Don’s vision and hope you like where it’s going. Look for more to come as Don Palmiter’s township grows…stretching the city limits of your tree.”
Traditional Tudor
Nostalgic Houses and Shops
40th in the series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Tom Best about the 40th ornament in our Nostalgic Houses and shops series that will be releasing at Ornament Premiere” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, January 12, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2330268633879814
Artist Insights: Mythical Mermaids (New Series)
Hallmark: If you’re a fan of Kris Gaughran’s Fairy Messengers series, then do we have a treat for you. Did you know Kris has been working on an all new series? That’s right! Her first in series Mermaid Keepsake Ornament will be released in 2023 and we can’t wait!
Kristina: “I have been a fan of mermaids, and all things fantasy, for as long as I can remember,” Kris says. “Since I work on the Fairy Messengers, I wanted to explore some other friends that could also live in their world but give them a look all their own.”
Hallmark: Each of the mermaids in her series will be based on real sea life. “I’m excited to explore the diversity that could be found in their world,” she continues. “Much like I do in my fairy world series. Each mermaid will be a unique take on a real fish and the type of mermaid that might have that tail.”
Kristina: “I’m hoping that this first one will get the fans curious as to how the series will progress. I wanted to take a different approach to these mermaids, something a bit more unique and playful in their styling. I really think it will appeal to people of all ages.”
Hallmark: In designing this series, Kris was surprised at how true to her initial sketch the design stayed.
Kristina: “It was a bit unusual for how I work to be honest,” she continued. “I had so many options to choose from, with so many unique and colorful fish out there. I just love the sweetness of her pose and side glance. Most of all, I’m thrilled about finally being able to create a series like this. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to design a mermaid ornament. Being able to bring this series to life really makes the little girl in me quite excited!”
Hallmark: Keep your eyes open for this fun and fanciful new series. And if you need anything else to get you excited about this new series, Kris let it slip that the first 5 ornaments in this series have already been sketched! That’s right…FIVE more are already in their final planning stages.
Mythical Mermaids
First in a new series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Kris Gaughran about her first in series Mermaid Keepsake” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, November 28, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3291599657746702/
2023 Reveal: Member Exclusives
The five Member Exclusive offerings for 2023 have been revealed.
Christmas Window 2023
(Keepsake Korners Christmas Shoppe)
Christmas Windows
21st in the series.
Toucan
The Beauty of Birds
Sweet Decade
Special Edition
Clara
Nutcracker Sweet
5th and Final in the series.
Stocking Stuffers Surprise
Mystery Box
2023 Sneak Peek: Halloween
Bubble, bubble, here comes trouble! Disney’s Sanderson Sisters are back, so we thought it was the perfect time for these ornaments to make their design debut. This isn’t a bunch of hocus pocus either—all three sisters will be ready to put a spell on you in 2023!
Sarah Sanderson
Disney Hocus Pocus
Winifred Sanderson
Disney Hocus Pocus
Mary Sanderson
Disney Hocus Pocus
2022 Video: All About Mickey!
Lights, camera, Mickey! Hear Nello chat all about his NEW All About Mickey! series, which will feature Disney’s Mickey in a new hobby or occupation each year. This year, he’s a tourist. In the future, maybe he’s a baker or magician.
Tourist Mickey
All About Mickey!
1st in the series.
2022 Video: Noble Nutcrackers
Hear where Keepsake Artist Terri Steiger found the inspiration for the Count of Cozy, 4th in the Noble Nutcrackers series, and then add tidings of comfort and joy to your tree when it releases at Ornament Debut in October.
Count of Cozy
Noble Nutcrackers
4th in the series.
2022 Video: All-American Trucks
Go back in time with art director, Kurt Gaulke as he chats more about this 1972 Ford F-100 ornament! 28th in the All-American Trucks series.
1972 Ford F-100
All-American Truck
28th in the series.
2023 Sneak Peek: Series
Here are two more sneak peeks from the 2023 Keepsake Ornament line featuring the 7th in the Brilliant Butterflies series by Terri Steiger and the 19th in the Fairy Messengers series by Kristina Gaughran.
Brilliant Butterflies
7th in the series.
Carnation Fairy
Fairy Messengers
19th in the series.
2022 Video: Young Santa
Hear artist Sheyda Abvabi Best share more about her new series, Young Santa. Each ornament in this new series will feature a young Santa-in-training with a festive friend (or two)!
Young Santa
1st in the series.
For Keeps: Volume 21, Issue 2 Summer 2022
Read about Ornament Premiere details you don’t want to miss. Get an exclusive sneak peek at the 2023 Christmas Window. And see a special surprise coming your way in 2022.
- Ornament Premiere is almost here!
- Meet the newest guy in the North Pole
- 2023 SNEAK PEEK ALERT!: A window to wonder
- 2022 Online-Exclusive Ornament Releases
- Dreaming up the Dream Book
- Save the date
For Keeps – The Official Newsletter of the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club.