I am so grateful that the International Wizard of Oz Club exists for giving me contact with such a wonderful group of friends who share my passion for Oz.

After I joined the IWOC in 1974 it didn’t take me long to realize that I needed some way to finance trips to conventions and building my Oz collection. I had been making dolls for many years and loved bringing book characters to “life” as dolls. This seemed to be a money-making opportunity.

I started with the cloth characters, Scarecrow and Patchwork Girl, and moved on to the Woozy. Then I learned to cut and solder metal to make the metal Tin Woodmen (which are now collectible, as I am no longer making them). Before long, I decided to try modeling faces in paper mache’, which was suitable for Witches and the Wogglebug, but too rough for “pretty” faces.  I didn’t want to do porcelain, so I went looking for another medium and found air-drying clays which I have continued using ever since. 

I love the challenges that come from people asking me to create a doll I’ve not done before, and I’ll try almost anything! I made a lifesize Patchwork Girl doll to fit a

woman’s costume. I got into miniature furniture and “taxidermy” to make the Gump. I’ve made the Ork, the AB Sea Serpent, and a Roly Rogue and others too numerous to mention. Haven’t made a Hy po gy raf yet, but it’s only a matter of time!

I try to keep my prices affordable but I still need to finance my trips to Oz conventions!  

Karyl Carlson

To see more of Karyl’s charming Oz dolls, visit her website here.