beads – Geek Crafts

Skels and her Geeky Bead Weaving

Hey there, geek-crafters. My name is Skels and I’m thrilled to introduce myself as another new writer.

I’m British, but currently living in Sydney, Australia. What makes me geeky? It could be my love of SciFi TV and movies, or my crafty habits as a self-proclaimed “tinkerer”. Or perhaps it’s the months and months of my life that I have invested in various MMOs over the years (sup, EU Argent Dawn WoW?!), or it could be that I’m currently studying for a degree in Natural Sciences in my spare time, you know, just for fun.

My all time favourite TV show is Red Dwarf, favourite game is Simon the Sorcerer, favourite movie is Twister and favourite colour is yellow. I like beading, drawing, photography, piano playing, baking, and jewelry making. I’m also a keen amateur astronomer; my most beloved posession is my 6″ Meade telescope.

I’ve been a fan of Geek Crafts for a while now, ever since discovering how to make pixel art keyrings and things out of teeny tiny seed beads. The great thing about pixel art is that it is so easy to reproduce with loads of different crafts – quilts, cross-stitch, bead weaving, pearler beads, even Lego. And who doesn’t love a little 8-bit nostalgia?!

If you want to find out more about bead weaving there are some really clear tutorials over at BeadItBabe.com. I used the square stitch for my designs, working with 3 mm seed beads and black waxed beading thread. And if you want some geeky designs to follow or inspire you feel free to check out my selection of keyrings and earrings: Click here to see the 8-bit beading set on Flickr.

Until next Tues, stay nerdy! And if you like, follow @Skels on Twitter. Cheers!

When It Just Needs to be a Little More Sonic

Or perhaps for those hard tor each places, these miniature sonic screwdrivers are perfect. They’re easy to keep track of as you can wear them as earrings, charms on a necklace or bracelet, or even make a few to use as stitch markers. Julie, known as oboe_wan on LiveJournal, has made the Ninth and Tenth Doctors but does suggest that the Eleventh’s can be made using a bead with the appearance of a claw for the end. She has kindly provided a tutorial for those interested in making a few of their own.

Beaded Tom Baker “Scarf”

More Doctor Who goodness! I love the fourth Doctor’s (Tom Baker) Scarf. But I can’t knit and all of the replicas available on etsy are out of my price range. But this is brilliant: a beaded scarf necklace! España Sheriff made this for a friend, who was getting ready for her first Gallifrey One convention (cosplaying as Tom Baker, of course). She used 15/0 Toho rounds, in a combination of matte, metallic and transparent finishes.

A lot of the comments on the post at Crafty_Tardis said that they loved that it was “stealth geek chic”: to geeks it’s instantly identifiable and when you see one there’s no question that the wearer is a Whovian, but to everyone else it’s just a really cute necklace. Either way, I want one!

Beaded Tom Baker “Scarf” necklace

Scrabble Tile Jewelry by Laura Mac

Though there are numerous crafters out there upcycling old Scrabble tiles into jewelry, my favorite is Baltimore-based artist Laura MacDougall. She takes Scrabble tile jewelry to the next level, from fun and kitchy to, well, elegant.

Each Scrabble tile pendant showcases one of Laura’s beautiful nature photographs. It’s then strung up with semi-precious stones, making a piece that you’d be proud to wear out to a special event. My favorite is this striking peacock feather necklace.

She’s also been thinking outside the box (if you’ll pardon the pun) and experimenting with round pendants, which lend themselves well to her photography.

If you’re not into jewelry, Laura also makes simple yet lovely book thongs, which are perfect for that beach-blanket read this summer.

Lots o’ Lord of the Rings

Hobbits, wizards, elves, and kings.
What’s not to love about Lord of the Rings?

Many a crafter has been so inspired,
to knit, sew, or sculpt from this story admired.

But some feel the need to go a bit further,
to celebrate this story with a touch of odd fervor.

So check out these crafts, both geeky and unique,
and I promise I’ll stop rhyming in faux-Tolkien speak.

Eye of Sauron Journal

Etsy seller ArtBug offers this one-of-a-kind Eye of Sauron journal, perfect for scribbling down all your evil plans. What I love about this most of all is that the eye friggin’ LIGHTS UP.

Hobbit Feet Baby Booties

I’ve seen various incarnations of these crazy hobbit-feet slippers, but none so cute as these wee baby booties. Knit some up for your own little hobbit with this free pattern offered by Penwiper. Grown-ups can also get in on the hairy foot action with this Hobbit foot pattern from The Unique Sheep.

Door of Durin Beaded Necklace

It took Etsy seller Whitestar Jewelry 15 hours to hand-bead this striking Door of Durin necklace. What impresses me more is the story behind the store, as the maker uses beadwork as a way to soothe her bipolar disorder.

Frodo Plush

Craftster member MumbleFord wasn’t content to simply buy a plush Frodo from a store. She had to make her own! I think he turned out even cuter than the original. She was also generous enough to share her pattern, so you can make your own hobbit.

Map of Middle Earth Cigar Box

The latest LOTR swap on Craftster yielded some amazing projects, from replica cloaks to an amigurumi Bilbo. What impressed me the most, though, was this map of Middle Earth burned into a cigar box, made by Craftster Gommeriffic. Perfect thing for hiding your Old Toby in, eh?

Eye of Sauron T-shirt

Throw Led Zepplin’s “Ramble On” on the turntable and rock out with this crazy Eye of Sauron tie-dyed T-shirt, available from Portland-based Etsy seller Tie Dyed Monkeys.

Miniature J.R.R. Tolkien Art Doll

The man himself, adorably immortalized in clothespin-doll form. Debbie Ritter (Etsy’s Uneek Doll Designs) also has a little C.S. Lewis doll. Makes me wish she had a dollhouse version of the Eagle and Child pub they used to meet in!