Monique sews a little bit of magic into every gnome she creates

In the tranquil Constantia Kloof suburb, a woman has used her talent and passion for creating to build entire families of gorgeous and distinctive gnomes.

Monique van Rooyen spent over two-and-a-half decades as a pharmacist’s assistant and always longed to create beauty out of fabric and cloth. She started her adventure by watching other creators on YouTube and soon felt the overwhelming desire to create with her own hands.

“When Covid hit, my husband was fortunate enough to start a business where he could work remotely,” Monique said and explained how she used some of her time to create the gnomes and when she went to work and took them with her, the women at work loved them so much, they asked her to make more.

Monique explained how she created each one of the gnomes with different features to make each one unique.
“Some of the gnomes take up to two days to make while others are finished in half a day,” she explained. She added that she found the original pattern on YouTube but through playing with different ideas, and trial and error, she was able to settle into her current style.

“I usually create entire gnome families, where the children will have short tiny feet and the adults long legs that can be crossed in front of them,” she added, explaining that she probably inherited her love for arts from her mother and father who both had a knack for it.

“I have dabbled in quite a few different forms of art, I have created 3D clay portraits, I love doing embroidery and sewing and even create these adorable tiny leather shoes for babies and toddlers,” she said as she gestured to her various machines and materials in her office. She has created over 50 different gnomes since the start of Covid and readers can find them at the West Rand Sewing’s market at Sterlig Kwekery.

Monique describes her crafts as an escape into another world and can be reached at 065 145 4419.