BrickBash! LEGO Show This Weekend

Family Bricks is sponsoring a LEGO event in Ann Arbor, MI this weekend called Brick Bash! 

You really only need to know three things about the event 1) there will be lots of LEGO on site 2) it's free and 3) Family Bricks will have several of his custom minifigs on display and items for sale. 

If you need to know more (like where it is and what time the doors open...details, details) you can find out more at the Brick Bash website.

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

It feel like Thursday all over again with these great new creations by PetraFloDem and Family Bricks.

Petra is up first with this great shot of Qui Gon Jinn fighting Darth Maul a la Phantom Menace. A great use of action, digital enhancement, and composition.

Next we have Josh's (Family Bricks) latest in this Post Apoc Babe. The details on the torso and legs are so good, I thought they were decals...but they're actually painted! Josh promises lots more ladies, which is a very good thing!

You can see more of PetraFloDem and Josh's work on Flickr.

From Wings of Darkness I Strike at Thee

I've fallen head over heals with figures that incorporate these Warhammer wings on custom minifigures since seeing them for the first time in JasBrick's work. The love affair continues in Josh's (Family Bricks) latest, The Dark Elf Lord.

A great combination of official TLG and custom parts from top to bottom. The scroll is an especially nice touch.

You can see another 'dark elf' creation on Josh's Flickr stream, or visit the  Family Bricks site and check out all the products for sale.

Power of the Elements In Your Hands

I had to post Family Bricks latest creation. The fire sword is just amazing with flames dancing across an obsidian surface. My favorite, however, is the ice blade. The colors and technique used make the blade nearly 'glow' with power! Both weapons are great and have some fantastic details. Macro photography sometimes has us forget how small some of these pieces really are.

You can see more of Family Bricks creations on his Flickr stream, or you take a few home via his store. The fire and ice blades are not available, but there are some figures and accessories with 'lightning' details that are fantastic.

Days of Future Past: Family Bricks' Sinister Toymaker

Family Bricks was unable to post his entry into last month's UD Minifig Design Batttle, The Sinister Toymaker, due to several factors (one of which being how I stated the deadline). He's been gracious enough, however, to share his entry 'Evil Pinocchio':

"...This evil pinocchio features a custom nose for an angry Pinocchio (for you see, little did he know that when the Blue Fairy turned him into a real boy, she forgot to tell him that if he lied, his nose would continue to grow, and after years of lying, his new appendage was unsightly and angered him. Due to this, he created a remote control figure to drill into Gepettos head, and surgically install a wooden nose with leaves."

A great custom figure, and dig that remote control! There are more photos of this diabolical puppet man, including a group shot depicting Gepetto's fate, on Family Bricks' Flickr stream.

Family Bricks' Store Open Once Again

Family Bricks is back in business! After busy month, the store has reopened with new minifigures and hand-made custom accessories. Many of the base customs retail for around $20 USD, while the premiums are, well, a bit more premium priced.

FB has been honing a new 'corrosion' technique that has been used to fantastic effect on this Rust Flight Officer. You really believe the figure has been forced to utilize this jet pack for years in a desolate wasteland. This is being offered as a premium custom for $40 USD.

I don't know if they ship internationally, as it doesn't appear to be posted on the site, but you can contact them at FamilyBricks@gmail.com to find out.

Check out all that Family Bricks has to offer at their website today!

A Big Thank You to Family Bricks

I just read the article on The Brothers Brick where Nannan supplied some stats on this year's record breaking efforts on behalf of Toys for Tots. 

Who do you think the biggest contributor to this years effort happened to be? Family Bricks' custom minifigs were able to generate around $900 this year alone for the cause, more than anyone else. This is a proud day for both the broader LEGO and customization community.

If you have the chance, drop Family Bricks a line and congratulate him on this wonderful accomplishment.

If I also understand correctly, thanks are due to Will Chapman of BrickArms as he donated many custom accessories to help FB with his creations this year.

You can read the article on The Brothers Brick, you can check out Family Bricks website and drop him a line or buy one of his customs, and you can see all that BrickArms has to offer at their store.

Also thanks to everyone who donated creations or made a cash offering to the cause. We of the Minifig Nation salute you.

Family Bricks Blog Kicks Off Today

I don't know where this guy finds the time. First he started his own store to sell his own custom minifigs and accessories. Then he decided to kick-off a 365 project where he creates a custom minifigure everyday. In between these two projects, he's been creating items for this year's Creations for Charity drive like a madman. Now, he's started his own blog where he details the techniques behind his 365 project.

If you haven't clicked ahead, I'm talking about Family Bricks (I guess the answer is in the title too). Speaking from experience I know all of these endeavors can't be easy, but he seems to be pulling them all off with style. If you get a chance, check out one or more of his projects by clicking through the links above.

Quick Hits: BrickArms, Family Bricks, Series 2, and New Reviews

I'm finding that Tuesdays are often the busiest...Several items to update you on, so here...we...go-o-o-o-o!

BrickArms had a double announcement today. First up is BrickCon news. Will and company will be offering the US WWII Soldier custom minifig with helmet, stand, and two weapons for $15 USD at the BrickCon booth. No details as to if this promotion will be for sale on the site.

BrickArms also launched a series of new custom accessories today! Titled 'Reach for the Past...and Future!' these 14 new accessories are now available to purchase at the BrickArms store. Not in the US? Worry not as I'm sure FireStar Toys will pick up these items and place them for sale in the near future.

I was right. Family Bricks review of the BrickArms Chrome weapons pack has now appeared on the Toys N Bricks website.

Family Bricks has also launched his own website where he sells his custom minifigures. Several designs are varying price points are currently available. He has also launched a Flickr project called '365x7' where he will debut a custom minifigure each day for the next year. He encourages you to do the same...

Brickset is claiming the Series 2 Collectible Minifigures are showing up at US Wal-Mart stores. The sighting was in the LEGO aisle in Arlington, TX if you are keeping score. No word on any other sightings across the country.

Finally, we will have another product review comparing the LEGO Spartan arsenal to that of BrickForge starting tomorrow. Taking place over three days we compare the Corinthian hoplite helmet, shield, and spear. Come back tomorrow and check it out!

UPDATE: Australia, Series 2 Collectible Minifigures are now showing up in Target stores. Bricks Down Under reports the first sighting occurred at Target Highpoint. The 20% off sale applies to these products too.

New Reviews from Family Bricks

It would seem that Family Bricks will be sharing a review of the BrickArms Chrome Weapons packs very soon. Although not confirmed, I would expect this to debut on the Toys N Bricks Customizer's Corner where FB's interview with Will Chapman premiered a week or so ago.

In preparation for the review, FB has prepped several custom minifigs to help showcase these items. I personally liked this rendition of one of The Three Amigos (pictured). You can check out the rest of the models on Family Bricks' Flickr stream (link below).

If you can't wait for the review, you can always pick up your own BA Chrome Weapons pack by visiting BrickArms (the modern and blade packs are currently available; US only) or FireStar Toys, where you can get several BrickArms chrome weapons shipped worldwide.

(Via Family Bricks Flickr stream)

Family Bricks' Gets Shiny

Family Bricks enjoyed the BrickArms chrome sword pack so much he decided to design several custom minifigures to show them off. The knight shown here was one of my favorites. It makes me think of the line from Gaston in Beauty in the Beast, "I use antlers in all of my (weapon-making)..." You can check them all out on FB's Flickr stream (link below).

He's also designed a special forces unit for the Atlantis crew utilizing several customization techniques. Check both sets out.

(Via Family Brick's Flickr stream)