Storytime Latest News

July 2001

NFFC Introduces Olszewski to New Collectors

At the NFFC Convention held in Garden Grove, California July 18 to 22, Bob Olszewski wow'd hundreds of Disney fans with his presentation of the Storytime Collection and the Disneyana Convention Steamboat Willie Theater.

Bob showed for the first time prototypes of two new figurines from the November releases:

Tenderly, Belle Heals the Beast - (Beast sitting on a chair and Belle is bandaging his wound) - Issue price $95.00

With a Heave Ho (Chritopher Robin pulling Pooh out of Rabbit's hole) - Issue price $155.

Bob spoke at the Convention and sign gave away story cards of his collection July 19. He was the guest of Decker's Collectibles at the Swap and Sell July 22.

All the comments from fans were positive. "Bob is amazing! He told the story of how Disneyana Convention piece was conceived. Now I want to buy this miniature." "You can see all the noseprints on the glass case as collectors pressed closely to see the Storytime pieces."

Storytime Wins NALED Award of Excellence

On Friday, June 29, at an annual banquet in Rosemont, IL, the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers (NALED) presented the coveted Award of Excellence for the Year 2000 to the Story Time Collection created by the Olszewski Studios.

NALED is a trade association for the gift and collectibles industry and annually recognizes collectible products that represent the highest quality, creativity and value in the market.

The piece chosen to be honored is entitled Oh, My Slipper, from the Story Time Collection Cinderella series. Bob Olszewski is specially honored to receive the Award of Excellence. NALED does not give out the award every year, and gives it only to those collectibles that they feel are truly outstanding. He previously received the Award of Excellence in 1994 for the Dresden Timepiece.

The Storytime Concept

At events and collectible shows, Bob continues to tell his concept. He has received permission from Disney to tell 9 stories. He will make figurines telling the story from beginning to end. He will make a maxium of 4 pieces from each story per year. He is encouraging collectors to buy one story (Pinocchio, Bambi, etc.) and stick with it.

The story drives what his figurines will be. Tinkerbell is an integral park of Peter Pan. So she is in many scenes and as a result, in many figurines. Jiminy Cricket is the same in Pinocchio. So many figurines are made with him in the scene.

Ever After Is Suspended

The arm on Ever After figurine is not coming out corectly in production. Olszewski has been fixing the problem at the Camarillo Studio by cutting off Snow White's left arm, point it in the correct direction, and repainting. This process is taking up too much time at the studio. So Olszewski has suspended production of Ever After figurine, is making a new mold, and will have the Chinese factory make the pieces correctly. As a result, stores will not see new pieces of Ever After until 2001.

Rosemont Premiers New Miniatures

Olszewski Studios showed prototypes and prices of the following miniature figurines from the Storytime Collection. The following 4 pieces will be due out September.

Til Then (Merryweather by candelabra) - Issue price is $155.

You're a Big Hit, Dumbo (Timothy Mouse washing Dumbo) - Issue price is $145.

Whoa Nellie (Jiminy on Seahorse) - Issue price is $110.

Not a Finger or a Hook (Tinkerbell scolding Captain Hook) - Issue price is $175.

The following 4 pieces are due out in November.

Tenderly, Belle Heals the Beast - (Beast sitting on a chair and Belle is bandaging his wound) - Issue price $95.00

With a Heave Ho (Chritopher Robin pulling Pooh out of Rabbit's hole) - Issue price $155.

Bambi - Bambi and Flower in the thrushes with Thumper holding the piece of clover telling Bambi to "try it".

Dumbo - Dumbo dirtying his foot in the parade.

Olszewski Event Schedule

Bob will be at the following shows in the Summer and Fall. His next show will be at Friends Collectibles in Canyon Country.