GNOME HOMES: AN INVITATION TO PLAYFULNESS
Gnome Homes are minitaure houses, combining traditions of Spirit Houses and the mythology of gnomes. Since 1994, people have been enjoying the magic of these little houses and have bought over 600 of them, all unique and made one at a time. I also led hundreds of workshops, teaching thousands of people of all ages how to create their own magic. The logistics of that became impossible and, regrettably, I no longer do them.
In 1996, Gnome Homes were featured on Made In Maine (MPBS) and were on display at the Blaine House, the Maine State Governor's Mansion. In 2008, my creations were included in a new book by C.S. Lambert, entitled "A Passion For Seaglass." There is also an article about my work in the September, 2011 issue of American Miniaturist Magazine.
Let me take you on a tour through the Gnome Home above. It was made to rest on a flat surface. As with all Gnome Homes, it was titled, numbered, dated and signed by me, in an inconspicuous place.
First, you will notice the wood base. It is Juniper. It it is my favorite wood to work with (along with Grapewood) because it weathers beautifully and has such interesting twists and turns. Finding the right piece is key and it isn't easy.
Next you will see there are steps leading up to a small ladder, which will take you to the front door of the Gnome Home. The door opens with a little wooden handle. I chose a piece of red sea glass and traced it onto the wood, then cut out the pattern and glued the red "window" in place. As light passes through the sea glass, it adds more color to the home. There is also a clear sea glass window on the side, to help the Gnomes keep an eye on Trolls, which are a constant problem. Please note: weathered red, pink and yellow sea glass is especially hard to find. If you want red glass in the window, I might have to buy and cut it to size.
Standing at the door, a gnome can enter, or if there's something more urgent to attend to, can make a left and go down the little suspension bridge, holding on to the rope railings for safety, and open the door to the outhouse, which has a crescent moon cut into it.
The crescent moon is a female fertility symbol and at one time, seeing it on the door told a possible visitor the outhouse was for ladies. For men, a star was cut in the door. The roof lifts off so you can look inside and see that the outhouse is a "two-holer." Please don't do this while the gnome is inside.
Having finished her business, the gnome can go to her home and take a rest. She might open the trap door and pull up the rope ladder, seen in the back, so that unwanted visitors can't show up unexpectedly. Of course, the rope ladder makes an excellent escape route if a troll is banging on the front door.
Looking again at the roof, you'll notice a chimney that looks like brick, and it is. I picked up pieces of brick from the seashore and ground them into powder. Then I made the chimney from wood, covered it with glue, and placed the brick powder around it. It's very realistic looking.
The Gnome Home and the outhouse are made from White Oak, harvested from old lobster traps. It is my first choice for constructing the Gnome Homes because it weathers so well and is very sturdy, yet is easy to work with. It is also getting very difficult to find, so I use whatever weathered wood I can lay my hands on. In all cases, I use Titebond III glue, which is waterproof and very strong. Based on this, many people leave their Gnome Homes in their gardens.
Above, click on Gallery of Gnome Homes to enjoy a tour of some samples of the Gnome Homes I've built over the years. As you do this, you might want to note details that are especially fun to you and which you'd want in a Gnome Home if you decide to order one. All of the Gnome Homes pictured on this site, in fact all the Gnome Homes I've made, have already been sold. But there is a special and unique one waiting for you.
Over the years, the average size of gnome homes has been around a cubic foot. But it can be larger or smaller depending on your needs. Think about where you'd put it- table or wall- measure the space, and let me know. For more info, click on "How To Order."
To see some older Gnome Homes and some other fun facts about gnomes, visit this site: http://www.foundus.com/DennisSheehy/index.html
In 1996, Gnome Homes were featured on Made In Maine (MPBS) and were on display at the Blaine House, the Maine State Governor's Mansion. In 2008, my creations were included in a new book by C.S. Lambert, entitled "A Passion For Seaglass." There is also an article about my work in the September, 2011 issue of American Miniaturist Magazine.
Let me take you on a tour through the Gnome Home above. It was made to rest on a flat surface. As with all Gnome Homes, it was titled, numbered, dated and signed by me, in an inconspicuous place.
First, you will notice the wood base. It is Juniper. It it is my favorite wood to work with (along with Grapewood) because it weathers beautifully and has such interesting twists and turns. Finding the right piece is key and it isn't easy.
Next you will see there are steps leading up to a small ladder, which will take you to the front door of the Gnome Home. The door opens with a little wooden handle. I chose a piece of red sea glass and traced it onto the wood, then cut out the pattern and glued the red "window" in place. As light passes through the sea glass, it adds more color to the home. There is also a clear sea glass window on the side, to help the Gnomes keep an eye on Trolls, which are a constant problem. Please note: weathered red, pink and yellow sea glass is especially hard to find. If you want red glass in the window, I might have to buy and cut it to size.
Standing at the door, a gnome can enter, or if there's something more urgent to attend to, can make a left and go down the little suspension bridge, holding on to the rope railings for safety, and open the door to the outhouse, which has a crescent moon cut into it.
The crescent moon is a female fertility symbol and at one time, seeing it on the door told a possible visitor the outhouse was for ladies. For men, a star was cut in the door. The roof lifts off so you can look inside and see that the outhouse is a "two-holer." Please don't do this while the gnome is inside.
Having finished her business, the gnome can go to her home and take a rest. She might open the trap door and pull up the rope ladder, seen in the back, so that unwanted visitors can't show up unexpectedly. Of course, the rope ladder makes an excellent escape route if a troll is banging on the front door.
Looking again at the roof, you'll notice a chimney that looks like brick, and it is. I picked up pieces of brick from the seashore and ground them into powder. Then I made the chimney from wood, covered it with glue, and placed the brick powder around it. It's very realistic looking.
The Gnome Home and the outhouse are made from White Oak, harvested from old lobster traps. It is my first choice for constructing the Gnome Homes because it weathers so well and is very sturdy, yet is easy to work with. It is also getting very difficult to find, so I use whatever weathered wood I can lay my hands on. In all cases, I use Titebond III glue, which is waterproof and very strong. Based on this, many people leave their Gnome Homes in their gardens.
Above, click on Gallery of Gnome Homes to enjoy a tour of some samples of the Gnome Homes I've built over the years. As you do this, you might want to note details that are especially fun to you and which you'd want in a Gnome Home if you decide to order one. All of the Gnome Homes pictured on this site, in fact all the Gnome Homes I've made, have already been sold. But there is a special and unique one waiting for you.
Over the years, the average size of gnome homes has been around a cubic foot. But it can be larger or smaller depending on your needs. Think about where you'd put it- table or wall- measure the space, and let me know. For more info, click on "How To Order."
To see some older Gnome Homes and some other fun facts about gnomes, visit this site: http://www.foundus.com/DennisSheehy/index.html