Gnomes are the product of old European myth. They are members of the "little people" category which include elves, orcs, goblins, and fairies. Gnomes are said to be the most human looking of all the little people. Like elves, goblins and orcs, gnomes are miners of jewels and precious metals. Gnomes are reputed to be the most friendly, light hearted creatures of all the races of little people.

The sculpturing of a gnome is the first of many steps involved in producing a Cairn Studio Gnome. Gnomes are created out of clay. Once the gnome figurine is sculptured, an individual mold is made. The mold-making process at Cairn Studio is somewhat of a hybrid process between that of porcelain molding and the lost-wax process usually associated with bronze casting (a process that usually takes several days), we hand-cast each piece in mediums that consist of either clear based resins, crushed pecan shells and wood chips OR pure bronze powder and resin. These mediums, which are much more expensive than the standard "porcelain or hydrocal slip", generate tremendous heat as they begin to cure. It is our special ingredients along with the slow curing process that allows us to capture the very intricate detail which has become the hallmark of all Cairn Studio artworks. Since our artworks possess what we call "green strength" when they are gently hand-cast from the molds, we are able to cast figures with sculptural detail and severe undercuts that are far beyond the capabilities of most other studios. For instance, when you compare the detail of a Cairn Studio Creation to a porcelain casting, you will realize the tremendous difference between our intricate detail and the simple, smooth look of porcelain reproductions.

Cairn's mold and casting process severely limits the gnome’s mold-life and it is this mold-life limitation that makes the gnomes so very limited. The original creations are usually destroyed during the initial molding stage, and since each mold produces limited castings, each Cairn artwork is one piece of a limited edition of approximately 35 castings. In order to create the second edition artwork, the artist must either start completely over or "resculpt" a reproduction from the first edition casting. Second editions, then, can be different from their first edition counterparts, and it is left to the artists' discretion to decide when to retire a Cairn artwork.

After the gnomes have been hand-cast, each gnome is carefully inspected by local artisans in accordance with specific details laid out in advance by each artist. Next, the mold seams are carefully sanded and the parts are washed in a special solvent to prepare them for painting.

The gnome painting procedure is done by individual artisans who are responsible for the total painting of each creation. There is no decal or mask painting associated with a Cairn Studio Creation. All painting is done free-hand with specially blended paint that is compatible with our antiqueing stain.

The antiqueing process is a very lengthy process. Each gnome is individually submerged in a special stain, hand-wiped and then hand-brushed until the proper finish is obtained. Next, each gnome face is buffed with damp rags (dipped in a special thinner) to insure that the laugh lines, wrinkles and all the intricately sculptured detail "jumps out" of each distinct personality.

After the antiqueing process is complete, the gnomes are again inspected and then hand-lacquered with a special sealing agent. Finally, the artworks are individually felted and ready for you!