Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
If you peruse through Jen Giammarco’s blog, SparkleGirl, you may think she’s all sugar and spice, but beware. She’s got a punch of sass, a load of ambition, and she’ll kick your butt in video games. She has an obsession with cats, caffeine, cupcakes, the X-Men Universe, and anything cute. Giammarco lives in southern Ontario with her husband and two fluffy cats, running her own Etsy shop (though she’s currently on vacay) and enriching the Twitter-verse with quippy life updates. Follow along at @SparklegirlJen.
Here on Being Geek Chic, we’ve gabbed about the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club before. We’ve featured staffers Emily Farquharson, Leslie Stewart, and Em Somerville as Lady Geeks of the Week. Now it’s Giammarco’s turn. We’ll let her tell you more about the swinging times she has with these ladies, connecting ladies geeks across the globe through the almighty written word.
But to do so, you’ll have to read on! Giammarco will tell you about her self-discovery during her college years, her chosen superpower, and her advice to her teenage self.
Q: What has led you to your passion?
A: My addiction to cute things, comic books, video games, and more TV shows and movies than I can count. I had a health scare a few years ago and it made me realize I want to live life completely and to enjoy every moment of it! I let my interests fuel my passion to create and blog. I just try to take over the world with geeky and cute things everyday because I love it!
Q: Can you tell us about your involvement with the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club?
A: I am one of the staff members behind International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club where I work alongside Emma, Emily, and Leslie. We all look after the emails, social media, and the general planning and organizing of the community. After pen pal registration closes, I’m in charge of pairing all ‘House Organa’ registrants. It’s been such a fun experience so far! I love waking up to their Facebook messages (we have ongoing ‘meetings’ via Facebook chat) since we live in different time zones (except for me and Leslie).
Q: When did you first realize you were “geeky?”
A: I grew up pretty close with my two brothers and I think that helped me develop a geeky and somewhat tomboy personality growing up. I spent a lot of time playing Nintendo 64 and with action figures with them. It probably wasn’t until college that I realized I was a bit different than some of my peers my age. I now had friends who were gussying up and heading to clubs while I was still spending evenings at home, having Mario Kart tournaments with a couple of friends. I’m lucky though because my few close friends share a lot of the same interests as me. I can be a fangirl at any moment with them and they get it.
Q: You can choose one superpower. What is it?
A: Probably that I could fly. I think being able to fly up and out of a close encounter would be the perfect superpower for me. I’m not looking to fight bad guys; I’m a scaredy-cat. I don’t want wings or anything like that. I just want to fly like Rogue or Superman.
Q: If you could take any fictional character out for a drink, whom would you choose and what would you drink?
A: Definitely Veronica Mars and we would go out for a good cup of coffee. Possibly at ‘Java the Hut’ where Veronica worked.
Q: What would you tell your 13-year-old self?
A: Stick up for yourself and don’t be afraid of change! You’re a stronger person than you realize.
Emma Bauer is a Being Geek Chic Contributor. Clearly, she’s got great taste. She is a PR enthusiast, history scholar, tea drinker, fashion devotee, and of course, aspires to Be Geek Chic.
Follow her on twitter: @emmalynnbauer
Chic geeks, meet Katherine Lamb (@_misslamb) - a talented photographer, crafty blogger, witty writer for the official blog of the International Geek Girls Pen Pal Club, full-time dreamer, and devoted fashionista.
Take a look at her photography website to find unflinchingly personal and honest portraits of Lamb and others, as well as beautiful photographs of the world through Lamb’s eyes. Hop over to her blog, Miss Lamb, to peek inside her home, whip up some Thai food, or craft a Golden Snitch necklace.
Before you go, though, check out Lamb’s interview with Being Geek Chic! You’ll discover how her photography has changed over the years, which fictional character she’d share a drink with, and her sassy advice to 13-year-old Lamb.
Q: What has led you to your passion?
A: I think my inclination towards the arts has always been a defining characteristic about me. As a child I was more interested in glitter glue than dolls and it’s been a pretty linear path since then. As an introvert who struggled with social anxiety throughout my childhood and teenage years, it’s always been easier for me to express myself in a visual way.
Q: How has your process as an artist evolved over time?
