Alison Lewis, a former web designer and crafter, wrote her new book, Switch Craft: Battery-Powered Crafts to Make and Sew, "to change the way people craft," as she tells the AP. The book's projects range from the low-fi (iPod case) to the high-tech: "an illuminated skirt and wriggling squids for cats to play with."

The idea of technology and crafting intersecting - as they do on Lewis's Web show, "Switch" - is perhaps not unexpected, since both have entered the culture so assertively. While the book is not explicitly geared towards women, the fact that Lewis says she wants to make technology "less unfriendly" and involve a new audience, would seem to point towards overturning certain stereotypes.

On the face of it, the two hobbies - the high-tech and the homespun - would seem to appeal to two very different forms of confident neo-dorkery. But really, Lewis is right - why should they? Making things is awesome, and at this point, almost any kind of manufacture is within our power. If we started out reclaiming crafting somewhat ironically, why not technology? Disclosure: when I, a retro-crafter from way back, first heard about the book I thought, not for me. But a glance through it has kind of changed my mind, and I have an eye towards making the boom box-pillow thing as a gift for my brother. Then too, my dream of finally owning a working Electra costume and performing "You Gotta Have A Gimmick" now seems within even my power. One thing is for sure: Alison Lewis is that most admirable of creatures, a woman who's taken her passions, had the confidence to assume others would share them, and made it into a career. And who doesn't love that?

Designer melds tech, fashion in crafty electronics [AP]

The article suggests that the reason there aren't more female gamers is twofold: Men are uncommunicative jerks while playing video games, and women are intimidated by complex, violent games like Halo and operating a machine with so many confusing buttons. Specifically, the women on the panel explained that when guys are so immersed in a game that they throw the controllers, curse at the screen, and ignore company, women can feel put off, and, according to Xbox Live community manager and panel member Christa Phillips,"the game becomes the enemy, like sports." The panel's recommendation? Let women participate in the game by playing in two player mode. And if that's too "intimidating," women can always sit with their boyfriends and watch them play. "Ask her to help you spot snipers," said Phillips. "Chicks like flattery. If she feels like she’s helping, then you’re making it a positive experience." Ugh.

Another recommendation: men shouldn't impose their favorite video games on their girlfriends, since women may be turned off by all the violence and explosions. (One man in attendance at the panel mentioned that his girlfriend played Halo for five minutes and got dizzy.) The best way to make games appealing to women, they claim, is to play those recognizable characters like Harry Potter and Spiderman. Pink, apparently, doesn't hurt either: the article's author, Kristin Kalning, points out that "Heck, Carrie Underwood has a pink [Nintendo] DS, right? And the Wii made being a gamer as easy as operating a TV remote."

Still: Thirty-eight percent of American video game players are women. That number probably could be higher if the industry weren't so sexist. Maybe developers (and frustrated boyfriends) should check out WomenGamers.com to get a clue: The site reviews games of all genres, features articles from women who work in the gaming industry, and scholarships and resources for women pursuing careers in video game design. A note to ladies: The site doesn't have a girly, pink color scheme, so it may be a little, well, confusing at first, but if you can handle an intelligent female perspective on the gaming industry, it may make you want to pick up a controller and start blowing shit up.

How To Get Your Girlfriend Into Gaming [MSNBC]
Related: WomenGamers.com