This is my first post on Geek Crafts. It was supposed to be posted yesterday but better late than never. I am wicked excited to be contributing to Geek Crafts! I love odd things therefore, a lot of my work is reflects that in some crazy way. Since I am weird, and slightly narcissistic,  for my first post I thought I would share some of my more abnormal creations with you all.

This is a cephalothoracopagus monosymmetros necklace. If you’re a medical geek you know that cephalothoracopagus monosymmetros means “connected at the head and thorax.” It is one of my tattoos. I like to think of them as a symbol of sisterly love. My sister and I are connected at the head and heart. Cephalothoracopagus monosymmetros is on display at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, my Mecca. If you don’t know about the Mutter Museum I believe it’s a crime against humanity not to click this link

This pattern was originally posted on the AntiCraft. While I was knitting it I got lazy and made a few changes. I also turned them into heat pads.

This is a tiny Old Gregg that I knitted for my little brother. I think it came out just awful but my brother likes it.

This is a Fetus Coin Purse. I found the pattern on The AntiCraft. I love that site! It is really creative.

I joke and call this piece my masterpiece. It was my first time knitting with multiple colors. It’s a Cephalothoracopagus monosymmetros bag.

You can find more messed up stuff on my craft blog: SPYRALEYES DESIGNS

Roses are red…and so is blood. So, if you and/or your beloved are fans of any of those vampire shows out there (whatever, I only count Buffy), the Twilight movies (Bah! Vampires don’t sparkle), or have an overall appreciation for general guts ‘n’ gore, consider some of these options. (Note: There are plenty of vial-of-faux-blood necklaces out there, but I’m choosing to ignore them. I just don’t find them that compelling. If that’s your thing, trust me—you can find them in spades. You don’t need my help.)

So La Fille du Consul’s Tour de Cou Sanglant necklace was my original inspiration for the post. Saw it years ago, couldn’t figure out how to actually purchase one, so I wound up making two (one for myself, one for a friend) on my own. ‘Twas a snap. I made a wire armature, surrounded it with clay, baked it, painted it, painted it again, glossed it, stitched on ribbon ties. Et voilà! The hardest part was waiting for the paint to dry between coats. Wish I could post a picture of my handmade version, but my necklace is currently packed up with the rest of my belongings and being intercontinentally shipped.

Since I first stumbled across that delightfully bloody, drippy necklace, I’ve found numerous iterations of the same idea. Here’s Trashglam’s acrylic version and Art for a Home’s basic Blood Drip Necklace and Extra-Bloody Necklace. VonErickson’s Laboratory features entire sections of the shop devoted to dripping necklaces and bracelets and gruesome gash necklaces.

If you prefer something a little less overtly gory and more elaborately Victorian, how about Fable & Fury’s Vampire Blood Drip Statement Necklace? It’s made of red powder-coated stainless steel and it’s fabulously ornate.

Oh, and if beading is more up your alley, don’t worry—you have plenty of options there, too. First up is Weirdly Cute’s Slasher Victim Necklace, followed by House of D’s Axolotl Gill/Blood Drop Necklace.

For those who want something subtle yet suggestive (Is it supposed to look like blood? Is it not? Intriguing….), here are two excellent options: QuirkyOak’s Gothic Choker Necklace and Lily Lady Blue’s True Blood Siam Red Lariat.

My favorite entry in the relatively subtle category is Weirdly Cute’s Vampire Victim Necklace, which properly conveys that freshly-bitten look.

Finally, we have a rather unusual ring to add to the list of bloody beautiful jewelry: Jane D’Arensbourg’s Drops of Blood Glass Knuckle Duster. I’m not gonna lie—in the already unconventional genre of blood-themed jewelry, that’s still a pretty unexpected piece. But, again, it’s also pretty fantastic. So buy it for yourself, give it to your Valentine…just don’t use it to propose.

• La Fille du Consul blog post about her Tour de Cou Sanglant necklace
• Trashglam’s Acrylic Blood Necklace
• Art for a Home’s Blood Drip Necklace
• Art for a Home’s Extra-Bloody Necklace
• VonErickson’s Laboratory
• VonErickson’s Dripping Necklaces and Bracelets
• VonErickson’s Gruesome Gash Necklaces
• Fable & Fury’s Vampire Blood Drip Statement Necklace
• Weirdly Cute’s Slasher Victim Necklace
• House of D’s OOAK Axolotl Gill/Blood Drop Necklace
• QuirkyOak’s Gothic Choker Necklace
• Lily Lady Blue’s True Blood Siam Red Lariat
• Weirdly Cute’s Vampire Victim Necklace
• Jane D’Arensbourg’s Drops of Blood Glass Knuckle Duster

As part of this week’s post, I have a confession to make: I really enjoy reading what I call “stupid vampire novels.” The good ones are more in the “urban fantasy” genre, but a lot of them, to be honest, are best characterized as “paranormal romance.” (Let’s step back a minute and reflect on the fact that that’s a whole genre unto itself. Right? I know.) I’ve read all but one of the Sookie Stackhouse books (and watched a season or two of True Blood), all of the Anita Blake books, all of the Kitty Norville books (yeah, she’s a werewolf, but it counts), and, yes, that other series that I’ll leave unnamed. That other series could be its own roundup, I’m sure. This isn’t that roundup, though.

As much as I’d love to share some Kitty Norville crafts, there aren’t any (or, if there are, they are well hidden from Google)! I was shocked! We’ll all have to band together, as a Geek Crafts community, and remedy that. ;)

Happily, though, there’s a wealth of Sookie and Anita Blake craftery out there, and I’m here to bring you some of my favorites from Etsy.

First up, these very fun Sookie Stackhouse book cover earrings, by maryfaithpeace. It sounds like she puts a lot of work into these—there’s even “page ridge detail”! You can mix-and-match or buy two alike! I love it!

Next, a charm bracelet, admittedly based more on True Blood than on the books, by Creative Accessories. (Who, by the way, has a coupon code up right now—and offers a plethora of geeky jewelry. Nice!)

Here’s one for any ladies wanting to do some easy cosplay: a Merlotte’s waitress t-shirt, by Scarlett Fabric (also sporting a coupon code!). A couple of red marker dots and this shirt makes an easy Halloween/convention/costume party getup!

If you’re really into the costume, you might want to add another element: scent. Mannaia Frangrances has you covered, with “Bon Temps,” which she describes as “A dark, distinctively southern scent for the vampire, fairy, or fangbanger with taste. Includes notes of magnolia, sweet iced tea, wisteria, bougainvillea, and a good dose of peach.” I’m … kind of intrigued. It sounds nice.

The next one, I admit, I hesitated before deciding to post. I’m a little tired of the “Keep Calm and Carry On” thing—it’s a fun historical reference, but, for the time being, it’s probably been played out. I think. Then again, I laughed when I saw this pendant by Red Hot Kitten, and I would totally wear something like it. So maybe there’s a bit of play left in that meme.

Now, on to Anita Blake. Perhaps because she doesn’t have a TV show or a movie, there are fewer Blake-themed crafts out there. But she has a comic (there goes that paycheck), so crafters do have some imagery to work with. Here’s a card holder (ooh, a library card!) with an image straight from the comic, by Japip:

A different print from the comic appears on these earrings, by WenSi Shop. The guns dangling from the photos of Anita make it much easier to identify her, I think. ;)

Alternately, she could look more like the Anita Blake in this print by Tara Fortin—which I love, by the way:

And, finally, to leave you with something just a bit macabre, here is a necklace by Bottled Up Creations, featuring a “hand sculpted human heart” in a bottle, with a note saying “My heart belongs to Jean Claude ♥ [signed] Anita Blake.” This one kind of creeps me out. It probably wouldn’t be everyday wear for me. But Halloween? Oh yes. I would totally rock this necklace on Halloween!

A few of our past vampire-themed craft posts:

• Wooden Stake Earrings
• Vampire Rag Dolls
• Twilight Resin Necklace

When I happened upon BeeBeeKins (A shop for the kids and the kids at heart), and found this Crochet hat, I knew those pesky Jawas wouldn’t be bothering me any longer.  If you scare easily, but then return in greater numbers, this may be the hat for you.

Check it out on Etsy!

Visit BeeBeeKins for even more awesome crafts!

More Star Wars on Geekcrafts!

Do you remember high school biology? Your lab partner was a little shy… and a lot adorable? The two of you acted bravely as you stole glances and awkwardly prodded at some poor little critter splayed out on the dissecting pan ?

Yeah, I don’t remember that either.  My lab partner was a creepy spaz (yes, you–Brian), and I still have the suspicion that more than one starfish stomach ended up inside of  his nose. >>shudder<<

Fortunately, Emily Stoneking can takes those macabre memories and make them warm and fuzzy with her AKnitomy knitted dissections.

Let’s forget, for a moment, how faithfully the organs are placed inside of the rat and freak out about Stoneking’s use of varying fibers and gauges to bring to life (or, uh, death) the different organs and tissues:  from the diaphanous, pinned-back skin to the ropey little tail.
Be sure to check out her other critters. Frogs, fetal pigs, earthworms, human brains, and an (oh my) Easter Bunny await. A lovely, caring homage to all the poor little critters who gave their lives for our awkward, adolescent memories.

• Emily Stoneking
• AKNITomy on Etsy

• Left 4 Dead Health Pack earrings

I like to think of myself as a helpful person.  I bring a net positive to most situations.

Except…
There is a specific circumstance during which, I have found, I am downright useless:

Zombie Apocalypses
Gentle reader, should there be a zombie apocalypse, you do not want me anywhere near you. I’ll be worthless.

I will stumble around with my pistols, clumsily shooting at your butt, and thrash about in Boomer Bile. And if you get hurt, oh goodness, if  you were to get hurt, I will have already used up my healthpack. By accident. When I was trying to equip a flashlight.
That is what brings us here, kids. I am loving these ‘lil Left 4 Dead polymer clay earrings. Hand sculpted, painted, and glazed, the earrings are mounted on pure silver fish-hooks. They are small and light-weight as well, so you can wear them comfortably. More importantly, you can wear them and dream that you are the kind of person that always has a spare healthpack with them and they’ll stay on, even if you’re carrying a flashlight. Everyone’s butts are safe!

Apocalypse, interrupted. You are a hero, Kristina Tuck.

There is a lot more video game inspired jewelry where these guys came from, so be sure to check out Ms. Tuck’s Etsy page.

• Left 4 Dead Health Pack earrings

• The Geek Keeper’s page on Etsy

This isn’t the first time milkool has been featured on Geekcrafts.  A pair of her creeper necklaces were featured in a post back in july.  Her shop is full of awesome adornments for the geek in your life, and her crafts are always awesome.

Check out the Creeper Necklace!

Visit milkool on Etsy!

More Creepers on Geekcrafts!

• Steampunk Cthulhu on Craftster
• SpookyPooky’s Profile
• One Tiny Stuffie Round 6 Gallery

“In his house at Ryleh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.”

Now, thanks to these cute Cthulhu earrings, you don’t have to be a dead elder god to show your love of Cthulhu.  Etsian DelightfulMagic makes all kinds of cute jewelry out of polymer clay, but these earrings drew me in right away.  Rarely have I seen Cthulhu looking so cute.

Check out the Earrings!

Visit DelightfulMagic on Etsy!

More Cthulhu on Geekcrafts!

For a few of us lucky to be in London this past Sunday, and get tickets to The Empire Big Screen event at the O2, Fright Night was an experience to remember. Hosted by David Tennant himself (adorable as always) and in RealD–it was an experience to remember. The crowd filled up fast, and the buzz was building long before they let us into the theatre.

As for the film itself, I was hesitant to view both a remake AND a 3D movie, even if it did feature two impossibly hot men doing hot things. First and foremost, they hit it out of the park with the 3D, I’ve never been impressed with how 3D is used in horror movies until Sunday night. The script was great, enough changes to make this it’s own, modern film, but close enough to the original that the only thing purists will have to whine about is “It’s supposed to take place in the eighties!”.

The film featured lots of great laughs and plenty of good suspense and jump out of your seat moments, a fantastic performance by David Tennant as Peter Vincent (don’t worry, he is only in that awful wig and fake goatee for a few minutes). For those of you reading who aren’t already familiar with the story line, a teenager discovers that a vampire is living next door, preying on his friends and neighbors, and enlists the help of a famed “vampire expert” to destroy him. I could go on and on about how fun this movie was. I am positive I will be buying another ticket to see it in theater (again) when I am stateside.

And, just because, here is a picture of me, my niece, and Martin Barry of Empire Magazine, a totally great guy, even if he was making fun of me a bit. Martin,if you’re reading–Hello!

• Fright Night
• Empire Magazine