The[Crafty]Gamer: Katy Creider (Talking GlaDOS Personality Cores)

This week The[Crafty]Gamer features Katy Creider from Tulsa, OK, who has crafted these incredible plush GlaDOS personality cores. What’s even cooler is each one has a voice box installed so you can have your very own GlaDOS core spew its memorable sayings with a good squeeze. If you made it to the end of Portal you’ll recognize these talking plushies (though you probably don't want to incinerate them). Read on to find out how Creider put these amazing cores together and how you can get your hands on the rare items.

Full Name: Katy Creider
 
Age: 26
 
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
 
Occupation: Banker
 
Creation: GlaDOS Personality Cores

[View:http://vimeo.com/13665266:610:343]
 
Tell us about the spheres and the inspiration behind the project?

I've always been a gamer and a crafter. Any time that I can combine the two, I will! I fell in love with Portal the moment GlaDOS starting talking and my love grew as the game continued. When I was introduced to the GlaDOS personality cores, I knew I had to make them and have them for my own.

As with all my creations, they are inspired by the characters themselves. I tend to go for plushies that might not get the limelight that others would receive. I also shy away from plushies that have been already made by official companies. I find it much more rewarding to be able to make something for someone they can't find anywhere else.
 
Please describe the process of putting the plushies together. How long does it take to make each one?

The creation process is hard to explain. It usually starts with a rough pattern that I've hand drawn. Then, after I've pieced everything together, I can make adjustments and tweak the little things to make them exactly how I want. Each plushie's process is unique and time consuming! On average, a whole set of GlaDOS spheres will take me roughly seven to 10 hours. It's a full day of work, but it's always worth it.

[View:http://vimeo.com/13664031:610:343]

What sorts of challenges, if any, did you come across when putting them together? How did you resolve them?

My biggest challenge with the spheres were the side pieces. I had a few prototypes that had the handlebars as shown in Portal. The problem was the handlebars wouldn't stand up properly on their own and would almost hang around the spheres. I eventually scrapped the idea and ended up sewing the spheres without them. I might eventually add handlebars when I can figure out a way to do it while still keeping the spheres huggable.
 
Most people would've just stopped with the plushies, but you went the extra step and added a voice box. How did you do it? Why add the voice box?

The voice boxes were a must. When the idea came to me it was based around the thought that I had to make them talk. I searched for days to find a suitable voice box. I finally found a recordable one that holds 10 seconds of sound. They were made specifically for plush animals so the setup was perfect! I then found voice tracks ripped straight from the game and recorded them to the voice boxes. Once sewn in behind the pupil, a single press of a button will get the spheres talking. Everything just fell into place.

[View:http://vimeo.com/10766107:610:343]
 
Any Web links to other work?

At the moment I don't have any websites other than penguinotic.etsy.com. I will hopefully have a website of my own sometime soon.
 
Anything else you’d like to add about yourself?

I used to make small things for my friends: Pokémon hats, scarves, and perler bead art. The sewing grew over time as my friends started requesting more difficult, hard-to-find characters. Some of my early work included a few Pokémon characters (Aron, Chikorita, Jigglypuff), some plush monsters, a plush Doop from the comic book X-Force, and a Mr. Saturn. My friends finally convinced me to start an Etsy page. I was reluctant thinking that my work wouldn't sell. I'm glad to say I was wrong. It means everything to me to hear the stories of children and adults alike who appreciate my plushies.

Will we see more video game-themed art from you in the future? If so, what are you thinking about making?

I am always thinking of new ideas and new characters to make. Luckily, I am surrounded by other gamers who always have ideas and requests for me. I've had a few ideas running around in my head that involve the voice boxes. Currently, I'm designing patterns for talking Gyroids from the Animal Crossing universe. I'm sure more talking plushies will show up in my store shortly! Keep an eye out for them. ;)
 
How can we get our hands on these personality core plushies?!

The spheres are available through my Etsy page at penguinotic.etsy.com. The store is barren at the moment due to the overwhelming response to the GlaDOS spheres! I have a running pending list that anyone can request to be added to. As things get finished, I am able to contact the next person in line. I appreciate all the love everyone is showing! It means the world to me! Thank you so much!

The[Crafty]Gamer has officially moved from the Editor Blogs section to the Features section. Check out our previous entry on Jeff Dokken and his Pac-Man painting that shows a side of the pellet chomper we've never seen. We are regularly looking for new entries, so if you'd like your work featured, please send me an e-mail to express your interest and I will follow up with details: annette@gameinformer.com.