In November of 2022, a massive creation showed up on several platforms with an amazingly detailed version of Venice in the Middle Ages, seemingly during the height of the Republic of Venice. I was amazed by the number of small details and building techniques sprinkled throughout the build made by Barthezz Bricks. If you were following the builder, however, you would not completely be surprised by what kind of buildings and bridges and ships were put in this amazing creation. He kept us all updated about the things he was building, showing us the steps he went through to build one of the amazing buildings he put into his creation. I loved that because it showed us how many things change during the creative process that is necessary when it comes to building large layouts like this. I decided to sit down with him and talk to him about the challenges...

Today’s guest article comes from Chrissy Vaughn, a high-tech communications practitioner, LEGO lover, and lifelong soccer player, coach and fan. When BrickNerd reached out asking if I’d be interested in sharing my thoughts on the newest LEGO Icons of Play set featuring world-class footballers, it was an instant and emphatic yes! A lover of LEGO, a lifelong player and fan of soccer, and a tireless advocate for barrier-breaking women and girls, I couldn’t be happier that LEGO has launched this set ahead of this summer 2023 FIFA World Cup. 7-year-old Chrissy in her first Goalbusters soccer uniform Looking back, I know how fortunate I was (and still am). My parents instilled the “you can be whatever you want to be—dream big!” message early and often. As a middle-class family, we could thankfully afford the not-inexpensive sports equipment and team fees. My fair skin and blonde hair meant open doors stayed open....

Today, BrickNerd features another deep dive into the pool of SNOT. This is the fifth article in our LEGO SNOT series. I suggest reading the previous articles about SNOT (Studs Not on Top) and sideways building first to get the most out of this article: History of SNOT SNOT Basics Advanced SNOT Hinged SNOT In the series so far, I’ve covered some of the most common SNOT elements and techniques for how to use them. But many new SNOT elements have been introduced to the LEGO system since then, so I think it’s time to make an update on some of the more interesting elements released during the last few years. So let’s begin looking at some of the modern elements with the most SNOT potential. New SNOT Elements SNOT Blaster Design Number: 44709 Name: Minifigure, Weapon Gun, Blaster with Studs on Sides, Bottom, and Front. Year Released: 2019   This...

That title; I’m just gonna leave it right there and see what happens. Actually it comes from LEGO builder Pete Strege. Anyone who is anyone knows that if climate change is real, Antartica would melt off the edge of the Earth and drown the rest of the world, presumably on the other side of the globe…er, I mean disk. That is why it is so important that the denizens of Antarctica protect it with all their might. Here we see a massive polar bear balloon piloted by penguins, penguin blimps piloted by polar bears and a squadron penguin-piloted plains worthy of an old-timey “buy war bonds” film. There’s a lot to love here. This creation acts as a reminder that no matter what shape the Earth happens to be, it is worth protecting because it’s the only planet we have. The post Airships over Antarctica: The Battle for Flat Earth appeared...

LEGO Star Wars did have a brief flirtation with the Technic brand at its inception, but while we’ve seen everything from supercars to Unimogs in Technic since, we haven’t seen even a single starfighter. Rather a shame, don’t you think? Thankfully Dyens Creations is on hand to fill that hole. This X-wing is an impressive model in and of itself. But where can you find the parts to build one? Why, they all come from 42145 Airbus H175 Rescue Helicopter! That added parts limitation really makes this model impressive. And being a Technic creation, it naturally comes with some motorised functionality: the wings fold, the landing gear retracts, the canopy opens and the targeting computer can be adjusted. Most impressive. Alternate builds are an art unto themselves – so why not see what else people have turned their LEGO sets into in our alternate builds archives? The post “Luke, you switched...