Storytime Latest News

January 2002

New Releases for Winter 2002

Olszewski Studios released pictures and prices of six (6) new figurines to the dealers in early January. The figurines are as follows:

Like A Dream - Fairy Godmother changes Cinderella and her dress into a princess. The blue trees in the background acts like a theater backdrop to the cameo and adds to the magical mood of the scene. Notice the pixie dust. Retail price is $155.

Take A Bite - Old Hag backs Snow White into the corner of the cottage and offers her the apple. Retail price is 125.

We'll Save Ya! -Dumbo is about to jump from a tall building on fire. Clowns are ready to catch him with a net. This cameo is a very colorful piece. SRP is $195.

Once Upon A Dream - Briar Rose finishes dancing with the birds holding up a coat, turns around, and meets Prince Phillip. The green forest in the background acts as a backdrop to the cameo and adds to the spring like mood of the scene. Retail price is $195.

My Hero! - Lumiere rescues Feather Duster from being plucked by a villager. SRP is $95.

Wee Bit South shows Eeyore, Kanga and Roo. SRP is $65.

Fall 2001 Releases are Big Hits

Try Some of These is the theater-like cameo of Bambi and Thumper. The brushes in the background act like a backdrop in a stage, giving the characters an intimate setting. This figurine adds a lot to the Bambi story, and when displayed with the other 2 Bambi pieces, gives the story a grand look. This theater-like look is one of the first of many theater-like cameos to come.

Not a Finger Or a Hook came earlier in the fall and has given the story a boost in popularity. The large head of Captain Hook stands out among the minatures.

The result of these popular figurines is that sales doubled from 2000 to 2001. Olszewski Studios has hired a National Sales Director and looks forward to doubling their sales again in 2002.

Effects of Detail

Bob Olszewski puts a great deal of detail in his figurines. The detail sometimes goes unnoticed because his figurines are so small. Here is a blow up of the birds, owl, squirrels, and other animals in Once Upon a Dream. The detail adds to the story and to the joyful, spring mood of the scene.

Quality Control

Did you know that each cameo that comes from the Chinese factory is inspected at the Studio in California and if necessary, repaired? As a result each piece that reaches the collector is high quality. I was at the Studios to see the painters repairing the cameos. The painters work with each piece from 1 1/2 to 30 minutes. The repair work on Ever After took much longer than 30 minutes. That is why production was suspended, and a new master made.

Tour of Olszewski Studios

During the Christmas holiday, I had an opportunity to tour Olszewski Studios in California. There is a special room where Bob Olszewski displays all his miniature figurines and some jewelry that he had created. It is like the Museum Retrospectives that he has shown in the past. The room displays his pre-Goebel pieces, Goebel miniatures, Olszewski Studios pieces, and then Storytime Collection. I some very rare pieces. He learned a great deal from Goebel and Olszewski Studios pieces and has applied this knowledge to the Storytime Collection.

Then I had an opportunity to see painters at work on the Storytime cameos. I saw pieces that were thrown away because of poor quality and instinctively reach out to them. I was sad for all the workmanship lost. Great tour! I came away with a greater appreciation of the difficulty and work required to produce the Storytime figurines.

Storytime Opens in Japan

Olszewski Studios has signed the contract for Japanese stores. Edom stores there are getting deliveries of Storytime figurines for Japan's holiday season from January through March.

Olszewski Event Schedule

Robert will be in Canada for two trade shows in Canada during the winter and at the following shows in spring 2002.