Polski 
Nearly 400 gnomes live in Wroclaw, and the number is constantly growing. Each gnome has its own story and unique character. In this article and in the video attached below – an interview with Beata Zwolańska-Hołod, you will learn how the Dwarf figurines are made. We invite you to watch a virtual visit to the dwarf workshop.
The first step in creating dwarves is to create a spatial design. This is a small visualization made of gray plasticine, which shows a figure of a dwarf no more than 10-15 centimeters high. This small sample of the dwarf figure moments later requires a second pasting from gray plasticine. The second time, the dwarf is already formed in its proper size – it measures about 35-37 centimeters in height. This right-sized plasticine specimen should be …. dismember. Yes, dismember, that is, split into smaller parts. But do not be afraid, after all, this is not yet a real dwarf, but only its prototype! Splitting into parts involves using plastic sheets to get a cross-section of the head, body, arms and legs. By separating these parts from each other and cutting them lengthwise, you can make plaster negatives, or bipartite molds, which you splash with plaster.
Warm wax is poured into the finished gypsum negatives. One waits until it solidifies, and then pulls off the plaster molds. This is how the wax head, body, arms, legs are created. All of these parts need to be reconnected to each other. This is done with the help of a soldering iron, which under the influence of high temperature welds the wax together. Once the wax dwarf is fully itself (whole again), it is splashed again with a concoction of water and plaster. The first layer must be rubbed into the wax very carefully to reproduce all the details. When it dries – add another layer of gypsum to strengthen the cast. A little later – after the gypsum mass has dried – it is necessary to get rid of the wax under the influence of temperature, and then burn the gypsum mold at a temperature of 700 degrees in a special furnace, which works for as long as 13 hours. Thanks to this process, the gypsum molds dry very thoroughly, and liquid bronze can be poured inside (into the place where the wax dwarf used to fill) – that is, the real dwarf spirit and matter. Once the bronze has solidified, the plaster mold can be smashed with a hammer. It is at this point that the final dwarf appears to the eye, which only needs to be cleaned and polished a bit to bring out its full beauty.
