Precious Moments Community

How do I clean my figurines?

Precious Moments Community — 9/12/2007

Always use care when cleaning your figurines. Lay a towel in the bottom of you sink to protect them from breakage. I would also suggest using your finger over the air hole to prevent water from going inside. Use a mild soap to clean the figurines. Lay each piece on its side to dry. If you do not want to get your pieces wet then use a soft head toothbrush or artist paintbrush to dust them off.

Some collectors have used 409 Glass Cleaner with a lot of success. Before going crazy with this, test it on a small part of the figurine. This does cut the dirt and grease extremely well.

Another tip for removing "marks" on the piece is to try a white eraser. Don't use the colored ones.

How long has Precious Moments art been around?

Precious Moments Community — 9/12/2007

The Precious Moments line of greeting cards came on the scene in 1974. The Precious Moments collectibles line began in 1978 with 21 figurines, called the "Original 21". The collectibles line is now international and is one of the world's leading collectibles.

How many figurines are made each year?

Precious Moments Community — 9/12/2007

It used to be that approximately 25 to 40 new figurines are produced each year and 12 to 20 existing figurines are retired or suspended from production. The past few years have seen more figurines being produced and less being suspended or retired. Once a figurine is retired, the mold is broken and it will never again be produced. A suspended figurine means the figurine is indefinitely withdrawn from production.

How many figurines have been made?

Precious Moments Community — 9/12/2007

The Precious Moments figurine line has produced over 1,500 figurines, making it one of the most productive of collectibles.

What is a Chapel Exclusive figurine?

Precious Moments Community — 9/12/2007

Each year new Precious Moments figurines are produced and some are limited to distribution for special occasions or to members of collectors clubs. One special group of figurines is called Chapel Exclusive figurines. These figurines are only available at the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri, on their website http://www.preciousmoments.com or through their Mail Order Division.

History of Precious Moments

Precious Moments Community — 8/24/2007

In the beginning, artist Sam Butcher only intended for his drawings of tear drop-eyed children to encourage and comfort family and friends. He simply called them "Precious Moments," because they spread endearing messages of love, caring, and sharing. Today, Sam's beautiful artwork has touched the hearts of millions around the world through the Precious Moments® porcelain bisque figurines by Enesco.

It was in 1978 that Enesco Corporation President Eugene Freedman first saw Sam's simple drawings on a small line of greeting cards. He envisioned transforming the drawings into three-dimensional figurines. Mr. Freedman took the artwork to Japan to his friend and Master Sculptor Yasuhei Fujioka. With his creative genius, Fujioka-san transformed the illustrations into figurines. Sam was overcome with happiness when he saw the first Precious Moments figurine. Collectors seemed to react the same way.

In 1979, the first 21 porcelain bisque figurines were introduced, and the children with soulful expressions and inspirational titles soon became a phenomenon in the collectibles industry. The Precious Moments collection by Enesco is now the number one collectible in the country and boasts more than 1,000 subjects for every occasion and every sentiment.

Over the past 20 years, Sam has continued to create hundreds of illustrations that reflect his faith, love, compassion, and personal situations in his life. From Sam's sketch pad to the final Precious Moments figurine, each subject is truly a work of art. The drawings are sent to the Precious Moments Design Studio in Nagoya, Japan, where a team of highly skilled artisans translate the art into a finely sculptured clay model.

It requires five to seven days to produce a single Precious Moments figurine. Each artisan is trained extensively, from the sculptor to the painter, who takes three years to master the famous teardrop eyes--considered to be the most important and most difficult element of the figurine. It's this attention to detail and quality that has kept the Precious Moments collection so highly valued by collectors and so true to Sam's original artwork.

Each year, Sam Butcher and Enesco announce several pieces that have been retired, meaning they will never be produced again in the same form. The retired pieces, which make room in the collection for more introductions, become highly sought after by collectors.

Whether for birthdays, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, holidays, new babies, or just because, the Precious Moments collection expresses any heartfelt sentiment without saying a word. Collectors have found joy in both giving and receiving Precious Moments figurines.

Final Message from Sam

Precious Moments Community — 8/24/2007

In 1981 Sam created a figurine as a testament to the ministry which has been such an integral part of his life. "Turn You Eyes Upon Jesus" shows a captain of a washtub ship looking through a telescope that is turned toward the heavens. This figurine is to be held off the market until after Sam's death. It will be his legacy and his last message to all those who love PRECIOUS MOMENTS.

About the Artist

Precious Moments Community — 8/24/2007

Though he is one of America's most beloved artists, Sam Butcher has never forgotten his humble beginnings. He began his career as a "chalk board minister," using illustrations to teach young children about God.

With a strong spiritual commitment, Sam accepted a job as an artist at the International Child Evangelism Fellowship in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For 10 years, his work was seen by millions of viewers on the program "Tree Top House." In 1974, Sam partnered with a friend to start the Jonathan & David inspirational greeting card business that featured the teardrop-eyed children he had been drawing for family and friends. He called them "Precious Moments" because they spread love, caring and sharing in everyday situations.

The card company was the first step toward success for the artist and his Precious Moments illustrations. In 1979, Enesco Corporation transformed the artwork into porcelain bisque figurines, which become a phenomenon in the collectibles industry. Sam has also received many accolades for his artistic achievements. In 1988, he was presented with a Special Recognition Award from the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers (NALED). In 1992 and 1996, Sam was named "Artist of the Year" by NALED.

In 1989, Sam began what he calls his life's work -- the Precious Moments Chapel located on hundreds of acres of rolling hills and farmland in Carthage, Missouri. The Chapel, featuring a Precious Moments version of Michelangelo's "Creation" along with many other drawings, statues, fountains, wedding chapel and attractions, draws more than one million visitors each year. Visitors can see more than 50 Precious Moments Renaissance-colored murals, 30 stained glass windows, two 9-foot bronze sculptures, 350-pound hand-carved wooden doors, galleries with personal tributes and a gift shop.

Friends say that Sam has a sixth sense about what people need, and this comes through in every drawing he makes. He has great compassion, and he innately understands the joy and hardship that are an integral part of every life.

Sam is a quiet, deeply religious man whose talent has made him one of the world's most respected and revered artists. With his illustrations that inspired the PRECIOUS MOMENTS Collection, Sam has brought his message of love, caring and sharing to audiences worldwide.

What is NALED?

Precious Moments Community — 8/24/2007

National Association of Limited Edition Dealers (NALED) is another organization that retail stores may join. While the benefits to the store are not seen by the general public, these stores generally have special Limited Edition pieces created just for them.

What is GCC?

Precious Moments Community — 8/24/2007

GCC stands for Gift Creation Concept. Stores may join this group and subscribe to their catalog. GCC stores have special Limited Edition pieces created for and made available only to them.