retro – 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!

Accessories Sold Separately

As promised, I come bearing geekiness as gleaned from Mr X Stitch at the Stitch and Craft show…

I am, frankly amazed (and a little appalled) at myself for never having come across Lord Libidan before. His work is amazing – generally centered around video games, and packed full of original, interesting ideas.

The Transformers, sewn onto plastic canvas, actually transform. Oh yes. There’s Jetfire & Optimus Prime (as seen here) who of course become a plane and a truck respectively – and also a couple of tapes; Ratbat & Laserbeak, which will fit into the soon-to-come Soundwave/tapedesk. I love that they are based on the original toys, not the new versions – tres retro chic. And (this is the best bit) all of the patterns are all available from his Etsy Shop. Huzzah!

This Pokemon image is stitched stereoscopically – so if you put on red & blue 3D glasses (great fashion choice, btw) it pops out at you. Excuse me while I cry at the awesomeness.

This manbroiderer may not really be a lord, but I agree with him; he should be.

Reader Submission! Dr Who Pixel Art Magnets!

Today’s reader submisssion comes from Etsy seller Donna Aka Arcade Artist:

“Hi there,
I love your site and thought you might like to see my new Doctor Who 8-bit characters, these are custom sprites entirely made by me as if they were in an 80’s video game.

Firstly The Eleventh Doctor, Amy Pond and the Tardis and then each Monday after the previous weekend’s Doctor Who has aired I will be making the new Monster/Alien.

Hope you like ’em :) “

Wow Donna! What a challenge! and so far so good, she’s made The Silence and The Siren from the current series. Go to her shop regularly to check back on new creations!

I think whole concept is really unique and interesting, I love pixel art, I love Dr Who, I love cute things! This ticks a lot of boxes! Speaking of cute, check out her pikmin magnets! (anyone else hoping for a exciting, inventive new pikmin title on the upcoming next gen Nintendo console?)

Arcade Game Brooches

“You call that a video game? Back in my day, we didn’t have swanky consoles to play games on. No sir! We had to go to a special place called an arcade. And we didn’t have no fancy things like ‘save points.’ You had three lives, and when they were gone, you had to start over! And did I ever tell you about the time I beat Ms. Pac-Man? It was the night of October 2, 1984…”

Does this sound a bit like you? Then perhaps you should pick up one of MafiosaGrrl’s sweet arcade machine brooches. They’re custom-made from felt, so you can model yours after your favorite retro arcade game.

Pin one to your jacket, and wait for the compliments…or the questions from young’uns who have no idea what the heck you’re wearing.

[Via Sew Lovely Embroidery]

“Hi there, I love your site and thought you might like to see my new Doctor Who 8-bit characters, these are custom sprites entirely made by me as if they were in an 80’s video game.

Firstly The Eleventh Doctor, Amy Pond and the Tardis and then each Monday after the previous weekend’s Doctor Who has aired I will be making the new Monster/Alien. Hope you like ’em :) “

“Hi there,
I love your site and thought you might like to see my new Doctor Who 8-bit characters, these are custom sprites entirely made by me as if they were in an 80’s video game.

Firstly The Eleventh Doctor, Amy Pond and the Tardis and then each Monday after the previous weekend’s Doctor Who has aired I will be making the new Monster/Alien.

Hope you like ’em :) “