Weblog Interview - Sprite Stitch

It is the Age of the Geek. The Age of the Gamer. The video game industry has never been as popular, with games for everyone from child to casual to hardcore gaming. Facebook makes a decent profit (understatement) on games that involve a lot of waiting around. Games now reach all ages and all professions.

And also all hobbyists.

Crafts are also enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Knitting, crochet, and all ‘old lady arts’ are being eagerly devoured by younger and younger audiences, male as well as female enthusiasts are making their own mark.

And these marks are making their way on to the internet.

Blogs, Websites, Online Communities - the Geekcrafters are finding one another, and learning that we’re many in number.

One such Blog/Online Community is my subject for today. I have mentioned it many times, and I am a member on the forums.

This Blog is Sprite Stitch - a blog that showcases Geekcraft in all its glory, both Johloh’s work and other good examples that he finds online.  And I had the wonderful fortune to get him to answer a few questions for my blog.

Johloh is a High School science teacher, and was recently part of a book published called World of Geekcraft by Susan Beal. It’s a 25 project book that covers the world of Geekcraft. It’s available Feb 23, and I, for one, am planning on getting it.

Me: When did you start creating pixel art? Was it always cross stitch or did you start with
a different craft?

Johloh: I started sprite stitch about 4 years ago, back in 2007.  I started cross stitching a couple of months before that...After I finished my first project I wanted to show it off, so I looked around the internet for other people doing the same thing, and didn't really find anything. So I decided to start up the site as a way of showing off my own work.

It was always cross stitch to start, but I've been branching out as I discover new
areas. Perler beads, wood carving, painting, etc...

Me: Did you imagine that it would grow into a community and a place for other geekcrafters out there?

Johloh: No, I had absolutely no idea how popular the site would be. I figured it would be another personal blog that nobody would read except my friends and family. Its been a huge surprise.

Me: Do you ever think “I’ve seen it all now,” and then find some new geekcraft that surprises you?

Johloh : Totally. I go through phases where I'm kinda unimpressed with the work out there, and blogging becomes a bit of a chore. But, every once in a while I get slapped in the face with a truly great project that really blows me away.  Lately seeing peoples stained glass projects has been the most impressive and surprising to me.  Also, just the size and magnitude of some of the stitchings/perler beads...people are crazy. They finish projects in a couple of months that would take me a lifetime to complete.

Me: Do you have any words of advice for other geekcrafters/ geekcraft bloggers out there?

Johloh: To geekcrafters: make your next project a new craft that you have never done before. My favorite projects are the ones where I've tried something new.

To bloggers: try to write a post every single day. If you write a post every day for a year, people will notice your blog...your stats will go up...trust me.

One of the extra benefits of Sprite Stitch and the forums are patterns. No fuss, no needing to guess at colors or make your own charts. For those that are not directly visible on the website, most can be viewed via KG Chart. Others are pdf files. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can request a pattern and it might pop up! If not, they’ll often post a link to where you can get a good sprite.

For those of you who haven’t found your way to my blog via Sprite Stitch, I recommend checking it out. And not just the blog. The forums hold a vast array of projects not only from Johloh, but from people all over the world.

Thanks Johloh and all the folks at Sprite Stitch!