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WWGA
NEWSLETTER MARCH 2002
 
Welcome
New Members
G149 Sally from Elton,
Louisiana, USA
G150 Lisa from Bracebridge,
Ontario, Canada
G151 Mara from Boulder,
Colorado, USA
G152 Daniel from Columbus,
Georgia, USA
G153 George from Amery,
Wisconsin, USA
G154 Terry from Amery,
Wisconsin, USA
March
Birthdays
G108 Martha marjack@Wyoming.com
March
G42 Allen GnomeBros@yahoo.com
March 8
G18 Jennifer NEED NEW EMAIL
ADDRESS March 14
G119 John JCTBG@aol.com
March 19
G106 Siv siv.holgersson@swipnet.se
March 24
G139 Justin jr@thediscarded.com
March 25
Here is a very
interesting story of how new member Terry aka Maudy G154 and George aka
Leonardo G153 became interested in gnomes...enjoy
I don't know how other's got
interested in gnomes, but our interest started with entertaining our
granddaughter and a natural hole in a large oak tree. My husband
gradually put a small door in the space with a brass knocker, a slate
floor inside and a walkway out to the little mailbox. We just told our
granddaughter who was four at the time that something strange was going
on at the tree; we didn't know what maybe fairies, elves, gnomes or
something. She went out to see for herself and when she came back she
said with assurance, "It's gnomes Grandma." So, it has been gnomes ever
since.
Very shortly after we came
across the wonderful "Gnomes" book at a used book store which we have
used to increase our knowledge in this area. And, we were very pleased
to discover that they do indeed reside in this part of Northwest
Wisconsin. We do also live very near a place called Trollhaugen, a ski
resort, where there live some very awful trolls who do give our gnomes
trouble from time to time.
What a wonderful story! I will
treasure this one and believe that this memory of time spent with your
granddaughter is a gift more precious than gold.
Gnome Wizards
Gnomes are small quick creatures
that love the woods and other magical places. They tend to live
underground but love the sun and are known for helping others in trouble
(which some times gets them in trouble). Gnomes have short memories and
rarely remember those that have hurt them for more than a couple days,
(their friends they remember though). It is nearly impossible to catch a
gnome and attempts to control their will always meet with failure.
Gnomes have more common sense than normal and are good companions (if
you keep reminding them that they are traveling with you.)
Gnomes are natural tinkerers and nothing makes them happier than having some object to tinker on.
Follow this link to learn
more...www.cyberwizards.com
MINIATURE GNOME WIZARDS
The FA60 miniature is a "Wizard
with book", FA61 is "Great Orc with Gnome". The figures are
approximately 25mm scale and so stand about an inch high. The wizard
figure (FA60) is human, but the small figure (FA61) on the back of the
Orc is Gnome.
Here is a link to a site where
you can learn more about miniatures
Model, Design & Craft, 120 Union
Grove, Aberdeen, AB10 6SB, United Kingdom - mail to: enquiries@mammoth-miniatures.co.uk
GNOMES, HAGS & WIZARDS
Mulberry Ceramics, a ceramic company in Scotland makes and sells these unusual wizard gnomes. They are individually hand-made figures in earthenware clay. Hand-glazed in bright colours. They are available in small and medium sizes. Hags are also available in de-luxe or large. Wizards can be large, extra large or xxl!
The workshop is, or will be, in
Lochdon, Isle of Mull, Scotland. The small figures are available from
Kells Gold and Silver, Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull. Larger figures
have to be ordered - allow at least three weeks - to allow for creative
activities to take place!!
The picture shows a large wizard, a medium hag and a small gnome. Gnomes can only become wizards by graduation. Their hat colour indicates the level of their skills. A wizard has a bronze hat. Ingrid would not reveal to me the other level colors - trade secrets!
For more details contact Ingrid
van Donselaar: Mulberry Ceramics, Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA64 6AD,
Scotland. Tel/Fax 01 680 812 364 e-mail:
mulberryceramics@isle-of-mull.demon.co.uk
Link to her website: http://www.mulberryceramics.co.uk/gnomes.htm
Feature Writer: Enid
Blyton
http://www.enidblyton.co.uk/
Enid Blyton's home page is
wonderful...take a moment to visit her world of fantasy and learn more
about her gnome wizard character.
This lady is a fantastic writer
of over 700 books! I have some of her books.
Gnome
Vacations
 Beautiful
stone-walled flower gardens, covered and open-air patios, luxurious
private outdoor spa, large outdoor bar and barbecue grill, family sized
fire pit, picnic table and lawn furniture enhance the surroundings of
your vacation rental
Orcas Island Estate Chalet in San Juans.
Follow this link to find out
more about this wonderful gnome home vacation place
http://www.orcasrec.com/gnome2.html
To learn more about the Orcas go
to
www.orcasisland.org
March
Crafty Ideas
March Special: Want to paint a wizard
gnome of your own? During the month of March, 2002 you can purchase a
ready-to-paint, ceramic bisque, wizard gnome for $15 including postage.
This wizard gnome is made from a Doc Holliday mold and it is about 7
inches tall. Contact
QueenGnome@foundus.com
Once clay is fired in a kiln it
becomes "bisque" which is a hard but porous product that can be painted
using standard craft paints (E.g.. Gare, Americana, Folk Art, Delta) or
completed with ceramic glazes which require additional firing in a kiln.
Crochet a Gnifty Gnome: For those who
like to crochet attached is a crochet pattern in Microsoft Word format
for a small gnome. What a wonderful gift to make and give to those
special wee people in your life.
From the
www.RealAge.com
Tip of the Day: "A creative hobby can be an effective method
of stress reduction. You don't even have to be good at the hobby. Just
find something you enjoy doing, whether it's writing stories, molding
clay figures, or taking still-life photos, and schedule weekly quiet
time to devote to your craft."
 Gnome
Wizards...are males.
Here are some answers to last
month's question, "What would females be called?"
Sorceress would be the best however here
are a few others that are used. Text: Synonyms
WITCH
1, bruja, enchantress, hag, hex, lamia, witchwoman. I kind of like
enchantress......sounds mystical!
I second that!
From this day forth I, QueenGnome, proclaim that all female gnomes
trained in the arts of wizardry will henceforth be known as
"Enchantresses". They will be trained in the healing arts. Including
botany, plant potions and ... well, we too must not reveal all our
secrets.
What would she
be like? Here is Marafae's vision of a gnome enchantress.
They keep their
hair long, and down...often with flowers intertwined...they wear a
spirit pouch filled with many items, herbs, stones, crystals, even
insect wings and such....and bonji's if they are lucky enough to find
them.
[Bonji's:
These are small stones about the size of a nickel only thick like a
rounded stone.....they come in male round and rough, and female, round
and smooth, they are from a living plant that grows in areas that have
enormous energy surges, like around Sedona, Arizona, Kauai, Hawaii or
around the Pyramids; man made or natural made....they can be kept in a
pouch but need to energize at least once a month by placing under the
light of a full moon - They also enjoy being held and touched. They
are excellent for healing.]
Enchantresses also have wands
they slip onto their belts or sashes around their waists. Animals tend
to surround them, for they are good with animals and mend their hurts.
Enchantresses are normally quite beautiful, but remember the greatest
beauty is from within. Enchantresses who seem to have lost their
beauty, probably traded it to save another. [They tend to do such
things!]
Enchantresses adore children and
listen to them very carefully. They find beauty in the simplest things
and laughter brings them great joy. They have an enormous ability to
love and attract those needing love. Their are few on this earth, yet
for those who's fortune is to know one, are blessed beyond reason. They
love all colors but especially blues, greens and yellow.
They have a lovely singing voice
and often lure others to sleep with it. Her spoken voice is soft and
gentle, her movements are fluid.
She is seldom
angry, however if something does anger her, she like her cousin, Mother
Nature, strike such discord all will know. Fortunately she forgives
quickly, when the person is sincere. She is very wise and much can be
learned by watching and studying the Enchantress.
What will our Boubliwae
Gnome Enchantress be like? She will have a wish ring with a
lavender crystal; carry a spirit pouch of lavender and faerie dust that
she must have replenished in the realm of the Fae and a bonji gifted to
her by the dwarfs. Will her apron pockets be filled with...let me
think...sweet smelling herbs like lavender to heal the spirit
and...the aromatic smell of lavender surrounds her. She may even wear a
crown of lavender. Her home will be adorned with drying lavender.
When you visit
her she serves wonderful Royal Lavender Tea A blend of vanilla tea,
jasmine
tea and lavender. (p.s. actually available from http://www.olypen.com/coffee/teas.htm)
Will the
lavender be gathered by wee faeries as shown in this beautiful picture
of a faerie gathering lavender by Cicely Mary Barker?
Will
she care for a rare lavender unicorn?
Or maybe she is
guardian of the Unicorns?
To
see more magical unicorns visit
Help us to
create wonderful new gnome enchantress characters send your imaginative
ideas to
QueenGnome@foundus.com or
place your ideas on the bulletin board.
Create a
soothing magical lavender gnome bag and carry it with you (put some of
that wonderful faerie dust in it too). Cross stitchers can add a picture
of a gnome to their bags.
Visit your local
health shop to purchase bags of dried lavender or pure lavender oil. Go
to a local garden shop and obtain a pot of lavender. Keep it on your
desk at work or in a home window. Give a gift of lavender to help lift
the spirits of someone special. Paint a gnome onto a terra cotta pot or
use decoupage glue (available at most craft stores) and add your
favorite gnome picture to the outside of the pot (don't forget to seal
the inside first!).
Want your own
lavender gazing ball? Visit
http://www.allcrystal.com/gazeingballs.html
Sterling silver
wish rings like the one above or this one can be obtained from:
http://www.theshipsstorekeeper.com/sterlingrings2.htm
Carving Gnomes: Through many generations there have been woodcarvers in the Torberg Family. There have been carved hex signs on barns to scare away the Trolls, carved doors, and handmade violins, but now there are more Gnomes, Santas, and Wildlife lining the walls and shelves of the shop. http://www.specialtysoapsinternational.com/woodcarve.html Come visit us when you are in town. Our shelves are lined with many unique carvings, all one of a kind. We are out at "Old Lyndale", on County Road #6, 20 miles west of Minneapolis, MN. We try to keep our store open daily from 1:00 to 4:00, and Saturdays and Sundays if you call first to be sure someone is there. Whenever we?re there, it?s Open! We also offer a Country Carving Kit consisting of a Book on "How to Carve", specific directions for each pattern, and the carving wood to be used. The price of each kit is $11.75, plus shipping. Wholesale pricing of $5.95 each on orders of 25 kits or more.
   This
is a picture created by Cameron Dominick, 304 West Circular
St., Saratoga Springs,NY 12866, USA showing his vision of what a gnome wizard would look like.
You can view more of Cameron's
work at
http://steelvision.tripod.com/
Gnomes
that go Squish in the Night
 I got out of bed for a glass of water It was way past midnight In the dark I stepped on something Squish, it gave me a fright I jumped and quickly turned on the light To my horror, I discovered such a sight Flat as a pancake, his tongue hanging out "I've stepped on a House Gnome!" I screamed out. My folks half asleep came a running to me. I told them what I did, and they went to see. Dad picked him up and started CPR Mom had us lay the Gnome on the bar. After a while he came too However he was black and blue His eyes showed he was very scared But at least his life had been spared. Weeks have gone by and... We're good friends at last, I watch where I'm walking, when I get up at night Don't want to repeat that horrid fright. MORAL OF THE STORY:
Nightlights in halls keep you
from
squishing Gnomes. This silly poem has been brought to you by Donny aka OneWhoFlies
There once was a gnome called
Bumpy
Who really was quite lumpy With a warty old nose And ten gnarly toes He would spend all his days being grumpy From Raymond Leuty aka Billy Gigglewick G134, from Stanley, Tasmania, Australia Hi--On the 14th July 2001 Stanley's Nut Gnomes got in the news yet once again. The local council declared in their new conservation guidelines for the little historical town that 'whimsical garden gnomes were unnecessary, and are incongruous in a historical environment like Stanley.' The Nut gnomes led by their leader Prince Omi came down from their 'mountain' in defense of their brother garden gnomes. Gathering support from town gnome lovers there began exhibitions of protests. Gnomes appeared in numbers at council meetings, on roundabouts, in the town hall and other public places. The media loved the story. It did the rounds of TV, radio and newspapers around the country. The one I like was the interview with radio 6PR Perth Western Australia 2000 miles away. Broadcasters 'Jenny and Gary' let fly with verbal support for gnomes, in fact, they suggested a world wide convention of gnomes to illustrate gnome democracy. It's been toyed around before. Maybe one day? In the meantime however, Stanley's garden gnomes are back in their gardens and the Nut Gnomes are back atop their 'mountain' after a resounding victory. These pictures are from the national magazine the 'Aussie Post' July 14, 2001 issue. Here is the story... "Circular Head Council has admitted defeat in the Great Tasmanian Gnome War! When council members in the fishing town of Stanley, in northwest Tasmania considered banning garden gnomes in the region, they didn't expect a lot of opposition. They were wrong!
Despite the council's claim
that the ban would maintain the historic feel of the fishing town of
Stanley, gnome loving townsfolk weren't having it.
In fact, resident protests were so
forceful that the plan was effectively dropped and now there's been a
veritable gnome explosion in Stanley.
The post office stamps a logo on
outgoing mail,local retailers display signs proclaiming 'gnome
friendliness' and tour operators take visitors to the ' Vale of the
Gnomes'.
The successful gnome
rebellion was led by retired television producer Raymond Leuty,
who argues that the little people have an important place in the
region's history.
In fact, Raymond and his
supporters are convinced Lilliput, the town of tiny people in
Joathan Swift's famous novel
Gulliver's Travel, was actually based in Stanley!
"I reckon Jonathan Swift
used Stanley as the basis for his magical land," Raymond
claims." Back then, Swift
searched for a remote place and Van Dieman's land was that.
"Perhaps he had maps
published by Abel Tasman and thought it would be great place to put
Lilliput."
Denying that he's trying to
pull a sort of 'swifty'. Raymond has set up a Lilliput internet
site (his gnomepage at 'lilliputstanley.cjb.net)
which has drawn hits from gnome lovers around the world. It's even
helped increase tourist numbers in the sleepy region.
Raymond has also [Note from
Raymond: wants to publish] published a picture book called Gulliver's
Rainbow, in which gnomes live on top of Stanley's most famous landmark,
the Nut --- a gigantic volcanic plug with wonderful views of Bass
Strait.
The Stanley gnome saga
began when a heritage consultant advised the local council to ban
all garden gnomes in the town.
It was felt the gnomes detracted from the town's historic feel.
Raymond protested by
placing a gnome in front row of the public gallery at a council meeting.
Soon, people were visiting the council's offices to complain that the
planned ban-
was un-Australian.
Then residents protested by
taking their gnomes to the top of the Nut, prompting some Paris-based
Gnome Liberation members to start sending messages of support.
And there are lots of
gnome lovers in Stanley who were willing to put up a fight. Like Chris
Perry, who was the victim of a
gnome-napping a couple years ago. After it disappeared, Chris's
gnome started sending picture postcards from all around Australia before
returning home just in time for a family wedding.
Then there's retired
retailer Robert De Jonge, who says the gnomes add warmth and interest to
his home.
"One day the gnome will be over by
the fence, the next he's somewhere else," says Bob,
"It's strange how they seem to
get about."
"How can a council tell
people how to decorate their homes and gardens? It's like
Mussolini's Italy--if they ever
enforce the rules, I will be out there to protest."
Not that the gnome ban is
ever likely to become reality. With tourism on the rise and Stanley
locals embracing all things gnome-like, it seems the little people are
there to stay.
"We all love magic, not
just the kids," says Raymond. "We should try to lose that."
Written by Rick Eaves/Alf Wilson
Aussie POST July 14, 2001
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