Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Video Games

I love electronic gaming, and I love wool, so it's been a delight to have two games released in the last six months that are visual homages to the textile arts:  Little Big Planet 2 on Playstation 3 has a LOT of textiles in it's texture palette, and Kirby's Epic Yarn for Nintendo Wii has visuals that are drawn entirely from yarn, felt and wool.  Both are incredibly cute, simple side-scrollers awash with gorgeous visuals and infectious music.

We just had the Game Developers Conference here in SF and I got to spend a little time with a friend who contributes to the PSNation podcasts and finally got to show him my needle felting work in person.  When he mentioned that he wanted to plug my etsy site on the podcast, I thought it'd be cool to make and upload at least a couple gaming related items. 

Needle felted Kirby and 1-up Mushroom by Wooliverse
I know the original monsters I make also appeal to game and comic fans, but I thought it would be good to have a couple actual gaming related items, if for nothing else than to have a point of reference for anyone who wants to custom request a video game character.  I knocked out this Kirby and a Mario 1-up mushroom (which now that I think about it, by definition fits into my "spirit mushrooms" series!) And in a few weeks when I've finished some special requests will do a Yoshi and Mario for the fun of it.


While we're on the topic, here's a chance to give some recognition to my favorite gaming related textile artist, San Francisco's NerdJerk, who makes--among other things--the coolest Amigurumi Bob-ombs.  Check it out.  You will want one of her creations to set next to your gaming rig.  Trust me!
Amigurumi  Kirby by Nerd Jerk.











Now. . . the only thing we need is. . . . .FREE TIME AND AN EXTRA SET OF THUMBS!