How it all started

One quiet Saturday afternoon in early January 2007, a group of online auction traders in New Zealand were passing the time on a group discussion board by talking about gnomes, and more specifically whether anyone could make them.

Somehow or other (and I'm not sure how!) the conversation evolved into a vague discussion of how it might be a laugh to send a small polymer clay gnome from place to place around New Zealand.

The idea was that a gnome could be created and sent, via post or courier, by a 'degrees of separation' model from trader to trader around the country, hopefully ending up at Trade Me HQ in Wellington in time for an appearance on the 'Trade Me' Community Web-Cam by Christmas 2007.

And so, Gnorman the Trade Me MB gnome was created.

The rules were simple, each trader who wanted a 'visit' would undertake to receive Gnorman into their homes, look after him for the duration of his stay and pay his travel expenses between stops. They would also document his visit in a journal which he would be carrying with him, and provide a photograph, either of themselves with Gnorman, or of him enjoying his gnomey wee self in a local place of interest. These photographs will, I hope, eventually appear on this blog.

These rules were agreed and written up into a document which was promptly christened "The Gnome's Convention" The Convention would be pasted into the first page of Gnorman't journal for future reference.

It quickly became apparent that there would not be enough time for Gnorman to visit our fellow traders in Australia, and so, the marvellous creator of Gnorman, quickly fabricated yet another gnome, this time female, and christened Gnorma-Jean. Gnorma-Jean, it was decided, would undertake the overseas leg of this epic (and fast growing) madness.

At some point the idea was raised that, if we were going to do this (and it looked as if we were!) then a worthy cause should benefit. It was decided that an auction for Gnorman, Gnorma-Jean and their respective journals should be held at the conclusion of their journey, and any money raised be donated to The Cancer Society.

Trade Me were informed about the plan and approached for their agreement to allow Gnorman to visit their office at the end of the trip, they very kindly agreed and so, gnomes at the ready, the game was on!