Ben Thawthulatch, Winter Gnome

Description

This gnome is handcrafted of natural wool using both wet and dry felting techniques. He stands just under 6 inches tall from base to hat tip.

This gnome was inspired by winter work, from thawing stuck gate-latches to bringing in the firewood. He is familiar with the bone-chilling wind and the numbing of fingers, but never loses heart or abandons his hearth-husbandry.

Needle-felting is an artform using thin barbed needles to enmesh natural fibers, usually wool, until they hold the desired shape on their own. It is a time consuming process into which much patience and love is poured. This particular doll includes wool from multiple sources, including some I dyed myself and got from my own sheep!

This doll is all wool, no wire, and so is suitable for gentle play. Because wool bits and fibers may pose a choking hazard, this doll is not recommended for children who still explore the world with their mouths.