Meet the Artist, Joan Steiner from Quirky Gnome

Quirky Gnome uses local wool to create needle felted creatures.

The artist behind Quirky Gnome, Joan Steiner, has always loved art.  After retiring from her career as a public school educator, she was able to pursue her artistic interests.
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Living in rural McMinnville, OR, Joan buys wool for her art from the farmers she meets.  With this local wool, Joan uses a needle felting process to create bears, hedgehogs, Santas, Yetis, gnomes and more.

Her art started with her love of magical creatures, especially gnomes.  She is also intrigued by Sasquatch and Yeti and you can find a variety of these figures in her shop.

“Each creature I make speaks to me as I’m creating it and helps me define the colors, shapes and personality necessary for each individual,” Joan explains.  “Many of them come with stories that I write; stories inspired by each creature as I’m needle felting.”  Leopold the Love Gnome, Stick it to Cancer Gnome and Voodoo Gnome all come with these special stories.

​Joan’s artistry doesn’t end with needle felting!  She is also interested in using found and recycled objects to create collages. Whatever the medium, it is clear that Joan has a gift for bringing life and joy to the pieces she creates.

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Each creature I make speaks to me as I’m creating…”
​-- Joan Steiner