Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments: Beaker Ode to Joy

One of the 2011 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments is Beaker's "Ode to Joy", which was designed by Ken Crow.

This ornament not only plays music, but also has motion!

Just a few gift ideas

The holidays are around the corner, and we'd like to share a few gift ideas over the next month or two. And of course, if you need us to help find the perfect gift for that special person, just let us know.

This is one of many Hallmark Keepsake ornaments that is available.

This particular ornament, 100 Years of Helping You Say It All, tells the story of Hallmark. Here are a few interesting facts about this ornament:

The train at the bottom represents the arrival of J. Hall in Kansas City. The houses surrounding the tree are replicas of the Nostalgic Homes ornament series. The ornaments on the tree are from the Twelve Days of Christmas series.

And the little sculpted base? If you look carefully, you'll see that there is a shoebox with cards in it. When Hallmark started selling cards, the cards were sold door-to-door in shoeboxes. As the cards became more popular, they were sold in stores and were displayed under glass countertops. Customers would let the sales clerk know which cards he or she wanted. This is where the phrase, "counter cards" comes from.


Did you also know that before wrapping paper was used, gifts were wrapped in tissue paper? One day, a customer came to a Hallmark store, but they had run out of tissue paper, so Mr. Hall used envelope lining paper to wrap the gift that the customer purchased. Thus, gift wrap was born.

Trollbeads Trunk Show

Just in time for the holidays, we will be having a Trollbeads Trunk Show! During this show, let us show you the interchangeable Trollbeads earrings and the new Holiday Trollbeads. We know you will love them!

So mark your calendars for our show December 3-6, 2010. We can't wait to see you!

New Trollbeads and Trollbeads Trunk Show

We are happy to announce our New Trollbeads! We've posted pictures and stories about each bead for you to read.

We also have a trunk show August 28-31. During this time, we have several promotions.

• FREE Trollbeads bracelet with the purchase of a decorative clasp
• Buy 3 Trollbeads, get one free (up to $25)
• $100 off a gold Trollbead with the purchase of a gold Trollbead necklace or bracelet
• $25 off a Fantasy pendant with the purchase of a Fantasy necklace

Also, our Trollbeads representative will be at our store on August 28 from 1-5 PM. During this time, she will be available for bracelet or necklace design consultations and inspiration. We will also have drawings for free Trollbeads!

Trollbeads: Brown Desert

Sunburnt desert sands shimmering in the late afternoon sun.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Golden Thread, Brown

Rich and velvety like burgundy satin interwoven with golden threads.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Coral Bubbles

Traded on the fabled caravan routes, coral, a rare treasure from faraway oceans, was a valuable commodity in the desert.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Wild Cat

A sweet and innocent looking cat, but don’t be fooled – she can bite when she needs to.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Coral Stripe

Coral – a unique color found on the ocean floor. Alternating stripes of frosted and transparent glass, letting light through in a way that makes color move within.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Chocolate Parrot

As Mark Twain wrote, “She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot.”

Artist: Lise Aargaard

Trollbeads: Desert Flower

At night, as the desert cools, the flowers appear – translucent white in the shimmering moonlight – only to fade away before the first light hits the desert again.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Deep Bubbles

In the desert at dusk, the moon appears to be reflected in the myriad of sandy crystals.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Blue Desert

In the desert at dusk, the moon appears to be reflected in the myriad of sandy crystals.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Troll Ring

A miniature Trollbeads bracelet for your finger. Troll Ring features a lot of familiar Trollbeads characters and classic designs. Please note that each ring size has different details.

Artist: Eske Storm

Trollbeads: Black Onyx

Black Onyx is a real power stone – it sharpens your mind and gives you natural authority; it helps you think clearly and make the right decisions. On top of that, it enhances your powers of concentration.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Rose Quartz, Round

The smooth surface of this bead highlights how beautiful and unique Rose Quartz really is. No two beads are alike in this true piece of nature’s wonder.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Snowflake Obsidian

Snowflake Obsidian represents purity. It grounds you in the here and now by releasing anger and sorrow. It also balances your body and mind and unveils new possibilities in your life.

Artist: Lise Aagaard

Trollbeads: Troll Tree

Ancient wisdom, innocent mischief. With glass beads knotted amongst its roots and branches, Troll Tree reminds us that while we are forever rooted to the earth, we are always reaching for the sky.

Artist: Allan Bayer

Trollbeads: Owl

A symbol of wisdom and protection, the owl watches over the forest at night as the trees come alive and the trolls come out to play.

Artist: Søren Sølvsmed

Trollbeads: Panda

Blissfully happy playing together, this panda and her baby wrestle and tumble around the chain.

Artist: Martin Bruun