The gnome arrives unpainted, made of poplar plywood. The body is one solid piece with engraved lines – the face with eyes, the beard and the feet are drawn, and the curled hat has polka dots. A big mustache, little boots and little hands come separately. A self-adhesive neodymium magnet is included in the pack.
Why This Gnome
It Won't End Up as an Unfinished Project
You know the feeling. A child dives into crafting with enthusiasm, gets bored after twenty minutes, and something unfinished is left on the table. With this gnome, that can hardly happen – the face and polka dots are engraved, so even a few brushstrokes turn it into a finished figure.
The mustache does the rest. It's glued on top and sticks out past the body on both sides, so the magnet isn't flat like paper but beautifully 3D.
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Do It
It's easier than it looks. Just please read the first step before you reach for the glue.
1
Paint before you start assembling. Lay the pieces out on newspaper and color them one by one. Once the mustache is glued on, you can't get a brush under it.
2
Do the polka dots on the hat last. First paint the whole hat in one color, let it dry and only then color the circles. On a damp base, they would blend together. Give watercolors fifteen minutes; acrylics, better half an hour.
3
Glue on the mustache, boots and little hands. A drop of Herkules on each joint is enough. If it spreads, no problem – wipe it with a slightly damp cloth, and a thin layer turns clear anyway.
4
Just peel and press the magnet. It's self-adhesive, so you don't need any glue. Place it closer to the top edge of the back – the figure is tall, and with the magnet at the bottom, it would tend to tip forward.
Crafting Accessories
What to Have Ready
The magnet is included in the pack; paints and glue are not. Please have them on hand.
Pack contents7 unassembled pieces – body, mustache, boots, little hands and magnet
MagnetSelf-adhesive neodymium, included
SurfaceUnpainted, with engraved lines
FaceEngraved eyes and eyebrows – just color
Hat designEngraved polka dots
MountingMagnet on the back
What to color withWatercolors, tempera, acrylics, markers, colored pencils
Buy separatelyPaints and glue
Recommended age3+, under adult supervision
Outdoor useNo, the magnet is meant for indoors
ManufacturerCENTROFLOR, a Czech manufacturer since 1996
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the magnet included in the pack?
Yes. A self-adhesive neodymium magnet is in the pack, so you don't need any glue for it – just peel off the backing and press it onto the back.
Is it the same gnome as the one on the leaf?
Yes, the design is the same – a gnome with a curled hat, polka dots and a mustache. Only the mounting differs: this one has a magnet on the back, while the leaf version gets a leaf base instead and stands on its own.
Do I have to draw in the eyes and face?
No need. The eyes and eyebrows are engraved into the wood, so the face has an expression on its own. Just color the cheeks and nose. That's exactly why the gnome looks finished, even though a child can do it in no time.
Should I paint first or assemble first?
Definitely paint first. The mustache is glued across the body, so once it's on, you can't get a brush under it. Color everything separately, let it dry and only then assemble.
Is it suitable for preschool or a club?
Yes, just plan on one piece per child. The advantage of a magnet is that kids take it home and put it up right away – no need to find a place to stand it. We issue invoices with payment terms to preschools, schools, municipalities and organizations – just enter the organization's name and its registration or tax ID number when you order.
