The Journey of The Felted Gnome: Celebrating Love and Adventure

Five years ago, I embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Norway, bringing along a special companion – the very first felted gnome I ever created. This little gnome joined me on a journey through breathtaking landscapes, towering mountains, and serene hikes, capturing the spirit of our travels.

My first handmade gnome

 

The Norwegian landscape, with its majestic mountains and tranquil natural beauty, provided the perfect backdrop for my gnome's debut. From rocky terrains to misty cliffs, each location added a unique charm to our journey. We hiked countless trails, each one offering a new perspective and a fresh sense of wonder.

Gnome's adventures in Scandinavia

Before this adventure, I crafted a pair of handfelted shoes specifically for the trip. These shoes proved to be incredibly comfortable for the short trails we explored and were perfect for resting in the evenings. They became an essential part of this journey, providing both comfort and a personal touch to my travel gear.

In love with hiking

This trip holds a special place in my heart, not only for the stunning nature we experienced but also because it marked our 20th wedding anniversary.

Our gnome became a symbol of our journey, a tiny guardian accompanying us through every step. It was a trip filled with wonderful memories, breathtaking views, and moments of pure bliss.

Us in Norway, our 20th anniversary - embracing the joy and love we’ve shared over the years

Now, as we prepare to return to Scandinavia to celebrate our 25th anniversary, I'm inspired to create a new gnome – a tiny, pocket-sized companion to join us on our new adventures. Just like our love and travels, these little creations evolve and grow, adding more magic to the journey.

Creating this new gnome feels like a fresh chapter in our ongoing story, a story that began 25 years ago and continues to unfold with each adventure we take. The anticipation of new experiences and the joy of revisiting cherished places fill our hearts with excitement.

Would you like to see where our next adventure takes us?

Looking forward to sharing more moments from our Scandinavian escapades.

Wet Felting and Beyond: A Look Back at My Creative Journey

Well, so what happened in my creative journey from 2016 to 2023 (yes, my blog has been silent for that long, seven years, can you imagine?!). I lived. I dreamed. And I worked. A lot.

Many of you know my love for wet felting. This unique technique, where wool fibers are coaxed and sculpted with water and soap, has always been a cornerstone of my creations. Over the past years, I've delved deeper into this art form, honing my skills and exploring its endless possibilities. This has allowed me to expand my product line and offer even more unique and beautiful felted pieces in my shop: VAIDAPETREIKIS.etsy.com

Some new things were born during this time, as you might have seen in my last post with the adorable bunny egg warmers. But those aren't all – my absolute love so far has been creating these tiny felted acorns, same could be said about the gnomes, and baby shoes, for sure.

But my creative journey hasn't been confined to wool alone. While photography isn't a new passion, I've found myself taking countless photos during this period of time. Guess without this passion it would be much more difficult to show my works the way I like. So here they come, some works of mine:

 

 P.S. If you're curious about wet felting or photography and have any questions about the techniques used in my work, don't hesitate to ask! I'm always happy to share my knowledge and inspire others to explore their own creativity 🤍