Artist Signing Events

[Artists for Events Named]

The names of the artists for the cities chosen to host a Signing Event was posted on Yulelog tonite. Here they are:

Hawkeye Club, IOWA --Kristina Kline-Gaughran & Becky Hottel

HOHO Club, California---Don Palmiter

Hallmark for ME, Maine---Tammy Haddix

Route 66, Oklahoma--- Anita Marra Rogers

Central Illinois Dreamers, Illinois--Joanne Eschrich

Boise Tree Trimmers, Idaho--- Nina Aube

Carolina Collectors, South Carolina---Sue Tague&Ruth Donikowski

Keepsake Seekers, Minnesota-- Robert Chad

Forever Friends, Florida---Ken Crow

Casa De Navidad, New Mexico---Sharon Visker

Crown Collectors, Texas---- Julie Forsyth

Gift Bearer's, Virginia---Tracy Larsen & Tom Best

Joie De Vivre, Louisiana---Nello Williams

Keepsake Well Wishers----Edythe Kegrize
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So I'll be pulling my unsigned Nostalgic Houses and Shops and any other orns done by Don for August. At least they let us know early.

[Rhonda]

Here's some additional information on the 2010 Artist Signings that are in an easy to print pdf file -

www.hookedonhallmark.com/assets/images/downloads/2010artistsignings.pdf

My to do list includes: Add ornaments to the Ornaments by Artist pages for the Artist Signing artists <g> does that make sense?

We've recently been working on a new category on the website - Ornaments by Artist - from the main category you can choose your Artist of interest, WHEN the pages are complete you will be able to see some information about the artist, a small bio picture of the artist, a link to a complete (and printable) list of the artist's ornaments and a shopping area where we list in stock ornaments sculpted by the artist

It's a HUGE project, so we're working on it little by little - Chris Webb and Joyce Lyle pages are complete - and the next priority will be the 2010 Artist Signing artists.

[Rhonda]

Mark your calendar for the Hooked on Ornaments Fall Warehouse Sale and Signing Event - Saturday, Oct 2nd

We've booked an artist that you are going to LOVE!
--- More info on the way ---

[nicki]

My Mother and I are headed to Tulsa on Fri to attend the Artist Signing Event.
Looking forward to seeing other collectors there!
It's gonna be a good time!

[Becky]

Hello!

I was able to get the Santa's Armoire at Don Palmiter's signing this past weekend, but it looks like I won't be able to keep it because of pressing circumstances...

I put up an ad on craigslist- here's the link:

orangecounty.craigslist.org/clt/1890394536.html

If you're unable to make it to any of the signings, please consider buying it from me...! I would greatly appreciate it.

FYI: The price is negotiable.

[nicki]

My mother & I enjoyed every moment of the Tulsa Signing. It was hosted by the Route 66 Collectors Club and J's Hallmark. Anita Marra Rogers was the signing artist, accompanied by Sherry Ratcliff of the KOC (Keepsake Ornament Club).

We arrived Fri afternoon (4 hr drive).

The Fri evening Club Dinner in Billy D's BBQ Private Party room included:
*100 Collectors a very full house.
*Delicious BBQ buffet of ribs,chicken,beef,coleslaw,bread. Meal cost was $30 per person.
*Raffle...Two tickets were given at the door. More available for purchase inside. Each of the 20+ beautiful baskets contained a variety of ornaments donated by the club members. Each collector put their tickets inside small boxes in front of the basket they would like to win.
*Charity...A representative from the Clubs chosen charity, a Local Emergency Shelter was introduced. The charity will receive all the proceeds from the dinner & raffle.
*A video loop played on monitors. Many photos from the Route 66 Collectors Club Album.
*Cake with a Route 66 Sign for dessert.
*Ornament Bingo 3 rounds were played with past year ornaments by Anita as prizes.
*Doorprize Basket of ornaments from Anitas first 2 years in Keepsakes (1988-89),donated by Hooked on Ornaments.

Collectors were welcomed followed by introductions of the store owner, club president, Anita & Sherry. A family from Kuwait was applauded as having come the longest distance.

As we went through the buffet line and ate,the raffle and door prize drawings began. The PA system quality was poor, thus very difficult to hear & understand what was being said and much had to be repeated. These drawings took up most of the evening. We purchased lots of raffle tickets but didn't win. However, last time I checked I have an AMPLE supply of ornaments...so was very happy for the winners!

Three rounds of ornament bingo followed. The evening concluded with the playing of the song that the club members wrote and submitted to the KOC to win the signing. It was beautifully written & sung.

Following the dinner. The local club members met privately with Anita and Sherry at the Hallmark Store (across the street). They were each given a gift, a wh cho Berry Sweet Bear ornament I'm told. (Didn't see anyone buying/selling their gift on Sat)

SATURDAY
The line began forming at 5AM for the store opening at 9!
We arrived at 7:10 and were about 50th in line. Temperature was already in the high 80's, with the high predicted to be the hottest day thus far 105!
You can imagine how long the line was by 9...OH MY you couldn't see the end from the beginning!
However, I LOVED the line, a great chance to chat with collector friends from TX, OK, TN, IA, KS, MO, & beyond. Everyone was friendly and cheerful. I passed out flyers for our Oct 2nd Warehouse Sale/Artist Signing Event. (& yes, I had rec'd prior approval from the store Manager to hand them out).

At 9AM, Club Members emerged and passed out signing tickets. 10AM for the first & subsequent 1/2 hr increments. Our tickets were for 10:30. By the time they got to the end of the line they were down to the 1:30 time slot, and decided not to hand out any more signing tickets until after the lunch break.

We entered the store & purchased the Armoire. The line moved right along. We also registered to win one of the five White Cho Berry Sweet Bear ornaments. The drawings would be held later in the day, need not be present to win.

Club Members sold raffle tickets for a chance to win a Fully Artist Signed Armoire or an Artist Signed 1997 Santa's Magical Sleigh Colorway. We purchased more tickets for these great prizes! I think they said drawing was to be held on Mon.

Anita graciously began signing before the scheduled 10AM. The line moved quickly and smoothly. Anita was in a very narrow area behind a 6 foot table making it nearly impossible for anyone to pose with her for a picture which contributed to the quick moving line.

The store had ordered just 224 Armoires and were sold out by 10:15. However, by that time everyone that had waited in line had had the opportunity to purchase one.

That's pretty much it...but I'm sure I've forgotten something. Perhaps others will add more details.

My thanks to Hallmark, J's Hallmark and the Route 66 Collectors Club. And, to the many the collectors that I had a chance to chat with. My mother and I had a wonderful time!

PS...sorry this post is soooooo long!