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One of the highlights of the 25^th Anniversary Celebration was the series of seminars presented. Attendees were only able to participate in three seminars, and many found it difficult to choose from the wonderful selection. Door prizes of 1998 Keepsake ornaments were awarded to those seated in selected rows during each presentation. This article is a summary of notes and recollections shared by Ornament Online staff members attending these seminars.

Decorating for Christmas: Keepsake ornaments are not just for your Christmas tree anymore. This presentation by Keepsake artist and Hallmark decorating guru Diana McGehee (hosted by Brenda Sherkatal) introduced participants to many new ways of decorating with Hallmark ornaments.

A slide show was running on two large screens prior to the seminar, showcasing Hallmark ornaments used in a variety of decorative projects. The presentation was divided into four sections:

The demonstrations included the construction of a small styrofoam tree trimmed with the CRAYOLA® crayon series, and a stand to display a number of Keepsake Magic Ornaments. The demonstrations were very detailed and easy to understand. Diana shared a number of decorating tips with the participants, and answered all questions from the attendees. A brochure, which included material lists and instructions for four decorating projects, was also distributed.

Decorate Your Christmas Tree: A Christmas tree is the highlight of your annual Christmas decorations, and everyone (especially ornament collectors) wants their tree to be magical.

In a wonderful seminar hosted by David Beal, Creative Projects Development Manager for Keepsakes, participants were given many tips that would enable them to decorate a Christmas tree just like the pros.

Prior to the seminar, a slide show depicting some creatively decorated - and some not so creative - Christmas trees was in operation. Four wonderful trees were featured on stage, which were used to demonstrate design basics.

Mr. Beal emphasized "designing" your Christmas tree, to ensure that your tree design is always fresh, and includes components to delight and intrigue all five senses. He also considers Christmas trees to be a three-dimensional scrapbook of our lives, and thinks they should always include ornaments or mementos that are significant in our lives. His presentation was full of wonderful design tips, and personal anecdotes. He also answered questions at the end of his presentation.

Decorating Through the Seasons: Keepsake ornaments can be used to enhance any decor or holiday. This presentation by Keepsake artist and Hallmark decorating guru Diana McGehee (hosted by Brenda Sherkatal) showcased many wonderful ways to decorate with Keepsake ornaments.

Using a calendar approach, Diana presented design suggestions for every major holiday, season, and milestone event throughout the year. The items displayed were available for viewing during the course of the Celebration as Decorating ideas in the main exhibition hall. For the seminar, slides of these projects were presented. Suggestions for gift baskets, hobby-themed decorations, and home decor projects were also discussed.

The creativity of these projects sparked the imagination of all attendees. Diana also taught participants the "Blue Sky Approach" to devising decorating projects of our own. The Blue Sky Approach is a simple way to develop a creative project. First, determine a general idea for your project and write it down on a plain piece of paper. For example, if you wanted to create a decoration based on a fishing theme, you would write FISHING at the top of the page. Then, list everything that possibly relates to fishing (e.g., lures, boats, rods, etc.). Then, review the list, and select various items for use as a wreath base (fishing net) or tree base (creel), and items to fill in your decoration (e.g., floaters, line spools etc.). This brainstorming approach is very effective for creating a unique display for your ornament collection.

Ornament Beginnings: Noted author Clara Johnson Scroggins presented this seminar. She stated that ornaments were the number one collectible in the world, as no matter what your interests, Hallmark makes a related ornament.

The history of decorating Christmas trees was discussed, from the use of dried fruits and baked goods in the beginning, through blown glass ornaments, to the wonderful and varied selection we have today.

A slide show featuring many examples of earlier ornaments was shown to the attendees.

Caring for your Collection: This seminar was presented by Meredith DeGood, a 20-year veteran of the Hallmark ornament secondary market, and Mark Preisinger, the Hallmark Keepsake’s Quality Control Manager.

They discussed methods to maintain the appearance and value of your Keepsake ornaments, including information on insuring, tracking, and updating your collection. Tips on shopping the secondary market were also shared. For more detailed information on this seminar, please read our guest author's article - Caring for Your Collection, by Linda Wilson.

Keepsake Magic Ornaments Seminar: Mark Preisinger and Ken Crow hosted this seminar, which gave an overview to the history of Lights & Motion ornaments and, their technological advancements, as well as a look at the creative process.

The seminar was presented in the mixed form of lecture, anecdotes, and slide show. Informative facts were conveyed with pride and a wonderful sense of humor by both speakers. A Santa marionette, designed by Ken and costumed by Sue Tague, assisted as the audience was taken on a picture tour of the artists' studio.

Many interesting and informative tips were passed on to attendees, especially regarding the care and repair of Keepsake Magic Ornaments.

This was a very entertaining presentation, with the added bonus of an occasional peek at the artists' homelives which inspired many popular Keepsake ornaments.

Keepsake Ornament Series: A background look at some of the more popular series through personal recounts was presented by Linda Sickman, Duane Unruh, and Ed Seale - who laughingly refer to themselves as the "old geezers."

Linda Sickman started the program off with a review of the Here Comes Santa series. She didn't become involved with the series until the 4th issue. Linda's all time favorite HCS is her design for the 1994 issue, " Makin' Tractor Tracks," in memory of all the time she spent working on the farm with her father. Ed Seale took a turn with this series in 1996. Linda mentioned that Ed must have been a little forgetful or in a hurry as he overlooked sculpting half of the seatbelt on Santa's 4 X 4. Sue Tague designed both the 1997 and 1998 editions.

Linda continued on to the next topic, which was the Rocking Horse Series. She explained that she originally planned to make just one horse. After sculpting it she tried painting it one way, then another, and another, until she had three or four different versions. Unable to make up her own mind as to which one she liked best, she showed all of them to the committee which approves designs. Perhaps they couldn't make up their minds either, because the outcome was approval for a series. Linda mentioned that people had asked if the series ended because she had run out of ideas. She assured the audience that this wasn't so and proceeded to show some slides of ideas she'd had. One of several was a yellow horse with green geometric markings and blue rockers. It caused a humorous reaction from the audience.

Mr. & Mrs. Claus was presented by Duane Unruh, the sole artist for this series. He explained that when Santa is portrayed with the familiar hat and coat, the ornament is depicting a scene just prior to leaving home, or upon arrival there. When Santa is seen in more casual clothing, it's an attempt to depict a cozy home life scene. The similarity between the first edition and final edition was intentional and was meant to bring the series full circle. The first kiss was upon Santa's arrival home, while the last kiss was one before he leaves on his journey. Duane mentioned that he'd heard comments from time to time that the series was a bit overly-sentimental. In answer to this the audience was allowed a view of an ornament which never made production. It depicted Santa giving Mrs. Claus a slap on the rump while she, in turn, was giving him a poke in the eye - Three Stooges-style. Duane was quick to point out that wanting to keep his job, he'd never even considered trying to get this one past the approval committee.

A long time western buff, Duane then explained the research that went into designing this year's "Pony Express Rider," in the new series, The Old West. His quest for authenticity is proven in the details of this ornament. The saddle has four compartments, three of which are locked. The unlocked section was for picking up mail along the way. The bronzed patina look is the result of electroplating, and is reminscent of Remington's sculpture style.

Ed Seale introduced his portion of the seminar dealing with the Frosty Friend series by explaining that the commonly held belief that he designed the entire series himself is wrong. Six designs were not his. He said he's spent years trying to set the record straight. The other artists involved in the series are: Jim Mahon - #1 and #2, Bob Seidler - #5, Sharon Pike - #12 , and Julia Lee - #13 and #14. This year's design of a penguin chorus shows the two outer penguins less than thrilled with their middle partner stealing the limelight. The audience was given a peek at next year's design, which is still under wraps. And that's exactly what we saw - all that was visible was the familiar Frosty Friend peeking out from under a white cloth.

Kiddie Car Classics: The seminar was hosted by Don Palmiter and his new assistant, Chris Webb, both avid kiddie car enthusiasts. The seminar began with the initial announcement that the first Hot Rod Racer, the 1940 Gendron Roadster will retire in May 1999.

A slide show of Chris' earlier creative projects was shown, which included several wood cabinets he had designed and built. He was unable to show his Hallmark creations, as they are still under development and considered "top secret."

Don then hosted a slide show which, along with several personal slides, pictured all the Kiddie Car Classics made by Hallmark, including the seven designs in the new "Don Palmiter Custom Collection." He also showed slides of KCC/Pedal Car Shows which he attends every year. He then explained the extensive research and detailed procedure undertaken to replicate original kiddie cars as 1/6 scale models.

Throughout this presentation, it was obvious that both Chris and Don are extremely talented artists who enjoy their work at Hallmark immensely.

At the end of the seminar, a number was chosen from a basket, and everyone sitting in row number five was given the Nascar 50th Anniversary Custom Champion.

Don Palmiter was also seen driving around the exhibit hall in an adult-sized kiddie car, built by Chris Webb.

Maxine: John Wagner, the creator of MAXINE, and Sharon Pike, the Keepsake artist who has brought Maxine to life as an ornament, presented this seminar.

Maxine was created in 1986, and her bold personality is based on John’s grandmother, mother, and aunts.

John, Sharon, and "Maxine," (played by professional actress Cathy Barnett) provided a comically enlightening look into the world of Shoebox. Maxine welcomed us to Kansas City, and encouraged us to visit her favorite tourist attraction, President Truman's home. It turns out he and Maxine were close friends...

A film clip from Good Morning America was shown, featuring members of the Motor City Road Runners, who enjoy Maxine as their club mascot.

The entertaining slide presentation included pages of an upcoming book, Maxine's Christmas Carol, which finds the wisecracking senior in a humorous nightmare of her own. An animated version will appear in 1999. Early indicators of this Christmas "special" point to another holiday classic. Move over Mr. Grinch!

The session was completely booked and event organizers were issuing "standing room only" tickets. We had so much fun in that session and John received a standing ovation at the end.

All Celebration attendees were able to meet Maxine on the dance floor or in the exhibit hall. Maxine was played by Cathy Barnett throughout the Celebration.

Sports and Space: The participants in this seminar were Lynn Norton, who made the first Star Trek ship, Anita Marra Rogers, who made the Star Trek characters, Dill Rhodus, Lisa Vogel, Martha Moldaver, and Steve Goselin, who all create sport or character ornaments.

Lynn Norton said Hallmark wanted him to make a space ship with Santa but it looked silly so he made a realistic one. Hallmark thought that was a big mistake, and that the 1991 "Starship Enterprise" would never sell. Wrong!!!

The artists create the ornaments from a huge pile of photographs. The prototypes for the space and sports ornaments have to be approved by the film studio or individual.

Hallmark was initially reluctant to make sports figures as well, but there are plans to make ornaments depicting golf greats, female basketball players, and track stars.

Lisa Vogler is a tech artist who paints the ornaments for the artists. Martha Moldaver is a digital artist who uses a digital camera and keeps all the graphics and lettering. She also makes decals that are used on the ornaments. Steve Goslin assembles the final product. He said it's like putting model airplanes or cars together.

Popular Characters Become Favorite Ornaments: The seminar was led by six Keepsake artists who together made for 75-plus years at Hallmark and 30-plus years of Keepsake experience. They were Katrina Bricker, Joanne Eschrich, Nello Williams, Ginger Shaw, John "Collin" Francis, and Patricia Andrews.

Since Joyce Hall and Walt Disney had such a close relationship, both as friends and business partners, Hallmark is blessed with a tremendous archive of Disney material.

Joanne made a point of saying that when designing an ornament, the artists try to stay in keeping with the character's time, setting, culture, etc. For example, Aladdin wouldn't celebrate Christmas; so he isn't shown with a Christmas tree. Nello said that when sculpting Disney characters, they have to stay in keeping with Disney's style guides. When the Hallmark artist has completed a Disney character ornament, Disney "tweaks" it. Ginger Shaw, a tech artist, told how she paints about seven or eight prototypes of the ornament. Four of them get sent to Disney, and the others are used as samples for photos and the Dream Book. In doing Cinderella's Coach this year, she painted it one way, and Disney sent it back with an entirely different coloration, which is how it stayed.

Collin Francis got up to speak and couldn't find his notes at the podium. He said he was a lousy speaker, so the Hallmark employee who did the introductions went backstage and found the notes. She brought them to him, but he never looked at them once!

Patricia Andrews, "the Barbie lady", joined Keepsakes on May 1, 1987, the day the Keepsake Ornament Collectors Club started, and she is a charter member. She stated that sometimes she uses a freeze frame from a movie and models an ornament as much as she can from that. An example of this technique is this year's Marilyn Monroe - a pose right out of the movie. Other times, she has to work with her own interpretations of a character, as she did on the two Scarlett O'Haras, and other times she has to sculpt an ornament as Mattel designed it, such as the 1995 Barbie®.

Traditional Keepsake Ornaments: This seminar showcased the works and lives of eight artists on the Keepsakes staff. It added a personal insight into their many talents. It was a treat to see early sketches and sometimes crude sculptures of now-famous ornaments.

This seminar was a panel discussion with artists Tracey Larsen, Joyce Lyle, LaDene Votruba, Sue Tague, Deb Murray, Nina Aube, Kris Kline, and Tammy Haddix. They discussed where they found the inspiration for ornament designs.

The artists also revealed how they became Keepsake Ornament artists, and their favorite ornament. They portrayed the many steps taken for an ornament idea to become a finished product.

Did you know that Sue Tague is responsible for the first four pieces in the Thimble series, as well as the little nutshell angel from 1979, "Angel Delight?" The artists also shared family photos and personal anecdotes.