Oh, I Painted Them

Aliyah is the maker behind those small colourful characters you may have already seen, the ones known as The Clever Gnome. Made in New Zealand, each one carefully hand painted.

She describes herself as an animal enthusiast and a coffee loving home body. The feels, the feels.

The tiny details

Aliyah admits she is obsessed with the tiny details in things. It spills out into her home, where she finds immense joy in colours, textures and the various combinations that bring warmth and nostalgia.

Oh, I painted them

When she found herself with some downtime after her son was born, her creative mind wandered. So she picked up a small paint set and started painting naked wooden gnomes.

Once she had coloured and clothed them, her son took them out into the world, and naturally other parents and children started asking where he got them. Aliyah would reply: “Oh, I painted them.” And well, that is when the orders organically started coming in. Locals, then friends, and now growing.

“I’ve always loved designing things - indoor spaces, garden areas, shelving displays - but never would have imagined the response I’ve gotten to this new venture!”

Where do you find the time

One of my biggest curiosities, and something I have tried to find answers to through doing The Ditsy, is where these makers find the time. “A lot of late nights”, says Aliyah.

Her family is her everything and her biggest supporters. She is blessed to also have a very tight knit circle of friends, helping her explore ideas and gather advice for her next decision.

“Yes I hold the paint brush, but the people behind me are a huge part of this walk too”

Give it a go

Her advice is impactful, and I think we all carry a version of the same fear.

“Don’t let the fear of rejection or judgement stop you from giving something a go. If it’s your passion, you owe it to yourself to go for it.”

Made to be found again

Years from now, when an adult opens the toy box from their childhood and picks up their clever gnome, Aliyah hopes they feel joy and nostalgia. That it takes them back to their childhood play area, thinking “wow I used to play with these ALL the time!”