Definition
Before delving into the topic, let's find out what garden gnomes are.
Garden gnomes are small figures of little people in various poses and clothes. Such figures are very popular in Europe and the USA.
They are not so widespread in Russia, but still true connoisseurs do not lose the opportunity to decorate their garden with such beautiful figures.
Gnome style
A correctly selected figurine will fit into almost any style of landscape design:
- Country style (or rustic). In such a garden, gnomes made of clay or wood, made in bright colors, will take root. Compositions of several gnomes near a small house or mill will look good.
- Modern. It would seem that this style is absolutely incompatible with decorative gnomes, but now manufacturers can find marble, glass or metal figurines of gnomes made in a modern style.
- English style or landscape style. Marble or stone figurines made in one color or subdued color scheme are suitable.
- Provence. On the paved paths of a garden in the Provence style, both bright figures and plain ones made of marble or stone will look advantageous.
History of appearance
The history of the appearance of such interesting figures is also interesting. The first garden gnomes were produced in small towns in Germany.
Abundant production began in the 19th century. At the end of this century, figurines of garden gnomes began to spread beyond Germany and were exported to Great Britain and Ireland.
From those times, only one gnome has survived, which has already become an antique. Its current price is a million pounds sterling.
The production of gnomes was suspended during the events of the Second World War. It stopped due to job cuts in production, as many people went to the front. After the war, Europe decided not to restore its previous production rates.
At the moment there are very few European factories left that produce such figures. The center for making garden gnomes now is China.
Now a certain cult has built up around such gnomes. There are even comic protest organizations that are engaged in the liberation of garden gnomes from their territories. Such organizations are popular in France and Italy.
Fairytale dwarfs made from scraps of fabric
If you have experience in sewing dolls, gnomes can also be sewn from scraps of fabric. To do this you will need a needle and thread, a pencil or chalk and scissors. Stages of work:
- Redraw the gnome pattern onto cardboard or directly onto fabric, keeping in mind that different parts require different fabric. For the head and palms you will need beige material. For the body, which is also a shirt, bright printed chintz. Pants are sewn from striped cloth or simple plain material. The vest is made of fur or woolen fabric and decorated with embroidery.
- Use sharp scissors to cut out the details, leaving half a centimeter allowance for the seams. The back is sewn along the line, which is indicated on the pattern with crosses. Sew the front darts and sew it to the back. The gnome is turned inside out and stuffed with padding polyester. The panties are cut out separately, sewn together and put on top. The belt is made of ribbon or decorative ribbon.
- The palms are connected to the sleeves and sewn to the body, having previously filled them with padding polyester. Shoes are made from dermantine or pieces of leather. Cardboard insoles are inserted into the soles for stability. The shoes are loosely stuffed with filler and inserted into the gnome's feet, carefully and imperceptibly sewn on with threads to match the fabric.
- The head of the figurine is cut out of pink fabric and also stuffed with padding polyester. For the nose, cut out a circle, fill it and form a ball. The mouth and eyes are drawn with a marker or embroidered with thread. A cap made of printed chintz filled with synthetic padding is sewn to the gnome's head. It is decorated with a pompom or bell, embroidered with beads and sequins.
- They connect the gnome's head to the body, sewing them together. Then they sew a vest from wool or fur and decorate it with appliqués or embroidery.
Landscape design is a creative, interesting activity that can add originality to any area. Garden gnomes decorated the gardens of aristocrats in Europe back in the Baroque era and have not lost their popularity today. These fabulous dwarfs will perfectly decorate any front garden, delighting children and adults with their bright appearance.
Types of garden gnomes
Looking at photographs of garden gnomes, you can see that these figures come in different types. We will tell you about the main and most popular varieties of garden gnomes.
- A DIY mailbox is a beautiful decoration and a useful addition to a suburban area
A house for children is a place where a fairy tale becomes reality, we create it ourselves
Bridges for a dacha - a picturesque element of the landscape in a suburban area
- Wooden gnomes
- Natural stone gnomes
- Polystone garden gnomes
- Garden gnomes made of plaster
- Homemade gnomes
We will tell you about each type in more detail in order to better understand what they are.
Fancy costume for a gnome
Dwarves are a wealthy and colorful people, so the figures should look accordingly. The costume of this fabulous exhibit consists of several elements: shirt, pants, vest, cap and knee socks.
It is better to make the shirt plain with wide sleeves and belt it with a rope at waist level, which will add additional volume. A bright vest, for example blue or red, is worn on top of the shirt. You can sew it yourself by downloading a pattern on the Internet.
Next - red pants above the knee. To do this, you can cut off old trousers or buy breeches. Bows or bells are sewn along the seam line on the side. Under the breeches, wear stockings, tights or leggings with horizontal wide stripes.
Any shoes will do for a gnome.
One of the most important elements is the cap, which can be made from a Santa Claus hat, starched it, or made from cardboard. Decorate the headdress with a bow with a bell or bell.
To complete the look, you should use a beard made of cotton wool, or taken from Santa Claus. The longer the beard, the richer the gnome. And finally, give him a paper lantern and a red bag on a long stick.
Wooden gnomes
Quite a universal type of figure, as it is suitable for any garden. Wooden decorative gnomes don’t often stand on people’s property, but that doesn’t make them any worse.
The advantage is that you don’t have to buy such a gnome, but can assemble it yourself.
But, you still have to spend your money on quality materials, otherwise you won’t get a good figure. It is recommended to use wood that has already been treated.
Installation and selection of a gnome
The following tips will help you in choosing and installing a gnome on your site:
- Keep in mind the size of your lot. For example, large figures are not suitable for a small garden, but they will look advantageous on a plot with a large territory.
- For compositions with garden figurines of gnomes, select figurines from the same material, so the composition will look more organic.
- It is important to think about combining the gnome with the garden vegetation.
- Avoid a large number of figures in a small area; they will get lost against each other, and the composition will look tasteless.
- Before installing the gnome, think about which corner of your garden it will look most advantageous at different times of the year. For visualization, it is best to make a sketch.
- The style in which the figurine is made must be combined with the style of the landscape design of the site.
Garden gnomes of their polystone
You probably haven’t heard of such a material as polystone. This is not surprising, because this material is new and not yet tested by all gardeners.
The material cannot boast of a luxurious appearance, but this more than compensates for its strength and durability.
Therefore, if you need garden gnomes that will serve you for many years, then this option is ideal for you.
Garden gnomes made of plaster
This option is the most popular. This happened for a reason, because this material is very cheap to produce, so the gnomes themselves do not cost that much.
This attracts those gardeners who do not want to spend a lot of money, but want to create a pleasant and cozy look for their garden.
Please note that if you want to make another craft for your home, for example with your child, then you can take the ready-made instructions here and, after fully studying the manual from the craftswomen, make an unusual product with your own hands.
Making a figurine of a gnome using plaster
The easiest way to make a gnome for the garden with your own hands is to use plaster. This material is not picky when it comes to weather conditions and direct sunlight. But be careful, because a plaster figurine can be easily damaged.
So, first you need to purchase construction plaster for our figure. Read the instructions carefully and make the solution.
Gypsum should be diluted in a plastic container. After thorough mixing, you need to add PVA glue. It will make the material for working with the figure more elastic.
Next, pour the prepared gypsum solution directly into the mold. Silicone molds are best. If the figure of the gnome is too tall, then you should first construct a frame.
The solution should be poured gradually to avoid voids. Fill the mold slowly, tapping it occasionally to ensure the plaster is evenly distributed inside.
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Once completely dry, remove the gnome from the mold. Apply a coat of primer to the surface of the gnome. And for a more lasting color, you can apply glue to the dried primer.
Then comes coloring and decorating our gnome. Choose bright, rich colors for painting. Here your imagination will have room to run wild. After painting, coat the figure with varnish.
You can also make a gnome from available materials. He can become like a brownie and will guard your garden. Involve children in creativity. This will be an exciting experience for them.
In this article, we told you how you can make figurines for the garden, introduced you to the range and variety of garden sculptures and the materials from which they are made. Garden art is very entertaining. So follow our advice and your garden will become the most beautiful.
Homemade gnomes
The most interesting thing is to make a garden gnome with your own hands. After all, nothing makes you happier than the fact that you decorated your garden and also did it yourself. To make such a figure, it is not necessary to buy materials in construction stores.
You can use what is at hand and end up with a good figure. We advise you to use unnecessary flower pots, bottles, tires, and old Christmas tree decorations.
Let us give you an example of how you can make a gnome with your own hands.
You will need:
- Plastic bottles
- Knife and scissors
- Scotch
- Cellophane
- Wire
- Newspaper
- Egg trays
Let's get started:
Connect two bottles of different sizes and fasten firmly. This way you will have the frame of your craft.
Using newspapers, make the gnome's torso, arms and legs. Do everything so that there are no traces of glue left. Cut out the bottom of the bottle and make a hat for your gnome.
Don't forget to cover everything with newspaper. After that, make papier-mâché. It can be made by dissolving newspaper in PVA glue.
Treat the surface of your gnome with the resulting substance. Now dry your gnome in the sun for several days.
Your garden gnome is ready. Such a figurine can be placed in the garden and transform it.
How to choose the right gnome figures
Gnome figures can not only decorate your garden, but also turn it into a fairy tale. They, as is believed in mythology, also protect your home, scare away spirits, and have a good effect on the growth of everything that is on your site.
Decorative gnomes bring great benefits in landscape design in the summer. They scare away uninvited guests who fly to the site to feast on vegetables. And in winter you can enjoy how the figures of gnomes stand out against the background of white snow.
When choosing figures, you need to take into account the moment of combination with the surrounding plants and the general concept of garden design. To do this, take a closer look in specialized stores or look at photos of garden gnomes on the Internet, and think about the placement location in advance.
Garden figurines of gnomes, which serve not only as decoration, look very interesting. For example, a gnome who holds a flashlight to illuminate your garden at night, or a figurine that will serve as a pot for your favorite flowers.
Caring for gnomes
It is important not only to choose the right garden figure, but also to properly care for it. It is worth checking your garden gnome periodically for cleanliness.
If a lot of dust has accumulated on it, then you should get rid of it immediately by wiping the gnome with a towel. If the garden gnome has become very dirty, it should be washed.
It is also worth checking your garden figure for mechanical damage. If any cracks are found, apply sealant to them.
It happens that due to wind or hail, gnomes break. In such a situation, you should immediately throw out the figure and replace it with a new one.
Outdoor garden gnome
Buying or making garden figures is becoming increasingly popular in the process of decorating both a private home and a summer cottage. Shapes make the area more attractive. Gnomes, for example, are able to protect peace in the house, and birds or animals complement the overall composition and make the interior fabulous.
Garden gnomes photo:
We propose to consider the main features of using garden gnomes outdoors:
- The easiest way to decorate a garden is to buy ready-made products. They are based on artificial stone, gypsum or acrylic resin. But, the option of making figures with your own hands is more interesting, since they will be unique in their own way.
- The purpose of gnomes can be primary or secondary. In the first case, the gnomes occupy all the visual attention, in the second they are an addition to the already existing picture.
- German gnomes are perfect for decorating a garden in a rustic style. Their main function was to scare away birds from the trees and fruits of the garden.
- When choosing a garden figure or composition of several elements, first of all focus on the area on which they will be installed and on your own financial situation.
- Garden gnomes will fit perfectly into a children's play area in the garden. They are also often installed near ponds, fountains, flower beds, flower beds, stumps, etc.
- Gnomes in a dacha will make its exterior unique and give a sea of emotions to its visitors.
