Iron Forge 2026 Builder Spotlight: Erin Dempsy

Every year, the Iron Forge sees new contestants vying for a chance to take on the Iron Builders, but many of the participants have entered the ring before. Erin Dempsy has made the top 20 for three years running, and this is her second time in the final 8. For this year’s final round, across 9 entries, Erin plays with a range of scales – micro, minifig, minilander, and 1:1 props – with builds that playfully utilize every facet of the engine top seed part. 

Her joyfully bright gumball machine uses the engine intake as a coin slot, while a pair of engines make a perfect dial.

What does this competition need? Clearly, more cowbell! And Erin obliges with this flower-crowned Holstein. What an iconic way to let the seed part shine.

Erin shows her “moc-xie” with this bank facade that uses engine intakes for flower pots and stacked engines as decorative columns.

With a little photo editing assist, a zoomed-in engine intake makes for a perfect space hangar for microscale ships.

Erin looks to clean up the competition with this minilander maid weilding an impressive vacuum. The seed part also serves as a great lampshade.

It might be smooth sailing for Erin in coming up with uses for the engine top, but the microscale boat in this entry isn’t so lucky as it comes upon a sea serpent whose scales are anything but micro.

A pair of engine tops make the perfect bow tie for this fine gentleman. Someone else commented that he reminds them of Eugene Levy, but I can’t help but see Ted Danson in the Good Place, who was so happy to get a pair of suspenders.

With time running out in the competition, Erin assembled this elegant watch where engine tops alternate for the band.

Finally, Erin was Jonesing for adventure with this jungle totem carved from 5 engine intakes.

Looking back to the previous round, Erin shook things up with this bananas tribute to Carmen Miranda. (Coincidentally, I also referenced the Hollywood legend in that round!). I love how well the eggshell seed parts work as ruffly sleeves for the daners.

And we’d be nuts if we didn’t share Erin’s squirrel. Cracked acorns are perfectly represented by the eggshells.

You can catch up with all of our Iron Forge 2026 coverage here. 

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