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Whimsical Woods - Old log gnome homes, bird houses, bird feeders and more, handcrafted in Dungeness Valley, on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington State. Check out our website: http://www.whimsicalwoods.net.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Cooler Nights, Warmer Clothes

As we  move into winter, out comes the warmer clothes. That’s the same for the little forest gnomes also. Heavier jackets, pants and fun-lined boots. Gnomes use deer fur that collects on bob wire fences for making clothes, hats and boots. Likely also used for warm bedding and blankets. They also collect bird feathers from chickens and ducks. I’ve never seen or heard of gnomes wearing ear muffs to keep their big ears warm however. Their hearing is excellent, so maybe they don’t want to cover them up. The big leather waist belt is important to keep the body heat in as well as acting as a critical tool belt for their adventures at night. I have also never seen gloves on a gnome (illustration) but have to believe they have made them coming from Scandinavia. Same for a scarf or neck band - no record of them.

It’s too early for now yet here in Sequim, Washington, but the nights are getting a lot colder and wetter. Lots of fallen nuts and sunflower seeds for the gnomes’ delight. Best get the storage room filled before the snow! Firewood is plentiful and easy to find. Must be a busy time for our forest gnomes. Holidays ahead and good times for all.

http://www.whimsicalwoods.net accepts on line orders (via PayPal) and our gnome homes, bird houses, etc. make excellent and unique Christmas gifts for those hard to please, or special people in your life. Hint, hint!

All is well. See you at the Market.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Gnome Top Hat

A Gnome Hat and a Gnome Home
As seen in some of our blog photos taken at our weekly Sequim Open Aire Market, my new large red gnome hat attracts joyful attention. A generous gift from another vendor, Ellen Lloyd, Olga's Yurt of Fiber, it always brings smiles and fun to those who place it on their head and always results in a photo-op!  What visitors must think when they return home having visited Sequim and had their picture taken with a scaled to fit red gnome hat!

Always worn by both male and female gnomes, their hats are only removed at bed time. Likely while bathing and seated at the dinner table, also (?). I’ve read a gnome does not feel like a gnome unless they have their hat on. Never a bare head. Child gnomes receive their first hats at a very early age and are taught to care and repair it for the rest of their life, which is 350 to 400 years! The importance of this hat in helping the gnome is numerous because it is pointed and hard, it can protect them from falling nuts, small branches, snow, rain and sometimes predator attacking birds and animals.

The tall red gnome hat is the signature of a proud gnome.

Winter Sequim Market: Winter schedule - every Saturday until Dec. 17 from 10 am to 2 pm in downtown Sequim on Cedar Street. Come on by and bring your camera. All in fun and all is well at Whimsical Woods.