Making Minimalism a Big Deal

Making Minimalism a Big Deal

There’s an art to picking the perfect LEGO element for a model, and builder Dan Ko does it masterfully. The parts he chooses to build with transcend from their original purpose to become something entirely different and more beautiful, yet minimal and elegant.

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Jack And The Beanstalk

What a whimsical and wonderful image by builder Grant Davis. A fairytale classic, Jack ascending the beanstalk to find the giant's castle. If not for that familiar texture in the background you'd hardly know it was LEGO. I knew when the seed part of this round of Iron Builder was revealed we'd see some interesting stuff, but the creativity on this round has been off the scale. 

Jack and the Beanstalk

Getting A Handle On Things

This one fooled me, I mean really fooled me. I looked at this thumbnail and thought "well, that's an unusual color for a door handle". Then stared at it for a second more and thought "I guess that's why they took a picture of it". Yes, I was so confused by the nature of the picture of a door handle that I failed to notice it was brick-built. Well played Grant, well played.

Handleset

Admit It, You Used To Shoot At That Damn Snarky Dog

For s generation, this was the screen of total frustration. With the original Nintendo Entertainment System there was an accessory called the Light Gun, and while there were a few games that took advantage of it, this game ruled supreme. Duck Hunt was simple enough, shoot the ducks, but it could be difficult. And as if it's wasn't frustrating enough, this dog would taunt you after every round. This MOC by Pate-keetongu captures that moment perfectly, when you pointlessly aim your pistol at that dog and unleash.

Duck Hunt

Cookie Monster Got His Hair Dyed

Yet another incredibly creative build from this month's Iron Builder competition.  Legopard, one of two competitors, has brought your childhood monster-under-your-bed concept to life.  To me, though, I see a green version of Cookie Monster (not exactly sure why, I think it's the eyebrows and eyes).  I guess you could say he was looking for cookie crumbs underneath this child's bed.  Instead, it appears he found LEGO bricks and a top.  A wonderful concept that was arranged perfectly!  I'd love to hear how exactly the builder came up with this idea. . .

The monster under your bed
2 Comments

Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here

The Green Lounge

This round of Iron Builder rages on, and as predicted it's pretty amazing. This is Leopard's seventh build using the Duplo grass pieces so cleverly integrated into the curtains in this room. There's tons of other wonderful details in this interior, like the chess set and that nifty chair (is that from IKEA?). Everywhere you look in this room there's something to love, but can I recommend taking a closer look at that painting? Brilliant!

Green Lounge

"Old Toby, Finest Weed In The Sound Farthing"

This is one of my favorite scenes in Lord of the Rings. During the calm before the storm, just after Gandalf arrives in the Shire, he and Bilbo enjoy some quality time with their pipes. Just two old friends enjoying each other's company. Pate-keetongu not only recreates the mood and sentiment of the scene, but he also managed to use no less than eight of the "impossible" seed part from the current round of Iron Builder, impressive.

Very Old Friends

Wickedly Awesome

One of the things I enjoy most about Iron Builder is the continual surprises and mind blowing ways the builders find uses for the seed part. I must admit, when I sized up that Duple grass piece the notion of using it for a face was the furthest away from my feeble imagination. But builder Legopard has done exactly that, not only super effectively, but with some exceedingly clever techniques. 

Black Witch

The Iron Burger

As things heat up in this round of Iron Builder the two competitors are stepping it up. I love cheeseburgers, they're one of my favorite foods. I also have a family history with them, since my dad started a very successful burger joint that continues to thrive to this day. So I find this latest build by Leopard irresistible (and now I'm craving a cheeseburger).

The Iron Burger*

"I'm Not Crazy"

Dateline Venice California: For Immediate release.

Local youth enters institution.
On Tuesday this week a local youth known only as "Mike" was institutionalized by his parents.  According to his father "we feared he might hurt someone, that he might hurt himself" so the decision was made to get him somewhere "safe". His mother was certain he was on drugs, despite claims by the youth to the contrary. When interviewed the youth was despondent, uncertain of his future and the motivations of his parents, particularly his mother "All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me." Representatives of the institution declined to comment.

My god prefers HC

Ready...Fight!

It's another Iron Builder, and it's going to be an interesting one. This battle is between Pate-keetongu and Leopard, two seasoned builders and creative powerhouses. But the gauntlet has been laid, for this challenge has an especially vexing part, a Duplo grass piece. Both builders are off to a strong start, but how many MOCs can that part really be used for? Stand by to find out!

Riverside Kingdom
The Root Kingdom

Where Be My Teeth, Sonny?

This Iron Builder competition build by Chris Maddison is certainly not teeth grinding.  While people are going out on their Valentine's Day dates, some are leaving their teeth behind.  That's slightly embarrassing.  Chris used those new shield-shaped tiles in white in order to create a very chatty group of teeth.  This holiday, don't leave your dentures behind - use these instead! 

They Just Won't Shut Up!
Comment

Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here

Neo

I remember the first time I saw The Matrix. It was during the original theatrical release, and I went in cold. I don't even recall seeing a commercial for it. I went with a group from work, we had been crunching on a project and needed a little recreation, we got it. We all left the theater charged up for stylized storytelling, cutting edge effects and *gasp* an original idea. I don't care much for the sequels, but the original still holds up, it's an amazing little bit of filmmaking. This likeness of the hero by cmaddison just makes me want to watch it again.

Neo

A Comfortable Space

Sometimes the genius of Iron Builder is subtlety. The seed part of this current challenge is the pentagonal 2x3 tile, but I'm guessing you've only glanced at this image by Cecilie and maybe saw four in use in the curtains, look again. This MOC is loaded with them, and used to great effect. There's several representing books, but my favorite use is the cushions on the couch, brilliant.

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