Art Of The Brick: DC Comics

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If you've been wondering why there's been very little content on the YouTube channel and I always have circles under my eyes, I can finally reveal why. World renown brick artist Nathan Sawaya has a new exhibit in the works, and I'm one of the team members on it. I can't say too much yet, but if you join me, Nathan, Brandon Griffith and DC comic legend Jim Lee at our San Diego Comic-Con panel on Thursday, August 9th at 6pm you'll get all the juicy details. Jim Lee will also be live drawing a new Batmobile that's going to be brick-built and part of the exhibit and you might just score some awesome freebies. Hope to see you then!

Chicago Brickworld 2015 Part 1

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Brickworld 2015 is now well underway in Chicago. The first two and half days are dedicated to the setup of displays, competitions, expert panels, and other various sessions. If you live in the mid-west (or anywhere in the world really!) you should at least make a point to attend once in your lifetime. Besides the all-access only days there are also two public days Saturday 10AM - 4PM and Sunday 10AM - 3PM. Also, if you can track me down during the public hours I will award you with a BrickNerd sticker or brick (hint, I am with WisLUG)

Here are just a few of the many many things that you will see at Brickworld:

Brickworld 2015 Exclusive Interview!

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It's that time of year again, boys and girls--Brickworld 2015 is this weekend! I had the chance to sit down with Executive Director and Cofounder Bryan Bonahoom. Actually, we just spoke on the phone. He was driving his fully loaded rig to Chicago, obeying all local traffic laws, and using his hands free mobile device, of course.

 

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But before I got into all the 'what's new' questions about Brickworld this year, I had a few other pressing issues to go over first. "So, Bryan, why no pics of any of the VLUG collaborations on the BW homepage? I mean, all the work we put into those displays, and not even a..." He knew where I was going with this question, seemingly prepared for it, in fact. "We've actually been using pics of the Odyssey for our promotional materials this year, not only for the Chicago event, but for our other venues as well." Nice.

I had another one for him. "I was reading through your list of the Brickworld Team, and noticed that Simon Liu is your SciFi Coordinator. Did you know he's a Canadian citizen? Is that even legal?" Turns out he did know. "Actually, the staff are all volunteers. They get free registration, special goodies, and a private forum where they can communicate ideas about BW. They also keep me in line." I always thought that was his wife Kathie's job...

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Okay, so let's get to the nitty gritty. "What can we expect new and exciting at Brickworld Chicago 2015?" "Now, I got special permission from Kyle Peterson at BrickForge to tell you this. I can't say exactly what it is, but it's a new custom minifig that ties into this year's theme of Brick to the Future." Okay, folks, that's a Bricknerd exclusive!

"We've also got a screening of a soon-to-be-released Brickumentary.  The film was commissioned two years ago, narrated by Jason Bateman. It follows several AFOLs at various fan events, from start to finish, what they go through to create and display their work. I haven't even seen it myself, so, should be great. It's a big score to have this at BW." Awesome!

That just about covers it, gang, other than what you'll discover in the massive 66,000 square foot convention center, filled with mind blowing creations, large and small, from LEGO fans around the world.

Diggin' Dinos

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I'm pretty excited about this. Early in the year I was asked by Brick Loot to design a model of the month. I had a couple themes to choose from and settled on the dinosaur theme in June. I won't tell you what I designed, that's a secret, but I will say it was fun to build and looks great on my shelf here in the studio. You have about three weeks left to score the June box so head over to www.brickloot.com and place your order.

We Have Our Winners!

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I'm very pleased to announce the winners of the Next Level Nerdly contest. I'd like to extend thanks to all that entered, you're all fantastic builders. But in the end there can be only three so without further ado, here's our winners...

First Place: Nerdlyus Prime by Erik Hagsved

Transformers roll out! This is an amazing build that the pictures don't really do justice for. Don't believe me? watch the video!

Nerdlyus Prime

Second Place: Nerdlys of Oz by Adam Dodge

We're off to see the wizard! This is a pretty brilliant reimagining of The Wizard of Oz that I have no doubt would be more entertaining than the original (which I still have never been able to watch in a single sitting)

Nerdly's of Oz!

Third Place: Nerdy Inside by Dicky Laban

This builder dared to explore the dark inner workings of Nerdly. Who knew his eyes lit up?

Nerdy Inside

One Week Left To Take Nerdly To The Next Level!

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Hey builders, you're running out of time to enter the Next Level Nerdly contest. You have about one week left to get crazy with the bricks and you just might score a really cool prize package loaded with LEGO and BrickNerd swag. Including an exclusive plush Nerdly! Over to the official Flickr group for the rules and get building!

Nerdy Inside 😃

This Plush Nerdly Can Be Yours!

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There's only about two weeks left in the Next Level Nerdly contest on Flickr, and part of the first place prize package is now chillin' at BrickNerd Studios thanks to Flat Bonnie. This is one of only three in the world, hand made and individually numbered (this one is 02). He's super squishy and awesome.

All you need to do is take Nerdly to the next level and upload a picture to the official Flickr group. Not attending Brick Magic? No problem, you can still enter. But if you are coming, please bring your Nerdly to show off. And right now the odds are incredibly good since there's not a single entry yet (meh). But I know taking it to the next level takes time, and I've heard some really cool ideas, so I'm looking forward to what you build. So break out the bricks and I'll see you at Brick Magic!

Less Than Two Weeks For "Yellow"

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The clock is running out and Nathan Sawaya is super close to making the 10k mark. For those that don't know Nathan is one of the premiere brick artists in the world, and his traveling exhibit The Art Of The Brick is in five countries right now. He has created a scaled down version of one of his more iconic pieces, Yellow, and it's on LEGO Ideas. Click through and show him some love!

Time To Take Nerdly To The Next Level!

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As you all know I'm going to be at BrickMagic 2015 in Charlotte North Carolina next month and I thought we'd have some fun with my favorite bespectacled mascot. So let's have a little contest shall we? I'd like to challenge you to take Nerdly to the next level. What's that mean? That means adding lights, or motion, or insane transforming capability, or building style, or anything you want as long as it's totally wild. Post your pictures to the official Flickr group and if you're coming to BrickMagic put them on display. You can start with official instructions, or go freestyle, it's up to you. There will be prize packages for three winners including an exclusive plush Nerdly! This super squishy and adorable Nerdly is one of only three in the world, hand crafted by Flat Bonnie! So break out the bricks, fire up your imagination and get building, I'll see you at Brick Magic!

"Pick-A-Model" sets now at LEGO Stores

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AFOLs and others who walked into their local LEGO Store on April 1 were treated to a neat surprise on the Pick-A-Brick wall: new elements previously not available through PAB, including 1x1 round decorated "eye" tiles, 1x2 yellow "cheese" slopes, and much more. But don't grab a large cup and start to fill it just yet.

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It's all part of the new "Pick-A-Model" line, in which you can create two models -- a plane or a couple of giraffes -- in the vein of their successful Build Your Own Minifigure offering.

 "Eye" see what you did there, LEGO.

 "Eye" see what you did there, LEGO.

One caveat for those tempted to stock up on these elements: they are really geared toward the Pick-A-Model sets, so you won't be able to fill your PAB cups to the brim with them: I'm told that LEGO Brand Retail employees will dutifully uphold this policy.  Pick-A-Model sets will also change on a quarterly basis, which could mean more different elements coming to the PAB walls.  That's always good news!

1x2 modified plates in light orange -- let's just call them duck's beaks.

1x2 modified plates in light orange -- let's just call them duck's beaks.

Each Pick-A-Model set will cost you $4.99, which seems a bit steep (the plane, for example, only has 24 pieces) and comes with a handy case which happens to hold exactly the number of pieces you need to build the set.  But the availability of the new elements alone might make these worth it.

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