Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last time, I welcomed our new robot overlords, this week…I can’t wait to play against them. I’m talking about the video game Portal. The sequel is just days away from jumping into my XBOX and I can’t wait to play it. It’s for this reason I found some of the best Aperture Science had to offer on Etsy.
Who are you? What is that? Oh, What’s that? What’s THAT? What is THAT? That, my friends, is a stuffed Talking Curiosity Sphere. One of the best parts of Portal was the insane voiceovers from these guys, now user Penguinotic can send you one for $45. No promises it will talk to you. Or, if you’d prefer something smaller, there’s the Portal Pendant Bundle from sweetgeek which includes 4 spheres, two turrets and a cake. $21.
The Enrichment Center reminds you that the Weighted Companion Cube will never threaten to stab you and, in fact, cannot speak. Unlike the Curiosity Spheres, the Companion Cubes were your trusty companion throughout Portal. Even when you had to incinerate them. There are lots of Companion Cube products on Etsy but I found this Aperture Weighted Companion Cube keychain/zipper pull from user geekoutlet for $12 to be quite swell.
Aperture Science knows your safety is their first priority. Why else would they post these signs to warn you what’s ahead? The Aperture Lab Warning Signs are 3″ x 3″ and can be stuck on your laptop or just about anywhere else you need warning. From user lovesickrobotdesigns, $13 for the batch. Or, if you’d like just one, check out the Portal Safety Sign Laptop Decal from GlueJunkie for $9.
What would Portal be without portals? A person stuck in a room. So it’s a good thing Aperture Science invented them. Now, you can wear one around your neck with this Portal necklace from user AngelElements for $14.20. But wait! It’s reversible! Flip the necklace over and your exit portal is ready and waiting.
Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the end of the testing period. I beat Portal and all I got was this lousy t-shirt? Well you may not have gotten any cake when you finally finished the game but you can warn others with this Cake Is A Lie t-shirt from user TheAardvark for $20. Bring your own snacks next time.
As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!





April 13th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Correction: They’re actually personality cores, and they represent:
logic
anger/emotion
curiosity
morality
Just an FYI.
April 13th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
I was using curiosity sphere because that was the specific item for sale in the one I linked. I just chose the photo which showed them all. FYI.