The Gnome and the Hare,
written and illustrated by Astrid Sheckels - but not yet published!Motto: "We Care About Nature"
The Gnome and the Hare,
written and illustrated by Astrid Sheckels - but not yet published!
The Gnome and the Hare
Written and Illustrated by Astrid Sheckels is based on a Danish children’s song
A lonely old gnome discovers a new friend when a woodland hare comes to him for shelter.
Astrid Sheckels Fine Art 71 Madison Circle Greenfield MA 01301
Phone: (413) 773-7337 Monday - Friday, 8am 7pm
Contact by E-mail: astrid@astridsheckels.com
| The Gnome and Hare
In a house in the forest end |
Tomten och Haren
I ett hus i skogen slut |
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Collegiate Sports Collection
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University of Michigan Garden Gnome/ 4.75"l x 11.25"h/ resin/ MSRP: $20.00 University of Michigan Cheerleader Gnome/ 4.75" x 11.25"/ resin / MSRP: $20.00
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All available as cheerleaders or matching males |
Company Name: New Creative™, 401 Milford Parkway, Milford, OH 45150 800.435.1000 www.ncegifts.com
New Creative™ New Creative™ (NCE's outdoor living brand) is a leading designer and distributor of decorative outdoor living products that make you feel good and energize your spirit. Product lines include decorative flags, bird related items, statuary, fountains, chimes, stepping stones, furniture, entertaining, design posts, lighting, and complete outdoor living collections.
New Creative Enterprises (NCE) NCE (parent company of New Creative™ and Square Nest™) is a leading designer and distributor of decorative outdoor living and home accessories products that offer value and design innovation to its retail customers. Product lines include home and garden categories of decorative flags, bird related items, statuary, fountains, chimes, stepping stones, design posts, furniture, entertaining, clocks, lighting, wall décor and complete outdoor living collections. NCE's product lines are consistently ranked among the top-selling outdoor décor and vintage inspired home accessories lines in both independent retail channels and national retail brands.
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It is always a joy to receive the many wonderful cards during the holiday season. Why not create some fun cards for your friends for some of the known Gnome Celebrations! And scroll down to see the submissions sent in by members proclaiming some wonderful new celebration ideas for Mushroom Lane.
CREATING BANANA GOURD GNOMESFor gardeners "Go Bananas!" with with gourd seeds from the Livingston Seed Co., Columbus, OH, 43212. Contact Bob Johnston by email at bobj@livingstonseed.com to order your package today!
These annual gourds average length is 6-1/2 inches and is very popular with crafters, allowing very fine detail painting. The are noted as being excellent for hanging ornaments, rattles, sculpture, and jewelry. Apartment dwellers can even grow them in a pot with a trellis. Since these take 100 to 120 days to mature folks in the north may want to start them indoors.
Package notes:
Garden Tip: For best germination, nick the seedcoat, soak in room temperature water for 24 hours before planting. Best to plant when soil temperature is 65° F (19° C) or higher.
Drying Tip: Pick gourds when entire vine is dry and brown. Handle gently, turn weekly as they dry in a warm, airy place. Do not cut or decorate until completely dry and seeds rattle.
Just look at these special chiquita Banana Gourd's - perfect for creating banana gourd gnomes!
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| January 1 | New Year's Day or Family Twig Day |
| January 21 | Winter Warming Celebrations - inspired by the Gnome Village of Rainbow's End and held each year at Egg Hill |
| January 25 | Gnome Long Distance Whistling Contest |
| January 26 | Gnomenclature Day - and the day of the annual Australian Gnome Convention |
| February 2 | Groundhog Day (North American Celebration) |
| February 14 | Valentine's Day also known as, "You're Gnomebody 'til YOU Love Somebody Day" |
| Mid March | National Wildlife Week |
| March 17 | Shamrock Day (St. Patrick's Day) |
| March 21 | Spring Leaping Up Day |
Need a 2008 Nisse/Gnome calendar ... check out the Shopping Basket section below!
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Gnomes love to celebrate and have many celebrations throughout the year. The Gnomes of Mushroom Lane© want to proclaim a new day of celebration. Submit a day and a name for a chance to win a wood mounted Mushroom Lane© rubber stamp of a gnome home. Draw to take place January 1, 2008.
Butter Mushroom Wednesday which is celebrated Mid May in
the Middle of the week.
So in 2008 it would be May 14, but in 2009 it would be both the 13 and the 20,
in 2010 it would be the 12 and the 19, then in 2011 it would be the 11 so on and
so on. One must celebrate by eating mushrooms sautéed in butter which could be
served as is, over fresh mashed potatoes or with some fresh crusty home baked
bread. The type of mushroom would depend on what is available in the area you
live in or if you have a gourmet grocery with lots of choices. Remember if you
pick wild ones you must ask an elder to help in the selection as some mushrooms
are not good for you. Einnob G110
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I pick February, as all Gnomes are waiting for spring, as this would break up the winter months, and the merriment would help lift up their winter blah's. I would name it GNOMEMUSH DAY, a day for celebrating for all Gnomes and fairies alike. MeMe Gnome G64
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The day I have chosen is Feb 29th and to be named "Leaping Day" Weather conditions will judge what activities take place. In areas where there is snow, races will be held riding in snail shells down gentle little slopes. If summer is happening on Feb 29th in New Zealand for instance it will be a day to leap frogs. Since gnomes are not competitive it is a happy and fun day no matter if you win or lose. Marvel 240
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MUSHROOM SOUP DAY -
There's something about mushroom soup that's soothing to every part of our
body. It's known for having a high protein content and can be beneficial to a
troubled stomach.
Mushroom caps and stems can easily be diced very small. When the pot of water is brought to a simmer, the mushroom pieces exude their own thickening juices. I like to add a can of beef consommé or chicken broth (undiluted). Either works well. Simmer on low for about a half hour. Add a mixture of flour, water and light cream that you've shaken smooth in a jar. To avoid lumpy soup, you have to stir the mixture in rapidly (but gently) with a whisk gadget. Add a tablespoon of butter. If you don't use butter, add something with a butter flavor (like 'Smart Balance Light').
It doesn't take much to make mushroom soup, and recipes are so easy to find. Consider adding a bottle of clam juice and finely-diced clams. They make for a real lip-smackin' bowl of soup!
No matter what the weather, mushroom soup is hearty soul food and worthy of any good biscuit. Just ask anyone who lives on Mushroom Lane! Gnome Devotee G9 - DRAW WINNER!
And a special
mushroom recipe from Gnome Devotee G9...If you like mushrooms, a fast hors d’oeuvre
can be made by stuffing them. Medium-large sizes are best. You can use any
shallow baking dish with sides (so the mushrooms don’t topple over). Rinse the
mushrooms quickly. Gently twist out the stems and chop them finely. Mix ‘Progresso’s
Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs’ with melted butter (enough to hold the crumbs
together), add a teaspoon of garlic powder (not salt), and stir in the chopped
stems. Spoon the mixture into each mushroom. Top each center with a very thin
slice of regular sausage. Place the mushrooms in the baking dish as you stuff
them. Cook (uncovered) for 15-20 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees.
With a glass of wine, they’re a perfect pre-dinner treat.
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I admit I borrowed this from Asatru-the Norse heathen religion. I believe that Gnomes would gravitate to this religion-Norse Paganism. Here are three different days I think would be apt:
Charles G267
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April 7th - "Lost Sock Day"
Since for humans this is also "No Housework Day", the Gnomes go about discreetly tucking lost socks (that all humans seem to misplace) and other lost items among the stuff laying about to then be discovered by the humans on the day after "No Housework Day". The industrious Gnomes do this as part of their Spring Cleaning. (And if truth be known, some of the human's lost items were items "borrowed" by the Gnomes that they no longer need!) Fiddlesticks G109
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Royal Greetings!
With the approach of February, hearts are all a-flutter, and gnome's are busy making special Valentine treats. What do you suppose they are making? Email your ideas to QueenGnome by February 14 for a chance to win a wonderful gnome magnet. Remember gnomes love to eat and a magnet on your fridge door is sure to attract their attention!
TIP: It is written, that gnomes are attracted to shiny copper pennies; not for the monetary value, but for the copper. Why not place some extra coppers about to attract gnomes. Remember 2008 is going to be an excellent year for gnome sightings!
Royal Regards, QueenGnome G6
My dear QueenGnome, Since the beginning of days when we Gnomes spread out from our Norse ancestral lands, we kept with us the recipes for making fine chocolates. After befriending mankind, we learned of their traditions and also fell in love with their ' Valentines day'. My lovely bride bakes for me a wonderful dark bread of rye and cocoa shaped as a heart! I myself gift her with a lovely hand carved box shaped as a heart and filled with dried fruits dipped in chocolate. We exchange our gifts after dinner when sitting in front of the fire warding off the cold February winds drinking hot chocolate and nuzzling. Of course my Queen, the children are in bed! Gnarly Gnome G304
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Gnomes are making cherry cordials for Valentines day, of course. They are shaped like gnome hats! Ailynari G277
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The gnome treat I would like to suggest is a wonderful cordial made from rosehips gathered when they are red and ripe. This activity would take place by the light of a harvest moon, and sweetened with fermented honey, this would be similar to a pink blush wine in the human world. I would name it " Rosemead Cordial" [very hip at Valentine parties when gnomes gather from miles around for socializing] Marvel G240 - WINNER!
Hi Barbara, The little guy arrived and is happy to be in High River. Thank you for the contest . And all you do for the gnome world. Cheers Marvel G240
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Hi, Queen Gnome: Here is my story!
Baskets of Sweetness by Else Tennessen
What's that delicious aroma? Why, it's the gnomes busily baking almond and sugar cookie hearts to share with everyone they love on Valentine's Day! The week before the special day, they are baking non-stop, and everyone enjoys the sweet smells of vanilla and almond as the hot, freshly baked hearts pile up. After the baking, the gnomes pack the hearts in handmade rush baskets festooned with bright red and pink ribbons, and they cover the cookies with white, lace-edged napkins. Then secretly, they deliver the cookie baskets at midnight, leaving them on the porch or doorstep of the folks they love (human and gnome). Everyone acts mighty surprised when they find these baskets on Valentine's Day morning--but no one is fooled, for each and every heart is stamped with the shape of a gnome's hat! It goes without saying, each cookie is eaten with heart-felt love towards a gnome. Daisy the Garden Gnome G164
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that they’re making a little heart carved of wood to give their gal. If they’re married, they’d carve a little wooden heart to give their wife as a present. If they’re married with children, they’d teach a son to carve a wooden heart (for future use) – and a Gnome wife would teach a daughter to bake heart-shaped cookies.
Grown male Gnomes could also teach a son to shape a small flat stone into the shape of a heart to give his mother for Valentine’s Day for her garden.
A Gnome wife would bake a loaf of bread in the shape of a heart as an extra Valentine’s Day dinner treat for her whole family. Gnome Devotee G9
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Did you know that
every garden has a gnome? Our garden has Gordon the Gnome, and he’s quite
special. Gordon knows almost all there is to know about the plants and flowers
that he looks after. He’s at one with nature and does all he can to make the
world around him a better place.
Gordon is a gnome gardener who has lots of adventures in his garden, with his friends and neighbours. Gordon’s best friend is a worm called Andrew, who lives in his hat; but there’s also a mole called Morris, a fish called Bob, Daphne, a beautiful red squirrel and the chattering sparrow sisters, Mimi and Fifi. Gordon’s Gnome friends include Percy, Jerome and Rosie Gnome, who are also his neighbours. The Chief Gnome and his lovely wife Gladioli often call on Gordon with their young nephew Ian. And let’s not forget, Lez and Dez, a couple of naughty slugs with a healthy appetite for Gordon’s plants! The character of Gordon Gnome also feature in an exciting “Global Garden” exhibition at Eureka! The Museum for Children in Halifax (the UK’s only dedicated museum for children).
52 x 11-minute animated series for 2-6yr olds on CBBC2 and CBeebies starring Alan Titchmarsh as the voice of Gordon
Visit the web site for more information on this animated TV show: http://www.collingwoodohare.com/gordon/gordon_index.html
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Let's all do something to support this group of Girl Scouts! I know as a youngster I enjoyed being both a Brownie and a Girl Scout. Then in later years I was a volunteer for a local group.
If you have any ideas, want to donate or just want to learn more contact Sabrina .
From: BTroop5007@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 4:31 PM
Subject: Girl Scout Celebrating with GNOMES!!!
In hunting for goodies for Girl Scouts, found your info and thought I'd share with you that the Girl Scouts of Chula Vista, California are dedicating their "World Thinking Day Celebration" in February to Gnomes everywhere! Not only are they honoring the "Roaming Gnome," but they are setting up their booths representing many countries with a Gnome at each station to represent that country. The patch to commemorate the event, along with all the goodies they give, will all feature GNOMES!
We expect between 250 and 300 Girl Scouts and families to attend. Got any fabulous ideas for us to celebrate Gnomes worldwide as well as Girl Scouting worldwide??? (Brownies are really Gnome Cousins!)
Sabrina Ingalls, Service Unit Manager,, Girl Scouts Chula Vista
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Hello Everyone & Happy New Year! January's Newsletter is now online at http://www.moore-stuff.com/moore%20news.htm
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The following is an exert from a newsletter produced by Fairy Woodland. It deals with the Winter Solstice which occurs each year on December 21st. For more information on Fairy Woodland or to sign up to receive their very inspiring newsletters visit the Fairy Woodland site. the website
"On the night of December 21st, when the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth is leaning as far as it possibly can from our source of light and warmth, the sun will appear to stand still. And then the sun will be reborn and begin its journey back to bring light and life to all living things. (Don't forget that our friends in the Southern Hemisphere will be out dancing in the fields of mid-summer!) To honor that turning point, you might want to create a ritual to share with those who warm your heart. Some suggestions: --Hang a Yule wreath to honor the circle of life, death, rebirth and the rebirth of the sun. --Light a fire in your fireplace or even outside; or light a candle. Focus on the flame and acknowledge that the fire of your life is inside you and pledge that in the coming year you will touch others with the warmth and inspiration of your light.
--Give thanks for the rebirth of the sun, for the miracle of your own birth, and allow the dreams that are sleeping within you to be born.
--Tell stories, sing songs, adorn your home with light and celebrate the miracle of being born out of the darkness into the light."
Bright Fairy Blessings from all of us at Fairy Woodland
http://www.fairywoodland.com
(800) 304-3795
Life begins with an open and unlimited imagination.
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Collector's project is gnome flight of fancy - check out this link to the feature article on Liz Spera's Gnome Museum in California.
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Here is a reprint of an article that appeared in the New York Times!
By SARAH ROBERTSON Published: June 6, 2004
JENNIFER LAWRENCE recently sent her new boy toy, Liam, over to London to stay with friends, who took a snapshot of him by Tower Bridge. Future trips on his itinerary include Africa, the Middle East and a day of summer skydiving. Liam is not Ms. Lawrence's boyfriend; he's a three-inch-tall plastic gnome, which she plans to send to friends all over the world. More specifically, he is a Gnomad, a new toy intended to be tracked on the Internet as it jets around the planet.
''I don't get the time to travel,'' said Ms. Lawrence, 25, a mortgage processor in Farmington Hills, Mich. ''It's a lot cheaper for him to go see the world than me. It's such a funny, clever thing. You almost get to live through your gnome.''
Forget hobbits and the folks at Hogwarts. This year's fantastical creature is the puckish, dwarflike gnome.
Companies are rolling out everything from toys to major advertising campaigns inspired by the gnome. Big Boing Toys, a company in Sausalito, Calif., is the one making the Gnomad, which comes with a tracking number that allows owners and others to post records of the gnome's adventures on a Web site (the company calls the toy ''the first Web-enabled adventure figure'').
The Web-based reservations service Travelocity and the Ace Hardware chain have both created gnome-themed ad campaigns. In Travelocity's, a garden gnome poses for photographs in front of landmarks around the world, while in the Ace spots, a lawn gnome grows tired of the disheveled grass around him and drives away in a convertible.
The large plush-toy manufacturer Aurora is making a new stuffed gnome doll, which it featured on the cover of its 2004 catalog. Even Burberry has gotten in on the action, decorating its shop windows across the country with gnomes.
''Gnomes have gone from folklore to commercialism,'' said David Emery, a folklore expert based in San Francisco, who runs the urban legends and folklore section of the news and information Web site About.com. ''People have always been interested in stories about mischievous little people. They spark imaginations.'' Now the market is rediscovering them.
Gnomes have enjoyed vogues in the past. In the late 19th century, European gardeners started using gnome statues as lawn ornaments, and their popularity quickly spread. In the 1970's, the illustrated book ''Gnomes'' by Will Huygen (Harry N. Abrams, 1977) became a best seller in Europe and America, creating a brief gnome craze on both continents.
While garden gnomes were long considered merely tacky by most arbiters of taste, in the last few years they have begun to enjoy a cult following, perhaps not completely ironic. In France in the 1990's, the Garden Gnome Liberation Front, a group dedicated to ''freeing'' gnomes and returning them to the wild, gained attention for stealing large batches of them and leaving them in forests and other out-of-the-way places. Devotees also started more ambitious ''gnome-nappings,'' in which gnomes are taken on trips and photographed, and the pictures are sent to the owners. The prank figured in the French movie ''Amélie'' in 2001 and has been observed in this country in recent years.
Gnome chic is being driven in part by the current American interest in all things mythological, which has been widely credited to the ''Lord of the Rings'' movies and the Harry Potter books. Collectors also cite the gnomes' positive psychic effect.
''It's definitely a stress relief,'' said John Carleton, a 27-year-old programmer in San Jose, Calif., who never leaves home without a pocket-size gnome and a camera. A year and a half ago, he began taking a picture of a gnome every day and posting the snapshots on his Web site, www.gnomar.com. The pictures were made in locales as diverse as the waters off the Cayman Islands and his local grocery store.
Big Boing Toys is betting on traveling gnomes. The company is releasing four different Gnomads, and asking their owners to design journeys for them on its Web site (www.gnomads.net) and then send them along to friends or strangers, who, it is hoped, will continue chronicling the gnomes' travels online.
For every new gnome-themed product or promotion, it seems that a throng of older gnome-related items are being bought and sold on the Internet. Dan Neary, the head of collectibles for the online auction site eBay, estimates that there are more than three million people who consider themselves gnome collectors.
Total sales of gnome-related items on eBay have increased about 64 percent in the past two years, Mr. Neary said, while the number of gnome-related listings has more than doubled, to 1,200 at any given time, and a few figurines have sold for more than $1,000 this year.
Tom Clark, a prominent gnome artist whose figurines sell for as much as $700, recently designed four mass-market garden gnomes for Lowe's, the home improvement store, where they sell for $55. Kimmel Gnomes, a company in Sturgis, S.D., that also makes gnomes by hand, says its retail sales have gone from about 25 a week last summer to as many as 400 a week now. ''We are unable to keep our shelves stocked,'' said Candice Kimmel, the company's owner. Sales of Kimmel's Greenthumb gnome, the one featured in the Burberry window, have doubled in the past few months.
The European gnome liberation group has a mirror movement in the United States. A Web site called FreeTheGnomes.com, which says its goal is to stop the enslavement of garden gnomes, says it has 44 campus branches and about 100,000 site visitors every year.
Barbara Austin of Greensboro, N.C., was an early victim of gnome-napping in this country. She returned home from a summer weekend away in 2002 to discover that one of her garden gnomes was gone. In its place was a scribbled note reading: ''Gone travelin'. Back later.'' The gnome was returned 50 days later with a large album containing 128 pictures of the gnome in places like Nashville, Niagara Falls, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Tijuana. In total, the garden statue traveled through 28 states and covered 11,016 miles, a note in the album said.
Since the pictures are of only the gnome, Mrs. Austin, 62, still has no idea who snatched it. ''I got a huge charge out of it,'' she said.
But these days, she keeps her gnome in the safety of her front hallway.
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Tom Clark has a new line of "Green Thumb Gnomes" check them out here: http://www.cairnstudio.com/become.shtml
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Where does the Garden Gnome actually come from? The leading export article of the late GDR and the hallmark of German front lawn decoration does in fact have a genuine place of birth: Gräfenroda, Thuringia. The family owned Garden Gnome manufacturer Griebel is now in its fourth generation. The dynasty’s founder, Phillip Griebel, began by molding ceramic animal busts. During his lifetime, also referred to as the Biedermeier period, it was considered chic among the bourgeoisie to own a lifelike-modelled stag’s head as wall decoration. Griebel founded his own company and began looking for new motifs. Beginning with deer, he moved on to fairy tale figures and finally ended up with the now world-renowned Garden Gnome. The product was introduced to the market for the first time at a fair in Leipzig in 1884. Orders immediately started pouring in.
During the Second World War, production was halted for a time, but was quickly back up and running again. Not even the war could hold back the popular product. In the early days of the eastern sector, the GDR saw potential problems with the Gnomes, and issued a ban on them, but not for long. It was quickly realized that these little men had the potential to earn big cash abroad. Production started up again, this time on a large scale. 23 workers modelled an entire army of gnomes every day. These were sold in Scandinavia, West Germany, and even in America. The current owner of the production plant is Reinhard Griebel. Though he can barely afford employing two modellers, he is in good spirits. He has built a museum telling the history of the gnomes and has recently started selling them over the internet.
Excerpt from "übersehene sehenswürdigkeiten. deutsche orte" by Michaela Vieser and Reto Wettach.
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Nursery owner's collection 80 and growing
By MARTY HAIR
McClatchy News Service
Posted: Aug. 11, 2007
In their heyday, garden gnomes were one-of-a-kind works of folkloric art. But gnomes fell victim to faddism, mass production and plastic. They became too cute and widely available for their own good. Their popularity brought them to an ignominious end.
For a long time, they were - well, gnobodies. Recently, though, garden gnomes have made a resurgence - in commercials for Travelocity, the TV shows "Will and Grace" and "Desperate Housewives" and the film "Amelie."
"You started seeing them popping up in other ads," said Tim Travis, a history buff who shares his house in Waterford, Mich., with more than 80 garden gnomes, many of them dating back to the 1920s-'50s. Long interested in garden art and sculpture, Travis started looking more closely into gnomes a couple of years ago. "There's a huge history," he said. "If people understood more about the history of gnomes, I think it would bring it up a notch as far as appreciating them."
Travis, who also collects art and plants like hostas, decided to delve into the gnome marketplace. He hit the jackpot. On eBay, he discovered that the Griebels' gnome museum in Germany was closing and selling gnomes and gnome paraphernalia.
He bought some and also started corresponding with the great-grandchildren of the Griebels. "They were very open in explaining more about the history," he said. "I don't think anyone had ever talked to them about the gnome world."
Travis, 48, president and owner of a nursery in Pontiac, Mich., keeps his gnomes at home, mostly on high shelves in a walk-through closet. The gnomes get outside during the occasional party, but remain indoors most of the time to protect them from weather and sunlight. Travis paid $20 to $150 each for his gnomes and continues to search for unusual old ceramic models, especially those with planters.
He admires the handmade gnomes of Candice Kimmel (www.kimmelgnomes.com) for keeping the art alive. Recently, Travis shared observations about gnomes. "I see them as folk art," he said. "There's an emotion involved with a gnome. You see it in their eyes. You see it in their smile."
Why do other gnome fans stage abductions (gnomeland security) and join gnome clubs? "There's all kinds of people who are really into gnomes. Like obsessive. I'm not one of those people. I'm someone who appreciates them as an art form. But I'm not imagining voices or anything coming out of these gnomes."
From the Aug. 12, 2007 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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For all our budding gnome professors...research this on the internet and tell us more about how we can help to preserve this endangered lichen.
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Hello Queengnome! This is Skyeblossom (G305), aka Skyecrafts, aka April & Patrick Kolen. Happy New Year! As you may recall, we have a gnome store in Florida. We also sell a lot of gnomes online. Most of those gnomes go on their Quest, arrive safely and live happily ever after. Sometimes, however, the Quest turns into a Real Adventure! We would like to share this true story with the WWGA. It's about two gnomes, who left for New Jersey to assume their duties in a nice yard with a loving human gardener, were gnome-napped by the New Jersey Grinch (see story at www.skyecrafts.com/thegrinch.htm) and ended up IN JAIL!!! Skyecrafts was involved with providing all sorts of documents, pictures and proof of purchases to convince the New Jersey Police that the gnomes should be released to their rightful owner and at this time (Jan 3, 2008) we are celebrating the Return of the Gnomes!
It all started in June, 2007. Jane Doe (name changed for privacy) from New Jersey ordered two gnomes from us. Nice big ones, eighteen inchers, to enhance her garden. Here are their pictures:
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Needless to say, she immediately grew fond of them, to the point where she even named them. Eddie and Freddie, the guardians of her yard. Unknown to us at Skyecrafts, her happiness was short lived. Less than one month went by and Eddie and Freddie were gone! Gnome-napped! Distraught Jane did a short search for them but soon gave up. She did not even file a police report, knowing that the New Jersey Police could do little or nothing to rescue a duo of gnomes. She also decided not to replace them, for fear of repeat gnome-napping. Months went by and she had given up all hope of ever seeing Eddie and Freddie again. But then, just after Christmas, a miracle happened. The police found and arrested the New Jersey Grinch, for the whole story, please visit www.skyecrafts.com/thegrinch.htm. The grinch lived only a few blocks away from Jane, so she decided to take a look. And behold, before the police confiscated everything from the grinches yard, there she saw them, Eddie and Freddie, her gnomes, forced to slave labor by the Grinch. Before she could bring them home, however, she first had to prove to the New Jersey police that these gnomes were indeed hers. That is where we came in. Jane scrambled to file a gnome-napping report, diving into her archives for proof of purchases and contacting us for pictures.
Here is a summary of the emails:
From: Jane Doe To: Skyecrafts Date: 12/28/2007
Dear skyecraftsgardengnomes,
Hello! My name is Jane Doe, and I purchased from you in June 2007 two garden gnome statues. I put my two gnomes out in my yard, and in June, just about a month after I got them, they were stolen. I never thought I'd find them, so I never filed a police report. Well, never say never! I read in my local paper that a man who lives near me was arrested for stealing lawn decorations for the past few months. I went and saw the police loading the stolen goods onto their truck, and I saw my two gnomes! I am going to the police this Monday, Dec.31st, to file my police report. I don't have the e-bay confirmation of my two auction wins anymore, and I cannot access them on e-bay since it's been more than 90 days since I bought them from you. Would you be able to send me confirmation of my auction wins from you and a photograph of my gnomes? I purchased a gnome with a rake or shovel and a gnome just standing. I also had ordered a gnome holding apples, but he broke, so I just got the two. Thanks!
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From: Skyecrafts To: Jane Doe Date: 12/29/2007
Hello Jane, thank you for contacting us. Say WHAT??? Your gnomes were gnome-napped and now they are in JAIL?????? Horror and disbelief struck the gnomes in our store when this news reached them. It is a good thing the police caught this man, for if it were up to the gnomes in our store, they would be on their Quest to New Jersey right now to lynch him! June 2007, you sent the auction numbers in another email, your ebay-name is ***** and you paid via Paypal. I will personally dive into our records and dig up as much as I can, including pictures and proof of purchase via UPS/ Paypal, if I can find that. We are going to spring your gnomes out of jail even if we have to hire a troop of mercenary trolls to do it!
Sincerely Patrick Kolen www.skyecrafts.com
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From: Jane Doe To: Skyecrafts Date: 12/29/2007
Dear skyecraftsgardengnomes,
Dear Patrick: Thanks for getting back to me and for offering to help me spring my gnomes back to me! Since e-mailing you last night, I dug into my Paypal account and I found the confirmation of my payment to you for the two gnomes, which took place on June 2007. Each item number was linked, and I was able to pull up the listing page for my gnome with the axe, which I printed out. Unfortunately, the original listing for my other gnome, the smiling one, was gone. So, I have proof of my payment to you and I have a photo of the gnome with the axe. If you could find a photo of the other gnome that would be great. I am going to the police early Monday morning. Even if I don't have a photo of the smiling gnome, I think the police will believe me since I do have a photo of the other guy. My printer is broken, so if you have a photo of the second gnome, if I have it early Sunday, I can forward it to my parents and they can print it our for me. Thanks again! Jane.
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From: Skyecrafts To: Jane Doe Date: 12/30/2007
Dear Jane, I have sent you the pictures of the large standing smiling gnome via email. Do let us know if you need anything else. We are following this situation with great interest and we want those gnomes back to you. Sincerely, April & Patrick Kolen www.skyecrafts.com
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From: Jane Doe To: Skyecrafts Date: 1/2/2008
Dear Patrick: I am happy to report to you that my two gnomes (Eddie and Freddie) are back home, safe INSIDE my home! I went to the police this morning and retrieved them. They got a bit damaged during their ordeal: they have some scratches on them; Freddie (the smiling gnome you sent pictures of) is cracked where his right foot meets the base; Eddie (the one holding the axe) has a piece missing from his base. They still look good, though.
I'm lucky that I got my gnomes back in one piece. The police told me that some of the garden statues the defendant took got broken. So, not only was this guy stealing from people, he didn't take such great care of the stuff he took.
I'm just glad that I found them! I never thought I would. Thank you again for sending me the photos of the smiling gnome...I know it helped me, and the police, with identifying my property and getting it back so quickly.
I hope that this kind of thing never happens to me again! My gnomes certainly have a "Travelocity" tale!
Have a healthy new year. Jane Doe
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And there you have it. Eddie and Freddie, missing for nearly six months, wounded, tortured, jailed and finally safe back home where they belong. They will probably spend the rest of the winter indoors and we wish them well.
We wish everyone a happy and SAFE gnome year!!
Sincerely, April & Patrick Kolen SKYECRAFTS Home of the Garden
Gnome
8161 SR 52 Hudson, FL 34667 Tel 727 862 1682 fax 727 819 1079 www.skyecrafts.com
***
Irma Lundin, a Swedish lady, has 4,000 Gnomes.
My cousin sent me an article from a news magazine. No town is given. She can only display 1,000 at a time. I don’t know if she’s inherited some and added or if she’s purchased them herself over the years. She’s not young looking. I’ll have to see what I can pick up in the article since it’s in Swedish. My cousin asked me about a few things I’ll have to answer in a letter to her after Christmas. I’ll see if she can answer my questions.
That English man, Ron, had 1,000 – I think. I know that Irma is pronounced in Swedish like “ear-muh” and Lundin is pronounced “lun-deen.”
Any member with more information is asked to submit it to QueenGnome G7
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February's newsletter is now available on our website http://www.moore-stuff.com/moore%20news.htm
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Christina Jarlhammar of IVC Jarlhammar is interested in starting a Gnome Club in Sweden. If you are interested and want more information contact Christina at:
08-525 091 34 or 0708-835536
Web Site: www.jarlhammar.se (gnome items for sale)
Email: ivc@jarlhammar.se
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I don't know about anyone else, but lately I've been more than a bit disgusted at the lack of respect for Gnomes shown by one too many producers … Gnomes bending over with exposed bottoms or sticking their finger up - lots of nasty stuff. I hope all collectors feel the same way.
I recently purchased two copies of a large new book about Gnomes. I intended to keep one and donate the other to a local library. The book looked so nice until I got to several disrespectful pages (i.e., 18, 113, 122 and 123) that made it not possible for the library to accept. Kids pick up enough bad stuff nowadays without it also being conveyed in writing!
True Gnome lovers know that Gnomes are neither porno-oriented nor do they engage in shameful behavior.
Then there are the figurine producers who insist on creating them - when Gnomes have no way to defend themselves against such stuff.
Perhaps the human producers themselves live loose lives. Certainly, human greed and sick, warped senses of humor are at fault - to say nothing of a total disregard for the wonderful Gnomes on our earth. Most of us know that "GNOME" stands for "Guarding naturally over mother earth."
It's too bad the human producers can't be posed in those disgusting positions right outside the front entrances to their factories - to see how they like experiencing shame and mockery when passersby see their exposed human bottoms in the same way those producers depict wholesome, harmless Gnomes.
How can we Gnome lovers best try to put a stop to sad porno Gnome production? It might not be easy to contact producers toward making a dent in that regard … but we can write to a publisher who issues a new book.
Gnome Devotee G9
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She has two cute children who know how much I love Gnomes. I said I'd ponder and do a little write-up. Children sure can ask questions!
When I started stirring in my brain, and thinking of all the messes in our beautiful world, I realized that Gnomes must be even more frustrated than us humans. We really live in such a beautiful world, but it's primarily people who mess it up more and more.
The book "Secrets of the Gnomes" contains many examples of Gnome frustrations with the world's situation. Try to get a copy or re-read a copy you already have.
I don't think Gnomes exhibit behavior like stomping feet or showing anger. Gnomes wouldn't waste time and energy that could be used to solve a problem in need of a fast fix. Knowing what I know about them, and especially in view of the many hundreds of years of wisdom Gnomes have gained, I feel that they'd consider any displays of anger as naïve, wasteful, and foolish. (As we already know, there are no curse words in their language.)
I can't really envision a little Gnome stomping feet in a woodland area when happening upon something that gives rise to upset and distress. Instead, he and his friends would put their heads together and come up with a fast solution to solve the problem. They surely wouldn't waste time stomping their feet when another Gnome or animal is in urgent need. Gnomes don't waste time when an emergency presents itself!
They can hop a ride on a fast woodland animal or bird, and they can cross a body of water on any animal who can swim and knows of a need.
What I can envision, however, is a look of consternation on a Gnome's face as he gets to work taking care of an urgent need - but nothing more than that kind of look. He'd contain his feelings and talk in soothing tones to an injured animal or another Gnome. Later, he'd certainly share feelings with Gnome friends. Remember, too, that they have regular get-togethers for discussing whatever is important.
Because all Gnome children start out on the right foot with their parents' intensive guidance in all matters, there are no discipline problems to cause anger in parents. Naturally, there are the usual parental concerns for children to always do the right thing and keep themselves safe from harm. I've never heard of Gnome children engaging in willful disobedience or exhibiting fits of temper. Adults and children treat each other with respect.
I firmly believe that all Gnomes, regardless of their ages, work to correct wrongs and provide necessary assistance to other Gnomes and all woodland animals.
GNOME DEVOTEE G-9
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Check out Fairywoodland for some wonderful gift ideas!
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Looking for gnome posters to spruce up your home or garden shed? Check out www.allposters.com
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Wonderful little "Christmas" gnomes for all occasions can be found at www.moose.no
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Looking for the
Allan Dart knitted gnome pattern? Check out this web site: www.simplyknitting.co.uk
"Wow! You guys really love Alan Dart's gnome patterns! Not only have we had
loads of pictures of these cheeky little chaps sent in to the magazine in
various poses, but we have hundred of requests for the pattern that came free in
the Christmas Gifts Extra Supplement with issue 8 of Simply Knitting. If you
want one, here's what to do:
If you live in the UK: Make out a cheque made payable to 'Simply Knitting' for £3.50.
If you live outside the UK: Make out a cheque made payable to 'Simply Knitting' for the equivalent of £5.50 in your own currency.
Then - send your cheques along with your name and address to: Christmas Gifts Extra Simply Knitting Future, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2BW, UK
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David
the Gnome series on DVD and currently available from: www.tesco.com
Released August 21, 2006
Based on the world famous children`s books The Gnomes and he Secret of the Gnomes by Rein Poortvilet and Wil Huygen, David the Gnome headlined Channel Four`s children`s programming in the early 1990`s. Narrated by Hollywood legend Christopher Plummer and featuring Tom Bosley (Mr Cunningham `Happy Days`, `Father Dowling Investigates`) as the voice of David, this classic animation is available for the first time on DVD. David the Gnome is the wise woodland doctor who lives with his wife Lisa under a tree and protects all the inhabitants of the woods from the evil ogres and trolls. Join David on his journey to all the corners of the Gnome world as he travels on his trusty fox Swift, who he summons by whistling.
Did you know? That a gnome is seven times stronger than a human being? A Gnome`s sense of smell is nineteen times more developed than yours? Why Gnomes wear pointy hats? Find out about these and many other curious facts, kept secret until now, with the kindly Dr Gnome as he dispenses his wise advice and teaches the Gnomes to love and respect nature.
More info... Video system: PAL - Language: English - No. of disks: 4 - Catalogue number: PAR61315 - Sound format: Dolby Digital, Stereo - Aspect ratio: 4:3
DVD special features Exclusive printable David the Gnome colouring in pictures. Episode synopses. Welsh language episode 'Dafydd The Gnome' as seen on S4C. Photo Gallery.
Includes four Bonus Episodes: - Dogtanian. - Willy Fog. - Round The Twist. - Shoe People.
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I do have about 10 more of the Santa (Gnome) calendars for 2008
and would be very interested in you sending out information in your newsletter.
By the way, we do import a lot of other Santas/gnomes/trolls from Norway. Check
out our website, www.romdahl.com, or the
link to our supplier of gnomes, www.candydesign.no.
We can get you any of the figurines on their website, and the last part of our
website is also dedicated to figurines, quite a few of them gnomes and Santas.
Regards, RMC International Inc., Paal Romdahl email: promdahl@verizon.net
***
2 New Gnome Books (both available through www.Amazon.com and www.Amazon.ca) Order now and get free shipping!
If You Could Only See ... A Gnome's Story: A Groundbreaking First Person Account of the Nature Kingdom As Told by the Gnomes, Leprechauns, Elves, and Faeries Themselves
Christopher Valentine, Christian Von Lahr, ~ Myst Of The Oracle Corp. 17 August, 2006 ~ ISBN: 0978681207 ~ Hardcover
Seeing and Sensing Gnomes...Hey Looky Hea'h: A Direct Approach to Seeing the Gnomes, Elves, Leprechauns and Fairies Around You and Learning How to Sense Their Presence and Influence in Your Life Christopher Valentine, Christian Von Lahr, ~ Myst of the Oracle Corporation 04 June, 2007 ~ ISBN: 0978681231 ~ Hardcover
Watch for upcoming reviews!
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I have 3 rolls of the “Gnomes” wallpaper with illustrations from the book
– and each roll’s label says:
2 Rolls - 42 ft. x 20 ½ in. - Solid Vinyl Washable Wallcovering
It came from Wallpapers, Inc. – Oakland, CA.
For $20 a roll plus postage, it’s a good deal if someone wants Gnome wallpaper. I’d like to sell all the rolls or will sell one or two. SOLD!
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www.vanberiadecorah.com (in Iowa) - Item 6208 Kitchen Tomte Figures and also Suzanne Toftey Gnome items – cups/plates.
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The Plano, Texas Wooden Spoon shop can get Toftey gnome mugs/plates! Contact Gwen at Twonordic@aol.com
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I have some fun gnome stamps waiting to be pressed.....in the near
future,
Cheers Susan, your humble Kiwi servant.
susan@yankiwi.com - YanKiwi Purveyors of fine rubber art stamps and gorgeous wee objects. http://www.yankiwi.com/
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Looking for some David the Gnome items - check out: www.tons-of-toys.com and search "David the Gnome"
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Garden Gnomes & Statues, Decorative Garden Art, Gnomes
& Gifts - Sunset Showcase
http://www.sunsetshowcase.com/garden-gnomes.html
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Philipp Griebel factory site has all this. Garden Gnomes -
Original German Garden Gnomes
http://www.zwerglignomes.com/.
The story on the site is cute of how they're born with the red hat coming out of
the ground. Would be fun to visit the factory and ship some home. I like a
gardener fellow holding a watering can with flowers painted on it. Gnome Devotee
G-9
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Philipp Griebel GmbH - Gartenzwerge
http://www.zwergen-griebel.de/
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Philippe Starck Gnomes
http://www.europebynet.com/Detail_nn_sku_KRCHR003-1.html
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TO ADD NEWS TO THIS NEWSLETTER CONTACT QUEENGNOME
