Gamer Girl Jewelry: The hand-made dice you didn’t know you needed (but, sorry now you do)
You’d think with tabletop RPGs roughly 50 years old that hand-made dice would have totally been a thing by now. But Gabi Dyck, founder of Gamer Girl Jewelry, told me in a podcast interview that hand-made dice are relatively new for the hobby. Why? Maybe because there’s more equipment that makes it a more complicated hobby and business than, say, crocheting (which, yes, Gabi has also enjoyed).
KantCon is honored this year to have Gamer Girl Jewelry as a sponsor and woman-owned business on the vendor floor to join more than a dozen other sellers of role-playing games, board games, art, game accessories and more at the convention July 14-16, 2023 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
It all started when Gabi saw her first set of handmade dice (bought for her by her partner—a keeper!). She was captivated and knew she had to make dice-making her business. That’s why, today, it’s her full-time job to make shiny dice, colorful dice, dice that sparkle, and dice with sparkles inside that move—like functional snow globes that double as a gamer’s best friend.
Find out everything Gamer Girl Jewelry Gabi will be selling at her KantCon booth and where else you can find her or her partner at the convention. (Hint: The booth and the occasional Pathfinder game.) You can also find Gabi most active online on TikTok @gamergirljewelry.
When/how did you get into tabletop gaming?
My mom learned to play D&D from Gary Gygax himself, so tabletop RPGs have been in my blood since before I was born. I cut my teeth on second edition D&D with my dad and siblings, along with games like HeroQuest that encouraged similar gameplay. It was college that introduced me to 3/3.5 D&D, and I've been obsessed ever since. I got into World of Darkness games like Vampire, as well as Rogue Trader, Pathfinder and more indie games. I’m into anything and everything that can make me use my imagination. About 15 years ago, I became a forever DM and haven't slowed down.
“Each set of dice is designed with chaos in mind,” Gabi says. “I choose my favorite colors of the day and see what magic the resin and I can make.” These black sparkle dice with blue numbers are “Rainbow Galaxy,” made with rainbow mylar, black alcohol ink and color-shifting glitter.
What made you decide to turn the hobby into a business?
I started making nerdy jewelry in 2013, but in 2021 I left my full-time job in the government and became a full-time dice maker. Resin art is my passion, and all I want to do is share it with the world, while still affording my mortgage (lol). I've been in business for just over a year and a half, and it's been the best decision of my life.
Is there a product that you have out now or are going to release this year that you’re particularly excited about?
My liquid-core, filigree and floral dice are some of my pride and joys! Hand-making dice is something I greatly pride myself on, and I've started making dice accessories, too. Spell trackers, dragon dice guardians, and dagger-shaped dice holders are some of my favorite things to make to accent your dice collection.
What will you have at KantCon that our attendees should check out?
This year, I've teamed up with another local artist to provide hand-made wooden dice boxes, leather rolling trays and book-shaped dice towers that also covert dice holders! You'll have to check them out. We'll have a very limited supply.
What’s one of your favorite things about KantCon?
I absolutely love how KantCon brings the community together. Young and old gamers, steampunk nerds, board-game nerds—all of us gathered in one place to share in the joy of this world we've discovered, with no judgment.
Is there anything you’re looking forward to playing at KantCon?
We're sponsoring some of the Pathfinder games! While I won't be getting out from behind the booth to play much, my partner-in-crime, Daniel, will be GMing some of those and is looking forward to it.
