Hello everybody and welcome to my Ruby Slipper page! 

Ever since I was really little I have enjoyed the Wizard of Oz. But it wasn't until the Disney MGM Studios theme park opened up in 1989 that I really became obsessed with the slippers. My obsession with the slippers I guess you could say built up over the years. My Dad is a big Disney fan so we go to Disney once a year and every year we would go when the shoes were there I always took the time to stare at them.  And with every viewing of the slippers I became more and more obsessed. 

I wasn't inspired to make a pair of my own ruby slippers until I went to the Disney MGM Studios when I was in second grade. They have a store in the park called "The Five and Dime store" and they were selling a replica pair of slippers that were made by Western Costume Co. This is where I finally decided at age 8 that I was going to make a pair of ruby slippers someday. I finally made my first pair of ruby slippers when I was 12 years old. They didn't come out like any of the pairs I have seen on the site but I was happy with them. Then when I went to Disney again I took tons of pictures of the real ones and made it an effort to try to make a more exact pair of slippers. 

During this time I had also found the Ruby Slipper Fan Club site, where I met John Henson, and Chris King who helped me in making a more authentic looking pair of shoes. I made them but I didn't like the shoes I made them on. Probably because they were brand new shoes. So I began searching eBay for vintage shoes in the shape of the real ones. I found a great pair on eBay and bought them and started making another pair of shoes which you now see on the site. 

During the making of this pair I had encountered two other friendships. One with Eric Decker who also has a page on this site, and David Martin. I would really like to take this time to thank David because if it wasn't for him these shoes would never have gotten done. All in all, I feel my experiences with my ruby slipper obsession has been a good one. I encourage all people out there to give it a try and make their own slippers. The end result is very rewarding when you have finished. 

Take care everyone! Hope you enjoy my pics! 

Chip