Geek Girls Gab with Geek Thread

I am a middle school Family and Consumer Sciences (the subject formerly known as Home Economics) teacher.  I am originally from Southern New Jersey and currently live in Baltimore, Maryland with my husband Larry and our fur babies, Einstein and Zoe.

The Nerdy Girlie:  What is your 1st nerd memory?

Ashley:  So many of my memories are nerd memories... I am number 8 out of 10 siblings so it was incredibly hard to get a turn to play video games.  I used to pretend to be sick so that I could stay home from school and play Mario Brothers on the Nintendo.  I had a foolproof system to get away with it too.  I would steal my older sisters' blue and purple eye shadow (this was the 80's after all) to put under my eyes, take the thermometer and run it under hot water until it beeped then I would stick it under my tongue.  It worked every time!  I also had an obsessively large collection of Legos.  I actually broke my toe when I was 9 because I dropped my drawer of Legos on it.

TNG:  How and why did you start crafting/sewing?  

Ashley:  As Mr. Darcy said, "It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."  I have been a crafter for as long as I can remember.  Everything from making those little rubber band pot holder things to making and selling friendship bracelets in elementary school.  I started hand sewing a bit in middle school because all of my clothes were hand-me-downs from my older sisters and I wanted to change them around a bit.  About 10 years ago, I got my first sewing machine and the rest is pretty much history.

TNG:  When and why did you decide to start your own Etsy shop?

Ashley:  Friends had been telling me for years that I should start an Etsy shop but I always put it off.  I finally decided to start the shop a year ago to see if I could sell a king size Super Mario Brothers quilt that I had spent the whole summer working on.  I have been hooked on Etsy ever since and am constantly thinking about new things that I want to make and add to my shop.    

TNG:  YOUR favorite Etsy shop?

Ashley:  There are so many wonderful shops on Etsy!  I love everything on Gimmeswords.  Her jewelry is so beautifully geeky and wonderful.  I also love the creative Lego pieces at MoLGifts and the cookie cutters at WarpZone.

TNG:  What is your favorite thing/things to nerd out about?

Ashley:  I am a massive Wholockian and Anglophile!  I also love Battlestar Galactica, Game of Thrones, True Blood, Once Upon a Time, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.  I am a big gamer: video games and board games.  I love trivia and play every week with my friends on our team, It's All Geek to Me.  I LOVE reading: I am a big fan of Jane Austen and own at least 30 variations and sequels of her works and also enjoy reading historical fiction novels.

TNG:  Any tips for San Diego Comic Con?

Ashley:  Firstly, do NOT go to SDCC unless you are prepared to go every year for the rest of your life... it is addictive!  I can't stress how important it is to plan ahead for the things you really want to do and see.  SDCC is a black hole of cell phone reception and it is nearly impossible to search or research or look up things on your phone when you are there so try to have stuff printed out and handy before you get there.  Be open to discovering new things.  I discovered the Walking Dead by sitting through their panel so that I could see a later panel and now I am a huge fan.  When I go to SDCC, I always go with this mindset:  The only thing that I really HAVE to see is the Doctor Who panel... everything else is a bonus.  This keeps you from getting disappointed by not seeing the things that you want.

The Nerdy Girlie's nerd mobile with Geek Thread TARDIS
wheel cover!

TNG:  Girlie things you love?

Ashley:  I'll confess that I am not super girly.  I love pink, skirts, and I do love baking.  Prior to opening my Etsy shop, I used to make specially decorated cakes and cupcakes but I find that I do not have the time for that as much anymore.

Thank you Ashley for taking the time to answer our questions.  I am so in love with my Doctor Who steering wheel cover!  Check out her awesome Etsy shop:  Geek Thread and don't forget to follow her on Twitter:  @asmacejka.