Personalized Holiday Gnomes

by Shopify APIDec 09, 2020

There's no thing like

for the holidays

There's no denying that gnomes are one of the most popular decoration choices of the season. When's the last time you walked into a store and didn't see a gnome? They're everywhere!

They certainly earned their place in the spotlight because they are just too darn CUTE! Inspired by Nicole Miyuki's "Holiday Gnomes" project for kids, we're bringing gnomes to life this season by turning them into you! Step by step we'll show you how to gnome-ify yourself and your loved ones (in both 2D and 3D) to make personalized holiday decor.

2D Gnomes

Step 1: Draw the nose

Gnome bodies are pretty simple—they really just consist of 3 basic shapes and a beard! The easiest way to draw a gnome is to start with the nose. Every gnome is different, so play around with different shapes and sizes!

Step 2: Draw the hat

Next, draw a variety of triangle shapes to make a hat. They can stand straight up, flop to the side, or have cotton balls on the ends!

Step 3: Draw the beard

Add character to your gnomes with beards! Some are long and full, some have mustaches, and some are short and fluffy. You can even give some pigtails or make them braided!

Step 4: Draw the body

Gnome bodies are just half circles! Connect one side of the beard to the other with a curved line. Arms and hands are optional!

Step 5: Personalize!

Once your bodies are drawn out, start personalizing! These examples are of our artists Sarah, Jesse, Nicole, and our camera guy Keenan! Note how the color of beard is based on their hair color, and their accessories are staples of their personalities.

3D Gnomes

Step 1: Make body

Fill a sock with rice about 3/4 full and tie with string.

Step 2: Add beard

Cut out a triangle shape in a sheet of hair or fur (these can be found at your local craft store). Using a hot glue gun, secure the beard to the top of the filled portion of the sock.

TIP: An alternative to using these sheets of fur is to cut up several pieces of yarn and break apart the woven strands using the end of a paperclip. Brush through until the yarn turns soft!

Step 3: Add nose

Give your little gnome a nose by gluing a cotton ball or wooden ball to the top center portion of the beard.

Step 4: Cut out hat

Using a piece of felt or fabric, cut out a wide-angled half circle. The shape should look something similar to this!

Step 5: Secure hat

Roll the two ends together to make a cone. Then, glue the hat to the top of the gnome body, pulling the hat just slightly over the top of the nose.

Step 6: Make hands

Get creative with how you make your gnome's hands! The hand shown here was made with a cotton ball wrapped in flesh-colored yarn. Once you've finished that, take the other matching sock from your gnome body and cut off the top, about 2/3 of the way up. Then cut that piece in half.

Step 7: Make arm

After gluing the hand to the top of the "sleeve", roll up the fabric and secure.

OPTIONAL: Slide in a piece of floral wire to make the arm bend where you want it to!

Step 8: Personalize!

Attach the arm under the beard, then glue everything in place. Once the body is built, you're free to make little accessories that bring your gnome to life! Check out these 3D versions of artists Nicole, Jesse, Sarah, and our camera guy, Keenan!