We have held a Holiday Card Contest for the past four years and it has always been a lot of fun, so we’re welcoming it back again this year. Viewing the beautiful handmade cards brightens everyone’s holiday spirit! If you are nearby, drop off your card at our shop (shop hours: Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5:00) or mail your entry to: The Abbey Studio, 84 Washington Street, Marblehead, MA 01945.

All entries will be numbered and posted in our shop window for all to cast their vote for their favorite card(s) if they wish. We’ll also post them on our Facebook page and on our website. The winning card will receive a $100 gift card to The Abbey Studio. Use of calligraphy is encouraged but not required. Cards must be received by noon (US Eastern time) on December 24. Don’t be shy – it’s great fun! Details are below.

To view the cards submitted to the contest so far this year, click here. (Voting continues until noon [US Eastern time] on December 29.)

Holiday Card Contest – Details

Cards must arrive at The Abbey Studio by noon on December 24!

– Entries into The Abbey Studio’s Holiday Card Contest should be brought or mailed to The Abbey Studio, 84 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945. Everyone is eligible to bring or send a card to The Abbey Studio to participate in our Holiday Card Contest. You do not have to be local to our Marblehead, Massachusetts, Studio & Shop. All skill levels are welcome.

– Entries into our Holiday Card Contest should be hand made. That is, at least one element of the design must be original and created (drawn, painted, lettered, composed, etc.) by the designer. Cards can be created by hand or created electronically. Cards can have or use other non-handmade elements. Cards entered into the contest can be originals or printed/reproduced.

– Cards are not required to feature calligraphy, but we encourage designers to try their hand at it!

– Cards will be displayed at our Marblehead Studio & Shop. Photos of the cards also will be posted on The Abbey Studio’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/theabbeystudioUS) and on this page on our website.

– By entering our contest, you are providing your implicit permission for us to use your card or an image of your card in these locations, as well as on our website, and in our emails and/or email newsletter. If you win a prize, you are providing implicit permission for us to post your name in these locations as well.

– Visitors to the Studio and Shop will be able to vote for their favorite card(s) in our shop. Viewers on The Abbey Studio’s Facebook page will be able to vote for their favorites by leaving a comment on any post featuring the cards entered into the contest. Visitors to the designated page on our website may view the contest’s cards there and may vote for their favorites by sending an email to: info@theabbeystudio.com. These votes will determine a “winner” in the contest.

– The front of the card will be the primary visual element for purposes of contest voting. If the inside or other parts of the card contain design elements, people may not be able to view them. We will do our best to take appropriate photos for display on our Facebook page. Decorated envelopes, if provided, will not be included for purposes of voting.

– To be included in the contest’s voting process, cards must be received by noon (Eastern time) on December 24. Voting will continue until noon (Eastern time) on December 29 and voting results will be announced in our January newsletter (expected to be emailed on January 1) and on our Facebook page. Cards will be on display until after the voting ends, and may continue to be on display up to mid-January.

– If you are voted as the contest winner, you will be able to select $100 in art supplies, workshops, and/or artwork at our Marblehead Studio & Shop. You do not need to be present locally. If you want materials shipped to you, the cost of shipping will be deducted from the $100 contest award.

– If you would like your card returned to you, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for that purpose.

– Be sure to include your name and your contact information when you send/bring your card. Prior to voting, artists’ names will not be revealed to the voting public. After voting ends, the artists’ names may be revealed.

– While not anticipated, the management of The Abbey Studio reserves the right to use its sole discretion to omit cards it may deem non-qualifying from the contest for any reason, to ensure appropriateness for public viewing and fairness to the contest’s other card designers.