FOLLOW-UP ON GENE'S APPRENTICE CHRIS
Chris Buchheit, Gene's grand
nephew, was back this past summer to
help with all the sanding, sizing,
carving, and finishing of molds. He
is well on his way to becoming a
pharmacist and may not have a lot
of time and interest in cookie mold
carving in the future. But then again,
who knows?
Sweet Impressions Newsletter
"Helping YOU ~ and SMART COOKIES everywhere ~ make a GOOD IMPRESSION!"
HOBI Cookie Molds ~ Winter 2011-2012
www.CookieMold.com
38
YEARS IN
BUSINESS
1974-2012
Gene Discontinues "Custom Designs"
In 2005, Gene did 26 custom cookie mold carvings for Disney. The two-dimensional designs were created by Disney artists and transformed by Gene into 3-D intaglio carvings of American cherry wood. The carvings ranged from 4 to 16 inches in diameter and have been installed as part of the wooden cabinetry (casework) embellishments of the popular Disney Confectionery in Tokyo. The "molds" will not be used for shaping dough, but simply to enhance the charm and theme of this shop that sells sweets, nuts, and fruits. Gene found the Disney character carvings (Minnie and Goofy) to be
a challenge but
is happy to have
his carvings on
prominent display.
Later in 2005, Smithsonian executive chef Richard Hetzler submitted designs [used at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC] to Gene, asking him to carve these designs as cookie molds for shaping large shortbread cookies. The Indian design molds carved by Gene (shown below) are now used by Maribeth's Bakery of VA for shaping Smithsonian cookies sold at the museum.
Gene and June Wilson ~ HOBI Cookie Molds ~ P. O. Box 25 ~ Belleville IL 62222
Gene is no longer carving custom molds as he is now focusing all his efforts on maintaining the inventory needed for his internet orders. Gene has downsized in 2012 by not offering personalized molds, 3-piece butter molds, nor as large a variety of cookie molds and stamps as in the past.
At the same time that he is downsizing and retiring some older and less popular designs, he is also introducing a few new designs. Some old designs are being changed in size for better carving of details
"Baking with Cookie Molds"
Debuts as Book and "Magazine"
Anne L Watson's book is still available
from Barnes and Noble and from Amazon.com.
http://annelwatson.com/cookiemolds/magazine.html
will get you to her "Baking with Cookie Molds" postings.
She has introduced a 2012 internet magazine:
"The Museum of Molded Cookies"
Anne features a number of Gene's molds and two of his recipes in her book. She
chose his Saint Nicholas Mold for
the book cover. The book is a MUST
for cookie bakers - both beginners and the
most experienced users of cookie molds.
It's entertainingly informational!
Revisions to www.CookieMold.com and Changes Scheduled for 2012
Gene, serving as his own webmaster, has been very busy in recent weeks working on navigation links and appearance of his webpages. Most of HOBI's current business is generated by this internet site. This fact is largest responsible for the following to be discontinued in 2012: (1) production of a color catalog, (2) mass mailing of a catalog to our mailing list, and (3) magazine advertising. A limited number of black and white catalog-price lists will be available for those without internet access. His mailing list will be utilized to make some seasonal postcard mailings.
Major Changes to the 2012 Website:
The "Availability List" now includes the size of the molds. All page descriptions include information on the wood species used in carving each design mold. So many changes in 2012 that a RECENTLY RETIRED DESIGN web page features the his remaining inventory of discontinued designs and sizes. "When these gone, they're gone!" The CLEARANCE page mostly features fully functional "seconds" with minor appearance flaws.
