Crafting a Halloween Candy Corn Gnome: Perfect for Craft Shows or Gifting

Introduction to Candy Corn Gnomes

Looking for a fun and festive craft project? Creating a Halloween candy corn gnome is not only a great way to celebrate the spooky season but also makes a perfect item to sell at craft shows and a wonderful gift for friends and family. Let's dive into how you can make your own candy corn gnome that’s sure to be a hit!

Materials You'll Need

Before you start creating your candy corn gnome, gather all essential materials. You'll need:

• An old (or new) 2x4

• a piece of masonite board, or any 1/8" thick board

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

• white, orange and yellow craft paint

• Wooden bead for the nose

• sandpaper (80, 150 and 220 grit)

Step-by-Step Guide

Here are the steps to create your own Halloween candy corn gnome:

Making the Gnome's Hat and Beard

1. Cut the 1/8" masonite: For the brim of the hat, cut a strip of masonite about 1/2" wide and and just long enough to over hang the edges by 1/2" (this is ready to your taste) .
2. Cut the 1/8" masonite: For the beard, cut the shape from the masonite making just shorted than the width of the base 2x4. You can make the length as short or long as you wish.
3. Sand and Paint: Sand these parts from 80 grit up to 220 grit. Then, using your craft paint, paint the brim white and the beard orange.

Assembling the Body

1. Making the Body: Cut your 2x4's to size. You can do all the same height or do 3 at different sizes. (mine are 5", 7" and 9") You can then cut the candy corn shape, I draw it on the board first to be sure I like it. Sand through the grits as before.
2. Paint the 2"x4: Paint the top 1/3rd white, the middle 1/3rd orange and the bottom 1/3 yellow.
3. Adding the Brim, Beard and Nose: Once the paint has all dried, hot glue the brim beard and a wooden bead in the center, just below the hat, to serve as the nose.
4. Final Touches: I like to take a bit of the 150 grit sandpaper and rough it up on the edges to give it a rustic worn look. You can skip this step if you wish. I then add a clear coat of Satin Polycrylic. You're done!

Marketing Your Candy Corn Gnomes at Craft Shows

Not only is this candy corn gnome great for gifting, but it also sells exceptionally well at craft shows. Make sure your display is eye-catching and arrange your gnomes in creative setups. Maybe even offer different sized gnomes and prices for every budget.
Pro tip: Have some pre-packaged, ready-to-buy items for those who want a quick purchase, along with a few unfinished ones to show the making process, capturing the interest of potential buyers.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to create a Halloween candy corn gnome, you’re all set to make something adorable and festive. Whether you’re gifting this charming gnome to friends and family or selling them at your next craft show, they are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. Happy crafting!

These are available in my store: Candy Corn Gnomes