MADISON, Wis., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ — The Guild, Inc. is presenting its largest-ever collection of artist-made ornaments for the 2006 holiday season. Fifty-six of the 92 ornaments are new this year.
The Guild’s collection also includes returning customer favorites such as “Murrini Sphere” by Ralph Mossman and Mary Mullaney and the “Blue New Mexico” ornament — a Guild exclusive by renowned glass artist Josh Simpson that sells out every year. Overall, 30 artists are represented in the collection.
“This is almost two times the assortment of ornaments we had last year,” The Guild’s president, Michael Baum, said. “The bulk of our ornaments are blown glass, but we have increased our ceramic offerings for 2006. We also have more variety in shape, color, style, and technique.”
The popular “Funky Chicken” ornament is back, now being produced in yellow by Guild artist Cheryl McKenney. The Guild has also added fused glass to its collection this year — the lollipop-like “Candy House” ornaments by Richard Parrish of Fusio, Fused Art Glass. Also new are frosted blown glass ornaments by Ann Mills of Moonlight Inspirations, and colorful, nature-inspired blown glass orbs by Tom Stoenner.
“We’ve added several new blown-glass animals by Phyllis S. Clarke which she makes by shaping the glass with hand tools as it’s being blown,” Baum said. “They’re just some of the many fun shapes available this year including cubes, peppers, and squiggles. They’re great as corporate and hostess gifts, and as collectibles. It’s an excellent way to own a piece of art at a reasonable price, and they’re created by some of the finest glass and ceramic artists in the field today.”
Eighty-one of the ornaments are currently available at http://www.guild.com/ornaments.html and through The Guild’s Holiday 2006 catalog, The Artful Home(R). The remaining ornaments will be added to the website when The Guild’s holiday gift catalog is mailed in November.
The Guild, Inc.(R) is the leading online retailer of original art and fine craft items shipped direct to customers from the studios of top North American artists. The Guild’s catalogs, The Artful Home and Artful(TM) Jewelry, present collections carefully selected from the 11,000 items available through The Guild’s website. Since 1985, The Guild has also published annual sourcebooks helping design professionals locate commissionable artists for special projects.
CONTACT: Julie Kolka, Manager of Public Relations and Partnerships, The Guild, Inc., +1-608-227-4105, jkolka@guild.com
