wampa

Dark Side coffee maker: How not to do 'Star Wars' merchandise

I've been a sucker for "Star Wars" merchandise ever since I had to get a second C-3PO action figure as a kid because I wore all the gold color off of my first one. My first kiss was with a friend named Arnie, who made my nerdy young heart beat with a sweet collection that included an X-Wing Fighter. My brother and I had matching stuffed Ewoks.

I still get a kick out of "Star Wars" swag today because of the creativity that goes into it. Fans almost always get it right when they do things like build a carpet-covered AT-AT cat condo or custom-painted Stormtrooper My Little Ponies complete with helmets and belts. These things have heart.

But this brings me to the limited-edition $120 Nestle "Star Wars" coffee makers that will be available only in Japan. You can choose between a Dark Side coffee maker with Darth Vader on it or a Rebel Alliance coffee maker with C-3PO on it. Pretty much all Nestle did was slap on some graphics and change up the colors on its regular Barista coffee machine.… Read more

Gingerbread Millennium Falcon looks pretty Chewie

While Americans are all trying to blow out their electrical circuits with insane light displays, Canadians are busy creating elaborate edible gingerbread structures. A gingerbread "Star Wars" Millennium Falcon is blowing away the competition in Canada's National Gingerbread Showcase 2012.

The insanely elaborate creation comes from the Canoe Brewpub in Victoria, B.C. The spaceship appears to have landed on Hoth, judging by the presence of tons of shredded coconut snow and a Wampa. Chewbecca also lounges near the ship. … Read more

Severed Wampa arm fashioned into ice scraper mitt

When Luke Skywalker ran into a Wampa in a cave, he sliced off the beast's arm. In a scene that ended up on the cutting-room floor, Luke then fashioned an ice scraper out of the severed limb.

The "Star Wars" Wampa Ice Scraper Mitt is $24.95 from ThinkGeek, but you'll have to wait for it to come out this fall. Don't worry, it should be available in time for your winter vacation trip to Hoth.

The polyester mitt conceals an ice scraper in the palm, underneath a pile of white fur and shiny black claws. It is machine washable, so you can clean all the space gunk off it when you get back to your home planet.… Read more

Wear a Wampa skin: 'Star Wars' outfits for the ladies

Some people watch the Wampa cave scene from "Star Wars" and think, "Look out! Wampa attack!" Others watch it and think, "I could make a dress out of that!"

Nerd Alert Designs falls into the latter camp. The geeky Etsy store is full of custom dresses with "Star Wars" themes.

One of the most impressive of the lot is the $130 Wampa dress crafted of fake white fur with a bomber-style horned hat and clawed boot covers. A little touch of blood on the chest really makes it pop.… Read more

Star Wars + dog = adorable Wampug

Beware the mighty Wampug!

Kristen, a friendly veterinarian with a knack for arts and crafts, transformed her puppy into Luke Skywalker's worst nightmare.

"Every year I make a new costume for my pug Chubbs and this year was no exception," reads the YouTube video's description. "This year she became the dreaded Hoth Wampa from The Empire Strikes Back!"

OK, so "worst nightmare" is a stretch. But imagine a swarm of Wampugs. They would be... still pretty adorable.

This story originally appeared on CBSNews.com. … Read more

Wampa shoes perfect for wannabe Skywalkers

Unable to visit the ice world of Hoth in the Outer Rim Territories? Check out these Wampa-inspired shoes by Adidas Originals.

During the first few scenes of "The Empire Strikes Back," Luke Skywalker checks out an asteroid, but gets more than he bargains for after an 8-foot-tall Wampa slaps him across the face.

After gaining consciousness in the ice creature's lair, Luke uses the Force to regain his lost lightsaber and pulls a Ponda Baba on the Wampa's arm. Now you can sport some fresh kicks representing the albino monster, which will surely be a hit with the ladies.

Adidas describes the shoes--officially known as Campus 80s Wampa--as made with horsehair, with contrast red stitching, a Wampa tongue badge, and a laser cut Wampa logo. So fly.

The shoes aren't on sale yet on the official Adidas Originals Web site, but they should appear there soon. Other notable pieces in the Adidas Star Wars Fall/Winter 2011 collection include the Hoth shoes, Forum Low RS AT-AT shoes, and other hideous but incredible items.

(Via Sneaker Freaker and My Wampa) … Read more