The last time we featured some LEGO artwork by Jarek Książczyk, it prompted all sorts of questions. He recently built two more, in what we’re told is definitely not becoming a series. The only question I’m prompted to ask is – why not?! They’re beautiful! We start off with a piece simply titled ‘Watchers’. This is actually a remake, of sorts; the first time Jarek built those little fellows, they were photographed on their own. This is the realisation of his full vision, and that brick-built sunset looks glorious! However, we’re told that it was a real pain in the backside to work with! The parts for both the piece above and ‘The Last Piece’, below, are held in by only friction, gravity and the black frame. I really like the use of the Minecraft ‘eye’ plate for the skyscraper windows here. In fact, that focal point in the middle kind...

Builder Simulterious is something of an expert at capturing the many facets of Star Wars in LEGO as a contributor to Teal Squadron, the Factions RPG, and creator of immersive tributes to the films (like this recent recreation of the Ewok Village). Simulterious’ latest model depicts some illicit dealings in Port Steergard, a location only briefly seen in Season 2 of Andor. Created for the LEGO collaborative role-play Downfall, the scene shows a Falleen lord menacing some Imperials while guards in Tantel armor look on. Could it be Prince Xixor of Shadows of the Empire fame or another green-skinned tyrant? I guess we’ll find out when the next arc of Downfall begins. What’s most impressive about the build is the grimy authenticity of the port. While Star Wars has come to include plenty of shiny chrome ships, it was the gritty lived-in quality of Mos Eisley and the Millennium Falcon that...

LEGO Botanicals 10349 Happy Plants is a truly delightful set, and one that invites creative builders to remix in their own way. Our reviewer swapped out the shrubs with custom bonsai, for example. But why stop there? Why not replace your plants with toast? Or… tentacles? For the #happyplantmadness collab some AFOL friends decided to push the set’s cuteness to its limits with custom creations. Keep your green thumbs inside the vehicle as we tour these madcap flowerpots! Thundrabuilds turns the blue planter into an adorable toaster. The little fella is ready for his bath. I’m sure this will go swimmingly. The prolific and wickedly funny Trevor Pearson-Jones  shares a version of the blue planter who never skips leg day. Yellow planter is still smiling even as it’s reduced to its buff buddy’s loincoth. tee_baum_bricks is growing a very special plant in the blue planter. This fun fellow is always ready...

Today’s guest article comes from Huib Versteeg, an engineer and veteran LEGO SHIP builder with lots of experience on how to build both sturdy and complicated SHIP frames. Introduction Greetings SHIPwrights! As you may have heard through the grapevine, or simply noticed by looking at the calendar, SHIPtember is fast approaching. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, I would direct you to this great article featured previously on BrickNerd where Oscar gives a nice overview of what to expect and how to participate in this fantastically fun annual event. Essentially, SHIPtember is a one-month challenge to build a LEGO spaceship at least 100 studs long, hence the “Seriously Huge Investment in Parts.” Here, I will be focusing on one very specific part of building a SHIP: structural integrity. This will be quite a deep dive with one simple goal: to give you the tools you need to build a beautiful SHIP...

We love theme months here at BrickNerd (you can check out our round-up of themes and building standards here). And if you’ve been poking around the community this August, you might have noticed a certain green envy among some builders as they dive into the cutest creature of them all... It’s FROGust, a month dedicated to this author’s favorite animal! If you wanted to know more about frogs, please check out my previous article (which yes, needs some colour updates!). He’s not a prince, he just found the crown and feels handsome in it! But how did this theme month start? Why did it start? When did it start? What did it start? Let’s get froggie. Croaked Into Existence FROGust started last year when Maxx Davidson posted the build above on August 31st, 2024 (Billund time) and I quote: “I’m willing #Frogust into existence! Small and late start this year, but...