A Visit to the Gnome Nook’s Confectioners – Denver, Colorado

At the end of a recent snowboarding trip I took to Colorado, I stumbled upon the most delightful gnome-themed shop in Denver. The Gnome’s Nook Confectioners is tucked away among the trendy eateries and quaint shops in Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood.

The well-decorated Gnome's Nook entrance
The well-decorated Gnome’s Nook entrance

Stroll through the shop’s outdoor area, which is lined trees, shrubs, benches, and gnome murals. Then make your way inside to enter a magical candy-filled forest with a variety of “gnomemade” chocolate, truffles, covered pretzels, and vintage candies.

Gnome candy

But the very best part of the shop awaits you on the second floor! Up a single flight of stairs you’ll find a wonderful collection of modern and vintage gnomes, gnome books, greeting cards, games, gnome artwork, knitted gnome hats, and gnome jewelry. I loved browsing through the collections of 1990s Kinder Surprise gnomes, 1980s Tom Clark gnomes, 1970s Goebel gnomes, and even a gnome from the 1940s!

Kinder Surprise gnome collection
Kinder Surprise gnome collection

The Gnome’s Nook Confectioners is owned by a brother-sister team, Stephen and Katherine Hostettler. According to a local blogger, Stephen chose the signature gnome theme so as to be gender neutral and make the store’s environment welcoming to everyone. I’m still waiting for the owners to reply to an email I sent to the owners with a few questions about their business.

Flower room

But the Gnome’s Nook isn’t just for shopping, it’s for celebrations too! The owners welcome birthday parties and plan gnome-themed activities wit party favors and cake to keep kids of all ages entertained. The shop also hosts parties for graduations, summer solstice, spring equinox, and Mayday.

Gnome garden entrance
Gnome garden entrance

You can attend movie nights, open air music, circle readings, and wine/chocolate pairings throughout the year. Gnome’s Nook also offers “gnome trade” workshops that focus on felting, candle-making, birdhouse making, and garden planting.

Freaking out at all the gnomes up for adoption
Freaking out at all the gnomes up for adoption

I definitely enjoyed my stop at the Gnome’s Nook Confectioners and I highly recommend it to anyone living near or traveling through the Denver area. See for yourself at 1078 South Gaylord Street, Denver, Colorado or give the owners a call at 303-997-7103.

Gnomes Arrive New Orleans…But It’s Raining :/

But it’s raining, so we’re stuck inside. Lame.

We loaded the orange Jeep with as many gnomes as we could and drove south until the road turned into water. Before we left, I watched a bunch of travel shows about what a shit show New Orleans turns around New Year’s.

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But it’s raining.

And everyone’s inside.

So we’re taking shelter in a library.

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A library.

Of all places.

There aren’t even books about partying here.

This crap had better clear up in the next couple days.

Gnomes don’t like their frozen daiquiris watered down by rain.

That is all.

Damp & cranky,
Kamikaze the Gnome

UK Man, Ron Broomfield, has 1,700 Gnomes (But No Wife)

Rom Broomfield, now 79 years old, started collecting gnomes 50 years ago. “I was stressed and someone said get a hobby,” Ron explained. “Seven gnomes caught my eye at a garden center so I got them.”

1,700 gnomes later, Ron is still collecting. What a guy!

Photo credit: Simon Ashton via Sunday Mirror

Photo credit: Simon Ashton via Sunday Mirror

People say Ron is weird. But he says that there are much weirder things to collect out there, and that his collection makes him smile.

However, that smile hasn’t gotten him a wife. And neither has the thousands of dollars that he believes his collection to be worth. But Ron has something better than a wife…he has a HAREM.

Ron’s harem consists of five “admirers” that he has lunch with at his gnome cottage in Alford, Lincs once a week. When he’s not busy entertaining the harem, Ron takes his gnomes around in a converted shopping trolley (the gnomemobile) and dresses like a gnome himself.

Photo credit: Simon Ashton via Sunday Mirror

Photo credit: Simon Ashton via Sunday Mirror

If you are blessed enough to have UK television access, check out Ron’s feature on “Excessive and Compulsive Collectors” on December 18th at 8pm on Channel 5.

If anyone defined badass at this very moment, it’s Ron Broomfield. Can we meet you? Can we marry you?

xoxo,
B.S.G.S.G. the MexiGnome

Where to Dress Up Like a Gnome and Drink Beer on Saturday

I won’t hold you in suspense any longer…

It’s Sanford, Florida!

tour-of-gnomes

WHO: Gnomes and humans dressed up like gnomes

WHAT: The 3rd annual Hysterical Tour of Gnomes

WHEN: This Saturday, December 7th from 3-9pm

WHY: Inherently weird people in this Orlando suburb are making fun of the Historic Tour of Homes. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Instead of strolling through snooty rich people’s houses, revelers on the Tour of Gnomes will stumble through Bad Monkey Tavern (105 W. Second St.),Little Fish Huge Pond (401 S. Sanford Ave.) and three other Sanford bars while dressed as gnomes (or elves, or trolls, or leprechauns — the barkeeps aren’t picky). There will be a costume contest, so sharpen up that pointy hat.”

WHERE: I just typed the addresses above, dum dum.

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C’mon people this is a no-brainer. It only costs 10 bucks and you can drink and look like one of us. See ya there?

xoxo,
Ceasar the Florida-bound gnome

Today’s edition of: GNOME, OR NO GNOME?

Gnome?

Or no gnome?

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This confused little being was discovered at Cranberry’s Antiques in Blanco, Texas. She kinda looks like a gnome, but then again, she could be an elf or a human toddler wearing a floppy hat.

You don’t see many gnome kids around in public, so the task of “gnome identification” becomes harder than usual. She also lives in an antique store, so perhaps people from decades ago saw gnomes a bit differently.

So the choice is up to you. You be the judge.

Gnome or no gnome?