Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on project ideas, coupon codes and new items!
*First Name:
*E-Mail Address:
Click or Tap anywhere outside this box to continue without signing up....
• Free Shipping on US orders over $99! Choose "Free Shipping" at Checkout •
• Free Shipping on US orders over $99! Choose "Free Shipping" at Checkout •
Project Tutorials >

Gnomes and Friends Tinsel Bump Craft Project Tutorial

These gnomes are simple to make and spread cheer like no other! Plus they can be customized in scores of ways --  between different vest colors +  Dresden accents + festive miniatures, you can create a completely unique set to match even the most special decorations. Completed figures are about 4" tall. 

Supplies: 3/4" Spun Cotton Heads, Spun Cotton "Shoes", 3-1/4" Chenille Bumps, Dresden Bows, Top Hats, Festive Miniatures, Small Dresden Trims, Crepe Paper, Clear-drying Glue (like Alleen's or E6000), Needle-nose Pliers, Scissors, Template, Paint, Pipe Cleaners or Skewers,

Template: Click here to download a free pdf of our Gnome Vest Template + Accordion. (Print at "actual size.")

Step 1: Arrange your supplies.  To make 1 gnome you will need: 1 head, 3 chenille bumps (1 for arms, 2 chenille bumps folded in half for body/legs), 1 vest, 1 bow and 1 piece of Dresden border for buttons. 1-2 items to hold, 2 spun cotton shoes.

Paint spun cotton shoes to compliment your gnome's attire. Use skewers or pipe cleaners as handles while painting and for drying.

Step 2: Bend two chenille bumps in half to create the body and legs.  If needed, pinch the top of the bumps together with your pliers so it will better fit in the spun cotton head.

Step 3: Create arms by placing 1 chenille bump between the bent bumps. Just below the arms, twist the "body" 1 full turn to secure the arms in place and make a unitized figure.  Bend the arms slightly downward.

Step 4: Cut vest pieces out of crepe paper.  On vest back, fold small tabs on shoulders and at sides.  Apply glue to shoulder tabs and glue vest pieces together.  Let dry.


Step 5: Put vest onto figure and glue at sides.  Let dry.  Put spun cotton head onto figure and adjust vest if needed.  Glue head into place.

Step 6: Glue Dresden trim down center of vest.  Glue bow slightly under beard.  Let dry.

Step 7: Glue on shoes and top hat.  Let dry.  Shoes can be bent upward; top hat can be tilted to the side for character.



Step 8:  Use pliers to create small loops that will serve as your gnome's "hands" for holding his items.  Apply a small drop of glue in the loop, hand him his item and let dry   Repeat for each side.

Step 9: As always, display proudly! These guys look charming tucked into tree branches, accessorizing gifts and packages, and helping make merry on tablescapes and in dioramas.




From tiny wooden lanterns to spun cotton mushrooms, there are tons of petite and festive miniatures these gnomes can hold.  But you can also make a tiny custom accordion from crepe paper.  It's as easy as a few drops of glue and a simple folding technique.

To make an accordion:
-- Cut two strips and two squares of crepe paper.
-- Glue ends of strips together in a right angle.  Let dry.  The glued joint will be "center".
-- Fold bottom strip over top strip toward "center" and repeat until you have a "stack" of interwoven squares.  In our accordion, yellow folds over white, white folds over yellow, yellow folds over white, and so on.
-- When completely folded, trim any excess overhang if needed and glue last edges together.
-- Glue a small square to each end.  Let dry.
-- Glue into hands of gnome or friends.


There are so many ways to make your gnomes unique.  Below are some of our favorites with tips.

Match shoes to hats: black hats + black shoes makes for a cohesive look, like below Left and Center Right.

Gnomes love mushrooms: have him hold a cluster of tiny toadstools.  Leave stems long like below Center Left, or twist and trim like the mixed cluster below Right.


Go all in on different shades of red and green: you can't go wrong with a Christmas classic.  Below Left, Center Left and Center Right all have variations of red and green in their vests, bow ties and accessories.  Center Left and Center Right are even made with red and green chenille bumps.

Feeling lucky? Go from Gnome to Leprechaun in four easy tweaks: gold chenille bumps + green vest and buttons + gold Dresden star shoe buckles and bow tie + Dresden shamrock to hold.  Now if below Right will just lead us to that pot of gold!


Mix bump colors: try one color for arms and one for legs for an extra level of customization, like below Center Right.

Mix in other spun cotton heads: achieve a charming result with other 3/4" heads like the figures below.  Left, Center Right and Right all follow a Christmas theme with their red and green color schemes, but we couldn't resist making a Fall friend as well.  The adorable pumpkin below has escaped from the patch with gourd in tow.  Like the Leprechaun, simply change up the color scheme: green chenille bumps + orange vest and green buttons + autumn accessories.  Twist the gourd stem around a pencil or paintbrush handle for interest.  Don't tell the gnomes, but the pumpkin is one of our favorites :)


This tutorial specifically uses 3-1/4" metallic chenille bumps with 3/4" spun cotton heads.  We have similar tutorials using larger bumps and heads as well.  For a Snowman, please click HERE.  For another Pumpkin Man, please click HERE.  And for a Cheerful Easter Bunny, please click HERE.



Bundle of 12 Green Fabric Pine Sprigs  ~ Austria ~ 1-1/2" Long

Bundle of 12 Green Fabric Pine Sprigs ~ Austria ~ 1-1/2" Long

$4.95

Bundle of 12 Green Fabric Pine Sprigs with White Accents~ Austria ~ 1-1/2" Long

Bundle of 12 Green Fabric Pine Sprigs with White Accents~ Austria ~ 1-1/2" Long

$4.95

Bundle of 12 Green Fabric Pine Sprigs with White Berries ~ Austria ~ 1-1/2" Long

Bundle of 12 Green Fabric Pine Sprigs with White Berries ~ Austria ~ 1-1/2" Long

$4.95

Dusty Pink Fabric Pine Sprigs or Pampas Grass ~ Bundle of 12 ~ 1-1/2" Long

Dusty Pink Fabric Pine Sprigs or Pampas Grass ~ Bundle of 12 ~ 1-1/2" Long

$4.95

Light Green Fabric Pine Sprigs or Pampas Grass ~ Bundle of 12 ~ 1-1/2" Long

Light Green Fabric Pine Sprigs or Pampas Grass ~ Bundle of 12 ~ 1-1/2" Long

$4.95

Palest Pink Fabric Pine Sprigs or Pampas Grass ~ Bundle of 12 ~ 1-1/2" Long

Palest Pink Fabric Pine Sprigs or Pampas Grass ~ Bundle of 12 ~ 1-1/2" Long

$4.95

White Fabric Pine Sprigs or Pampas Grass ~ Bundle of 12 ~ 1-1/2" Long

White Fabric Pine Sprigs or Pampas Grass ~ Bundle of 12 ~ 1-1/2" Long

$4.95

12 Orange Lacquered Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Slices for Fall Crafts ~ 1" Tall

12 Orange Lacquered Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Slices for Fall Crafts ~ 1" Tall

$5.95

6 Orange Lacquered Pumpkins for Fall Crafts ~ 3/4" Tall

6 Orange Lacquered Pumpkins for Fall Crafts ~ 3/4" Tall

$7.95

Gloria Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper from Germany ~ Fern and Grass Green

Gloria Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper from Germany ~ Fern and Grass Green

$3.25

Super Petite Antique Gold Rope Twist Dresden Trim ~ 1/16" wide

Super Petite Antique Gold Rope Twist Dresden Trim ~ 1/16" wide

$5.95

Super Petite Light Green Rope Twist Dresden Trim ~ 1/16" wide

Super Petite Light Green Rope Twist Dresden Trim ~ 1/16" wide

$5.95

Super Petite Silver Rope Twist Dresden Trim ~ 1/16" wide

Super Petite Silver Rope Twist Dresden Trim ~ 1/16" wide

$5.95

10 Medium Plastic Top Hats ~1/2" tall x 7/8" across brim ~ Matte Black

10 Medium Plastic Top Hats ~1/2" tall x 7/8" across brim ~ Matte Black

$9.95

5 Small Pale Yellow Spun Cotton Santa or Gnome Heads with Beards 3/4"

5 Small Pale Yellow Spun Cotton Santa or Gnome Heads with Beards 3/4"

$4.95

5 Small Spun Cotton Santa or Gnome Heads with Beards 3/4"

5 Small Spun Cotton Santa or Gnome Heads with Beards 3/4"

$4.95

Gloria Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper from Germany ~ White and White

Gloria Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper from Germany ~ White and White

$3.25

Red and Burgundy Geometric Floral Folkloric Costume Trim ~ Sweden ~ 7 mm wide

Red and Burgundy Geometric Floral Folkloric Costume Trim ~ Sweden ~ 7 mm wide

$2.95

Antique Gold Classic Dresden Stars ~ 240

Antique Gold Classic Dresden Stars ~ 240

$3.95

Silver Classic Dresden Stars ~ 240

Silver Classic Dresden Stars ~ 240

$3.95

6 Felt Christmas Teddy Bear Picks with Ivory Bows ~ 1-1/2" tall

6 Felt Christmas Teddy Bear Picks with Ivory Bows ~ 1-1/2" tall

$4.95

6 Felt Christmas Teddy Bear Picks ~ 1-1/2" tall

6 Felt Christmas Teddy Bear Picks ~ 1-1/2" tall

$4.95

Set of 12 Petite Ladybug Picks Craft Embellishment

Set of 12 Petite Ladybug Picks Craft Embellishment

$5.95

Set of 8 Petite Shamrock Clover Leaves with Mushrooms Craft Embellishment

Set of 8 Petite Shamrock Clover Leaves with Mushrooms Craft Embellishment

$7.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ DARK RED ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ DARK RED ~ 7mm

$4.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ AQUA ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ AQUA ~ 7mm

$4.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ BROWN ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ BROWN ~ 7mm

$4.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ IVORY ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ IVORY ~ 7mm

$4.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ LIME GREEN ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ LIME GREEN ~ 7mm

$4.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ PINK ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ PINK ~ 7mm

$4.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ PURPLE ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ PURPLE ~ 7mm

$4.95

5 Small Spun Cotton Pumpkin Jack-O-Lantern Heads in Orange 3/4"

5 Small Spun Cotton Pumpkin Jack-O-Lantern Heads in Orange 3/4"

$3.95

Antique Gold Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

Antique Gold Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

$4.95

Light Green Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

Light Green Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

$4.95

Red Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

Red Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

$4.95

Silver Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

Silver Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

$4.95

Steel Blue Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

Steel Blue Dresden Petite Flower Trim ~ 1/8" wide

$4.95

8 Medium Plastic Top Hats ~ 5/8" tall x 7/8" across brim ~ Light Pink

8 Medium Plastic Top Hats ~ 5/8" tall x 7/8" across brim ~ Light Pink

$7.95

Gloria Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper from Germany ~ Orange and Goldenrod

Gloria Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper from Germany ~ Orange and Goldenrod

$3.25

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ DARK CRANBERRY ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ DARK CRANBERRY ~ 7mm

$4.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ OLIVE GREEN ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ OLIVE GREEN ~ 7mm

$4.95

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ YELLOW ~ 7mm

12 Tiny Spun Cotton Pixie Mushrooms for Christmas Crafts ~ YELLOW ~ 7mm

$4.95

Dried Casuarina Pods for Spice Bouquets and Christmas Crafting ~ 50 piece Bag

Dried Casuarina Pods for Spice Bouquets and Christmas Crafting ~ 50 piece Bag

$8.95

5 Small Spun Cotton Rosy Cheek Elf or Doll Heads in Natural 3/4"

5 Small Spun Cotton Rosy Cheek Elf or Doll Heads in Natural 3/4"

$3.95

5 Small Spun Cotton Elf or Doll Heads in Natural 3/4"

5 Small Spun Cotton Elf or Doll Heads in Natural 3/4"

$5.95

Antique Gold Dresden Medium Bows ~ 10

Antique Gold Dresden Medium Bows ~ 10

$2.35

Gold Dresden Medium Bows ~ 10

Gold Dresden Medium Bows ~ 10

$2.35

Aqua Dresden Foil Medium Bows ~ 10

Aqua Dresden Foil Medium Bows ~ 10

$2.35

Gloria Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper from Germany ~ Red and Wine

Gloria Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper from Germany ~ Red and Wine

$3.25

Red Dresden Foil Medium Bows ~ 10

Red Dresden Foil Medium Bows ~ 10

$2.35

Showing 1 to 50 of 83 (2 Pages)