Perler Bead Gift Tutorial: Doctor Who Newbies and Disney Fans

12/30/2016 House of Geekiness 0 Comments

Aimee's picture of her Perler mini bead ornaments

A few weeks ago, I saw that two of my friends from church were watching Doctor Who for the first time but were having trouble getting into Series 1. Those of us who are fans were encouraging them on Facebook to keep watching and suggesting episode orders, etc. I'm sure you've all seen that same conversation a million times. Well, they stuck with it, even through the more ridiculous episodes, and got to the good stuff. They are now official Doctor Who fans.

As a badge of honor, and since it was Christmastime, I made them each some of my Doctor Who Perler Mini beadsprite ornaments: The Ninth Doctor (since he will always be their first Doctor), Rose Tyler, and a Tardis.

My delivery of these didn't quite go as planned. I was late to deliver Aimee's ornaments (yes, I know how shocked you are at my lack of punctuality) and she was Live on Facebook. So, my ornaments made a short appearance in her video!

You might have noticed that she was a bit thrown by the unexpected surprise and combined my name and my husband's name (Laura and Erik), and called me "Erika". Hahaha!

My other Perler bead gift was to a friend who is a HUGE Disney fan that loves Hawaii. Naturally, I decided she needed a Hawaiian Disney themed Perler bead gift (in this case, wall art).

Here's how I made it:

Image source

I started by finding something similar to what I wanted. I did a quick Google search of "Mickey Mouse Hawaiian Perler Bead" and it came up with this pattern. Not quite what I wanted, but close enough to for me to adapt into my own vision. I knew decided to put Mickey Mouse of the surf board, but to add my own rainbow and flowers.

Image Source

I started with a basic idea of what Mickey Mouse looks like, then what he might look like in Perler beads.

It was a bit tricky because I had to keep Mickey Mouse small enough to keep the pattern I'd already decided on, but large enough to show some detail. (You'll notice in the original pattern, the guy's head/hair is only 3 beads.)

Then, I altered it to fit my Hawaiian surfing scene, replacing the surfer dude with my Mickey Mouse, which was a bit larger than the original pattern, but I thought I could make it work.

Image Source

Next, was the hibiscus flower, a renown icon for Hawaii. I loved these ones from Madam Fandom, but they were much too big for my little pattern.

As you can see, I added two flowers instead of just one, and moved the rainbow to the left corner and behind the text. I also re-centered and adjusted the word "Hawaii" to fit in front of the rainbow and behind Mickey Mouse, made a few more small adjustments, then, I added a row of dark blue and two rows of dark grey for a perler bead frame for our wall art.

I hope she likes it!

How to get started with Perler Beads, ideas, tips, tutorials, videos, and more here!

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comic,

Holiday Giveaway 2016: Handwrapped Circlet from Refreshing Designs

12/20/2016 House of Geekiness 3 Comments

I first met Heidi, of Refreshing Designs, at FanX 2015 (see cosplays and other awesomeness from our experience at FanX 2015 here).

Jewelry by Refreshing Designs

I kept asking people where they got their AMAZING circlets and jewelry, and they sent me to the most popular booth at the con (where I spent all of my birthday money!) I couldn't resist her gorgeous Elven circlets, bracelets, and necklaces. Actually, my daughter couldn't resist either—I've had to fight her her for them ever since!

Ariel cosplay by larissapaigecopslay with Tritan Crown by Refreshing Designs

Daenerys Targaryen cosplay with circlet by Refreshing Designs at Salt Lake Comic Con

Simple and elegant Celtic headband by Refreshing Designs

Elven bridal circlet by Refreshing Designs

Lord of the Rings Arwen cosplay with circlet by Refreshing Designs at Salt Lake Comic Con 2016

Gypsy circlet by Refreshing Designs

Steampunk cosplay with circlet by Refreshing Designs at Salt Lake Comic Con 2016

Sailor Moon Jewel Headband worn and designed by Heidi of Refreshing Designs

About Heidi:

I am a mother of two wonderful, active boys whom I love dearly. One of my favorite quotes says: "A mother of boys is on the go from son up to son down." Isn't that the truth!

However, when I do find time to unwind, those 10 precious minutes :}, I usually spend it making custom jewelry and accessories. It relaxes me and lets my mind wonder into a land where anything is possible. I look at a long piece of wire and become excited at its potential. I never plan out my designs before-hand, unless I am making a copy. It is usually a very organic, free-form process. The wire sort of shapes itself in a way.

I am most inspired by medieval Celtic design and the Renaissance period. Though I am a huge fan of Tolkien too and the world of the Elves.

But when it is all said and done, hopefully, you enjoy wearing my art work as much as I enjoy creating it.

Go to Heidi's Instagram and see more of her amazing designs, like this crazy Loki cosplay wire work headdress! You can also find Heidi's Refreshing Designs on Facebook, Twitter, and Etsy.

This design is called "Isilme" which is elvish for "moonlight"!

Because she is so cool, Heidi is giving away a circlet (pictured above) to one lucky fan! The winner will be announced on New Year's Day. She's also giving us an exclusive discount: free shipping (in the continental US only) with any purchase over $20! Just use the promo code "THANKS2U" at checkout.

Enter the Giveaway:

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books,

The Watchers Take to the Sea and Give Us 4 Free Books (Today Only)

12/14/2016 House of Geekiness 0 Comments

We've moved! Read this post and more on my new website.

I was first introduced to The Watchers Series (if you haven't gotten your free Watchers Coloring Book yet, be sure to get it now) a few years ago, when I met the author, Deirdra Eden. I can only describe Deirdra as a force of nature. Like her heroine, Auriella, this woman is an incredible role model. In addition to running her own household (she has 3 little kids), she started her own business, became an advocate for abused children, and worked on countless other projects. If there has been any evidence of super powers, this woman's boundless energy and drive could convince me!

Deirdra inspired me and helped give me the confidence and skills to follow my own dreams of writing (read more about my dream of writing a book here). "The Watchers is about never giving up hope and always following your dreams," Deirdra told me.

It's not hard to see how Deirdra could create a series that sucks you right in. Auriella is a Watcher, a celestial being in human form tasked with fighting a war on earth that started in Heaven. I had the amazing privilege to help create this trailer for The Watchers Series (see below, read more about the making of the trailer here).

If you're looking for an inexpensive geek gift, check out this release day special. First, be sure to stop and sign up to get your free Coloring Book here from me and a free book from The Watchers.

When you buy Flood and Fire (Book #3 of The Watchers Series) in print (on sale today only for $10.99) or ebook ($3.99), you get 4 FREE ebooks! (Details below)

About The Watchers Series

The Watchers Series has been described as Braveheart meets Supernatural. The mythology for the series is based on many theological texts from dozens of sects with correlating themes. Ancient writings include the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Traditional Apocrypha, the Pearl of Great Price and the Kabbalah. The Watchers are supernatural beings in human form whose duty it is to protect and guard mankind from the armies of darkness. Unfortunately, as the Book of Enoch mentions, some of these Watchers go bad.

Deirdra Eden's, The Watcher's Series, is written in a traditional fairytale style with a young girl's discovery of incredible, but dangerous powers within herself, a cast of humorous side-kicks, a quest for greater self-discovery and purpose, and villains of epic proportions.

About The Watchers, Book 3: Flood and Fire

Auriella joins the ranks of the Immortals, but Azrael has vanished in the depths of war.
She is forced to choose between love or loyalty when the druids charge her with finding Alamar, an unruly Watcher who can control the seas. Though witty and charming, Alamar and his blood thirsty friends can’t be trusted.

Now, it’s a race against time to find Azrael before he is killed, and Alamar before he is recruited by the Shadow Legion.

About The Author

Deirdra Eden has spent the last decade captivating audiences of all ages with her Amazon Bestselling novels and fairy tales. Her specialty is paranormal theology that delves into documented historical phenomenon and natural disasters of biblical proportions that entices indulgence of a fine line between fact and fantasy.

Deirdra enjoys jousting in arenas, sword fighting and archery, planning invasions, horseback riding through open meadows, swimming in the ocean, hiking up mountains, camping in cool shady woods, climbing trees barefoot, and going on adventures with her family.

Connect with Deirdra and The Watchers

A Story Book World (Deirdra's Blog) The Watchers Official Website Amazon

Pinterest Twitter Facebook Reddit Goodreads Booklikes

Release Day Special: Buy 1 book get 4 FREE!

Buy Flood and Fire on Amazon on December 14, 2016 and get 4 FREE ebooks! Just email a copy of your order to edenliterary@gmail.com and they'll send you 4 free ebooks.

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batman,

Inexpensive Geek Gifts

12/07/2016 House of Geekiness 0 Comments

My Zelda Plush, Dancing Baby Groot, River's Sonic Screwdriver, and X-men Figures

Gifts are fun, but geeky gifts are the best! These are some of my favorites this year. Pictured (above) is a small collection of geeky gifts that I've put on display above my computer desk.