January 28

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

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

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

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
Frodo Doll

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
Map of Middle Earth 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
Eye of Sauron Tie Dyed 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
JRR Tolkien clothespin 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!

January 22

Snape a la Potter Puppet Pals

Snape a la Potter Puppet PalsIf you’re a Harry Potter fan and you haven’t seen any Potter Puppet Pals, go watch them right now. In fact, even if you aren’t a fan, watch them. They’re hilarious. Craftster user Troublet made this felt and embroidery Snape from “The Mysterious Ticking Noise” (my favorite PPP video). Oh, Troublet, could you please make something from “Wizard Swears?”

Check out more geeky felt goodness on her blog, The Trouble with Crafting.

January 21

Octopuses everywhere!

Octopuses Everywhere!

I’ve recently been reading Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series, a delightfully steampunk and hilarious serious of novels that feature a headstrong female protagonist.  While reading the series I’ve been struck with just how many decorative octopuses show up, especially around scientists.  In my search for an answer I stumbled upon JennyDorkJennyDork is an Etsy shop run by Jenny Lee that carries adorable amigurumis, including this fabulous little octopus.  These octopuses are so adorable that my two-year-old sister has been begging me for one since she spied it upon my computer screen and wouldn’t go to bed that night until she got to say goodnight to the octopus.

Needless to say I’ll be acquiring an octopus or two for my sister, and maybe even one for myself ,very soon.

January 18

Book Bracelets

All good book worms should show off their favorite novels.  This Harry Potter Book Bracelet is just one of the many items that Etsy user pandatreats has available in their shop.  They also take custom requests so you can get all your favorite books or manga, and they ship them off as bracelets, necklaces, earrings, keychains, charms, and more.  The only question now is, which of your favorite books do you choose?

January 16

Cthulhu Valentines Card

Valentines Day is less than a month away now. Don’t forget to buy something awesome for your beau!

What better way to profess your love to that someone special than with Cthulhu!

AmysNotDeadYet makes these cards with her very own and awesome art.

Cthulhu is even holding a special bouquet of people to help you woo your sweetheart.

Buy this card

Visit AmysNotDeadYet on Etsy

Category: Books, Craft, Geek, Horror & Gore, Myths & Urban Legends | Comments Off on Cthulhu Valentines Card