How to Make Simple Wood Branch Gnomes

There’s something wonderfully magical about turning my ordinary branches into tiny woodland gnomes. They’re rustic, whimsical, and full of personality — and the best part? They’re incredibly easy to make, not to mention almost free to make!

Whether you pick up branches during a walk or salvage prunings from the yard, each little stick becomes a unique gnome with its own quirky charm. This is one of those projects where nature does most of the work for you — you just add a hat, a nose, beard and a little imagination.

Materials You’ll Need

• A handful of branches or small logs
  • 1″–3″ diameter works well
  • length anywhere between 4″ and 10″
• A mitre saw, hand saw, chainsaw, or pruner (depending thickness)
• Sandpaper (optional)
• Polymer clay or wooden beads for noses
• Faux fur
• Hot glue & glue gun
• Wool fabric, old sweaters for the hat
• Wire for the hat form

Step 1 — Gather & Cut Your Branches

Look for branches that:

• Have interesting bark
• Are thick enough to stand on their own
• Aren’t rotted
• Have a natural angle or knot (these make great “faces”)

If you’re using fresh-cut branches, let them dry indoors for a few days — they’ll be easier to work with. I baked mine in the oven on low heat for an hour. If any need to be recut to stand a saw or sandpaper can be used.

Step 2 — Cut a Straight Base

Use a mitre saw or hand saw to cut the bottom flat so the gnome stands upright. This part is quite satisfying — one straight slice and suddenly the branch has “feet.”

Step 3 — Add the Beard

• Cut a triangle of faux fur that is almost the height of the wood (cut from the back to keep the edges from being blunt cut
• Glue the beard onto the wood at almost the top.
• Cut 2 wisps of a lighter colour fur for the moustache.
• Glue the moustache onto the beard (see illustration)

Step 4 — Form the Noses

I think the best part is the cute noses!

• Using some pink polymer clay, make a ball
• Poke some nostrils and round the nose tip
• Bake the noses as per instructions for Clay

Step 5 — Add the Nose

Glue the nose above the moustache with hot glue

Step 6 — Make the Hat Form

Bend some wire into a circle and extend upward (you can cut some off later if needed). Glue to the top of wood.

Step 7 — Make & Add the Hat

• Cut a triangle that has enough circumference for bottom
• Sew or glue to make a long pointed hat
• Some poly-filling can be added into the hat
• A small circle of fur can be gathered around the edge to make a pom-pom
• Bend the hat as you like.

Let your forest imagination wander! Make little ones as ornaments or large ones for a whole table-scape.

That’s It!

Branch gnomes are honestly one of the easiest (and most charming) natural crafts you can make, but you can also make some snowmen. Each one ends up with a different expression depending on the curve of the wood, the noses, and the hats — and that’s exactly the magic.

They make wonderful:

• Holiday decorations
• Gifts
• Table décor
• Porch greeters
• Craft-fair favorites

I think they will find some companions with the Log reindeer…