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JanetVanD

Eurobricks Citizen
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Everything posted by JanetVanD

  1. JanetVanD
    The classic European dragon dates back countless centuries, possibly arising from Germanic origins. In its earliest renditions, it is depicted as having four great legs and wings at shoulder position. Traditionally, the European dragon has a strong penchant for golden treasure, the more the better, and is often seen slumbering atop a massive hoard, gathered in the depths of a stronghold.Many a brave knight has lost their life trying to vanquish such a beast. How then, will our hero survive? This model is comprised of 7,416 elements, took three weeks to design & create, and is the third in my "Legends and Lore" series. The Dragon's Hoard by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr The Dragon's Hoard (left view) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr The Dragon's Hoard (right view) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr The Dragon's Hoard (You woke me, puny human!) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr The Dragon's Hoard (inset) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr
  2. JanetVanD
    I think it's abhorrent that there are so many copycat brands out there making money the easy way by ripping off the hard work of another. Just because TLG is a big company doesn't mean they aren't entitled to the same rights and respect as anyone else. TLG may be a multibillion kroner company but it is made up of individuals who work hard to research, design, test and create the best possible product that is of a quality and safety standard to last generations. There is a reason we are all AFOLs, and the L stands for LEGO, not Lepin or Mega Blocks or any other brand. If LEGO did not adhere to their strict standards over the decades, would there be such a fan community now? And how many other big companies employ entire teams of people solely to engage with their fans? Of course TLG is not perfect and, as a company, they make some bad decisions, but no company is perfect. Also, TLG is investing serious money in trying to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Then there's all the work done by LEGO Charity and LEGO Foundation. My point is that all these factors figure into the price of their products and it really annoys me to see other clone-brand companies piggyback like leeches and get the benefits without having to invest in the innovation and the social responsibility.
  3. JanetVanD
    TLG's legal department have their hands full fighting major copycats like Lepin. They don't really have the time or resources to chase after every small-time home 3D printer hobbyist, even if they wanted to. In reality, the onus is on us as an AFOL community to follow the "fair play" guidelines. No problem. :) Another criteria I forgot to mention : The idea should not be based on sets, ie not another version of LEGO Ideas.
  4. JanetVanD
    Yes, I have. So far it has been a positive experience but of course it is very early days. The idea has been submitted but there is a long process to go through before a decision can be made as to whether it might be suitable for a pilot project. They made it clear that even some really good ideas may not be suitable because they don't meet certain criteria. Some of the criteria are: Must be a new idea Must be widely marketable as a product or service Should come from within the AFOL community and ultimately benefit the AFOL community Not just aimed at children. The ideas are not initially protected by a confidentiality contract but neither are they disclosed to the AFOL community unless and until they become pilot projects.
  5. JanetVanD
    We have to remember that the average consumer often doesn't know the difference between genuine LEGO bricks and clone brands, especially since most clone brands try to make their packaging look as LEGO - like as possible. The LEGO brand and name is so universal, huge numbers of people automatically assume all compatible bricks to be "lego". When these clone bricks turn out to be of poorer quality or not up to safety standards, people will think that it is LEGO bricks that are breaking, not fitting together properly and/or injuring children. Thus TLG unfairly gets its reputation damaged. Surely nobody can blame them for trying to stop this from happening.
  6. JanetVanD
    A few definitely had ideas but were naturally a bit cagey about them. I think sone people were worried about disclosing their business ideas for fear of being shut down and others want assurance that their ideas won't be "stolen" by either TLG or other AFOLs. Personally, I don't think TLG has any intention of stealing ideas and, if someone suggests an idea and TLG refuses it but comes out with something very similar themselves a short time later, it would probably just be a coincidence. (In reality it takes years for the company to launch new products from concept to finished product) I don't know about other AFOLs stealing ideas, though. One would hope that wouldn't happen but it's an awfully large community with many different sorts of people. As far as shutting down spin-off businesses, I got the impression TLG did not have that in mind at all when creating LLL. Of course they will take a dim view of people who blatantly rip off their intellectual property or create customised products from LEGO elements that is in direct conflict with TLG's ethos, but that is to be expected.
  7. JanetVanD
    Yes, after the to-be-expected wordy promotional bit, they were quite informative and helpful. Still not too sure exactly how it will work (I think they are a bit sketchy on it themselves as it is such a new thing) but it will most likely be adapted on a case-by-case basis. I found the members of the team to be up front and as atraightforward as they could be and they were taking on board what AFOLs were saying.
  8. JanetVanD
    Having attended a LLL workshop, I am fairly sure they will be most interested in ideas around customisation & personalisation, arts & crafts, lighting, storage and services.
  9. JanetVanD
    Between all the photos, almost 95% of the model is visible. I deliberately kept the edges out of the picture to aid the "deep in the forest" atmosphere. Viewers at exhibitions can, of course, see the entirety. The legs do actually support the weight of the hut on their own. the stacked tyres hide a surprisingly strong technic construction of axles and axle connectors which slot into the base. However, the balance is a bit precarious so the ladder acts as a stabiliser. Yes, I do painstakingly keep count of each piece! (I'm not tech-minded enough to consider using any digital design tools) I know it seems obsessive but I got into the habit of keeping count when doing commissioned builds, (to help keep track of costs) and now I do it almost automatically, jotting down the totals at the end of each building session.
  10. JanetVanD
    It's a little more gruesome than that, actually, for it is known that the Baba Yaga eats children......
  11. JanetVanD
    I hope this is the right forum for this MOC. I figured the Baba Yaga is historical in a legendary sort of way....... Deeply rooted in old Slavic folklore, the Baba Yaga is as mysterious as she is terrifying. Tales vary as to who and what she really is, but most agree that the Baba Yaga is an old hag who dwells deep in the forest in a magical hut on chicken legs. She feeds on unwary humans, and her home is adorned with their skeletal remains. This LEGO® depiction is comprised of 5,148 pieces, took 12 days to design & create and was completed in August 2019. Home of the Baba Yaga by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Home of the Baba Yaga (2) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Baba Yaga, Deep in the Forest by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Baba Yaga's Hut on Chicken Legs by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr The Baba Yaga by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr
  12. JanetVanD
    Honestly, for me, I experienced more stigma when I was a child playing with LEGO, because, at that time, LEGO was considered a "boy's toy" and I was (gasp!) a girl who was totally hooked on it. It took a lot of persuading to convince family and friends that, no, I didn't want a doll for Christmas/birthday, I just wanted more LEGO and, no, I didn't have too much LEGO already! As an adult builder I've been fortunate to have only positive experiences when conversing with "outsiders" about my passion. They seem genuinely interested and usually ask intelligent questions. Perhaps joining a really great LUG and participating in the international exhibition circuits was what made the difference..... meeting like-minded people and sharing common experiences greatly boosts one's confidence. Exhibiting to the public also gets one used to talking about LEGO to non-AFOLs in a setting where it is easy to demonstrate what one is talking about. This year I took the ultimate plunge and made LEGO my full-time work as well as my hobby, so now there's no escaping talking about LEGO to all sorts of people! But so far, luckily, the feedback has still remained positive.
  13. JanetVanD
    A true-to-life representation of the world-famous, iconic London department store, this model represents a moment in time and captures the look and feel of the LIBERTY shopping experience. Not including research and flying to London to take over 700 photos of the real store, the model took a full year to build and is comprised of a whopping 105,282 individual LEGO® elements and over 400 minifigures, no two alike. The facade is only half of the display,as the rear reveals a full interior with every department painstakingly recreated in minute detail. The idea is that the longer you look, the more rewarded you are for taking the time to study everything. For more detailed photos, please view my gallery page and scroll down the folder options on the left hand side. https://www.deviantart.com/janetvand/gallery/ © Copyright Jessica Farrell, June 2019, Liberty of London LEGO® model Liberty of London (front view 1) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Liberty of London (front view 2) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Liberty of London (front view 4) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Liberty of London (window 1) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Liberty of London (Window 3) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Liberty of London, interior (1) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Liberty of London, interior (4) by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr
  14. JanetVanD
    As Dfenz said, we will be in Gunzburg two days beforehand so regretfully we will not be attending this year's event. However, we will look forward to next year in Billund. Meanwhile, we will try to leave something behind in the Fabrik shop!
  15. JanetVanD
    According to legend, the phoenix lives for many centuries. When at last it is old and tired, it flies to the city of Heliopolis, alights atop the temple of Ra and builds a nest of cinnamon bark. The following dawn, the sun god sends a spark which ignites the nest, turning it into a funeral pyre which consumes the bird. Later, a new phoenix emerges from the ashes of its predecessor. This model consists of 2,705 elements, took seven days to design & build and was completed in December 2018. Phoenix at Sunrise 1 by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr Phoenix at Sunrise 2 by Jessica Farrell, on Flickr
  16. JanetVanD
    All the accommodation around the Legoland area would be a lot more expensive during the holiday weekend, wouldn't it?
  17. JanetVanD
    Question: if more than one date suits, do we check both or just the one that suits best? Also, when is the deadline for voting? I'd like to double check the lad's exam schedule just to be sure but I can't do that until Monday.
  18. JanetVanD
    Oh no! We would really like to go but that date clashes with other stuff already booked. Also, my son has exams until the 14th so that rules him out even though he'd love the HP studio visit. What a pity, one week later would have been fine but I understand its impossible to suit everyone.
  19. JanetVanD
    The sword pulls out but it is a bit shorter than it should be, due to the height of the stone
  20. JanetVanD
    Depicting one of the most memorable scenes from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, featuring Link and the Master Sword, this model is comprised of approximately 400 pieces and took two days to design & build. It was created on request for a gaming convention and was my first attempt at building a human figure.
  21. JanetVanD
    Okay thanks. I'll give them a call; don't want to be locked out or without bedsheets!
  22. JanetVanD
    18:00 seems very early for the check-in to close; most of the people in our chalet won't be arriving until later than that. (unless, Calanon, you're arriving earlier and can check in for us) Surely people arrive on late flights all the time. Does anyone know what to do in that case?
  23. JanetVanD
    Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. I'm currently working on a MOC of another iconic London building which I started in December and hope to have completed in July. It will be quite large, measuring at 60cm high, 60cm deep and just over 3 metres long. With five floors to reproduce in full detail, both inside and out, it is quite a challenge. Actually, the sheer size of the build, the level of detail I've committed to and all of the technical problems I've had to overcome so far (I'm approx half way) had me feeling a bit overwhelmed but the comments on this thread has given me a confidence boost just when I needed it. Thanks, guys!
  24. JanetVanD
    I'll be there in the fan zone too, with my Jurassic Brick display.
  25. JanetVanD
    Our Wild West chalet is now full: 1. JanetVanD 2. Son of JanetVanD 3. Nate Dias 4.Friend of Nate Dias 5. Caladon
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