It was summer 2014, when my husband Andrew and a friend of ours came up with the idea that there should be a Wizard of Oz Bracelet after a connection on Facebook mentioned it in passing.

So, I got right to work reading L. Frank Baum's classic novel. I had honestly only seen parts of the famous film (never watched the whole thing after being terrified as a little kid by the Wizard throne room scene). Reading the book was a delightful adventure, and if you have never read the book, I heartily recommend it.

An incredible bracelet and gift! - "This bracelet is absolutely exceptionally outstanding! It is well made and of extremely high quality.... an incredibly unique and personal piece. My wife is a Kansas girl raised from the time she was 4 and she identifies with her home. She is still upset that Gone With the Wind beat out the Wizard of Oz for the Oscar. This will bring tears to her eyes. Can't wait for Christmas! - Mark

Dorothy lives on the great grey prairie with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Baum paints a clear picture of the grayness in Aunt Em and Uncle Henry’s world so I used gray glass beads to represent them. Dorothy is easily identified with her blue gingham dress so I chose a light blue bead to symbolize her.

Dorothy’s only joy in this dull world is her dog Toto, described as being small and black. This charm celebrates him... throughout the rest of the bracelet, he is represented by a tiny black oval bead.

One day, a cyclone whisks Dorothy and Toto away. An grey satin oval bead with a twist to it, indicating movement, symbolizes the storm.

Oz! - Love the Wizard of Oz bracelet! Being from Kansas makes it even more special. With all the different colored beads you can wear it with everything. I recommend it, it's timeless. Thank you Cindy! - Deb

The pair arrive in a lush colorful country which they learn is Munchkin land. A flowered bead evokes the explosion of color they experience after their time on the gray prairie.

The Good Witch of the North informs Dorothy that her house has killed the Wicked Witch of the East, freeing the Munchkins! The Witch of the North is an elegant pearl and blue beads symbolize the Munchkins. Each realm of Oz has it’s own signature color; Baum identifies Munchkinland as blue.

Dorothy receives silver shoes. A silver shoes charm and two tiny silver beads evoke this special foot wear.

Dorothy and Toto embark on a long journey to see the Wizard of Oz who they hope can get them home. Square yellow beads indicate the yellow brick road. Along the way, they meet friends who join them. Each is on their own quest to ask something special of the Wizard.

First they meet a Scarecrow…

Then they meet a Tin Woodman…

And finally, a Cowardly Lion. 

They have many adventures together. Upon reaching a field of deadly poppies, Dorothy and the Lion fall into a fatal sleep. Delicate red glass flowers symbolize the beautiful but dangerous flowers.

The Mouse Queen and her people help save the Lion who is too heavy for the Scarecrow and Woodman to carry out of the field.

The friends arrive at the Emerald City - Green crystals evoke the city’s beauty.

The group are given audiences with the Wizard! A large white cat's eye bead indicates the vision and knowledge of the mysterious character.

The Wizard demands they kill the Wicked Witch of the West before he will grant their wishes. A charm and black iridescent bead symbolize the witch. A flat black disc is the Wizard's desire to see her dead.

Seeing their approach, the Witch sends winged monkeys to capture them.

When the Witch tries to get the silver shoes, Dorothy angrily throws a bucket of water at her. The Witch melts away! An aqua colored bead represents water and the black disc bead is again the death of the Witch.

Wickedly beautiful! - I love it!!! Amazing workmanship too!!! - Lin

Upon their return to Emerald City, Toto reveals that the Wizard is an ordinary man. Here, we see Toto as the small black bead and a smaller white cat’s eye is the Wizard.

The Wizard still fulfills the groups requests…The Lion receives courage pictured in the book as a green liquid, I used a dark green bead to represent this.

The Tin Woodman’s receives his heart – symbolized by a red heart bead.

A golden star indicates the Scarecrow’s brain or “brightness”!

When he tries to take Dorothy home, the Wizard’s balloon (balloon charm) accidentally flies away without her. Dorothy is heartbroken (blue heart bead). 

The friends undertake more adventures on the way to consult with Glinda, Good Witch of the South, about getting Dorothy home. A sparkling crystal evokes this magical woman.

She tells them the sliver shoes can take Dorothy home. Dorothy bids all a tearful goodbye (blue tear drop bead). Clicking her heels together three times (three bicone crystals)…

Dorothy and Toto are returned home to the loving arms of Aunt Em and Uncle Henry… A charm represents the new house Uncle Henry has built and a clear iridescent heart symbolizes love.