Christmas Collectables: Jim Shore

Any diehard Christmas fan will be more than aware of the wonderful work from Jim Shore. In this post we delve in to the history of this iconic brand and go behind the scenes of Jim’s artistic process.

Jim Shore grew up in the South Carolina countryside, the son of artistic parents, he was instilled with a love of American folk art from an early age.

Jim originally embarked on a career as an engineer but his love for art and drawing led him to pursue his artistic abilities further. A chance meeting at a trade show, Jim and his wife met a casting operator who began casting and filling his orders for unique resin ornaments. Soon finding themselves with many orders to fill, Jim and Jan started casting his artwork in the shed next to his house in South Carolina.

Jim wanted to take his creations to the world and approached Enesco with his portfolio of works. At first Enesco rejected Jim but after much persistence, he had a deal memo for a contract. In 2001 Jim and Enesco entered an agreement to create Heartwood Creek by Jim Shore, the line of folk-art inspired accessories that has brought him world-wide fame.

PASSIONATE ABOUT THE PROCESS

I’m passionate about what I do, each piece is a new and different challenge. And I bring the same care and attention to a mini or an ornament that I do to a larger, more elaborate design. You see, I don’t just love the end result, I love the process of creating.

– Jim Shore

These days, Jim is a legend in the giftware industry, inspiring retailers and consumers alike with an enduring body of work based on tradition, family, and love of country. Jim’s unmistakable style combines a diverse colour palette with timeless design drawn from images of American and European folk-art forms, including quilting, rosemaling, and tole painting. His fresh new interpretation of traditional motifs has international appeal and works with a variety of themes and formats, including Jim’s successful partnerships with iconic brands like Disney, Peanuts, Coca Cola, and most recently The Grinch.

Jim still resides in South Carolina designing and creating new pieces as part of his ever increasing range.

Which Jim Shore piece is your favourite?

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