Gnome question

[Ricc Havens]

Turning my first gnomes for an upcoming arts & craft show. My wife doesn't think I should glue on beards as most others have done with their gnomes. She thinks people should be able to see the contrasting woods.

What are your thoughts? Beards or no beards?

 

[Lou Jacobs]

Regardless of what we think, you live with your wife. I’d keep her happy.

 

[Randy Anderson]

If my wife said no beards then it would be no beards. I might sneak in a few as a test just before the show.

 

[hockenbery]

What I think doesn’t matter. That decision is up to the maker.
What you might do is glue beards on 3 or 4 or half and see which sell better

They look great

 

[Curt Fuller]

Try some of both. BTW, those are some great gnomes.

 

[Vicki Hayden]

I'm a fan of beards. Your wood is beautiful, so I suggest small beards (not as wide or long). Post another pic if you do.

 

[Richard Coers]

Gnomes or shrews? No eyes with a nose against the hat rim?

 

[Smith Brian]

I vote for beards

 

[Steve Saah]

Which is more important in your situation, what your wife thinks or what your customers think?

I’d personally do both and try to keep everyone happy. Then see what your wife thinks after the show. Good luck!

 

[Ricc Havens]

Thanks everyone for teh comments and compliments! I will do some with and without.

 

[Randy Anderson]

If you do some with beards attached is a pic of what I use on nutcrackers that works well. I've tried other things that can turn into a mess (picture CA glue and cotton balls together) but this stuff has a good backing and long "hair like" look to it that is easy to work with and easy to affix. I get it at hobby lobby in the fabric section. I'm sure it has a name but no idea what it is.

 

[R Henrickson]

If you do some with beards attached is a pic of what I use on nutcrackers that works well. I've tried other things that can turn into a mess (picture CA glue and cotton balls together) but this stuff has a good backing and long "hair like" look to it that is easy to work with and easy to affix. I get it at hobby lobby in the fabric section. I'm sure it has a name but no idea what it is.

Faux fur

 

[Aubry Alain]

Hello,
here are two gnomes, with beards, I turned last week!
Beards hide the natural wood, that's true, but they add fun!



Alain

 

[Laura Ousset]

Turning my first gnomes for an upcoming arts & craft show. My wife doesn't think I should glue on beards as most others have done with their gnomes. She thinks people should be able to see the contrasting woods.

What are your thoughts? Beards or no beards? View attachment 44943

Here is a more neatly bearded one

 

[R Henrickson]

Turning my first gnomes for an upcoming arts & craft show. My wife doesn't think I should glue on beards as most others have done 'shavenwith their gnomes. She thinks people should be able to see the contrasting woods.

What are your thoughts? Beards or no beards?

A quick and dirty image search suggests that a 'shaven' gnome is not a gnome -- gnomes seem to consistently have beards. Your beardless ones are interesting and attractive but perhaps something other than a "gnome". If I were selling -- I'm NOT -- I would go with beards.

 

[Earl McLain]

Here is a more neatly bearded one

Best lookin Gnome i've ever seen!!
earl

 

[Donna Banfield]

If you’re selling, and I presume you‘re doing this to make money, then despite what the wife says, have both in your booth/on your table. I’m guessing that your wife will be equally as happy if the gnomes sell out. The trick is to find out what the customer prefers.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

Ever seen a clean shaven Gnome? They don't exist.

 

[Tim Tucker]

If a beard grows a beard in the woods....was he thrown out of the house...?

 

[Bill Boehme]

How about moss for a beard?

 

[Aubry Alain]

I

How about moss for a beard?

Hello Bill,
it could be a good idea! I just grabed some moss for this purpose yesterday. I found that on dead larch branches (in French Alps mountains)
I will test on a gnome in a few weeks.

 

[Tim Starliper]

First off, always remember - happy wife, happy life

That said, I do mine with beards, and people love them. Don't have any pictures handy, I need to turn some more. They are on my ever-growing list of 'things to turn before our craft show season' - which starts the Saturday after the 4th of July. I should probably get moving on that....

For my beards, I went to the local fabric store and got some faux fur. Pink, white, and grey-ish (think a salt & pepper beard). That stuff is NOT cheap - $45/yard on average! Thankfully, you do not have to purchase a full yard - I got 1/4 yard of each. Should last me quite a while, as I do not use much for each gnome. I use some of the scrap from the beard to add a bit of 'hair' sticking out under the hat around the back as well. Helps hide a bad color line, if there is one...I trim that a bit shorter after the glue sets.