Abraham Lincoln Chalkware!

On Saturday, September 4, 2010 Judi Vaillancourt will unveil her new civil war collection at Gettysburg visitor center book store!

For the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Judi was asked by Gettysburg, Ford Theatre and the Lincoln Museum in Illinois to develop and Abraham Lincoln figure. After 6 months of development she is pleased to introduce her first historical figure that is not a Santa. In addition to the Lincoln figure she also is introducing a Civil War Santa, and two snowman.

History has always been Judi’s love and the Civil War has always been Gary’s passion. To be asked by such historical sights to do a special collection was indeed a very high honor.

Judi will be at the Gettysburg visitor center on Saturday September 4th from 9-4pm. For further information contact Lisa Kamps at Gettysburg 717-334-2286.

The Creation of the Texas Santa

Each year a Texas based store, Peek In The Attic, sells a limited edition exclusive piece that Judi Vaillancourt designs specifically for them. Custom pieces are not uncommon for Vaillancourt Folk Art, in fact custom pieces created for stores, museums, and organizations account for a growing percentage of all wholesale sales. But it doesn’t just happen.  A custom design often takes from 6 to 18   months from concept to a tangible piece on the store’s shelves.

For the last seven years, the development of each Texas Santa has been similar. Bill, the owner of Peek in the Attic presents a list of ideas and his vision on how the year’s Texas Santa should look. Often, Bill and Judi will have already spent an hour going through the vast collection of available moulds to use as the shape of the Santa. The shape for the 2010 Texas Santa was chosen and the preliminary theme and list of ideas was also first presented in April 2009. It wasn’t until January that the list is harnessed together and refined for product design.

Below are some sample steps that were taken while Judi was in process of using his ideas and turning them into a reality. While many colors, images, symbols, and material may seem to be used simply for aesthetics, each brush stroke is made keeping in mind historical and symbolic importance.

The Texas Santa is produced in a limited edition series of 100 to 150 units each year.  Most of the collectors get the same number each year, so that they have a matched number set—former First Lady Laura Bush is among those who own one of these handsome pieces. For anyone with his or her heart in Texas this Texas Santa is a must!

For more information on the Peek in the Attic Exclusive Texas Santas, please call 214-750-7335

1. 2003-54 – Texas Santa Nr. 1
2. 2004-66 – Texas Santa Nr. 2
3. 2005-67 – Peek Mustang Santa
4. 2006-83 – Father Christmas in Armadillo Car
5. 2007-86 – Texas Under Six Flags
6. 2008-76 (Information not currently available)
   
7. 2009-59 – Feliz Navidad
8. 2010-25 (Currently in development)
   

Gifts & Decorative Accessories is pleased to announce the finalists for the magazine’s 59th annual Retailer Excellence Awards and the finalists for the retailer-nominated Outstanding Manufacturers’ Rep Award. Winners will be named at a gala dinner during the New York International Gift Fair on Sunday, August 15, at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

In addition to retailing award finalists, the evening’s event will also honor Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Industry Rising Star, Lindsay Phillips, and Gift for Life’s 2010 Industry Achievement Award honoree, Randy Eller.

The Retailer Excellence Awards are sponsored by Gifts & Decorative Accessories and the New York International Gift Fair, along with co-sponsors Dallas Market Center, 7W New York, 230 Fifth Avenue, Chicago Market Living and Giving, California Gift Show and Wellspring.

Thank you Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine for choosing an American made, family-owned, company as a finalist for the Internet Gift Retailing award!

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In 2009 the Vaillancourt Folk Art mould dealer, in purchasing the complete mould collection of an old chocolate shop, found, in a remote corner of the shop, an untouched box of French LeTang Fils moulds—moulds that were never used and long forgotten. One of these mould styles was a collection of six, each of them matching at 12” tall. In addition, another collection of seven matched moulds were found, each being 11.5″ tall—used in a different design.

Judi purchased both collections and had made them special editions that she had hand paints herself and made to sell with the actual mould. The 12-inch piece (VFA Nr. 2010-44) was hand painted by Judi with great attention to detail and is available as a limited edition of 6 pieces. As of July 30^th, there are two pieces available—one of which is available for immediate delivery.

Not only is the mould a very special antique, but also because it was never used makes it a rarity. Paired with Judi’s original chalkware piece, this is a limited edition collection that is perfect for the serious or casual collector. This limited edition piece comes in a collector’s box and includes documentation: an antique mould catalog.

Order Today

The Special Commission Relative to Designating 1000 Great Places in Massachusetts was created by an Act of the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick whose mission is to identify and recognize the 1000 most truly special places in the Commonwealth, in order to celebrate pride in our history and culture, increase knowledge of our natural surroundings, and encourage regional and international tourism.

On July 12th, 2010 the Commission announced Vaillancourt Folk as one of 136 top places in Central Massachusetts (one of 1,000 for the entire Commonwealth). The entire list is made available from the Telegram & Gazette and Boston Globe.