Happy Houseful Cookie Jar

Welcome, March, it’s so nice to see you! Let’s start the month off on a great note, shall we? That’s right, with a fabulous cookie jar giveaway.

I love everything about our Happy Houseful Cookie Jar, featured in our Easter catalog–the colors, the incredible form, the characters, and the overall emotion. I love that it represents a humble home filled with love.

Once again, our Creative Director Ronnie Kell has designed a one-of-a-kind keepsake for us filled with intricate detail, emotion, and character. Similar to our other collectible cookie jars, this jar underwent an extensive creation process–multiple ceramic molds and firings and color tests before it was hand-painted and glazed and ready for production.

Of course, my favorite thing about Ronnie’s cookie jar designs are all those little details. It seems that every time I look at one of these jars, I find a new little component to appreciate. As you can see, this jar is truly a work of art. My favorite detail? I’m drawn to that smile on the Mama Bunny’s face–so subtle and sweet.

How would you like this keepsake (filled with my gourmet cookies, of course) for your countertop? I’m giving one away to a lucky reader. Enter to win by leaving a comment that answers this question: What’s your favorite detail on the Happy Houseful Cookie Jar?

Bonus! Earn extra entries by spreading the word about this giveaway. How?
1. Mention this post on your facebook page. (Use the handy link below.)
2. Tweet a link to this post on your Twitter page. (Again, the handy link below.)
3. Link and mention this post on your own blog.

Please leave a new comment for every entry!

(Entries will be accepted until midnight, Sunday, March 7th.)

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Our holiday catalog will hit mailboxes next week, but today we’re offering these keepsakes to our blog readers with a delicious discount! That’s right, today these items are on sale for YOU at 15% off! Next week, they go back to their regular pricing!

Get a jump start on your holiday shopping and snatch up one of these collectibles today! By the way, did you know that you can order now, but have the gift delivered later in the season? It’s true! You choose the date. The early bird gets the worm and the early shopper gets the best deals!

Holiday Express Cookie Jar

Playful Prancer Cookie Jar

Playful Polar Friends Bowl

Shop away, dear readers, shop away; these are destined to be bestsellers! To receive your discount, use code 9WCP at checkout.

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So, obviously I was excited then when I received an email this week from one of our customers and readers, Danielle. She sent me some photos of her Halloween decor, which happens to include several of our decorative pieces. I asked if I could feature them here, to give you an idea of how easily our gifts can be incorporated into your own decorations.

Five of the decorative pieces here are from Mrs. Fields Gifts. FIVE! I think they look amazing, don’t you? Our cookie jars, decorative tins, and ceramic bowls are part of Danielle’s annual decorations and have become keepsakes. I’ve got to be honest here, I feel like a proud parent. Like, Oh look at those precious jars and tins and bowls of mine out there in the real world looking so fabulous!

Does that make me weird? Actually, don’t answer that.

Anyway, Danielle’s email gave me a great idea. I’d love to see pictures of your Halloween decorations (especially if you’ve got pieces from Mrs. Fields)! Send your photos to mrsfields[at]mrsfieldssecrets[dot]com and I’ll feature them here on the Mrs. Fields Secrets blog! Plus, I’ll send you a 20% off discount to shop for more keepsakes at Mrs. Fields Gifts as a token of my appreciation. So, come on and show off your Halloween style!

Thank you for sharing these photos, Danielle! Your home is beautiful.

One more thing–are you howling over Danielle’s decorations? Some of them are still available.

Check them out (clockwise) here, here, here, and here!

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And every cookie jar has a story behind it.  

For example, the Creepy Cottage Cookie Jar in the fall catalog is the star that began in development over a year ago. Ronnie was inspired by childhood memories of the story of Hansel and Gretel who happen upon an enchanted cottage filled with delicious treats. Well, the idea of the cottage took hold and soon he was sketching dragon scale shingles, spider webs, black cats, and a crumbly chimney–a whimsical Halloween version of the cottage, with just the right amount of creepy and cute!

Below, on the left, is Ronnie’s sketch, which he turned over to the sculptor. On the right is the sculptor’s “rough clay” rendition of the image, made and photographed for approval. Pretty cool, huh?(Seriously, this is like watching the making of Jurassic Park!) Once the sculpture has been approved, it is turned over to a mold-maker who begins a highly-technical and painstaking process of creating a mold. This particular jar actually required 15 different molds because of all of the attachments, such as the black cat and ghost on the roof. (Each little “extra” requires another mold.)

By the way, did you know that there are only a handful of factories in the world who employ mold makers skilled enough to make a jar such as this? It’s true. 

Back to the story: liquid clay is poured into the molds and left to set. Once dry, each mold is carefully cleaned by hand to remove any lines. This partially dried clay is now called “greenware” and all the attachments are now put together by hand (using water to create an adhesive). Next, it takes a six-hour bake in a 980 degree centigrade kiln. When it comes out, it is now referred to as “whiteware” because the green clay has turned white! The whiteware jar is now ready for color and more approvals from Ronnie. Skilled painters hand-paint each jar and send it to the kiln again for another six-hour bake before it gets a clear coat glaze (for that beautiful shine!) and one more trip to the kiln–this time at 1000 degrees centigrade! (Holy hotness, Batman!)

A sample jar is finally created! By the time it reaches Ronnie’s hands, he’s ready to wrap it in a baby blanket and feed it a warm bottle! It’s a real labor of love, from start to finish! But, eventually, all the hard work pays off and another beautiful, decorative piece is added to the Mrs. Fields collection.  And by that time, Ronnie has already started on his next design.  It’s the circle of life. Well, maybe not life, but the circle of cookie jar design! Isn’t it bee-yoo-tee-ful?

Now that you know its story, how would you like this must-have cookie jar on your countertop for Halloween? Leave a comment answering this question:  What’s your favorite detail on the Creepy Cottage Cookie Jar? You’ll be entered to win one of your own, filled with delectable goodies, fresh from the Mrs. Fields kitchen!

(One comment per person, please. Comments must be received by midnight on Wednesday, October 21st. Winner will be randomly selected.)

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Hey, y’all! Halloween is right around the corner for you, but (believe it or not) I’ve been working on it for an entire year! Here’s a peek at one of my favorite items I designed for the fall catalog that hit mailboxes last week.

After traveling the world last year, I realized that “monsters” would be a big theme for the upcoming season.  I wanted to bring my own flavor to this theme, so I worked to design something with real energy and life for our fall catalog. I came up with these adorable monster totes featuring Whacky Jack, Bonkers Bat, and Freaky Frankie. 

Designing them was so much fun; they really took on a personality all their own! For me, it was all about getting the eyes just right. The end result is a keepsake that will thrill girls or boys (or anybody who is young-at-heart) for years to come! 

In fact, I’ve already arranged to send one to each of my nieces and nephews: Costa, Remy, Ryder, Chapman, Blake, Alexander, Isabel, and Elijah. It will be a fun surprise from Uncle RoRo. (I hope they’re not reading this!) Plus, the little ones can use them for trick-or-treating on Halloween night.

The totes are sold individually, or in a set of three for additional savings. Check out the rest of our Halloween collection here.   And if you don’t already receive our catalog, request one here! 

Giveaway! Help us solve a dispute—we can’t decide which of these three monsters is our favorite.  Leave a comment and answer this question: Which tote is your favorite and why?  Three lucky winners will be selected to receive their choice!

(Comments must be received before midnight, September 28.  Winner will be chosen by random selection.  One entry per person.)

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Ahh, a beach vacation; it’s the perfect way to refresh! And the perfect way to commemorate a beach vacation is with this adorable ceramic cookie jar. It’s my favorite item in my Summer Collection and makes a thoughtful gift for loved ones, young and old alike.

Now I have a question for you: did I miss anything in my list? What Life Lessons have you learned at the beach? I’d love to hear!

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