Hummel figurines, porcelain keepsakes made by Goebel, were made possible with the drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. Her drawings portrayed innocent children and inspired the creation of these figurines. First made in 1935, today the tradition is still alive, with each new figurine approved by the Sisters from the Convent of Siessen, to which Sister Hummel belonged.

To create the original line of Hummel figurines, Sister Hummel worked with Goebel's artists to create three-dimensional depictions of her work. She was heavily involved in the selection of colors and decorations to accurately reflect her drawings. From the beginning, Hummel figurines became known for high quality craftsmanship.

Although Sister Hummel died in 1947, today her artistic vision lives on through Hummel figurines, which were made by Goebel through 2008, and are now made by Manufaktur Rodental. While the production of Hummel figurines has expanded and modernized since the 1930s, each figurine remains handcrafted and handpainted by artisans working in the factory in Rodental, Germany.

Today, the making of each Hummel figurine begins with a master sculptor who studies a drawing or painting by Sister Hummel that has been selected to become a three-dimensional figurine. The sculptor must be able to imagine details, executing a sculpture in clay that is consistent with Sister Hummel's two-dimensional art. Often, this process takes many weeks. Once the sculpture is complete, it is presented to the Hummel family and the Artistic Board at the Convent of Siessen, which has final control over the art used to create each Hummel figurine.

Once the sculpture has been approved, the next step is the creation of molds which enable the figurine to be produced for sale. The figurine created by the sculptor is cut into as many as 40 pieces during the production process, with separate molds made for each piece. Each piece of the sculpture is embedded in clay. Plaster is poured over the piece, making a master mold. From this, a series of molds is made, resulting in a durable acrylic resin model. Molds can be taken from this model as needed throughout the duration of production. As molds wear out, new ones are created.

To create a figurine from this mold, a liquid ceramic material, known as 'slip,' is poured into the mold. This material contains clay, quartz, water, feldspar, and kaolin. The plaster mold absorbs water, causing the ceramic material to become thicker. Because the slip sticks to the sides of the mold, this results in the formation of a hollow space in the middle of the mold. That is why each Hummel figurine is hollow. Once the slip has reached the right consistency, excess liquid slip is poured out. The figurine, which is still moist, is removed from the mold.

Now, the separately molded pieces of the figurine are joined back together. The artist uses slip as a 'glue' to hold them together, smoothing the seams to make the piece whole. It is then allowed to dry for about a week before firing.

Each Hummel figurine is fired in a kiln at least three times before it is complete. The first, at 2100 degrees Fahrenheit, turns the figurine into white bisque. As the moisture leaves the ceramic, the figurine shrinks in size. It emerges from the kiln with a surface that is white and powdery. After being dipped or sprayed with a liquid glaze that is slightly tinted, it is returned to the kiln. This firing is at 1870 degrees Fahrenheit, and results in a thin layer of glass on top of the white powdery bisque.

Finally, the Hummel figurine is painted by artists using colors based in oil and turpentine, containing metallic oxide pigments. Each color has been formulated to recreate the tones seen in Sister Hummel's art. Each color must be approved by the Convent and the Hummel family before it is used. Then, a Master Painter prepares a sample of the figurine to guide the artists who paint the figurines that will be sold. Still, because each figurine is handpainted, no two are exactly alike. Each artist uses natural-hair brushes to carefully apply the chosen colors.

Once painted, the Hummel figurine is fired once again at 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. This firing permanently bonds the paint to the surface of the figurine. Depending on the design of the figurine, it may need to be fired up to three separate times during the painting process.

In all, each Hummel figurine takes many weeks to create, through a process involving up to 700 different steps. The figurine is now sent on its way to becoming a beautiful gift or cherished collectible. Each step in the process of making a Hummel figurine is executed by extremely talented artists to ensure that each figurine meets the high quality standards set by Sister Hummel more than seven decades ago.