This weekend, November 7th, we’re hosting two talented and creative artists for signings here at the store!

Barbara Lund, a designer of the classic Dickens’ Village series of collectible, lighted houses and accessories, and whose father originated the series many years ago, will be in the store from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to sign Department 56 houses.  She will be happy to sign any of the village collection pieces we offer.  This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Dickens’ Village collection.

Candle Shop Anniversary Edition

In addition, our annual Secondary Market sale for retired Department 56 collectibles will be taking place in the courtyard on Saturday and Sunday, November 7th and 8th.  We are expecting no fewer than six collectors in the sale, so you’ll see a nice variety of retired pieces – a great time to fill in your personal collection.  We’ll be making a donation to the Women’s Care Center in Sevierville, Tennessee, for this event.

Although some people only choose to set up their villages at Christmas, we know many of you proudly keep them on display all year round – and we’d love to have you share photographs with other collectors.  When you have time, check out forums.christmasplace.com, where you’ll find a forum on Christmas Village Displays. 

Holly Jolly Fairie

Also on Saturday, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., America’s favorite maker of Christmas fairies and elves, Mark Roberts, will be in the store for a signing of his charming collection.  In addition to figurines, Mark also offers some very whimsical purses with fairies attached, for those who go all out at Christmas time.

Fairy Prince Purse

 It’s all happening for you here at Christmas Place this Saturday & Sunday!

 ~Janet @ The Christmas Place

It’s the first week of August, and we’re hitting temperatures in the 90s for the first time since June.  Sounds to me like the right time to come inside where the air is cool and images of winter (snow, frost, ice, all forms of solid H2O) surround you.  If you’re too far to come to the store today, spend a few cooling moments in three Mark Roberts’ winter fairy-lands.

Jack Frost Fairy Collection

Froster Elf

Winter Wonderland Fairy

Are you feeling the chill now?  Time for a snow cone!  Mark is visiting Christmas Place for the second time, on Saturday, November 7th.  We can’t wait to welcome him back to the store – maybe he’ll stay at The Inn with us, too.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

November 7th – mark your calendar! 

We have not one, but two important and popular artists visiting the store on the first Saturday in November.

Timberland Woods Fairy

Mark Roberts, creator of the beloved line of Fairies and Elves (and lots of other beautiful things) will be at Christmas Place for a signing – we had such a delightful time meeting Mark last year, and cannot wait to welcome him back to the store!

Candle Shop, Dickens Anniversary Edition

 Barbara Lund, daughter of Nieland Lund, originator of the Department 56 Dickens’ Village Series, will be here to sign D56 buildings and collectibles.  This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Dickens’ Village Series, so you know we’ll be putting on quite a party.

 We haven’t yet set times for the signings, so  please stay tuned for further information.  Watch for a special offer in conjunction with The Inn at Christmas Place and the Dickens anniversary celebration.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Yippee! Our two artist signings on Friday and Saturday were great!  I hope you were able to come by the store and meet Mark Roberts and Dean Griff in person, because they were each a delight to host here for their exclusive product signings.  These were the first such events I have experienced, and it was terrific to meet the creators and their collectors as well.

Friday night, we had fun “fluffing fairies” under the tutelage of Mark Roberts and his associate, Peter.  We learned to twist-twist-twist those fairy wings as well as curl their toes and caps properly.  That’s it, we have to redo all our display pieces – well, those that are left after the event!  The fairies, Santas, and elves were all gorgeous and were leaving the store at a brisk pace.

Mark, on how to display fairies on your treePeter, expert fluffer

My favorite family of the evening decided to purchase their first Mark Roberts item, one of his new elves, to start a collection of their own ~ and not only was Mark here to sign it for them, it was Number 2 in the Limited Edition, numbered collection ~ they were thrilled.  Several long-time fans and collectors came to visit with Mark, and he greeted them warmly, answered questions, and shared tips and laughs throughout the evening.Mark makes Fairies, Santas, and Elves like this Peppermint Fairy: 

    

Waiting in line

   

Turns out several members of staff are collectors of both artists’ works, and they took turns in the signing lines as well.  Our representative, Iris, has hopefully inspired Dean to develop a piece featuring her namesake flower next time around.  Keeping our fingers crossed with yours, Iris!

Dean’s creations include the cutest woodland characters like this Christmas Elf figurine: 

As we head into the “dog days of summer” (thanks to Sirius, the Dog Star- which doesn’t appear in our modern skies until sometime in August), we’re already thinking about October and our next signing events, including Ne’Qwa hand-painted glass ornaments, Department 56 & Snowbabies collectibles, San Francisco Music Box, and Jacquelyn Kent dolls.  Keep checking in for further updates.

Have a super week!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

The 61st Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highland Craft Guild takes place this Thursday through Sunday, July 17-20, at the Civic Center in Asheville, North Carolina.  (The second half of this bi-annual event is October 16-19.)  Over six decades, the Craft Fair has grown from a marketplace into a true embodiment of the mission of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, bringing together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands “for the shared benefit of education, conservation, and marketing.”  The Guild is one of the strongest craft organizations in the country.

This juried event features over 200 artists engaged in a wide variety of skilled craftsmanship, from ceramics and glass to fiber, leather, paper, wood, and jewelry.  Only about ten percent of the applicants in each jury group are accepted, so you know you’ll be seeing the very  best this region has to offer.  Entertainment by local musicians, demonstrations, and hands-on projects will engage attendees of all ages.

Closer to home, here at the store we are hosting two unique artists for exclusive signing events this weekend – Mark Roberts on Friday (4 to 7 p.m.) and Dean Griff on Saturday (1 to 4 p.m.).  Come and meet these two artists ~ and take advantage of this special opportunity to add a signed work of art to your home collection ~ a Santa, an Elf or a woodland creature to brighten your home at the holidays or all year round!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Throughout the year, we have the opportunity to host in the store some of the delightful artists whose work we carry.  For collectors, these are wonderful times to meet their favorite designers and purchase signed works, increasing the value of such pieces and enhancing their enjoyment of a collection.

On Friday, July 18th, we are excited to be hosting Mark Roberts, the designer of a truly unique collection of  whimsically designed and intricately detailed Santas, Fairies, and Elves.  He will be in the store from 4 to 7 p.m.  Mark will be making a special introduction during this visit of his “Fairy of Miracles,” sales of which will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, one of the recipients of Mark’s charitable donations in 2008 and 2009.

We are currently pre-selling his items in the store and online, and will hold them for signing and pick-up or shipment to customers after July 18th.  You can see his product line here in the store and in our on-line store.

A couple of other elves, from among the many styles we offer:

Come join us on Friday the 19th to meet Mark and view the collection through the eyes of the designer!  Take advantage of the pre-purchase for signing offer, too.  We’ve just received a new 2008 collection of fairies and elves that are the cutest yet.

 ~Janet @ The Christmas Place

As with any collectible, the artist’s signature on a piece measurably increases its value.  We have already scheduled several signing events for the summer and fall.  These events present a great opportunity for you to purchase the newest collectibles in a line and have them signed by the artist who was inspired to create the piece.

Often, there are presales of new items ~ so you can order ahead, have your piece signed during the event, and we’ll ship it directly to you after the event.  If possible, wouldn’t it be more fun to come on down to the store and meet the artist in person?  I haven’t experienced one yet myself, but I hear that it’s a kick to meet and talk with them in the store.

• Friday, July 18, 2008 – Mark Roberts, creator of Fairies and Santas ~ there are new, exclusive pieces which may be preordered by calling the store and will be shipped to you after the event.
• Saturday, July 19, 2008 – Charming Tails signing ~ there will be a piece or two sold exclusively during the signing event.
• Saturday, October 4, 2008 – Kristi Pierro, Department 56 and Snowbabies ~ the spring releases have just been announced, and we’ll be preselling several pieces in both collections.
• Saturday, October 4, 2008 – NeQwa ~ one of the artists who creates these exquisite, hand-painted ornaments will be in the store.
• Saturday, October 18, 2008 – John Satterfield, San Francisco Music Box

Of course, mixed in with all these signings, we’ll also have the usual summer exclusive happenings here at The Christmas Place.

• June 14-15, 2008 ~ Garden Party, with face-painting for the kids, fun and games, and general merriment throughout the store and courtyard.
• June 15, 2008 ~ Father’s Day celebration.
• July 1, 2008 ~ Singing Santa is available for individual and family photos in the store.
• July 4, 2008 ~ Uncle Sam is in the house.
• August 30-31, 2008 ~ Annual Labor Day Sidewalk Sale (bargains all over the place).

We do keep things hopping around here, even before Santa and the elves are back from summer vacations!  Come on by and stop in for a visit.  What better way to cool off in the heat of summer than with a trip to the North Pole?  (We have one here, uh-huh, I’ve seen the sign!)

~Janet @ The Christmas Place