Episode 87: The Good, the Bad, the Over-Commercialized

In this week's episode, Sandy and Jade talk about the over-commercialization of certain geek franchises, and ask, When is too much too much? Then they play catch-up on their cosplay and crafting projects from the past month.

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Get Geeky

30 Seconds of Squee

• Sandy Squee: Sandy is gaga over Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs aromatherapy oils - http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/
• Jade Squee - Jade is sque’ing over the new Doctor Who season. No spoilers.

Over-commercialization of Geek Franchises

The girls discuss the GOOD and BAD of the over-commercialization of our geek fandoms. For the longest time, it was hard to get geek-themed objects, unless it was a limited run made by a fan that you could get at a convention. However, nowadays, this has changed.

Using Star Wars as an example, there might be a super saturation of the market, from Darth Vader showerheads to Chewbaca Coffee Mate creamer.

Where’s the line? How much is too much? Does it lower the mystique of a fandom? Or does it increase your enjoyment?

Sandy found this video by SNL that spoofs collectors vs. kids who buy Star Wars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYyuo7gm-aQ

Get Crafty

Make it Sew - Cosplay Creations

Jade is currently still working on her Jedi outfit. She finished one, and started another.

• T-shirt making at a friends, who recently got a t-shirt press. http://geekgirlcrafts.blogspot.com/2015/11/making-your-own-t-shirts.html
• Also t-shirt mods….. http://geekgirlcrafts.blogspot.com/2015/11/t-shirt-surgery.html

Fiber Optics

Jade: 200 projects on RAVELRY!

Sandy has 63.

Finished Objects
Sandy	Eighteenth-Century Scottish Bonnet by Diane Jensen Donald in Malabrigo merino Worsted, color Blue Graphite Quick knit, I’d been meaning to make this for a while, and it felted up beautifully.
Jade	Pattern: Louisa by Cocoknits Yarn: Shibui - Linen, Cloud, and Pebble Notes: Jade FINALLY finished this after some hassle. There were points where the sweater was frogged, which is a pain, because MOHAIR. She added a crochet border around the neck and edges to prevent too much rolling.
Jade	Pattern: Hulky Invader Sock pattern Yarn: BCY Self Striping Sport Sock -- “Hulk” Reminds Jade of ZIM from Invader ZIM. Sandy remarks that she thought it was from the Planet Hulk animation.
WIPs
Jade	Pattern: Vitruvia - Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug. Leaf Velvet. FINGERING WEIGHT Progress: This was Jade’s trip knitting in the car. Slow progress but oh, so pretty. She’s two repeats of the cable pattern on the back.
Sandy	Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder Araucania Itata Multy: wool, silk, bamboo green, purple, yellow… Sandy is halfway through the second sock
Jade	Pattern: Vanilla Sock pattern Yarn: Electric Avenue by Stray Cat Socks KNITTING ATTACKS JADE. She has so many broken sock needles and one lost sock. She is going to try out carbon fiber needles recommended by the Purl Girls.
Sandy	To Sum up of National Finish a sweater month: the sweater is blocked, seamed through the body, both sleeves knit and attached to armscyes, then cut back because they were too long and reknit, but I didn’t manage to finish before the end of November.  I still have the hood and neckline to go, and then seaming the arms down the center. Can’t even begin to count the Knitting Attacks while doing the !@#$% arms.
Jade	Raspberry Ice - Project 201 Pattern: Iced from Knitty Yarn: Queensland Kathmandu Chunky - Merino, Cashmere, Silk. Notes: This is working up very fast. In 5 days, she has cast off the body and started on the sleeves.
Sandy	A bunch of us gamer geeks are knitting or crocheting the Maple Leaf Knit Shawl by Natalia @ Elfmoda, as part of a December KAL. Mine is in Malabrigo Sock, color Fresco y Seco, a stunning emerald green. It’s an easy pattern to work, but a lot of counting and record keeping. Make sure everything lines up and you’ll be fine.