Several years ago, my art director Stephanie Barken and I were wandering around the Atlanta gift show in between meetings with our licenses and prospective licenses. Our feet hurt, we were exhausted, our bags were getting heavier by the minute and we were SICK of “gifts”. All of a sudden we came across a showroom that was so amazing, so different, so fabulous that we immediately perked up and went in. Everyone working there was in costume, everyone was laughing and talking and eating popcorn and drinking soda and staring around in awe of the beautiful displays of figurines and ornaments. We had stumbled into Katherine’s Collection, and are we ever glad we did! Now, after much begging on our part, Katherine’s is doing several collections based on my Christmas books, “A Merry Little Christmas” and “The Night Before Christmas”!
They had never worked with another artist before. All the artwork and design had always been done by Wayne Kleski and his amazing crew (Am I using the word “amazing” too much? I can’t help it, for obvious reasons). Year after year, holiday after holiday, Wayne comes up with new and wondrous themes, including fairies, underwater creatures, new-but-vintage-looking Easter and Halloween things, angels, forest animals, the cutest baby things ever, gambling nuns, Victoriana….. the list goes on and on. He certainly doesn’t need any help from another artist, but I am honored to say he saw potential for our two lines to merge, and together we have created what I think is a pretty darling Christmas program!
The detail is, well, amazing. You can see how exact the figures are to the illustrations in the book.
We’re still working on “The Night Before Christmas” pieces for next year, but the “Merry Little Christmas” program will be available in October at our on-line store and hopefully at your favorite local gift stores.
It’s so energizing to work with another artist who completely understands the look I’m going for. And Wayne, his lovely wife Katherine, and two daughters Kate and Julie, plus everyone who works for them are such fun! PLUS they send great thank you gifts.
I can see I’m going to have to get cracking on an extra-special Christmas gift for them. But my best gift from them is being able to see my drawings come to perfect 3D life at your house this Christmas!
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Mary, I think I speak for all of your admirers when I say how thrilled we are that you have a new line of high end products. We have been feeling so “Mary deprived!”
Comment by Pamela Newberry — September 4, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
My Granddaughters and I always “ooh” and “aah” over the illustrations in the Merry Little Christmas book. I actually bought three of these books for the Grandma boxes I have for them. Now they can be joined by one of the adorable figurines! I’ll definitly watch for these to be available. This would have to feel really amazing! And, no, you can never use that word too much. Amazing is all around us!
Comment by Jenny — September 4, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
StarryGift | Wedding gifts and collectibles of Chinese and Western styles…
Nice post. Thanks for sharing….
Trackback by StarryGift | Wedding gifts and collectibles of Chinese and Western styles — September 5, 2009 @ 12:10 am
I love your books and seeing those illustrations come to “life” is amazing. I will definitely put them on my Christmas list!
Comment by Betty @ She's Sew Pretty — September 5, 2009 @ 12:53 am
Oh those mice are so cute!! I want them!
Comment by Sivje Parish — September 5, 2009 @ 3:35 am
These are adorable! So glad you found this wonderfully talented family!
Comment by Lauri — September 5, 2009 @ 5:29 am
How thrilling to see your characters come to life!
Comment by Sarah Dillard — September 5, 2009 @ 8:36 am
Those little mice are so cute
- I love all your pictures though.
Comment by Ann Tilson — September 5, 2009 @ 9:40 am
OMG, I adore these. I just love the little mouse skating too. It must feel amazing to see your characters come to life so skillfully.
A friend of mine just told me you have a blog, I was so happy. I have to tell you I still feel sad when I go to the mailbox and I can’t expect your explosion of creativity there in Home Companion magazine. I also loved the podcast interviews. So inspiring.
Karen
Comment by karen — September 5, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
What an adorable fellow!
Comment by Maggie Ann — September 7, 2009 @ 12:01 am
So glad I happened upon your blog today! I had no idea that you had one and yes I too miss Home Companion. I’ve been a fan of your work for quite some time and share your love of drawing, quotes & reading. You inspired me a few years ago to get back to my creative roots and start illustrating again.
And it truly would be a dream come true to make it to your workshop next spring! I’m signing up for your newsletter to keep me in the loop :>
Warmly,
Laura
Comment by Laura Taylor Mark — September 8, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
ACK!!! You have a blog! Doing a little happy dance here in Texas!!!
Mary…I don’t know if you remember me. It’s Bridget from the old Dallas store. Now in Houston and making cookies.
I actually mentioned working for you in a recent blog post of mine…
Hope all is well! This brings back such happy memories!
Comment by bridget {bake at 350} — September 9, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
Mary, Mary,
my first muse, truly, and you remain such – I am so happy to see the new & improved website/blog. I desperately miss my ME HC. Hmm, is it in the cards for me to attend your workshop? What a delight that would be.
O Happy Day!
Terri Conrad
Comment by Terri Conrad — September 10, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
Seeing your whimsical mice come to life reminds me of the little
mice I had as a kid…so friendly and sweet, although they weren’t as smartly dressed. Can’t wait to see the Night Before Christmas series next year!
Comment by Crystal Hanehan — September 10, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
The ornaments are so charming and so are the illustrations!
Jenni
Comment by Jenni Price — September 10, 2009 @ 11:46 pm
I am lucky in that, when I go to Market, I get to see all of the wonderful things that Karherine Collection does. Not only are their products adorable, but their displays are over the top beautiful! Awe-inspiring. Love the owl and all the sweet mice. Will look forward to seeing more. I’m a big fan of the book, will be fun to see it brought to life indeed!
-c
Comment by Cindy — September 11, 2009 @ 11:29 am
So glad I found your blog. I’m been missing MEHC for too long. Your blog will fit the bill for now.
Those mice are adorable.
Comment by melissa — September 11, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
Mary—How FANTASTIC this news is…I think you & Katherine’s Collection are a perfect marriage. My favorite part is that someone with the right decision making power saw the infinite potential & turned it into the beginning of something promising & wonderful.
CONGRATULATIONS…. I just wish we could’ve worked together on this!
See you in April… (loving those deco. clear acrylic bracelets, too!)
margo
Comment by margo tantau — September 25, 2009 @ 8:11 am