Saturday, June 27, 2015

Gnomes Part Two

Gnomes! Gnomes! Gnomes!



Oh dear, I missed last week due to family obligations.  But here I am with gnomes from six shops in our Waldorf on Etsy Team.

Each post showcases handmade items from different countries, crafted from varied materials.  I also share the item on my Pinterest, Tumbler, Twitter and Facebook page.  Where possible I have included social media links for the artist/crafter.

To change things up a bit next week will feature animals from shops in different countries crafted in a variety of ways.


Basil the Gnome from Hillcountry Dollmaker


Basil the Gnome


Joyce in Texas, USA makes a wonderful variety of large dolls -pirates, mermaids, storybook characters, and animals-elephants, dragons and bears to name a few.  Click to find her on Facebook.

She writes about her gnome: "Although most at home in a garden, Hillcountry Dollmaker gnomes have a fondness for humans and would love to live with a compatible family. Just under 11" tall, body is made of hand dyed cotton velour, he has beard of goat locks, embroidered face. He is wearing a wool felt tunic hand dyed in hues of blue with embroidered details. This is a custom listing and you may choose eye color, skin tone and clothing colors for your special friend. Also, check out my girl gnome Marjoram, who is available in another listing."




Seed Pod Gnomes from Koester Kindje



Gnomes felt. Nature table gift, Waldorf gift


Margriet from the Netherlands is imaginative in creating gnomes and accessories for them. She writes "My passion is designing and creating jewelry and making fairy tale figures out of wool, wood and silk.  I design one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces, all handcrafted with attention to detail and quality.  Everything I make is close to my heart. "  

Find her on Facebook.


Gnome Play mats from The Pot of Gold














































Kitty Moore from Germany is a needlefelter inspired by "folklore, legends, fairy tales, storybooks and nature. ". 

She writes " This play mat is double the fun because it is reversible!  Side 1: Has a green field with a border of multicolored flowers. There is a duck pond and 3 little toadstools.Side 2: Is the forest. Here there is a stream with stepping stones, an evergreen tree plus more flowers and toadstools.  I needle felted this play mat with Merino wool, so it is super soft."









Sunchuko from Croatia has colorful gnomes and crocheted items in her shop.  

"I am a Waldorf inspired crafter,always trying out new crafts,materials and techniques, but always prefer natural materials."




Gnome House and Gnome Peg Dolls from Green Mountain Wee Woolies


Gnome house Felted Wool Gnome Home peg dolls


Valarie Mazzarella from Vermont, USA works with wool from her Romany sheep.  Click for her Facebook page.

She describes her beautiful listing: "An adorable felted wool home for your gnomes. Gnome home has been knit from wool yarn and then felted, roof comes off. Inside each home you will find three wood gnomes, dressed in a crochet wool outfit. House measures 7” tall, 12” around. Gnomes measure 2 1/2” tall.  Toys crafted of materials like wood, wool, silk and cotton connects our children with the natural world and encourages creative and imaginative play."





Set of 6 Rainbow Girl Gnomes, painted peg doll, Waldorf inspired toy, wooden kids toy, nature table, handmade toy, wool felt toy

Danyal Boyd of Oregon, USA paints peg doll animals and figures.  Follow her on Instagram and Facebook

"Rainbow Girl Gnomes, available here as a full set of 6- Each gnome wears a hand embroidered wool felt cap that has been stuffed with wool batting, making for a very sturdy and cozy gnome! These adorable gnomes are painted in all the beautiful colors of the rainbow with non toxic watercolors, and sealed with a non toxic acrylic sealer for added gnome protection. Each gnome has its very own facial features, drawn with a wood burning tool, making for a lovely and unique set of gnomes."


Check out the Waldorf on Etsy Team Shop

And on Facebook

and Pinterest

and Instagram



Monday, June 8, 2015

Gnomes from the Waldorf on Etsy Team

Those in Waldorf education love gnomes!  Many stories are told with gnomes, math is taught with gnomes, parent handwork groups make gnomes and children craft gnomes from beeswax.

Members of our Waldorf on Etsy Team make gnomes in a variety of ways and I will feature a selection three shops in each post over a number of weeks. Each post will showcase shops from different countries and gnomes crafted from varied materials.  I will also share the item on my Pinterest, Tumbler, Twitter and Facebook page.


LaLutine in Canada crafts in wood, wool fiber, beeswax and kite paper.


Seasonal Gnomes from LaLutine Etsy Shop


Sandra Mill from LaLutine makes gnomes that are sweet and functional in Waldorf homeschooling.
She writes: "This charming set marks the passing of each season. Each gnome is adorned with a seasonally appropriate apple tree and a coordinating colored needle felted cap. This set includes 4 wood burned and hand painted gnomes. The are 5/8 of an inch wide and will fit into a birthday ring. They are handmade from all natural materials. Trees and faces are wood-burnt, their bodies are painted with non-toxic, AP certified water-colors and sealed with wonderful handmade beeswax polish. Their hats are needle-felted from 100% wool. Height of the gnomes with a hat is 4 1/2 " (11,5 cm)."


She is on Facebook




KatjasFlowerFairys is a German shop, crafting small dolls of natural materials.



Busy gnomes from Katjas Flower Fairys Etsy Shop.

Katja Bantel makes exquisite gnomes, angels, fairies and seasonal items.  She writes: "The Gnome is made of 100 % wool-felt, fairy tale-wool and tricot material. The doll is approx. 11-12 centimeters high.  The filling is sheep wool.  The offer covers one Gnome.  Not suitable for the under 3's.  Your doll will be unique!  Made to order.  Manufactured in careful manual work.  

Go to her website.




BrambleHedgeCottage from the United Kingdom crafts in natural fibers and polymer clay.



Fimo Gnomes from Bramble Hedge Cottage Etsy Shop

Maxine from Bramble Hedge Cottage makes appealing traditional Waldorf dolls and small dolls in fimo and natural materials.  She writes:  "These little Rainbow Gnomes are hand sculpted from Polymer Clay/Fimo.  They stand approximately 1.5 - 2 inches tall.  Their eyes are tiny seed beads and cheeks are blushed and highlighted with water colour paints.  Each little gnome is individual, with his own little character, complete with a tiny red heart on his chest to show how much love he has to give.  These are for display only, they are not toys and should not be given to children under three. "

Visit her on Facebook.




Check out the Waldorf on Etsy Team Shop HERE