Big inspiration, small trolls

ELK HORN — When a giant wooden troll arrived in Elk Horn this spring, it caught the attention of more than just visitors.
For Daryl Nissen, it sparked a new creative project.
Nissen, a longtime Elk Horn resident and woodworker, was intrigued when Danish artist Thomas Dambo and a team of volunteers constructed the 20-plus-foot-tall troll, Fjord Færgemand, near the Museum of Danish America. The sculpture was designed to celebrate the story of Danish immigrants coming to the Midwest and was built largely from reclaimed materials.
“When they built a Dambo troll out there, I thought I’d see if I could make my own,” Nissen said.
He did.
What began as an experiment has developed into a collection of smaller, handcrafted trolls that now can be found around Elk Horn and beyond.
Nissen said his first troll was a learning experience. He quickly discovered a woodworking technique called reverse trimming, which helped him shape the pieces more efficiently.
“I made one, and I liked it. I guess other people do too,” he said.
Daryl’s first troll was named Marinus after Nissen’s grandfather, who was a Danish immigrant who came through Ellis Island.
Nissen estimates he has made around a dozen trolls so far, with several being sold or placed with local businesses. Some have traveled outside the area, while others remain in Elk Horn and help draw attention to local attractions and businesses.
The trolls are not simple projects. Nissen said each one requires roughly 50 hours of work and consists of more than 300 individual pieces before the hair is added.
Much of the material comes from donated or leftover wood. Nissen has also used scraps from projects connected to the Museum of Danish America.
“I’ve been getting donated wood and stuff as I go,” he said.
The materials are not limited to lumber. For the trolls’ hair, Nissen looks for natural materials such as sticks from mulberry trees and lilac bushes.
Each troll develops its own personality. Nissen keeps some features consistent, including the basic legs, feet and body, but changes the arms and facial expressions to make each one different.
“The imperfect part is the perfect part of the troll,” Nissen said.
That philosophy is part of what gives the trolls their character. Rather than making them perfectly polished, Nissen leaves evidence of the materials and construction visible.
The trolls also have stories behind them.
Beulah was named after Nissen’s grandmother. She and Marinus were recently special guests at a wedding celebration at the Museum of Danish America, dressed with a bow tie and veil.
Nissen’s creations have also become a way for people to discover other attractions in the area. He and his wife, Tammy, said people have traveled to Elk Horn specifically to see the smaller trolls, while some visitors have encountered them while visiting other local attractions.
The trolls visit local businesses to welcome patrons. One of them, Mokka Maye, “the keeper of the coffee beans,” at Kaffehus in Elk Horn, has her own Facebook page.
The phenomenon mirrors what has happened with Dambo’s larger trolls. The artist’s recycled-wood sculptures have developed a following around the world, with visitors seeking them out as destinations. Elk Horn’s Fjord Færgemand became Iowa’s fourth Dambo troll when it was unveiled in April.
For Nissen, the project has provided more than an interesting hobby. His background in woodworking includes years as a cabinetmaker, and employment at the Elk Horn Lumberyard before it closed.
He now works primarily from his garage, building trolls and taking on other woodworking projects at his own pace.
“He can make anything,” Tammy said during the interview.
Nissen’s work extends well beyond trolls. He has built display cases for the Museum of Danish America, constructed an old-fashioned shave horse for the future woodworking area at the Danish Windmill and has taken on restoration projects. He is also preparing to rebuild a windmill that had been used in floats at local parades.
Still, the trolls have captured a special kind of attention.
People stop to take photographs. Some have traveled from outside the area to see them. Nissen and Tammy have even discussed creating a map showing where locally owned trolls can be found, potentially turning the sculptures into a sort of community scavenger hunt. He will work throughout the winter to create 10 trolls which will be used in a spring outdoor display at the Art Farm near Northwood.
He has also done some special orders, and not just for local people. One of his creations recently went to the Shangri-La Music Festival in Minnesota.
Daryl said the response has been rewarding. “It gives people a reason to come to town,” Tammy said. “Then they visit the other businesses.”
And while Dambo’s massive troll may have been the inspiration, Nissen’s smaller creations are developing a following of their own.
“Everybody’s happy when they’re around them and see them, and it’s fun to see their faces,” he said.