DIY Junk Gnomes

These junk gnome cuties are about to be your favorite! I love how easy they are to make and how many ways you can make them your own for any decor or holiday style you want. Completely made from junk around your house they are a budget friendly craft for kids or grandkids as well!

You’ll want to rummage through your drawers and junk stash to find the perfect accessories for your new bearded friend. BUT…the cool thing is you could take this idea and make him a holiday gnome in minutes, or a garden gnome, sewing gnome, craft gnome…whatever you are in to! I did a Facebook live on this project if you want to see me make a junk gnome you can check it out here. AAANNNDDD if you are new here from Facebook or anywhere else, WELCOME! I adore new friends, be sure to jump on that e-mail list so we can stay in touch!

I used a piece of scrap wood and lightly painted it so my gnome would be a neutral color scheme. Again – make it yours with fun colors or designs. 

Get some scrap fabric ( I used an old t-shirt) and cut a length of it as wide as you would like your beard to be long. Next cut the length of it into small strips to make his beard. Use a dab of hot glue on the back side of your block to hold the end then wrap the “beard” around the block a few times and glue the other end on the back.

I made the gnome hat next and for these guys I used old denim. I stash ripped jeans for projects just like this! Cut a piece of denim and roll it like an ice cream cone. It takes some messing with, but keep trying until you like the shape and glue the outside edge down. You can pinch and glue the top together to make a point if you’d like. I like to flip the edge up for a brim on the hat, it looks better to tuck treasures into. If you use a material other than denim or if your hat is too wide use stuffing to fill the hat and help it hold its shape, plus this helps the hat sit on his head better. Now slide the hat over the top of the block until it reaches the top edge of the beard and then glue in place. 

Now find a nose! Think buttons, knobs, junk that sticks out and is round! Glue it right under the hat line, on top of the beard if you want!

The fun part is decorating his hat and this is where you can change themes and make each gnome yours. I found bolts, washers, miscellaneous parts, feathers, clothes pins and snaps, gathered them and made a pile to pick from. I started the layering with a feather made from an old hymn page and added in a bird feather, these both added height and texture to my gnome’s hat.

Using a glue gun I added hardware and trinkets until he was junked up enough to be precious! Now make a fun little grouping on a tray, table or mantel and show off your new friends the junk gnomes! Add a picture to my Facebook live post so I can see what you create, I always love your ideas. Be a doll and share this will ya?

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