Seminars

Program Sessions (Seminars)

Note: Click on Presenter's name below to go to their bio page

Date & Time	Room 1	Room 2
April 28, 2006 Friday 10:15 am - 11:15 am	Leigh Gieringer “Techniques for Displaying Bridges and Blue Water Bases” Create an effective river scene to showcase those large bridges; and how to make realistic settings using pieces which sit on blue bases.	Pat and John Ehrenreich - “Make it Easy” “Festival at the Inn Display” In this, “How to” seminar, Pat Ehrenreich and her husband, John, will demonstrate various display assembly and easy foam carving techniques they used to make the D56 vignette display for the Gathering’s Auction. Long time collector or novice, you will leave this seminar with the knowledge you need to make any size display easily for any village - and with unique details.
April 28, 2006 Friday 11:30 am - 12:30 pm	Esme Gibson "Esme's easy steps to improve your village photograpy" During her seminar, Esme will show you easy tips and tricks to improve your general photography and then how to apply them to photographing your Department 56 displays. A wide variety of examples will give you ideas to "borrow" for your own displays as well as inspiration for your pictures. The seminar is useful for all levels of photographers from "point and shooters" to pros.	Secondary Market Panel A panel discussion will take place with long-time secondary dealers June & Harry McGowan from AZ, store owner and secondary dealer, Rich Smythe from WI, and an avid collector, Doug Latta from IL. Topics will include the current status of the secondary market as well as other related issues. This session will be interactive and informative to all participants.
April 28, 2006 Friday 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm	Bryon Shroats "Foam Carving in All its Glory" Learn foam carving from an expert! Bryon will demonstrate a wide variety of tools from different suppliers by creating a wide variety of mountains and icicles, including techniques such as the starburst. Included will be a DVD featuring some of the displays he has created as a Dept. 56 decorator. Finally, an extravagant North Pole display will be unveiled.	Pattie Murphy "Many mini-tips to Give Your Village That 'Lived-In' Look" It’s the little things you add to your village that make a big impact! Pattie offers easy and fun display tips and tricks to improve, expand and add that “lived-in” look to your village displays. She has done many standing-room only seminars at the Southern Regional, Texas Round-Up, and Williamsburg Gatherings. Let Pattie and her crew help you create a display setting that is uniquely yours.
April 28, 2006 Friday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm	Linda Kruger "Making of a magazine, Village D-Lights" Passionate Collector, Casual Collector, Nester, or Gift Buyer: Which are you and which correlates best with Villaging? Learn how this information helped Pioneer Communications to create a new magazine for Villagers.	Tim Stephenson "From The Sidewalk to the Golf Course" Ever wondered how to add a golf course to your village? Tim will show you how to create the illusion in just a small area, with putting green and all! How about creating a mountain in just minutes? Come see the new product by Woodland Scenics called “Ready Grass” vinyl mat. As simple as rolling it out, decorate and place your houses on it. Then roll it up and save it for next year. Also see “Magic Brick”. Create pathways, walkways, brick walls in no time at all. Tim will create different projects before your eyes - in just minutes! Got a question about making displays, Tim will open the floor to questions so you can ask the expert.
April 29, 2006 Saturday 9:00 am - 10:00 am	Bill Shadid, Department 56 “Lighting and Technology in the Dept 56 Villages” Learn about all of the exciting new display solutions technologies that Department 56 has introduced, such as the new Display Anywhere Lighting that can be used in both new and older buildings, the new remote control that you can use to operate Display Anywhere Lighting and the new Buildings & Accessories Lighting System that enables you to light up to 9 buildings and 3 accessories with one normal plug - that's right, get rid of those adapters! Bill will talk about these new products in detail, have prototypes to demonstrate how to use them and will take any questions that you may have.	Doug Latta "Variations" Are you a Dept56 collector that would like to learn about Dept56 variations? Many early Dept56 items were produced with a different color, different mold, or were different sizes. Discussion will include variation comparisons and the effect in the secondary market. Not only will you have an opportunity to learn about the variations but you will also be able to view examples. Examples will include lighted buildings and accessories from the Snow Village collection as well as the Heritage collection. At the end of the program, attendees may view the different variations.
April 29, 2006 Saturday 10:15 am - 11:15 am	Bryon Shroats "Foam Carving in All its Glory" Learn foam carving from an expert! Bryon will demonstrate a wide variety of tools from different suppliers by creating a wide variety of mountains and icicles, including techniques such as the starburst. Included will be a DVD featuring some of the displays he has created as a Dept. 56 decorator. Finally, an extravagant North Pole display will be unveiled.	Pat Ehrenreich "You Gotta Shop Around" “You Gotta Shop Around” is all about personalizing your village and having fun while you make your displays. Pat shops year round and she has updated her seminar with new finds and techniques. You will learn how to enhance your display - large or small - in several ways. You will get shopping tips as well as display tips/techniques for D56 and non-D56 houses/accessories, landscaping, water variations and how to make it when you cannot find what you want or what you have does not fit. This is a fun and entertaining seminar that will provide you with lots of tips and quick, easy ideas for your next displays.
April 29, 2006 Saturday 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm	Leigh Gieringer "Weathering and Aging Enhances Displays" Make your display come alive by weathering and aging fences, tombstones and other accessories. The techniques are perfect for spooky Halloween, a weathered New England waterfront and aging an old London setting. It adds realism and interest to the scene.	Tim Stephenson "From The Sidewalk to the Golf Course" Ever wondered how to add a golf course to your village? Tim will show you how to create the illusion in just a small area, with putting green and all! How about creating a mountain in just minutes? Come see the new product by Woodland Scenics called “Ready Grass” vinyl mat. As simple as rolling it out, decorate and place your houses on it. Then roll it up and save it for next year. Also see “Magic Brick”. Create pathways, walkways, brick walls in no time at all. Tim will create different projects before your eyes - in just minutes! Got a question about making displays, Tim will open the floor to questions so you can ask the expert.
April 29, 2006 Saturday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm	Esme Gibson "Esme's easy steps to improve your village photograpy" During her seminar, Esme will show you easy tips and tricks to improve your general photography and then how to apply them to photographing your Department 56 displays. A wide variety of examples will give you ideas to "borrow" for your own displays as well as inspiration for your pictures. The seminar is useful for all levels of photographers from "point and shooters" to pros.	Melinda Seegers, Department 56 “Department 56: The Last 30 Years of the Villages” Take a virtual tour of the first thirty years of the Villages with Melinda as she shares photos of unique and memorable products, and stories of Village items that you may remember, may own or always wanted to know about. This will also be a great time to ask questions!