How to Whittle Gnomes From Fallen Branches : a Tutorial

And now for something completely different , my first wood carving tutorial ever. I am sure some of you might be wondering why I would even attempt such a thing after my run in with a rotary cutter blogged about previously but I guess I like to live dangerously. This is actually something I made quite a while ago and was reminded about when I came across my daughter's whittling tools a few months ago while looking through some boxes.  The gnomes or tomten are really easy to make and they are something your children could paint or draw the faces on. I wouldn't recommend giving them the wood and sharp knives and then going out for a few hours. An older child may be able to do this with CLOSE ADULT SUPERVISION  and close proximity to a doctor or nurse who can do sutures. All kidding aside here is what you could make. Materials: A branch about 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter cut into 2 to 3 cm long logs ( please use a fallen branch and don't remove it from a living tree), some carving knives or a sharp knife like a jack knife will work, paints, a pencil . 1. If your branch is not cut you need to saw it into small logs or have some one else do this part. 2. With your wood carving knife whittle one end until it comes to a point. This takes time so put on some good whittling music or whittle with company. It can be very relaxing seeing those little bits of wood shavings coming off your knife. Always whittle away from your self and never close to another person or pet. 3. Now score a line where you want your beard outline ( gnomes have beards !!!) and then whittle the surface above the score line to remove the bark from that area. 4. Now paint the hat of the gnome in a bright cheerful color that would make any gnome proud. I used watercolor paint but you could use whatever you have. You could even use a colored pencil or marker if that was all you had. 5. Draw a little face with pencil . Keep it simple . I make all my gnomes happy little guys. Add little rosy cheeks with paint or a red colored pencil. That is how its done. I bet you will want to make your own little rainbow of gnomes to spread joy. Did you know that gnomes are idolized in iceland so much so that they build special gnome crossings in the roads in certain areas. So sweet!! I had just a little bit of fun after dinner this evening photographing this gang of seven before the sun set of this the first day of Autumn. Enjoy the pictures.

Comments

[Clara]

They are so sweet!
And your acorns are so lovely...mine doesn´t look the same. Different art of oaks I think :)
If you don´t live so far away it would have been a pleausure to visit you and drink tea/coffee and look at all your beautiful stuff :)
A big hug from Clara

[sarah]

This is going to sound completely crazy, but making those gnomes has been on my list of fall activities to do with the girls for years now. You have re-inspired me. I've made a lot of things from the Berger's gnome craft book, but haven't tried the whittling.

Thanks so much clara. I love seeing pictures of the acorns of oak trees from different places in our artful world. Someday we may meet on this continent or on yours. I would love some photography lessons from you :)
Sara, that isn't crazy at all. I learned to make things from a wonderful artist/farmer and I had forgotten that they even had carved gnomes in the Berger book, that has been on my book shelf for many years now. Thanks for reminding me about it:) They have some cute variation on this theme with fleece beards and felt hats . My gnomes are minimalists :)

[Emma]

I love gnomes!

I especially love the photo of the gnome with the acorn. =)

[Crystal]

These are brilliant! I especially adore the picture of Snow White and the dwarfs.

You need to write a bok. Seriously. you have such incredible ideas and such a talent.

Wait until I tell hubby my new found hobby it whittling. Ha!

[Knitxcore]

omg. i love this!

[Nichola]

Oh man you are killing me with this cuteness! I need a saw and some branches...QUICK!

[Nichola]

Oh man you are killing me with this cuteness! I need a saw and some branches...QUICK!

[Crafty Gardener]

I love the little gnomes. Thanks so much for the easy to follow tutorial. This will certainly be a winter project.

[mayaluna]

I don't know who loved this post more...me or my daughter. Ever since you told your story with your teddy bears, I've been inviting her to join me each morning to see what Margie is up to. I don't always get a chance to comment until bedtime, and usually forget her anecdotes...but today she summed it all up. She said "Margie is a really good Mama (she calls all women Mamas). She knows how to make EVERYTHING fun and can really play great games." I couldn't have said it better, so I finally wrote it down. You are soooo good on so many levels and I'm so happy to have you in our life to bring in magic and whimsy each morning! These gnomes are absolutely perfect!

[NanaBeast]

Margie,
These are delightful!
This looks like a blast and not too much thinking, just caution, needed.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for taking the time to provide these for us all.

[Elizabeth]

So cute again! I love these. At first I though they were make from fat colored pencil stubs. Your creative output it amazing to me. So many lovely, cute little things!

[Whitney]

They're so cute!

[Sonya]

Such very sweet fellows. I especially love your choice of water colors, they have a wonderful soft, muted quality, like the Waldorf toys from Germany.

[Patricia]

Whittling is on my list of skills to learn as well! I got a vintage book on the craft for 50 cents (!!) and was all set to sit in front of the fire with it this winter, and then an overwatered plant leaked all over it! Jeez. Anyway, this looks like a fun into lesson. Thanks!

[calamity kim]

These are delightful and such a great tutorial!3 great tutorials in a row! Wow! Thank you for such fun inspiration! I'm going to try the tree mushroom thing - it's awesome!

[geek+nerd]

These are so cute! I love gnomes :)

[Kristena]

Oh my. You are killin' me with all the cuteness. :)

Love them! My little one can help me paint some of these at the weekend for our Seasons table!

[Leyla]

Hi Margaret,

Your work is beautiful and very inspiring.

Thank you for posting these instructions. I'll make some gnomes for my mother who loves them.

I found your blog on April 20th, through Elsita's.

By coincidence the latest post in my blog (april 20/09) is entitled "Resurrection".

I added your blog to my RSS reader.

Best wishes,

Leyla Torres

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i love this lovely gnomes, they look so tiny and cute!

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For all my charges, the day flew by and no one wanted to go back to class. They wanted to stay and finish the job. To me that is the best lesson that I can give them and showed me that sometimes the best job in the garden sometimes doesn’t include plants.