Bricks Of Character Available Now

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Long about 10 years ago I attended by first LEGO convention, BrickCon. It was there I made my first AFOL friend, Iain Heath, and we’ve been buddies ever since. During that con we decided our MOCs didn’t really belong anywhere, so we commandeered a section of unused tables in the back and set up our character based pieces. It was a hit with the public and we decided it should be a thing every year, and a new category was born, Bricks of Character. We’ve both been evangelists of pop culture and character builds ever since ( you may have noticed just a few on this very website)

Well fast forward 10 years and Iain is taking his builds to the next level, and sharing the character building and pop culture experience with everyone with the release of a select few of his brilliant creations marketed under the Bricks of Character brand. Who does’t want a porg on their desk? Or a poop emoji? Well you can have the first three (and more to come!) from Amazon, get yours today!

Bricks of Character Kiss Emoji
Bricks of Character
Bricks of Character PORG
Bricks of Character
Bricks of Character Poop Emoji
Bricks of Character

Great Scott! BrickCon Is Coming!

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Way back in 2009 my buddy Iain Heath and I met at our first LEGO convention, BrickCon in Seattle. We were both displaying character stuff which really didn't have a place to be. Iain suggested we commandeer an unused table space back in the corner. So we combined forces to create a new theme for BrickCon, and it's been going ever since. This year the BrickCon theme is "Brick To Old School", with a strong Back to the Future vibe, so we're embracing it. Check out these amazing trophies built by Iain himself, and this year's BOC badge bricks. We would like to cordially invite you to bring your character based builds to the coolest table in all of BrickCon. You will also be cool by association, you want to be cool don't you?

Bricks of Character at BrickCon 2017
Bricks of Character at BrickCon 2017

BrickCon Was Awesome

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It's Monday morning after BrickCon, I'm still in denial that it's over. There's always a little sadness that follows the closing ceremonies, as we all breakdown the MOCs and strip the tablecloths off. It takes over two days to set it up, and it's gone is just a few minutes. The reality sets in that it's over, at least for another year. The time spent with old friends and making new ones is really what it's all about for me. I mean the MOCs are great of course, but it's the people that bring them, the ones you chat with, dine with, party with, that are really what makes a con what it is. So many laughs, so many hand shakes, so many hugs, it's been great to be back.

The Bricks of Characters display was outstanding as usual, with a diverse array of everything you could imagine. From humorous to scary, from big to small and from clean to downright filthy (I'm looking at you Angus). With a "head count" of approximately 232 characters, it was pretty epic. I'd like to thank everyone for contributing to our little corner of insanity, you all rock.

Of course none of it would be possible without the biggest character of all, Iain Heath. He and I enjoyed taking our interpretation of the event's theme "Madness" to the next level, even going full ska for our outfits on Saturday. Since I couldn't be here last year, at least not in all three dimensions, it had been two years since we'd seen each other in person, it's been awesome to be reunited with my good friend.

I'm also happy to report that my MOC of the band took the award "One Step Beyond" (how appropriate) at the awards ceremony (big thanks to the Beyond the Brick guys for agreeing to be our judges). So now it's time to recover, and thankfully I'm staying in the area a few more days to see what other mischief me and Iain can get into. But first, time to rest. Thanks to everyone I encountered over the last four days for making BrickCon super special, you're what makes it great.

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BrickCon Is Nigh - It's Madness!

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I'm scrambling to make all the last minute preparations before heading off to Seattle for BrickCon 2016. Me and my PIC Iain Heath are ready for some serious Bricks of Character action this year, and very happy to be celebrating the awesome theme, Madness!

Madness has always been a favorite band of ours, so we're going "skall-out" to celebrate. I finally finished my MOC yesterday and can't wait to see it on the BOC table with all the rest of the awesome MOCs you all bring.

Madness: One Step Beyond

And here's the trophies we're going to be handing out, minus their engraved brick, those will be added at the last minute. 

BrickCon 2016 Madness Trophies

I can't wait to see all my friends and make some new ones. If you're going to be at the con or visiting during the public days track me down to say "hi" and get some BrickNerd swag. See you all there!

Farewell, Colbert Report

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As most of you know, Stephen Colbert and Comedy Central aired the last episode of The Colbert Report last night. I'm sad to see it go, but happy for Stephen and I'll be tuning in to The Late Show when he takes over next year. This was my first real MOC when I joined the ranks of the AFOL community. It was warmly received and has a special place in my heart, as does Stephen. 

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