How to make garden gnomes with step-by-step instructions. How to sew a gnome from an old sweater

To make the garden design original and unusual, garden figures are placed in it. One of the most popular models of these figures are garden gnomes. Purchasing them is quite an expensive undertaking, so it is much cheaper to make them yourself. Let's look at how to make a gnome for the garden below.

The installation of nymphs, gnomes, woodmen in the garden is becoming increasingly popular, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from a mythological one. It is believed that the gnome is able to protect the garden and the entire farmstead from evil spirits; in addition, it has a positive effect on plants, improving their condition.

In addition, the garden gnome will become a real decoration of any garden. In the summer, it scares away birds that like to feast on the harvest of fruit trees, and in winter it stands out from the general background with its brightness and contrast.

It is believed that installing a small gnome in the garden can bring happiness and a rich harvest, in addition, its owners will become healthier and luckier.

When installing a garden gnome in the garden, you should remember that it must have its own place where it will look harmonious. Therefore, both before purchasing and before making a garden gnome, it is necessary to study the recommendations that will help determine its location among the garden composition:

1. Draw a plan.

Before developing a sketch of a garden gnome, try drawing it first. After that, imagine it in the place where you want to place it. Think about how it will look there at different times of the year, in different climates, and whether a strong gust of wind will blow it away. When purchasing or building several garden gnomes, try to ensure that they blend harmoniously in different parts of the garden.

2. Choose a background landscape.

Another important element of installing a garden gnome is its combination with the plants located in the garden. Since, if a garden gnome is installed in the fall or early spring, then there are no leaves on the trees yet, and flowers are not yet growing, so in the summer it may not be visible at all, among a lot of greenery. The place where the garden gnome is installed should be open on all sides. An excellent place to install a gnome would be a decorative fence, flower bed, path, front garden or area near a bench.

3. General style.

The overall style of the garden should match the style in which the gnomes are made. For a classic style, a standard version is suitable, perhaps monochromatic, or made in several color shades. For a romantic garden, a composition of several gnomes, made in soft pink and lilac tones, is suitable. Wooden gnomes for the garden are installed in a country-style garden. For the Art Nouveau style, a garden gnome made of metal, marble, concrete or clay is suitable.

Each figure in a garden composition should have its place. Several figures placed incorrectly in the garden can ruin even the most exquisite color composition. It is advisable to choose garden figures made from the same type of materials, for example, if the fountain is made of marble, then the garden gnome should be the same.

With the correct selection of garden figures and their harmonious combination, the garden will become the most favorite relaxation place for both all family members and guests.

Outdoor garden gnome

Buying or making garden figures is becoming increasingly popular in the process of decorating both a private home and a summer cottage. Shapes make the area more attractive. Gnomes, for example, are able to protect peace in the house, and birds or animals complement the overall composition and make the interior fabulous.

Garden gnomes photo:

We propose to consider the main features of using garden gnomes outdoors:

The easiest way to decorate a garden is to buy ready-made products. They are based on artificial stone, gypsum or acrylic resin. But, the option of making figures with your own hands is more interesting, since they will be unique in their own way.
The purpose of gnomes can be primary or secondary. In the first case, the gnomes occupy all the visual attention, in the second they are an addition to the already existing picture.
German gnomes are perfect for decorating a garden in a rustic style. Their main function was to scare away birds from the trees and fruits of the garden.
When choosing a garden figure or composition of several elements, first of all focus on the area on which they will be installed and on your own financial situation.
Garden gnomes will fit perfectly into a children's play area in the garden. They are also often installed near ponds, fountains, flower beds, flower beds, stumps, etc.
Gnomes in a dacha will make its exterior unique and give a sea of emotions to its visitors.

Varieties of garden gnomes

Gnomes made from natural wood.

Figures made of wood fit very harmoniously into the overall design of the garden. They bring warmth, comfort and joy. To make such figures, it is recommended to use unprocessed material in the form of logs, branches or driftwood. When building such a gnome, a hat made of leaves or moss will perfectly complement the picture.

Figurine of a gnome made of natural stone.

To build such a figure yourself will require a lot of effort, since here you will have to work with a chisel and a hacksaw. But the result will surprise everyone. After all, gnomes made in this style are distinguished by their originality and refined appearance. They look good in a garden with a classic modern style. To complement the overall picture, use pebbles brought from the lake, which can be painted for variety.

Garden figure gnome made of polystone.

This material for making gnomes is new, so it is rarely used when performing such work. Although products made with its help are realistic and attractive in appearance. This material is based on aluminum hydroxide, acrylic resins and additional pigments that make it stone. Gnomes made from polystone are durable, abrasion-resistant, and resistant to deformation and temperature changes. The only drawback is the high cost, which is fully justified by the quality of the product.

Garden gnomes made of plaster.

Plaster figures have always been particularly popular due to the low cost of the material and the ease of working with it. The disadvantages of gypsum include its fragility, so such a gnome should not be on the playground. To make a gnome from plaster, you will need a lot of experience in the field of modeling, since it will be very difficult to give it a shape without experience. Therefore, it is better to make simpler figures from plaster in the form of additional decorations, such as caterpillars, mushrooms, flowers, etc.

Concrete garden gnomes.

Garden gnomes made from cement mortar are distinguished primarily by their durability. But this will require a special form into which the finished mixture is poured, waiting for it to dry. Another option is to coat the finished frame with cement mortar. To make it, ordinary wire will be enough. In this case, in order to achieve plasticity of the solution and a high level of adhesion to the surface of the wire, it is recommended to add a plasticizer or PVA glue to the finished mixture.

Garden gnomes based on hay or straw.

Even with the help of ordinary hay you can make figures for the garden. To do this, the material is twisted very tightly in the form of individual parts of the character that needs to be made.

Gnomes made from improvised means.

The material for making a garden gnome will be ordinary unnecessary garbage, such as old flower pots, basins, a barrel, plastic bottles, tires, etc. If you draw the body of a gnome on a large barrel and add a car tire on top in the form of his head, you will get a funny garden figurine.

Using polyurethane foam.

It is quite possible to make a garden gnome from polyurethane foam, especially since it is resistant to temperature changes, frost, precipitation and ultraviolet radiation. To create a garden gnome using this method, first prepare a form in the form of its skeleton; for this it is recommended to use materials such as wire, unnecessary garbage in the form of plastic bottles, plates, buckets, sticks, etc. The foam is applied in several stages, and each layer must dry well. A utility knife will help get rid of excess foam. The finished product is painted and varnished.

Master class - garden gnome made of plaster

The easiest way to make a garden gnome yourself is plaster. This material is resistant to precipitation, cold, and ultraviolet radiation. Such a figure will not withstand only mechanical influences, so install it in a place from which it will never fall.

To carry out work on making a garden gnome you will need:

sculpture plaster;
PVA construction adhesive;
acrylic paints and brushes for working with them;
varnish;
compass;
pencil;
stationery knife;
decorative elements in the form of beads, flowers, leaves;
molds for working with plaster;
water-resistant glue;
sunflower oil;
water.

Instructions for making a garden gnome with your own hands:

The first step is to take care of purchasing plaster. According to the instructions, dilute the plaster with water. Attention, it is very important to observe the specified proportions, since an incorrectly diluted solution can affect the strength of the structure.

To dilute the plaster, use a rubber or plastic container. Mix the water and plaster thoroughly, and then add PVA glue to the solution to increase its elasticity and ductility. The amount of glue for the solution is one percent of its total mass. For example, in a gypsum solution weighing 4 kg, you need to add 40 grams of glue.
If the gnome is up to 50 cm in size, then the preliminary construction of a structure in the form of a skeleton is not required; the plaster is poured directly into the figured mold. The most convenient are silicone molds; they are sold in any construction stores or on the market.
It is possible to make a mold for a gnome yourself; this will be appropriate when you need to make several identical gnomes. Otherwise, it is better to use a purchased form, since its construction will take more than one day.
To make a large sculpture, the construction of a metal frame is required. It is made from reinforcing rods, which increase the stability of the figure. To fix the product on the ground, you need to build a protruding element from the bottom of the gnome.
Start pouring the plaster solution. First, fill the mold halfway, wait for the solution to set, tap the mold to prevent air bubbles from forming, and then pour in the rest. Tap the mold again, level the surface with a spatula and wait until the gnome is completely dry.
After this, remove the figure from the mold. To do this, you need to place a piece of board or lid of a suitable size on the mold. Press it onto the mold and turn the shape over.
Next comes the process of painting the gnome; for this it is recommended to use acrylic-based paints, since they are highly resistant and can function normally outdoors. In addition, plaster figures are painted with gouache paints, but since they are in the garden, the gouache will quickly wash off in the rain. This paint is appropriate if the figure is under cover.

Before starting painting, coat the gnome with a primer, after which, to increase the adhesion between the figure and the paint, it is recommended to cover it with PVA glue.
For decoration, use a mosaic; to make it you will need glass, stone, shells or other objects.

Master class on making a garden gnome with your own hands

To make a small garden gnome you will need:

several plastic bottles;
cellophane;
tape;
knife and scissors;
newspapers;
egg trays;
wire.

Take two bottles with a capacity of two and one and a half liters. Connect them together to form a frame. Newspapers will help build the torso, arms and legs. Make a gnome hat, glue on the eyes and nose.

Make papier-mâché; for this you need to dissolve paper newspapers in PVA glue and plaster. Next, treat the surface of the gnome with this mixture. Air dry the finished product for five days. Paint with paint and open with varnish.

Such a gnome will decorate any corner of not only the garden, but also the home. In addition, entire paintings or fairy-tale scenes are made in this way.

Good afternoon dear friends, today I want to continue the topic of making DIY gnome. NOT so long ago we reviewed a master class on making papier-mâché gnome, today we will look at two more master classes on making a gnome for the garden. The author of this master class is Natalya Chusovitina and Irina Zabolotskaya. Gnomes are quite popular these days, but previously only aristocrats could afford them. They decorated their gardens with them and believed that these little people helped to cope in the garden at night. Kind and cheerful gnomes delighted both adults and children with their fabulous and unique appearance. By the end of the 19th century, gnomes began to be made in Germany, and only in the middle of the 20th century, cheerful and mischievous gnomes became quite a popular accessory throughout the country. They are most often planted next to paths, as well as near gazebos. It is believed that the gnome will guard your territory and keep order at night. Currently, each of us can find these fun crafts for our garden in any store, BUT not everyone has the opportunity to buy them. It is precisely for these purposes that our website was created, where you can find various master classes on making garden figurines for the garden and more. And if you try, you can create an interesting gnome for your garden and it will be no worse than a purchased figurine. If you decide, then first you need to find a sketch based on which you will make the craft, and only then start manufacturing. You can make different gnomes: funny, sad, yawning, holding a shovel, a rake, etc.

Gnome master class made of papier-mâché

To make a gnome you will need:
* Plastic bottles.
* Cellophane.
* Scotch.
* Knife.
* Scissors.
* Newspaper.
* Egg trays.
* Wire.

Method for making a gnome:
We take two 2 liter plastic bottles. (from under the oil) and one 1.5 l. and begin to connect them, making a frame for our gnome. Now, looking at the bottle, we figure out what will come out of it (here you need to use a little imagination)... You can see more details on how to make a frame and a gnome. We make hands from wire. We begin to make volume out of newspapers for the arms and torso, and secure everything with tape.

We are gradually bringing our craft to the desired size and appearance...

This is how it will look dwarf before processing papier-mâché.

Once finished, we will air dry the gnome for a week so that it dries well.

When it dries well, paint it with paint and varnish it.

I also want to show you an interesting master class on creating a gnome from polyurethane foam by Irina Zabolotskaya. Irina has been making crafts from polyurethane foam for a very long time and shares her ideas with craftsmen. On the site you may have already seen a foam hare, which was also invented by Irina.

To make a foam gnome you will need:
* Plastic bottle.
* Polyurethane foam.
* Tile adhesive.
* Acrylic paint for facade work.
* Kohler.
* Varnish for yachts.

Method for making a foam gnome:
First we need to make a frame; for this we can use, for example, a plastic bottle. Then we apply foam on it and give it the shape of our craft.

When the foam dries, he looks and in his head we fantasize what kind of gnome we will have. To do this, we also apply polyurethane foam to the right places. When we have given our craft more or less shape, we give it time to dry. Then we cut out approximately all the details we need: eyes, hands, mouth, nose, cap, etc. Next, we work on the craft more efficiently and give it a more natural look.

When everything is ready, cover the entire surface with tile adhesive.

And we paint with white acrylic paint, and then when the paint dries, we paint our gnome with the same acrylic paint, only we add color by adding color. When the paint dries, we coat our craft with yacht varnish.

When you first start making crafts, you still don’t understand much about what needs to be done and how, but with experience you begin to learn more. If crafts made from foam are left in the sun, they deteriorate and become not so beautiful and durable, so Irina first dilutes the tile adhesive - putsty, and after drying - paints it with acrylic paint and varnishes it.

Autumn is the time when many children and adults engage in... After all, at this time you can find bright leaves, flowers, herbs and, of course, pine cones. You can use them to make various toys with your children. In this step-by-step master class from Anna we will make small gnomes made of cones. It's quick and easy. They can decorate a room or use them to create panels. You can also use these gnomes for the New Year if you make a loop on your hat for this.

To make gnomes we will need:

Cones;
Polymer clay or large white bead;
Hot glue;
Felt;
Scissors;
Black paint;
Needle;
Sewing threads.

Making gnomes from pine cones

Take a large bead or make a ball from white polymer clay. Glue this bead (ball) on top of the cone. It will be glued with hot glue, as it sticks the parts together well.

Our base is ready. The gnome already has a head and body. Then all that remains is to make his clothes.
And so we move on to . You can take felt of any color and thickness you like.
We need to cut a long triangle out of it. Let's measure the head of our gnome. And let's see how many centimeters it turned out to be. We need the bottom of the triangle to be 5 mm larger than the circumference of the head. For example, the girth of a gnome’s head is 3 cm, then the bottom of the triangle will be 3.5 cm.
The triangle can be any height. The height of the gnome's cap depends on this.

Now we take a needle and thread. And we begin to sew the triangle on the side. This is how we sew the cap. You need to retreat 2 mm on each side. Sew with regular stitches and stitch. After making the last stitch, we do not tie a knot, but slightly tighten the thread so that the cap bends slightly.
Now you can make a knot and tear off the thread.
We turn the cap inside out. You can turn it inside out using a pencil, thoroughly straightening the top of the cap.

The inside of the cap must be greased with hot glue along the edge. And then put it on the gnome's head.
Now our gnome is wearing a cap.

We cut out a strip of felt 1 cm wide and 5 cm long. It can be a little longer.
Take scissors and make 2 cuts on each side of the future scarf. The cuts should be approximately 1-1.5 cm long.

And glue the scarf to the gnome’s body at the junction of the bead (head) and the pine cone (body).
Let's overlap.

Use black paint or regular nail polish to make dot eyes.
These are such cute and simple gnomes made from pine cones!

"Dreamland". Steshina Polina. Pine cone gnome. The work of the competition " ".

Did you like the product and want to order the same from the author? Write to us.

More interesting:

You will need:

5 plastic bottles: 5 l – 1 pc., 1.5 l – 2 pcs., 0.5 l – 2 pcs.
pot;
paints;
Styrofoam;
foil;
tow, yarn or twine.

Master Class

To make a garden figurine from plastic bottles with your own hands, you need to clean them of labels and dirt. Then cut off the tops of 0.5 bottles and place them on the sides to the “body” (5 l). Cut the bottom of a 5 liter bottle and insert 1.5 liter “legs”. You can do better: cut 5 liter circles with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottle in the “shoulder” area, stick a stick through, insert 0.5 liters on both ends without cutting anything off. The garden gnome's hands will hold up better. Add 1.5 sand and the gnome will be more stable.
Cover the craft with enamel.
Glue a cap from a plastic pot onto your head. You can make it from a mayonnaise jar or even a plastic cup and paint it red.
Next, you need to make the gnome’s face with your own hands. We get the beard and eyebrows from pieces of twine, an old washcloth or synthetic yarn. Eyes made from pieces of foam. It is better to make buckles from foil.
The gnome can hold a shovel with his own hands, but he won’t dig, and don’t expect it. However, if you give him a flashlight, he will honorably perform the duties of a garden illuminator.

Foam gnome

This building material has also been tested and adopted by home craftsmen. You can make a gnome, a house, and even Santa Claus from polyurethane foam.

You will need:

large plastic bottle;
polyurethane foam;
wire;
gypsum;
dye;
knife, abrasive material.

Master class on making a foam gnome

To prevent the future gnome from running away from the garden after the first gust of wind, pour dry sand into the bottle to stabilize the sculpture. Apply the first layer of foam to it.
Lay the wire where the cap, arms, legs will be, wrap it with newspaper, tape and foam again. Remove the excess. Cut out all the elements.
Insert eyes (it’s better to buy them) and go over with an abrasive material, eliminating unnecessary roughness with your own hands. Don't be upset if you cut off or break off excess. After the base has dried, apply another layer of foam and cut again until it's just right.
Cover areas that need special smoothness (face, hands) with gauze soaked in a plaster solution. Coat the entire craft with a thin layer of plaster and leave to dry for a day.
Color the garden gnome as brightly as possible. Apply varnish.
Give him a flashlight. The gnome is ready to work in your garden.

Gnome house made of plaster

Do you want boletus and boletus mushrooms to grow in your garden under the apple trees and gooseberries all year round? Then get to work. Make an original house for your gnome from plaster with your own hands. Moreover, for this you only need:

gypsum;
plastic bottle;
deep bowl;
polyethylene film.

How to do everything correctly is shown in the video. A whole mycelium of such houses of different sizes and colors can be placed under the trees in the garden.

Gypsum is usually sold in powder form. To make a working composition out of it, you need to combine the dry mixture with water in a ratio of 1:0.7 for a liquid solution, 1.5:1 for a normal one and 2:1 for a thick one. Moreover, gypsum powder is always added to water, and not vice versa.

To make the house, a solution of normal and liquid thickness is used. This plaster dries for at least a day.

Garden gnomes: master class on making To make the garden design original and unusual, garden figures are placed in it. One of the most popular models of these figures are garden gnomes. Purchasing them is quite an expensive undertaking, so it is much cheaper to make them yourself. Let's look at how to make a gnome for the garden below. Features of the use and selection of garden gnomes The installation of nymphs, gnomes, and forest gnomes in the garden is becoming increasingly popular, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from a mythological one. It is believed that the gnome is able to protect the garden and the entire farmstead from evil spirits; in addition, he has a positive effect on plants, improving their condition. In addition, the garden gnome will become a real decoration of any garden. In the summer, it scares away birds that like to feast on the harvest of fruit trees, and in winter it stands out from the general background with its brightness and contrast. It is believed that installing a small gnome in the garden can bring happiness and a rich harvest, in addition, its owners will become healthier and luckier. When installing a garden gnome in the garden, you should remember that it must have its own place where it will look harmonious. Therefore, both before purchasing and before making a garden gnome, you need to study the recommendations that will help determine its location among the garden composition: 1. Draw a plan. Before developing a sketch of a garden gnome, try drawing it first. After that, imagine it in the place where you want to place it. Think about how it will look there at different times of the year, in different climates, and whether a strong gust of wind will blow it away. When purchasing or building several garden gnomes, try to ensure that they blend harmoniously in different parts of the garden. 2. Choose a background landscape. Another important element of installing a garden gnome is its combination with the plants located in the garden. Since, if a garden gnome is installed in the fall or early spring, then there are no leaves on the trees yet, and flowers are not yet growing, so in the summer it may not be visible at all, among a lot of greenery. The place where the garden gnome is installed should be open on all sides. An excellent place to install a gnome would be a decorative fence, flower bed, path, front garden or area near a bench. 3. General style. The overall style of the garden should match the style in which the gnomes are made. For a classic style, a standard version is suitable, perhaps monochromatic, or made in several color shades. For a romantic garden, a composition of several gnomes, made in soft pink and lilac tones, is suitable. Wooden gnomes for the garden are installed in a country-style garden. For the Art Nouveau style, a garden gnome made of metal, marble, concrete or clay is suitable. 4. Adequacy of placement. Each figure in a garden composition should have its place. Several figures placed incorrectly in the garden can ruin even the most exquisite color composition. It is advisable to choose garden figures made from the same type of materials, for example, if the fountain is made of marble, then the garden gnome should be the same. With the correct selection of garden figures and their harmonious combination, the garden will become the most favorite relaxation place for both all family members and guests. Exterior garden gnome Buying or making garden figures is becoming increasingly popular in the process of decorating both a private home and a summer cottage. Shapes make the area more attractive. Gnomes, for example, are able to protect peace in the house, and birds or animals complement the overall composition and make the interior fabulous. We propose to consider the main features of using garden gnomes in the exterior: The easiest way to decorate a garden is to buy ready-made products. They are based on artificial stone, gypsum or acrylic resin. But, the option of making figures with your own hands is more interesting, since they will be unique in their own way. The purpose of gnomes can be primary or secondary. In the first case, the gnomes occupy all the visual attention, in the second they are an addition to the already existing picture. German gnomes are perfect for decorating a garden in a rustic style. Their main function was to scare away birds from the trees and fruits of the garden. When choosing a garden figure or composition of several elements, first of all focus on the area on which they will be installed and on your own financial situation. Garden gnomes will fit perfectly into a children's play area in the garden. They are also often installed near ponds, fountains, flower beds, flower beds, stumps, etc. Gnomes in the country house will make its exterior unique and give a sea of emotions to its visitors. Varieties of garden gnomes Gnomes made from natural wood. Figures made of wood fit very harmoniously into the overall design of the garden. They bring warmth, comfort and joy. To make such figures, it is recommended to use unprocessed material in the form of logs, branches or driftwood. When building such a gnome, a hat made of leaves or moss will perfectly complement the picture. Figurine of a gnome made of natural stone. To build such a figure yourself will require a lot of effort, since here you will have to work with a chisel and a hacksaw. But the result will surprise everyone. After all, gnomes made in this style are distinguished by their originality and refined appearance. They look good in a garden with a classic modern style. To complement the overall picture, use pebbles brought from the lake, which can be painted for variety. Garden figure gnome made of polystone. This material for making gnomes is new, so it is rarely used when performing such work. Although products made with its help are realistic and attractive in appearance. This material is based on aluminum hydroxide, acrylic resins and additional pigments that make it stone. Gnomes made from polystone are durable, abrasion-resistant, and resistant to deformation and temperature changes. The only drawback is the high cost, which is fully justified by the quality of the product. Garden gnomes made of plaster. Plaster figures have always been particularly popular due to the low cost of the material and the ease of working with it. The disadvantages of gypsum include its fragility, so such a gnome should not be on the playground. To make a gnome from plaster, you will need a lot of experience in the field of modeling, since it will be very difficult to give it a shape without experience. Therefore, it is better to make simpler figures from plaster in the form of additional decorations, such as caterpillars, mushrooms, flowers, etc. Concrete garden gnomes. Garden gnomes made from cement mortar are distinguished primarily by their durability. But this will require a special form into which the finished mixture is poured, waiting for it to dry. Another option is to coat the finished frame with cement mortar. To make it, ordinary wire will be enough. In this case, in order to achieve plasticity of the solution and a high level of adhesion to the surface of the wire, it is recommended to add a plasticizer or PVA glue to the finished mixture. Garden gnomes based on hay or straw. Even with the help of ordinary hay you can make figures for the garden. To do this, the material is twisted very tightly in the form of individual parts of the character that needs to be made. Gnomes made from improvised means. The material for making a garden gnome will be ordinary unnecessary garbage, such as old flower pots, basins, a barrel, plastic bottles, tires, etc. If you draw the body of a gnome on a large barrel and add a car tire on top in the form of his head, you will get a funny garden figurine. Using polyurethane foam. It is quite possible to make a garden gnome from polyurethane foam, especially since it is resistant to temperature changes, frost, precipitation and ultraviolet radiation. To create a garden gnome using this method, first prepare a form in the form of its skeleton; for this it is recommended to use materials such as wire, unnecessary garbage in the form of plastic bottles, plates, buckets, sticks, etc. The foam is applied in several stages, and each layer must dry well. A utility knife will help get rid of excess foam. The finished product is painted and varnished. Master class - garden gnome made of plaster The easiest way to make a garden gnome yourself is plaster. This material is resistant to precipitation, cold, and ultraviolet radiation. Such a figure will not withstand only mechanical influences, so install it in a place from which it will never fall. To carry out work on making a garden gnome you will need: sculpture plaster; PVA construction adhesive; acrylic paints and brushes for working with them; varnish; compass; pencil; stationery knife; decorative elements in the form of beads, flowers, leaves; molds for working with plaster; water-resistant glue; sunflower oil; water. Instructions for making a garden gnome with your own hands: First of all, you need to take care of purchasing plaster. According to the instructions, dilute the plaster with water. Attention, it is very important to observe the specified proportions, since an incorrectly diluted solution can affect the strength of the structure. To dilute the plaster, use a rubber or plastic container. Mix the water and plaster thoroughly, and then add PVA glue to the solution to increase its elasticity and ductility. The amount of glue for the solution is one percent of its total mass. For example, in a gypsum solution weighing 4 kg, you need to add 40 grams of glue. If the gnome is up to 50 cm in size, then the preliminary construction of a structure in the form of a skeleton is not required; the plaster is poured directly into the figured mold. The most convenient are silicone molds; they are sold in any construction stores or on the market. It is possible to make a mold for a gnome yourself; this will be appropriate when you need to make several identical gnomes. Otherwise, it is better to use a purchased form, since its construction will take more than one day. To make a large sculpture, the construction of a metal frame is required. It is made from reinforcing rods, which increase the stability of the figure. To fix the product on the ground, you need to build a protruding element from the bottom of the gnome. Start pouring the plaster solution. First, fill the mold halfway, wait for the solution to set, tap the mold to prevent air bubbles from forming, and then pour in the rest. Tap the mold again, level the surface with a spatula and wait until the gnome is completely dry. After this, remove the figure from the mold. To do this, you need to place a piece of board or lid of a suitable size on the mold. Press it onto the mold and turn the shape over. Next comes the process of painting the gnome; for this it is recommended to use acrylic-based paints, since they are highly resistant and can function normally outdoors. In addition, plaster figures are painted with gouache paints, but since they are in the garden, the gouache will quickly wash off in the rain. This paint is appropriate if the figure is under cover. Before starting painting, coat the gnome with a primer, after which, to increase the adhesion between the figure and the paint, it is recommended to cover it with PVA glue. For decoration, use a mosaic; to make it you will need glass, stone, shells or other objects. Master class on making a garden gnome with your own hands To make a small garden gnome you will need: several plastic bottles; cellophane; tape; knife and scissors; newspapers; egg trays; wire. Take two bottles with a capacity of two and one and a half liters. Connect them together to form a frame. Newspapers will help build the torso, arms and legs. Make a gnome hat, glue on the eyes and nose. Make papier-mâché; for this you need to dissolve paper newspapers in PVA glue and plaster. Next, treat the surface of the gnome with this mixture. Air dry the finished product for five days. Paint with paint and open with varnish. Such a gnome will decorate any corner of not only the garden, but also the home. In addition, entire paintings or fairy-tale scenes are made in this way.