Tarina Tarantino for Christmas

Stumped on what to get that special Oz fan in your life for Christmas? How about the new Oz jewelry from Tarina Tarantino? The pieces are going fast, but there are still lots of styles to choose from in various price ranges. These pieces are definitely for the Oz fan who thinks they have everything.

You can learn more about Tarina Tarantino and the jewelry by visiting my past blog entries
The Bewitching Baubles of Oz Pt. 1, Pt. 2, and Pt. 3.

Please visit Shop LA Style to purchase some of this beautiful jewelry and let them know you found them on the Curiozity Corner!

Shop LA Style still has the following styles in stock:

Wicked Witch Baroque Necklace
Dorothy Cameo Necklace
Glinda Cameo Necklace
Dorothy Framed Cameo Necklace
Glinda Locket
Baroque Glinda Ring
Glinda/Wicked Witch Double Sided Heart Toggle Necklace
Ruby Slipper/Dorothy Double Sided Heart Toggle Necklace
Dorothy Cameo Ring
Glinda Cameo Ring
Wicked Witch Cameo Ring
Dorothy/Ruby Slippers Rainbow Cameo Bracelet
Glinda Cameo Bracelet
Dorothy Emerald Cameo Bracelet
Pave Heart Clock Necklace
Glinda Earrings
Dorothy Three Row Emerald Bracelet
Lock and Key Ring

Jewelry is selling quickly so order soon to ensure stock and Christmas delivery. Happy Shopping!

Lionel Trains

Lionel trains, an American staple since 1900, is releasing a train set and two boxcars in honor of the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz.

Set includes 4-4-2 steam locomotive and tender, two boxcars, caboose, eight curve FasTrack sections, three straight FasTrack sections, one FasTrack terminal section, and a CW-80 Transformer.

Each car in the set is individually boxed. Set length is 46 ½” Layout dimensions 40” x 60”

SRP $309.99


Pictured below are the Engine, Tender, Boxcar 1 front & reverse, Boxcar 2 front and reverse, and Caboose.

Also available from Lionel are two boxcars shown here:

The color boxcar is sold out from Lionel. The sepia box car is due for a December release and the train set is expected in January. SRPs on the boxcars is $59.99

November Updates

I'm sad to report the Ruby Slippers Talbott tea was only made for attendees of the 70th Anniversary Gala Event in New York City.

Goodreau's Upside Down Oz Dolls have finally been released. Esmeralda (the Wicked Witch) won a Doll of the Year Industry's Choice Award while Glinda is a 2009 Dolls Award of Excellence Nominee.

Hallmark birthday card found at Safeway.

Earlier this year Kansas sold 70th anniversary lottery scratch offs. Now lottery tix are being sold in Rhode Island and New Jersey. New Jersey also offers a second chance drawing for some Ozzy prizes.

Import Images has several 11" by 14" glitter posters including the map of Oz shown below

Marvel's follow up to it's hugely successful Wonderful Wizard of Oz series 'The Marvelous Land of Oz' First four issues and alternate covers Sketchbook

NEW FOR 2010!!! Seven inch plush dolls retailing around $13.00 each.

Hot Topic Ruby Slippers Tee $22.00 Juniors sizes

Wizard of Oz 24KT Gold 70th Anniversary Coin Collection $29.98 plus $4.72 shipping from QVC

Ruby Slippers fleece available at some WalMarts

Craft Project for Fleece fabric found at WalMart "Which Witch No Sew Fleece Blanket"

Wicked the Musical Grimmerie Bookmark $13.00

Bradford Exchange Swarovski Crystal Keychain $79.95 plus $7.98 shipping

Please keep watching the Curiozity Corner for more news and updates!!

F.Y.E Blanket with sleeves

$19.99 at F.Y.E. stores Check store locator here. Scroll down to see the new Christmas stocking from Kurt Adler also at F.Y.E and other great Oz items. Click on photos to enlarge.

F.Y.E. Christmas Stocking

Ruby Slippers Christmas stocking now at F.Y.E. stores for $19.99. 70th anniversary tag is attached. Glinda's wand lights up!! Thanks to Lisa Valenti for the info and photos!!!! Look for your local F.Y.E. stores here

Madame Alexander at Sears

Madame Alexander has a set of 18" tall dolls available exclusively at Sears. Dorothy, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch. Right now only Dorothy and the Witch seem to be shipping. Retail is $29.99. A real bargain for the quality and size of the dolls. These are great Christmas gifts for the young Oz lover in your life. Or the young at heart Oz lover.

Quilting Treasures 70th Anniversary Contest

Quilting Treasures and Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting present The Wizard of Oz 70th anniversary contest!!!! Use any technique or embellishment and choose from four categories or enter all four. The categories are as follows:

There's No Place Like Home - home decor

Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch - The winning quilt will best represent the characters of Glinda or the Wicked Witch

Yellow Brick Road - Make a quilt of your favorite scene

It's All About the Shoes - Make a one of a kind accessory using at least 3 of the Wizard of Oz fabrics

Entries must be made from at least 75% of Quilting Treasures' Wizard of Oz Classic Film Series fabric

Judging is based on originality, creativity, and creative use of fabric. Entrants may submit as many pieces as desired in any or all categories, but your designs must be totally original. No patterns can be used.

Finalists will be featured in Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine and on Quilting Treasures' website and newsletter.

Entries are to be submitted by April 1 2010.

Please see Quilting Treasures' website for complete rules and entry form.

Good Luck and Happy Quilting!!!!!!

WIckedly Oz Checks, Labels, and Cover

Valerie Dunaway posted on the Everything Oz Yahoo Group these beautiful new Wickedly Oz faerie checks by Jasmine Becket-Griffith. The Bradford Exchange also offers coordinating address labels and checkbook cover.

Address Labels $9.95

Checkbook cover $19.99

Oztober Updates

I hope orders will resume soon for the Wizard of Oz Christmas Village. This is one of my very favorite Oz collectibles Ever. For those that were quick to order Dorothy's house should be shipping at the beginning of November.



The 70th Anniversary Carousel is slated for shipping at the end of November.

How About a Little Fire the first in the Wizard of Oz Animated Figurine Collection is scheduled to arrive mid-November.

The first piece in the Windows of Oz Collection should be shipping at the end of October.

The Animated Music Box posted here August of 2008 is now up to order on collectiblestoday.com It is scheduled to ship at the end of November.

Glinda is next in the Wizard of Oz Sculpture Collection The Wicked Witch is shipping now.

There's No Place Like Home wall decor from the Bradford Exchange. Each piece is $39.95 plus shipping

Official website for The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road game for Nintendo DS

Interesting Wizard of Oz teapot based on the Wizard of Oz books.

Folk art figurines by Lori Mitchell for ESC Trading Company Inc. Off to See the Wizard and King of the Jungle are 7 inches tall and retail around $20.00 each. The Tin Man and Scarecrow figurines are on tap for 2010.

The Dorothy fairy figurine by Jasmine Becket-Griffith for Hamilton Collection will be sold at comic shops such as Things from Another World. Or you can order Dorothy and the rest of the collection direct here. For those that are currently subscribed to the collection the Emerald City display is en route.

Wizard of Oz t-shirt similar to Target design but with rhinestones on the butterfly, poppies, stockings, and ruby slippers. Available at Charlotte Russe for $9.99. Probably in junior sizes.

Plush Chistery at the Ozdust Boutique for $35.00

The Barnes and Noble dolls are in stock at retail locations but not available online at this time. They are B&N exclusives and come with 70th anniversary tags. They sell for $14.95 each. Styles are Dorothy, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch.

Two more 70th anniversary stamp sheets. Thanks to Jim Whitcomb for the alert they were finally available. They can be ordered at http://photo.stamps.com/Store/brand/wizardofoz/?_requestid=61341

In my September updates I misidentified the Glinda fleece fabric that is currently at Walmart. I apologize if I caused any confusion. Here is the correct style:

The new Fundex puzzles are in stock Barnes and Noble online and with Karen Owens: Storyland Collectables.

Kohls online has a pair of adorable, if upside down!, lounge pants in juniors sizes for $19.99

Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian will be on DVD and Blu Ray December 1. Extras included deleted scenes and alternate ending. To learn more about the Ruby Slippers at the Smithsonian and in this film please see my previous blog entries: 10,950 Nights at the Museum, Museum Pt. 2: Collecting Ruby Slippers, and Museum Pt. 3: Links Sources Acknowledgements

Talbott Teas Ruby Slippers Blend

Just a reminder if you want to be kept abreast of the lastest collector Oz news you may want to consider emailing Karen Owens at Storylandmi@aol.com to be added to her news list and of course keep watching the Curiozity Corner!

Thanks to Jim Whitcomb, Lou Berrillo, and Karen Owens for helping to keep me on top of things!

Quiting Treasures There's No Place Like Home

Quilting Treasures sends Dorothy back to Kansas and ends their 70th anniversary tribute with 8 new designs. The Quilting Treasures Oz series has been nothing short of stunning and the craft products and creativity inspired by this fabric has been amazing.

See the rest of the collection here and watch Quilting Treasures' project sheet page for coordinating quilt top design. This is the end of the Classic Film Series but may not be the end of Oz fabric. An article from the August 2008 issue of Quilting Now implies the Oz fabrics will continue.

Kmart Anniversary Clock

$27.99

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_026W010381730001P?keyword=wizard+of+oz

The clock is also available in stores. Last year's clock was very difficult to find in stores and many of the clocks that were found had faults. Don't wait too long if this item interests you. Stay tuned, more updates coming soon!!

The Bewitching Baubles of Oz Pt. 1

As we grow and mature we may tend to abandon our adolescent loves and comforts to assume adult responsibilities. Yet there’s always an inexplicable pull coupled with a sense of longing for our carefree innocence and treasured play things.

Tarina Tarantino shows you can hang onto whimsical nostalgia while maintaining an aura of sophistication. She makes the ordinary extraordinary and is a master at bringing the inner child out, taking us back to our youthful roots over the rainbow and down the rabbit hole to our beloved childhood realms.

“It’s Always Best to Start at the Beginning……..”

From the start, Tarina exhibited an affinity for crafting accessories. At the age of three, she sculpted her first jewelry set from Fimo clay. Her attraction to all things sparkly came from her great-grandmother who kept mason jars full of glittered assortments which further stimulated her vivid imagination.

Tarina’s natural beauty and exotic name seemed a perfect fit for the modeling industry. She embarked on a modeling career in Europe during her late teens, but never gave up her first love. She continued to hone her craft devising varied techniques using an array of beads and crystals she’d find scouring antique shops and flea markets. Tarina arrived at modeling shoots bedecked in her latest creations, only to have them snapped up by eager buyers with requests for more.

Eventually, Tarina felt disenchanted with modeling and craved a more creative outlet. She returned stateside and switched gears to become a freelance make up artist. It was a step in the right direction as she gleaned more satisfaction from working behind the scenes.

During this time, the stars started to align for Tarina. She met Alfonso Campos, who would be instrumental both professionally and personally. She focused more intently on her jewelry, but it was a new hairstyle that would really set things in motion.

Tarina searched for decorative hair clips to accent her new coiffure, but nothing on the market suited her needs. She felt accessories had become insubstantial and that individual fashion expression had all but vanished. She quickly stepped up to fill the void making crystal insects, headbands, and flower “anywhere” clips.

Alfonso observed history repeating itself day after day as Tarina would leave for her job asparkle in her handiwork only to return home hours later sans sparkle. As in Europe, people were taken with her unique sense of style and purchased the pieces right off her body.

Alfonso convinced Tarina to make some pieces for him to shop around at local boutiques. Tarina obliged and Alfonso’s keen instincts were proven right when he generated $5000 in orders. He sold his car to get the business off the ground. His faith was the impetus needed for a metamorphosis to occur. In 1995, Tarina Tarantino the hobbyist transformed into Tarina Tarantino the brand.

The enterprising couple attacked the new endeavor with vigor working alongside each other in a one bedroom apartment seven days a week for two years to fulfill orders.
Their venture prospered amid hard work and media exposure allowing them to move the business to larger accommodations and the business partners became life partners in 1999.

As the business continued to flourish, celebrities gravitated to Tarina’s designs like moths to flames. Fashion and jewelry designers spend a great deal of time marketing themselves to and vying for the attentions of the rich and famous. Celebrity endorsements mean instant recognition and higher revenue. The highlight of the celebrity fashion year is the red carpet walk preceding the Academy Awards ceremony. Tarina Tarantino’s work was displayed at the 2002 Oscars thanks to a serendipitous fluke.

Actress Cameron Diaz spotted a Tarina Tarantino large carved rose bracelet while mingling at a pre-Oscar party. Gushing ensued and the bracelet’s owner offered to give to Cameron, but she insisted on paying for it. She displayed it at the Oscars the next evening allowing Tarina’s design to be viewed instantly by millions. The carved rose bracelet is still one of Tarina Tarantino’s hottest sellers and Cameron Diaz has become a supporter and fan of Tarina’s work.

Tarina Tarantino’s fanbase of celebrity admirers has grown to include Minnie Driver, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ashley Judd, Drew Barrymore, Hilary Duff, Gwen Stefani, Salma Hayek, Madonna, Illeana Douglas, Debi Mazar, Kelly Osbourne, Miley Cyrus, and Helena Bonham-Carter just to name a few! Although Tarina appreciates the support of entertainment VIPs, she says her biggest thrill comes from seeing her designs worn by the stranger she passes on the street.

With the celebrity clientele came more acclaim and with more acclaim came collaborations with behemoth licensing entities Sanrio, Mattel, and Disney. Tarina Tarantino is frequently solicited by character brands, but she has to truly love the subject matter before committing to a project. Tarina’s passion has spawned the very popular Hello Kitty, Barbie, and Alice in Wonderland lines. Tarina likes her jewelry to have stories and themes behind them and what better story to tackle than the Wizard of Oz?

Warner Brothers began establishing the Wizard of Oz as a fashion brand with limited edition apparel produced by Heatherette and Bejeweled. Last fall, Warner Brothers kicked off a stylish prelude to the 70th anniversary with the Ruby Slipper Collection, the Inspirations of Oz art collection and a commissioned designer jewelry collection by Tarina Tarantino.

Tarina grew up watching the annual Wizard of Oz telecast and counts Oz as one of her favorite films. What she loves best are the personal stories most everyone has about how Oz has touched their lives.

One would presume Glinda the Good, awash in shimmer and sparkle, is Tarina’s favorite character, but her loyalties lie with team Wicked. “She always has the best lines……How dare you destroy my beautiful wickedness!”

For 2008, Tarina designed a dazzling collection emblazoned with sassy illustrations of Dorothy, Toto, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch. Oz fans were treated to a sneak peek when several pieces were donated to the 27th annual Wizard of Oz Festival auction. The fans raved and shortly after the complete collection was introduced to the general market. The collection sold out in 30 days from www.tarinatarantino.com and retailers’ stock depleted almost as quickly.

Tarina Tarantino and her staff fell in love with Oz and so enjoyed the project, the collaboration with Warner Brothers was extended into 2009 and Tarina took the Oz motif a step further.