decorahnews.com feature: "Hanging with my Gnomies"

Decorah's "Nisse Lady," Laura Hoeg, died in 1994 at the age of 90.  She created the iconic signs of Norwegian gnomes which were displayed in the windows of many Decorah homes and businesses.

The demand for window gnomes has continued following her death.  Now a Decorah gift shop is stepping up to fill the need.  Heavenly Made Gift Shop artist Linda Wolfs says she has been getting several requests every week for gnomes, so she started making them.

The window gnomes and sports gnomes are different designs than the ones made years ago by Hoeg.  Wolfs says she created designs for both wooden window gnomes and for plaster sports gnomes.  She says the sports deisgns have been especially popular, with one customer ordering 20 of the gnomes all at once.

Heavenly Made is holding an open house Friday and Saturday at its store at 305 College Drive to show off the new designs.  Wolfs says she's glad her business can fill a need in Decorah.

Artist Linda Wolfs with one of her wooden window gnomes