Been in a bit of a funk... need funny videos!

Some disturbing news has kind of... well, disturbed me as of late. So, sincerest apologies to all of my rad readers.

But, to make up for my absence, I've decided to share one of my favourite YouTube vids. And in a time of distress, one can be comforted in knowing that somewhere in the UK, a geek boy is playing a kazoo solo to a Justin Timberlake song.

Ladies & gents: Brett Domino!




Seriously, it's because of this guy that I wanna make a new nerdy cross-stitch with a key-tar that says "Rock On!"

You know what? I think I will. ;) And I reckon I'll send one to Mr. Domino.

This really has cheered me up. Anyone else have any geektastic videos to share? I'd love to see 'em!

P.S. Also love Maru-chan!

Awesome Artist Feature: The Basement Invaders

Mario Mega Bee Boo & Mini Mushroom Glasses Set
by The Basement Invaders - $55 USD

Here at nerd JERK, I get pretty excited when I find some geekery that I can feature. And when I'm able to find out more about the rad people behind it, even better!

So, I'm gonna share with ya a little something I call the radness! Otherwise known as Jason & Alex, the geniuses behind The Basement Invaders!

Combining a love for retro video gaming and including nerdity in every aspect of life, The Basement Invaders have made time in their busy lives to create one of a kind art pieces at a certain caliber of geekosity.

Here are a couple of my new favourite people in the world:

THE BASEMENT INVADERS

What's your name, where are you from & what's your business about!? 

We are Jason Minsterketter and Alex Hernly AKA The Basement Invaders. We are from Bloomington, Indiana. We are about creating fun, functional, and generally geeky art pieces. 

Mario Wario Luigi & Waluigi
Mustache Shot Glass Set
by The Basement Invaders
$30 USD

When & why did you start your Etsy shop?

Both of us had always been into crafts for most of our lives, but that hobby had fallen by the wayside when we went to college and were pummeled by shiny new adult responsibilities. Then one fateful day we met; a few months later started dating and discovered our mutual love of creating art. So we started doing crafts together, and teaching each other new skills. Fairly quickly our room started to fill up with our creations that had no place to go. When I say our room filled up, I mean it got so cluttered that when I bumped into a bookcase a sculpture fell on my head, OUCH! So, we started our Etsy shop in January 2011 to share our geeky creations with the world!

Small Glow-in-the-Dark Boo Earrings
by The Basement Invaders - $12 USD

How did you come up with your business name?

Our shop name, The Basement Invaders, is actually recycled from an all girl punk band I (Alex) was part of in high school. I had a long history and love of the name, so when we were discussing what to call our shop, I suggested it. Aside from the facts that I loved the name and missed the fun days of the punk band, we decided The Basement Invaders is an appropriate name because we routinely raid basements for many of our art supplies.

How do you combat "creative blocks" in your life?
We start a new project or learn a new skill! Right now we are starting electroforming with copper. Raiding a new basement can inspire us as well. Our parents and grandparents have so many boxed and stored art supplies we might as well call this an inherited business!

Mario Inspired Goomba Drinking Glasses - Set of 2
by The Basement Invaders - $20 USD

Do you have a favourite Etsy Seller that inspires you or what you look up to? Tell us about them.
Mythdemeanor is the shop of our RL friends Crescentwench and her girlfriend. They were the first people we knew who sold there, and hearing about their process made having a shop seem like a realistic goal. They do wonderfully geeky clothes and other sewing-based arts.

Check out more about The Basement Invaders on the interwebs here:

ETSY // FB // TWITTER // KABOODLE

The Awesome Artist Feature series will be running on Mondays at nerd JERK: Inspire Your Inner Geek.

The WINNER of Preview Giveaway is...

The winner of our Preview Giveaway for the Nerdy Cross-Stitch Kit is Abby! :)

Please email me Abby, so I can work out the details on how to get your new gift to you!

And thanks SOOOOO much for everyone who participated and got the word out. :) This was so fun that I thinking of doing another giveaway soon... maybe for the new Hot Pink Mini Bob-Omb? Whaddya think?

Hot Pink is the Colour!

Tweet

So I get an order for a Mini Bob-Omb on Sunday night from a guy who says:

Could you do him in the pink color from Mario 64? The "I'll prepare the cannon for you". My girlfriend can't stop saying that!

To which I say, "Of course, dude!"

I guess I do custom orders on the fly! :D

New Hot Pink Mini Bob-Omb available here!