'We're not in Kansas I anymore' is a good way to describe Ed and Beverly Rucker's ceramic miniatures they designed from the Wizard of Oz book series.

The Ruckers, along with another couple from Overland Park, wanted to create a collectible miniature series that would depict Kansas.

After a few weeks of bouncing ideas around the couples came up with the 'Wizard of Oz' movie which definitely says Kansas.

"The movie has a copyright on it but the original 12 book series doesn't," said Ed. "We found a picture inthe first book printed in the OZ series and sent it to the Wade Ceramics company in England for approval."

After the company approved the idea they worked with the Ruckers to design the perfect collectibles. An artist from Wade Ceramics in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England did a line drawing from the original artwork.

When the couple approved the first drawing it was sent back to England and a three dimensional photo was made.
Then a clay miniature was made and sent and approved by the Ruckers. After the final approval, production of the new series started.

Ed said many people will notice several things about his collectibles that are different than the movie.

"Dorothy had ruby slippers in the movie but in the book she had silver ones," he said. "The names of some of the characters are a little different also."

He said all of the detailing in the faces and clothing were hand painted and the Dorothy figurine had to past through a kiln seven times to get the glazing just right.

"Four figurines have been produced at this time," Ed said. "Ozma, Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion and Dorothy. The Scarecrow will be out by the end of this year."

Round plaques of the original artwork used to design the miniatures can also be purchased.
All of the pieces are limited editions. The colored collectibles have 500 made of each figurine and the white collectibles have 25 made of each piece.

Prices for them vary with Dorothy costing $65, the Tin Woodman $28, Ozma $45 and the Cowardly Lion $30.
Ed said he hopes to have a total of 30 Wade figurines for the collection with the secondary figures out next year.
He said all of the characters are from the book series with witches, munchkins, the wizard, hungry tiger and patchwork girl being designed.

Rucker added many people don't really know who the Ozma character is. "In the book she was the rightful heir to the throne but an evil witch put a spell on her and in a later book, the spell is broken and Ozma reclaims the thrown," he said.

The couple have been avid Wade Ceramic collectors for years and have designed several miniatures with the Wade company.

The Ruckers travel to fairs across the country selling the collectible miniatures. They will take the series to Wade fairs in Pennsylvania and Washington later this fall. "Selling Wade Ceramic is a family affair," said Ed. I travel across the country with my family or sometimes I go with my mother, who got me started collecting Wade many years ago."

Future projects for the Ruckers is a fantasy series that will be out this summer. In June a unicorn will be available and a dragon in July.

The Wizard of Oz collectibles are on display at the Sheridan County Library. If anyone is interested in purchasing a collectible or for more information contact the Ruckers at (785)675-3338.