I continued making gnomes well in to 2017. I experimented with sizes, decorative elements, and colors. I had started writing and carving names and words into the gnome hats in 2016 and received even more requests for gnomes with personalization in 2017. Looking back on the 2017 gnomes, I really like them but I would probably makes some changes. The faces seem too long and the beards too short. But I do learn best from experimentation and making mistakes. I like that I branched out and tried different color combos and lots of different sizes.
I continued making gnomes in 2018. I taught more student after school and summer classes in 2018 and had limited free time. Due to some changes at the studio I attended, I also suddenly had a different color palette to chose from which was restricting but I was still pretty happy with the results. I was limited to using only clay slip for color and I definitely prefer using underglaze. Underglaze is ready to go – lots of color choices, the slips have to be handmade and unfortunately I was under time constraints.
In 2019 I switched studios and was thrilled! My new studio really encourages experimentation and is more than happy to help problem solve with any concerns. I made lots of gnomes in 2019 that I was really happy with and I also made my low relief sculpture tiles. I made the decision to not work. (Childcare, summer camps, etc) during school breaks and so I was able to create more artwork – a great decision that my friends and family encouraged. Because I had more free time to create, I was able to make lots of gnomes to sell at a local Christmas market.
A friend of a friend became a fan and a big customer of my gnomes. He is a local stained glass artist and he made me a stained glass version of my gnomes as a surprise. To say that I was shocked and thrilled is an understatement. What an incredible gift! I’ve gone on to make several commissioned gnomes for him and he was one of the folks who was highly encouraging of me to make female gnomes.
