The German nutcracker originates in the Erzgebirge region of Germany from around 1870. It is still produced in the local craft industry. It takes about 130 individual steps to create a modern nutcracker. Made of mostly local woods such as spruce, beech, alder and linden. The beards of high quality nutcrackers are mostly rabbit fur. Ornaments on the nutcracker are often made of leather or fabrics.