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Talking Keepsakes: Lynn Norton Reflects on a Hallmark Career – Part 2

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A continuation of Part 1 of this article if you missed it.

HallmarkStarTrekOrnaments.com: Which ornament do you feel best captured the “soul” of its on-screen counterpart?

Lynn Norton: For me, it’s the Enterprise “E” ornament. (There is a lengthy story about its development in interviews with Kevin Dilmore from 2015). 

The first time I saw the “E” was on the big screen. Even though a physical filming model was constructed, the model was digitally recorded and seamlessly joined with CG special effects. The results were stunning and I was pleased to sign my name on a product that accurately depicted the on-screen experience.  

HSTO: How did advances in ornament technology (pig-tail plugs to battery operated) change what you could do over the years?

Norton: Certainly, the transition to battery power opened up a wealth of new design opportunities and ended troublesome issues with pig-tail power. I covered some of those issues in my interview(s) with Kevin Dilmore in 2015. Getting power from miniature light-strings was always problematic and became even more so in the early 2000s when manufacturers of incandescent light-strings stopped production and shifted to LEDs. Older Hallmark ornaments could not be operated with any other power source. Also, getting approval from UL (Underwriters Laboratory) became troublesome and added three months or more to development. Note: UL required testing of finished product that was scheduled for production. If an electrical issue was discovered, design parameters and production tooling had to be revised and retested. Expensive delays. The transition had to be made, sooner or later. 

I eagerly embraced design freedoms and opportunities the transition to batteries allowed, but somewhat saddened that ornaments could no longer be constantly illuminated. That was a very special feature of older ornaments that couldn’t be repeated. 

HSTO: Was there a particular ornament that pushed the limits of what Hallmark had done before?

Norton: Yes, the Deep Space Nine Space Station. Prototyping the “beast” exceeded my grasp. Engineer coworkers came to my rescue. Geometric shapes were digitally rendered so each piece fit together perfectly to assemble the complete structure and properly engage electrical contacts on the display base. A nearby vendor (with rapid-prototyping technology) was contracted to produce each part by “growing” them out of liquid photopolymer. Note: The technology was in its infancy at the time and designed to reproduce much larger items. Details were non-existent and I had to resurface everything to create a “blank canvas” before sculpting textures and fine details. It was a team effort.

HSTO: How much problem-solving went into making ships balance, hang properly, or light evenly?

Norton: Balance was never much of a problem. I simply stabbed the prototype with a #11 blade and let it dangle on the tip until the center-of-gravity was located. Manufacturers were instructed to reposition hooks so the finished ornaments would hang level with batteries installed. Photographs on retail boxes and catalogs are often of prototypes. You may have noticed that hook locations on finished products are sometimes installed in slightly different locations. 

Uniform lighting was difficult to achieve on ornaments that were internally illuminated with tiny incandescent bulbs. The bulbs radiated light in all directions, so it was always challenging to direct it to the desired location and prevent “bleeding” through structures and assembly joints. LED lights are extremely directional, so “bleeding” was seldom a problem. Light could easily be “piped” through dedicated plastic structures and color changed along the way. 

HSTO: Do you have a personal favorite STAR TREK ornament you designed? 

Norton: My personal favorite is ENTERPRISE NX-01. It checked all the boxes. I thoroughly enjoyed how the TV series depicted early deep-space exploration.  The ship design was close to what my younger self imagined a starship should look like. It was a joy to sculpt. Tooling and manufacturing quality were spot-on. I always thought sparkling metallic ornaments looked best because they reflected decorative lighting. My only regret is that we (Hallmark) never issued a lighted version. 

HSTO: Which ship was the most difficult to get right? 

Norton: Decidedly, ENTERPRISE “D” from 1993. ENTERPRISE “D” was the most ambitious ornament design Hallmark had ever undertaken and ultimately challenged my skills as a sculptor/engraver. Reproducing accurate, complex surface details was not commonly required for ornaments of the era. I was scolded for taking too much time to render an original pattern, but when the licensor saw my prototype, they were elated. The project moved forward and I was forgiven for trashing the schedule. 

In 1992, I was on a business trip in Asia and visited the facility that was developing molds and production tooling for the ornament. I almost shit myself when I saw delicate surface details butchered beyond recognition. The tool makers weren’t up to the task of executing such a complex design. Fortunately, I was traveling with a product manager and art-director. They both agreed that everything had to be remade. New molds were developed by a different vendor that faithfully reproduced every detail. The finished product was excellent.  

This story doesn’t end here. Rejected tooling was given to Willitts Designs (owned by Hallmark at the time) and resized to fit into a USS Enterprise Lighted Star Globe. I suppose they didn’t think imperfections would be obvious at a smaller scale. Wrong! Internal lighting and the lensing-effect of a liquid filled, glass globe exaggerated errors. There are probably very few Willitts Star Globes remaining because they tended to leak and flood internal electronics with acidic fluid.

HSTO: Were you involved with the other globes? I believe there was an original Enterprise and a Klingon Bird-of Prey as well?

Norton: Yes, some STAR TREK starship models that appeared in Willitts Star Globes were generated by copying original patterns of Hallmark ornaments. They were reduced in size with pantograph machines by tracing a stylus over every surface while cutting tools at the other end carved smaller versions. I’m certain that the original Enterprise, Enterprise “D” and Klingon Bird of Prey that appeared in Star Globes were developed in this manner. Willitts Designs was owned by Hallmark in the 1990s. It’s uncertain if any of their additional STAR TREK products were produced in the same way. 

There are more stories about Hallmark STAR TREK ornaments used to produce other products, if you’re interested. I’ve never been sure how much of this information is common knowledge. 

HSTO: I know about the screen used ornaments.

Norton: I’m pleased to hear that you know about Hallmark ornaments that appeared in STAR TREK series episodes. I had speculated about this until documentation appeared in a written article on page 674 of the STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE COMPANION book. Kevin Dilmore helped us determine which ornaments were used in Voyager episodes (Voyager and Klingon Bird of Prey ornaments). We think the other Klingon ship on the mobile was a Johnny Lightening toy but no one at Paramount could verify. Your opinion is welcome. 

Another product that remains a mystery was an Enterprise “D” model that was sold by Applause in 1995, branded as STAR TREK: GENERATIONS.

It featured a detachable saucer and display stand. Similarities to the Hallmark 1993 Enterprise “D” ornament caught my attention, so I purchased it for my collection. Upon closer examination, I became convinced that Applause had used an actual Hallmark ornament as a pattern to develop tooling for their ship model. Raised and engraved details (especially on the saucer) were nearly identical to the ornament. The number of windows and escape hatch details were interpretations I’d made during sculpting. Holes for the wire hanger loop, bridge running light and electrical cord were clumsily patched. The deflector appears to have been removed and replaced with a lumpy approximation. Even minor surface imperfections that occurred during manufacturing the ornament were reproduced. 

1995 Applause Model

Everything I’ve outlined here are my personal observations. In late 1995, I submitted a statement and documentation to the Hallmark legal department but do not know if any actions were taken or resolved. It’s my opinion that the 1993 Hallmark ornament was “high jacked” to make a product for another company. Note: Your opinion is welcome. If you have the Applause ship in your collection, one can observe most of what I’ve described without opening or damaging the retail package. Use a magnifying glass and bright light to see for yourself. 

Finally, I’m delighted that you’ve featured the model I sculpted for the STAR TREK: 50 Artists-50 Years gallery on your website. Inlaid, mechanical details on the hull of the U.S.S Bellwether were extracted from a Hallmark, Borg Cube ornament and embedded in the original sculpture. 

HSTO: The only thing that pangs me more than never having a U.S.S Bellwether in my collection is knowing I’ll likely not ever see it on screen.  Speaking of that, how does it feel to see your creations on screen? That has to be somewhat surreal, doesn’t it?

Norton: Even though I created the U.S.S. Bellwether, the design is now the property of CBS/Paramount (whatever) and is theoretically eligible for licensing and reproduction. I’ve hoped to someday see it listed in the official Starfleet registry and maybe even appear in novels and screenplays. Yes, it is surreal to see something I’ve sculpted on screen. It never gets old. 

HSTO: Were there any designs that surprised you in how popular they became?

Norton: That has to be the Borg Cube. Artists and directors at Hallmark (non fans) described it as a lump of coal with bad sound effects. They couldn’t understand why I was so eager to sculpt it. Also, it was only the second starship ornament that featured STAR TREK bad-guys. Many of my peers thought it should not be made into an ornament intended to celebrate the “season of peace and joy.” Ho, ho, ho. “Resistance is futile.”

HSTO: When did you first realize how passionate the collector community was?

Norton: When I attended the 30th anniversary STAR TREK convention in Huntsville, Alabama as an exhibitor. Fans visited the Hallmark booth and were genuinely enthused and complimentary, but then stood in line for hours to get actor’s signatures on ornaments I’d created. I (too) became obsessed with getting “captain’s” autographs on my own fleet of ornaments. That turned out to be an expensive hobby after I retired from Hallmark and lost connections. I have to pay for a ticket and stand in line like anyone else. It’s still a work in progress. 

HSTO: Did fan feedback ever influence future designs or revisits of earlier ships?

Norton: Yes, the Enterprise “A” refit. I submitted fan letters and emails to the Hallmark product-development-team and licensor to help stimulate interest in making it into an ornament. It may have tipped the balance.

 HSTO: Is there a ship you never got a chance to do that you wish you had?

Norton: The Enterprise “B” of course, and some other designs which have since been digitally sculpted by other artists since my participation ended in 2016.

I submitted a Phoenix ship ornament concept shortly after the First Contact movie release. It depicted the Phoenix with light and sound playing the Steppenwolf song, Magic Carpet Ride (1968). I also thought it would be a “hoot” for other artists to design a Phoenix bridge-scene diorama featuring the same song, both ornaments issued in the same year. My concept was not well received.

Engineers speculated that an ornament with enough internal space for electronics and a speaker would be quite large and collide with other ornaments in the retail merchandiser. The proposed ornament was described as a circumcised, flying phallus (they’re words, not mine). Then, where would the hook/hanger be located? Hmmmm. Additional licensing (and royalties) would be required for the song. Needless to say, the Phoenix ornament never got off the ground. “Let the sound take you away.”

HSTO: How do you feel STAR TREK ornament design evolved over the decades you worked on them?

Norton: Retail success of each STAR TREK ornament stimulated interest in producing another, and another. I became more skilled. Tool makers and manufacturers became more capable. Breakthroughs in electronics extended the range of possibilities. Physical filming models were replaced by digital models and digital production. Technology acquisitions at Hallmark made it easier to leverage digital assets to create patterns for ornaments. Digital modeling tools have nearly replaced physical sculpting for licensors and Hallmark. Note: I was unable to make the transition to the digital world, which precipitated my decision to retire in 2006. I’ve continued to sculpt physical patterns in my home-based studio as a contractor. Since retirement, scanning technology has become so robust that hand-carved sculptures and painted prototypes can be converted to digital models with a few keystrokes. I’m still in business.

HSTO: What do you hope collectors notice or appreciate most when they look at your ornaments today?

Norton: That we (Hallmark) exceeded expectations of what decorative, holiday ornaments could be. That our products were well received by STAR TREK collectors and traditional ornament collectors alike. That some ornaments we made are still valued. 

HSTO: How would you like your contribution to STAR TREK to be remembered?

Norton: That my passion for STAR TREK is evident in every stroke of pen, sculpting tool and paint brush. 

HSTO: What has it meant to you to know your work is part of so many fans’ holiday traditions?

Norton: I’m humbled and pleased to have been given the opportunity to create ornaments for the STAR TREK universe. Fanboy did good.

_____________________________________________________________________

I have always believed that Lynn Norton is the reason Star Trek ornaments are still being created by Hallmark artists today. His artistry and extraordinary attention to detail set a standard that continues to inspire and elevate the line decades later. I am genuinely thankful to Lynn for his generosity, his willingness to answer my questions, and the incredible talents he has shared. His work has brought lasting joy to me and to countless collectors, and it continues to be celebrated and cherished to this day. Thank you, Lynn!

Talking Keepsakes: Lynn Norton Reflects on a Hallmark Career – Part 1

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Longtime Hallmark artist and Star Trek ornament pioneer, Lynn Norton, was kind enough to answer questions about his time at Hallmark and I am very pleased to pass along what he shared.

I would also like to recommend a 2015 Lynn Norton interview by Kevin Dilmore on StarTrek.com. It’s filled with fantastic behind-the-scenes insights into Norton’s ornament development, which I deliberately avoided covering again: “Hallmark Sculptor Lynn Norton on the Storied History of Trek Keepsake Ornaments”.

2023 Sky’s The Limit Bulldog Racer

HallmarkStarTrekOrnaments.com: What is Lynn Norton doing nowadays and how is he scratching his artistic itch?

Lynn Norton: I’m still sculpting original patterns for new products from my home-based studio, one contract at a time. In October 2025, I submitted an original sculpture/prototype for a 2027 Hallmark ornament in the “Sky’s the Limit” vintage airplane series. I’ve sculpted all of the airplane ornaments and hope to continue. 

“The person in the photograph of my first-day-on-job was a master engraver responsible for training the new kids. I was being trained to hand-carve metal molds (dies) that are used to emboss greeting cards. It was a trade-craft that was learned by doing.” -Norton

I began my Hallmark career on July 5th, 1966, which is also the year I graduated H.S. and began watching STAR TREK on  TV. My original employment was to be trained as an Engraver, which is what I did for the next 20 years.

“Hallmark remodeled the engraving department in the early 1980s and sold us our old workbenches for $5. I’m still working at that same bench, 60 years later. It has served as the foundation of every one of my ornament creations since 1993.” -Norton

The only other creative endeavor I’ve pursued recently is writing free-verse poetry. My wife, Tina Hacker, is an accomplished poet and encouraged me to start writing during the pandemic. No one was more surprised than I when some of my musings were published.

HSTO: How did you first become involved in designing Star Trek ship ornaments for Hallmark?

Norton: Dumb luck. I was the right person in the right place at the right time. Paramount had invited Hallmark to produce a variety of licensed products to commemorate the upcoming (1991) 25th anniversary of the STAR TREK television series. Artists and directors from greeting cards, party goods and ornaments were asked to develop concepts. Keepsake Ornament designs in that era were mostly seasonal, traditional and whimsical. Concepts submitted for a STAR TREK ornament were no exception. You’ve, no doubt, heard about drawings depicting a cartoonish Enterprise, pointy eared Santa popping out of a hinged bridge dome with garland draped around the saucer.

I was reviewing concepts for the ornament-development-team and the drawings totally freaked me out. I joined forces with editorial director, Tina Hacker in an attempt to convince management that a more realistic design would be better received by fans and collectors. We won the argument and the rest is history. Tina and I were married in 1997 and displayed the Enterprise ornament on our wedding cake as a symbol of our first collaboration and celebration of our next. 

I was assigned to sculpt the Enterprise ornament because of my skills as an engraver and model maker. Artists in the sculpting studio were mostly familiar with manipulating soft materials (clay, wax, fabric) to develop three-dimensional patterns. Numerous former engravers had also joined the studio and we were adding industrial skills and materials to the mix. Our capabilities made finely detailed designs more accessible and increased the range of ornament possibilities. 

The 1991 Enterprise ornament was my first project. I created the original pattern with aluminum-filled epoxy resin, styrene and metal. Rigid materials were perfect for leveraging my engraving skills to produce fine details. Apologies for deeply engraved grid lines on the saucer. Franklin Mint had produced a pewter version of the Enterprise which featured extremely exaggerated details. I was encouraged to sculpt the Hallmark ornament in a similar manner. Due to the successful first ornament, exaggerated detail lines became an expectation on future STAR TREK ship designs. I wasn’t able to convince them otherwise until the 40th anniversary edition in 2006 which, ironically, is the year I retired from Hallmark. 

HSTO: Why were you not involved with the ’92 Galileo yet returned the following year?

Norton: I had surgery to repair a damaged tendon in my dominant arm three weeks before the original sculpture was due. Fellow artist Dillard Rhodus graciously took my assignment in addition to his already heavy workload. I was significantly involved with planning and developing the Galileo ornament but resumption of sculpting had to wait until the following year. Note: Dillard Rhodus was also an engraver whom I’d worked with for many years prior to joining the sculpting studio. He had a lengthy career sculpting numerous Keepsake and STAR WARS ornaments.  

HSTO: What was it about STAR TREK that made it such a long-running part of your career? 

Norton: Frankly, it was probably due to the phenomenal retail success of the first STAR TREK ornament and repeated success in following years. I suppose, Hallmark and the licensor considered my participation to be an essential ingredient. Participation in planning sessions and conference-calls with the licensor became a regular part of my job. Imagine how exciting that was because I’m also a FAN. 

HSTO: What did the design process typically look like from concept to finished ornament?

Norton: At times, this may look like “sausage making” but keep in mind that ornaments are commercial art. Every aspect of development and distribution has a price tag, including esthetic decisions made during sculpting. I’m extremely flattered to be credited for creating ornaments, but I didn’t do it alone. Dozens of anonymous Hallmark professionals contributed their unique talents to each project.  

Hallmark renewed licensing agreements annually. STAR TREK starship ornaments required about 18 months to comfortably get from concept to retail stores due to their complexity, production tooling, electrical components and testing. Each year, artists and directors submitted multiple ornament concepts to the licensor for review, which included cost projections and retail expectations. The licensor, in turn, presented their own ideas depending on which starships were most popular from TV series, feature films and promotions for significant milestones. Negotiations commenced and agreements were made. 

Once an ornament concept was selected, scheduling began for each stage of development. When I was given a sculpting assignment, the licensor provided me with behind-the-scenes information, drawings and photographs. While studying these resources, it was not uncommon to discover inconsistencies. Physical and digital models were often modified at-the-last-minute prior to filming, so it was important to validate images that actually ended up on TV or big screens. I also examined competitors’ products to see what they got right and what they got wrong. 

Before starting each project, I consulted with a product-development-engineer to determine a cost-effective strategy for manufacturing, decorating and packaging. Providing enough space for internal electrical components was always challenging. My preliminary drawings were esthetically adjusted to satisfy all requirements and reviewed by art directors. Sculpting and prototyping commenced. 

My first sculpting task was to render all of the basic component shapes and get approval to proceed from Hallmark and the licensor. Once that was accomplished, surface details were added and the finished sculpture submitted for review. The approved sculpture was then disassembled and sent to a molding facility to develop RTV rubber molds and resin duplicates. The first set of molded duplicates were used to create a fully decorated/assembled prototype. The prototype was then reviewed by Hallmark and the licensor. (It was extremely important that prototypes were visually accurate. They often got photographed for catalogs, retail boxes, publications and promotional materials before actual product was available). Final approval by the licensor set production development in motion. More duplicates were molded and painted to be identical to the original prototype. Drawings and technical notes were generated to inform mold-makers and manufacturers. Comprehensive packages were assembled and offered to potential vendors to bid on manufacturing. The approved ornament design was then placed with a vendor and scheduled for manufacturing. My work was done until samples of the finished product were submitted to Hallmark and the licensor for review. In mid-July, the buying frenzy began at Hallmark stores. Artists were scheduled for appearances and ornament signing events at retail stores and conventions. Phew!

HSTO: How much time did you have to work on the ’91 Enterprise?  

Norton: As I recall, about 75 hours. The original Enterprise design incorporated geometric shapes. I was able to fabricate most of its features with a miniature lathe and milling machine. Surface details were rendered with hand-tools. 

HSTO: How closely did you work from studio references versus on-screen footage?

Norton: In most cases, STAR TREK ships were only viewed by the general public on TVs and in feature films. My intent was to create ornaments that appeared the same as ones seen on screen. Resources from the licensor were invaluable. Blueprints and documentation of filming-models (physical and digital) helped me determine shapes and details that weren’t apparent in screen-shots. Publications and other consumer products were also useful as references, but some were dubious. Nothing could compare with source material(s). 

HSTO: What were the biggest challenges in translating a full-size starship into an ornament-scale design? 

Norton: Deciding what details to keep and what to leave out. I’ve always respected artists that could define “character” in drawings with single lines without the benefits of shadow and color. I took my cues from them. 

HSTO: How much freedom did you have creatively, and where were you most restrained?

Norton: The only creative freedom I exercised was choosing colors for the finished product(s). Even that prompted negotiations with art-directors. The licensor would often send color-chips of paint used on physical filming models. The colors were very dull, flat and grey. When illuminated with bright lights on a stark, black background they took on completely different characteristics. If we (Hallmark) had applied those colors to STAR TREK ship ornaments, they would have looked like something dug up in the garden. Model makers know that the smaller the scale, the more white pigment needs to be added to achieve scale-accurate colors (there’s even a formula). Finally, I had to select colors that were attractive in retail displays as well as hiding under a tree branch. All in a day’s work. 

HSTO: STAR TREK fans are famously detail-oriented—how did that influence your design decisions?

Norton: I am a fan; thrilled to have been in a position to create STAR TREK products that I would be proud to own, display and share with other fans. 

HSTO: Were there ever details you wanted to include but couldn’t due to size, cost or engineering constraints?

Norton: Often. A recent example was the 2016 anniversary-edition Enterprise ornament. The concept was planned to be decorated with a mirror-bright gold finish called vacuum-metalizing (a.k.a.vacuum-plating) but the process is very expensive and problematic in production due to spoilage. Easily, 10% or more of produced items have to be discarded due to imperfections. In addition, not all manufacturers have the capability. If awarded the manufacturing contract, some vendors would have to sub-contract the decoration process. My creative director was uncertain if the bright gold finish would be possible (or affordable) and encouraged me to choose gold-metallic paint as an alternative. The ornament prototype was painted with gold-metallic paint and photographed for retail boxes, catalogs and promotional publications. No one was more surprised than I when mirror-bright Enterprise ornaments were unveiled at Ornament Premiere in Hallmark stores. 

Look for Talking Keepsakes: Lynn Norton Reflects on a Hallmark Career – Part 2 next week.

1993 Promotion Guide

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Third-In-A-Series STAR TREK® Ornament Will Have Customers Flying to Your Store!

Trekkers, Keepsake Ornament Collectors and Christmas enthusiasts of all kinds are all looking forward to the landing of your third-in-a-series, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION*™ U.S.S. Enterprise™ Keepsake Magic Ornament.

This kit provides all the materials you will need to promote this special product early and throughout the holiday season.

TV Beams News of U.S.S. Enterprise

National television advertising that announces the local landing of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION U.S.5. Enterprise begins August 23 through September 19. TV commercials will air on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and STAR TREK Deep Space Nine (in syndication) and local reruns of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and the classic STAR TREK series.

A color print ad will run in the following magazines: STAR TREK: The Official Fan Club (Sept./Oct.); STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION (August); STAR TREK: Deep Space Nine (July); Starlog (Sept.); and Arts & Entertainment (Sept.).

How To Promote The Ornament

You can begin promoting the U.S.S. Enterprise™ Keepsake Magic Ornament with your colorful pre-printed bag stuffers which are available open stock and shipped separately from this kit.

As soon as your ornaments arrive, you can begin planning how to promote this ornament. Your support kit includes everything you’ll need. Here’s what’s included:

1 20″ x 30″ Window Poster
1 8″x 10″ Photographic Sign
1 Ad Slick
1 Center Focus Sign
1 Miniature Oval Caption Sign
1 Outpost Merchandiser Panel
1 Insert/Base Sign
6 Sales Associate Buttons
1 Promotion Guide
1 Display Ornament.

  • Bag Stuffers are available open stock, 413RCB369–500 in @ $7.Begin distribution during August and continue to December to encourage customers to return for the ornament.
  •   Place your 20″ x 30″ window poster in your wooden floor stand at the front of your store or use it in your front window or on your front door.
  •   Display your 8″ x 10″ sign in an acrylic holder at your cash wrap end-of-aisle or in some other prominent location.
  •   Order print advertising. Be sure to include your store name, address, hours and any other important intorma tion you want customers to know. For maximum effective-ness, plan to run your ad at least twice.
  •   Using the new outpost merchandiser (950DH9919) shipped with your Keepsake Ornaments, assemble the merchandiser using the panel insert and signing included in this kit. Place center focus sign in your Keepsake Ornament display.
  • On August 21, build your end-of-aisle display to coincide with the national advertising.

Inform Your Sales Associates!

Make sure that each of your Sales Associates knows about this new ornament. Demonstrate how the merchandiser works (ornament lights when button is pushed), and discuss the success of the first two STAR TREK® ornaments in your store.

Train your staff to inform customers about the arrival of the ornament in your store.

Make The Most Of This Promotion.

Send bag stuffers to your customer mailing list.

Place a framed bag stuffer within your Keepsake Ornament display.

Investigate cross-promotion opportunities with local retailers who sell STAR TREK collectibles and posters.

To encourage add-on sales, display along side STAR TREK cards, stickers and puzzle.

2025 Beware the Borg! Audio Revealed

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Listen to the audio from 31:46-34:50.

AUDIO 1

WORF: Sir, reading unidentified vessel just entering sensor range. Bearing two one zero mark one five one.
PICARD: Mister Worf, dispatch a subspace message to Admiral Hanson. We have engaged the Borg. 
WORF: Captain, you are being hailed. 
PICARD: I am? 
WORF: Yes, Captain. By name.
PICARD: On screen. I am Jean Luc Pic…
BORG [OC]: Jean Luc Picard, captain of the Starship Enterprise, registry NCC 1701D, you will lower shields and prepare to transport yourself aboard our vessel. If you do not cooperate, we will destroy your ship.
PICARD: You have committed acts of aggression against the United Federation of Planets. If you do not withdraw immediately…
BORG: You will surrender yourself or we will destroy your ship.
RIKER: What the hell do they want with you? 
SHELBY: I thought they weren’t interested in human life forms, only our technology. 
PICARD: Their priorities seem to have changed.

AUDIO 2

BORG: Captain Jean Luc Picard, you lead the strongest ship of the Federation fleet. You speak for your people. 
PICARD: I have nothing to say to you, and I will resist you with my last ounce of strength. 
BORG: Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. We wish to improve ourselves. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours. 
PICARD: Impossible. My culture is based on freedom and self determination. 
BORG: Freedom is irrelevant. Self determination is irrelevant. You must comply. 
PICARD: We would rather die. 
BORG: Death is irrelevant. Your archaic cultures are authority driven. To facilitate our introduction into your societies, it has been decided that a human voice will speak for us in all communications. You have been chosen to be that voice.

AUDIO 3

RIKER: The Captain? 
DATA: We were unable to retrieve him, sir. Sir, The Captain has been altered by the Borg. 
RIKER: Altered? 
WORF: He is a Borg. 
LAFORGE: Commander, reading subspace field fluctuations from within the Borg ship. Looks like they’re regenerating, restoring power. They could be capable of warp any minute. 
RIKER: Is the deflector ready? 
LAFORGE: It’s ready. 
CRUSHER: Will, he’s alive. If we could get him back to the ship, I might be able to restore…
RIKER: This is our only chance to destroy them. If they get back into warp, our weapon is useless. Prepare to fire. 
WORF: Sir, we are being hailed by the Borg. 
RIKER: On screen. 
PICARD [on viewscreen]: I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us. 
RIKER: Mister Worf. Fire.

Artist Inspirations: Seven of Nine (2025)

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Seven of Nine 2000 promotional image.
2025 Seven of Nine ornament.

October 2025 marks the arrival of our second-ever Seven of Nine Hallmark ornament—this time in a miniature format. It’s been a full 25 years since the release of the original Seven ornament, which featured our favorite former Borg in her iconic blue catsuit. That earlier design drew inspiration directly from Star Trek: Voyager promotional imagery and quickly became a fan favorite. This year’s ornament inspiration, however, seems to take a different approach altogether. Rather than revisiting familiar promo shots, the new miniature appears to draw from a more recent source: the highly detailed EXO-6 1/6 scale Seven of Nine figure released in 2022. That collectible included a range of interchangeable hand options and showcased an attention to character-specific detail that seems echoed in this latest ornament. 

This 1:6-scale figure re-creates this iconic character in exquisite 1:6 detail. Standing approximately 11.5 inches tall, every element, from her purple cat suit and matching holsters for phaser and tricorder to the Borg implants, is authentically reproduced. The original portrait sculpt of Jeri Ryan has an authentic, hand-painted likeness. –EXO-6.com

Images by Michael Crawford, Captain Toy

By simply removing the holster, the ornament is a near perfect match of EXO-6 Seven of Nine figure promotional image.

2025 Seven of Nine ornament (left). EXO6 action figure (right).

The Seven of Nine ornament will be in Hallmark Stores on October 11, 2025 and will retail for $12.99.

Hallmark Star Trek Storytellers Script

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Any two ornaments from the 2020-2022 Hallmark Star Trek Storytellers collection would provide a quick back and forth between characters using sound clips from the Star Trek episode Mirror, Mirror. Introduce another ornament and a new experience was revealed. To get the full nine minute and twenty second experience you needed all eight Storytellers ornaments.

Below (page 2) is the complete eight-ornament Star Trek Storytellers script followed by a transcript of the episode Mirror, Mirror highlighting all the dialogue that can be heard in the Hallmark Storytellers collection.

Pages: 1 2

Hallmark Star Trek Artists

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  • Jake Angell

    2016 ”The Man Trap”
    2017 U.S.S. Franklin
    2020 Kirk Storyteller
    2020 Enterprise Storyteller
    2021 Spock Storyteller
    2021 HMS Bounty
    2022 McCoy Storyteller
    2023 The Hand of Apollo
    2024 Spock (Miniature)

  • Robert Chad

    2018 Arex and M’Ress

  • Julie Forsyth

    2009 Ilia Probe

  • Alex Ho

    2024 U.S.S. Ent. NCC-1701 Refit (Miniature)

  • Rich LaPierre

    1999 Enterprise (Blown Glass)

  • Emma Leturgez-Smith

    2018 Tricorder
    2023 U.S.S. Enterprise Tabletop Decoration
    2023 Kirk (miniature)
    2025 Beware the Borg! Table Decoration

  • Pedro Martin

    2017 Picard and Data1

  • Lynn Norton

    1991 Enterprise
    1993 Enterprise D
    1994 Klingon Bird of Prey
    1995 The Ships of Star Trek
    1996 Romulan Warbird
    1996 Voyager
    1996 Enterprise & Galileo (Enterprise)
    1997 Defiant
    1998 Enterprise E
    1999 Rio Grande
    2000 Borg Cube
    2001 Deep Space Nine
    2001 Starfleet Legends (Enterprise E, Voyager, and Defiant)
    2002 Delta Flyer
    2002 Enterprise NX-01
    2003 The Scorpion (w/ Anita Marra Rogers)
    2004 Vulcan Command Ship
    2005 Enterprise A
    2006 Enterprise
    2007 Future Enterprise D
    2008 Reliant
    2009 Klingon Battle Cruiser
    2010 Enterprise (Kelvin)
    2011 Romulan Bird of Prey
    2011 Defiant
    2012 Enterprise D
    2013 Kelvin
    2013 Kelvin (Damaged)
    2015 Enterprise C
    2016 Enterprise Pilot (Gold)
    2016 Enterprise Pilot (Painted)
    2017 Enterprise C (Damaged)
    2019 ISS Enterprise

  • Don Palmiter

    2008 ”The Trouble with Tribbles”

  • Dill Rhodus

    1992 Galileo
    1996 Enterprise & Galileo (Galileo)

  • Anita Marra Rogers

    1995 Picard
    1995 Kirk
    1996 Spock
    1996 Riker
    1997 McCoy
    1997 Data
    1998 Janeway
    1999 Worf
    2000 Seven of Nine
    2000 Worf (Blown Glass)
    2001 Sisko
    2001 Q (Blown Glass)
    2002 The Doctor
    2003 The Scorpion (w/ Lynn Norton
    2003 Archer
    2003 T’Pol
    2004 Tucker
    2004 ”The City on the Edge of Forever”
    2005 Khan
    2005 Locutus of Borg
    2006 The Transporter Chamber
    2007 Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
    2007 Uhura Red
    2009 ”The Menagerie”
    2009 Uhura Gold
    2010 ”Amok Time”
    2010 Kirk Legend
    2011 Spock Legend
    2012 McCoy Legend
    2013 Scotty Legend
    2014 Sulu Legend
    2015 Uhura Legend
    2016 Chekov Legend

  • Valerie Shanks

    2011 ”Mirror, Mirror”
    2012 ”An Extraordinary Meeting”
    2013 ”Arena”
    2014 ”Devil in the Dark”
    2014 Vina
    2015 ”The Needs of the Many”

  • Orville Wilson

    2014 Vengeance
    2016 ”To Boldly Go”
    2019 Transporter2
    2025 Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator Arcade Game

  • Uncredited Keepsake Ornaments

    1999 Stamp
    2004 Insignias
    2008 Communicator
    2009 Phaser
    2018 Enterprise
    2018 Discovery
    2019 Enterprise Refit
    2019 Saru & Burnham
    2019 Tribble
    2020 Tribble
    2020 Uhura Storyteller
    2020 Sulu Storyteller
    2021 Chekov Storyteller
    2021 La Sirena
    2022 Scotty Storyteller
    2023 Data’s Ode to Spot
    2023 “Relics”
    2023 Badgey
    2023 U.S.S. Enterprise (miniature)
    2024 Captain Christopher Pike
    2024 Dr. Beverly Crusher
    2024 The Keeper
    2024 “Unification II”
    2024 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-B
    2024 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-B, Nexus Damage
    2025 Holographic Janeway
    2025 U.S.S. Titan
    2025 Guinan
    2025 Ensigns Beckett Mariner and Bradward Boimler
    2025 U.S.S. Voyager
    2025 Seven of Nine

  • Uncredited Hallmark Branded Ornaments

    2016 Maxine
    2017 Spock (QUOG)
    2018 Kirk (QUOG)
    2018 Spock (Decoupage)
    2018 Shuttlecraft (Decoupage)
    2021 Enterprise
    2021 Picard
    2022 Transporter Snow Globe

  1. Digital DreamBook, Artist Profile: “He has also worked on other licensed properties having designed the 2017 Jean-Luc Picard and Lieutenant Commander Data Star Trek magic ornament.”
  2. In July of 2018, Hallmark’s website originally credited the Transporter incorrectly to Rodney Gentry.

Unification II Ornament Transcription

1 Reply

Spock: You have an efficient intellect, superior physical skills, no emotional impediments. There are Vulcans who aspire all their lives to achieve what you’ve been given by design.

Data: Hm. – You are half Human?

Spock: Yes.

Data: Yet you have chosen a Vulcan way of life?

Spock: I have.

Data: In effect, you have abandoned what I have sought all my life.

{…}

Data: Ambassador Spock, may I ask a personal question?

Spock: Please.

Data: As you examine your life, do you find you have missed your humanity? Spock: I have no regrets.

Data: “No regrets”. That is a human expression.

Spock: Yes… Fascinating.

Hallmark Star Trek Reissues Are Coming!

1 Reply

Reissues of the 2018 U.S.S. Discovery and the 2019 U.S.S. Enterprise are being reissued and available again this fall. The reissued Keepsake ornaments will be available on Hallmark.com and the Hallmark Keepsake Store on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.  The ornaments will be available at $5.89 less than what they retailed when they were originally released. Are these true reissues and will they be date 2024 or are they overstock? Unknown. Will they have new packaging? Unclear. Will they have new product codes? The Enterprise is currently listed with its original code (QXI3659) while the Discovery is attached with a new one (was QXI3239, now QXI3326). Both ornaments are listed to be anvailable online beginning October 1st according to Digital Dream Book.

2018 U.S.S. DISCOVERY NCC-1031
2019 U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701

087b. U.S.S. Discovery™
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY™

A Crossfield-class starship operated by the Federation Starfleet in the 23rd century, On ornament: U.S.S. DISCOVERY NCC-1031.
Press the button on the ornament to see the ship light up!

Released: 2018 (Ornament Premiere), 2024 (Oct. 1)
Retail Price: $32.99 USA/$43.99 CAN (2018), $27.10 USA (2024)
Magic light: Battery operated. (3) LR41 batteries
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 3.03″ w. x 0.71″ h. x 7.08″ d.
SKU: QXI3326
Produced in: China

094b. U.S.S. Enterprise™ NCC-1701
STAR TREK: The Motion Picture™

Originally a 40th anniversary and now a 45th anniversary ornament.

The refit version of the U.S.S. Enterprise launched to face the cosmic entity known as V’Ger. Boasting updates to its warp nacelles and overall design, this Enterprise was introduced in 1979’s “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.”
Press the button on the ornament to see the ship light up!

Released: 2019 (Ornament Premiere), 2024 (Oct. 1)
Retail Price: $32.99 USA/$43.99 CAN (2019), $27.10 USA (2024)
Magic light: Battery operated. (3) LR41 batteries
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 2.6″ w. x 1.32″ h. x 5.7″ d.
SKU: QXI3659
Produced in: China

2017 Hallmark Dream Book Available Online

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You can now see this year’s Hallmark Dream Book online.

STAR TREK BEYOND™ U.S.S. Franklin™ Ornament With Light
Regular price $32.95

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Discovered half-buried on an alien world more than a century after its launch from Earth, the U.S.S. Franklin proved its worth to Captain Kirk and the stranded crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise in 2016’s STAR TREK BEYOND™. This Christmas ornament brings the ship to life with handcrafted detailing and lighting effect. Battery-operated light feature includes three replaceable LR41 batteries. Learn more about Keepsake Ornaments.
Christmas tree ornament.
Magic Light.
Press button to see the ship light up.
Dated 2017 in copyright.
Battery operated. Three (3) LR41 batteries included.
Pre-packaged for easy gift-giving, preservation and storage.
3.5″ W x 1.1″ H x 5.15″ D

STAR TREK: The Next Generation™ Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lieutenant Commander Data Sound Ornament
Regular price $29.95

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
A Christmas ornament that captures the essence of operations aboard the bridge of the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D with Captain Jean-Luc Picard at the helm? Make it so! Fans of STAR TREK: The Next Generation™ won’t want to miss this cool decoration that also features beloved android Lieutenant Commander Data and dialogue from the show. Battery-operated sound feature includes two replaceable LR44 batteries. Learn more about Keepsake Ornaments.
Christmas tree ornament.
Magic Sound.
Press button to hear dialogue from the TV series.
Dated 2017 in copyright.
Battery operated. Two (2) LR44 batteries included.
Pre-packaged for easy gift-giving, preservation and storage.
3.9″ W x 5.1″ H x 3.3″ D