The verdict is in...

If you couldn't tell from my last post, I ordered the maximum amount of series 13 from LEGO and 32 small bags containing minifigures arrived.  Did all 16 end up in the order?  Sadly no.  11 of the 16 arrived with a lot of duplicates (as you can see below).  The total list:

     Classic King - 1
     Sheriff - 1
     Snake Charmer - 2
     Goblin - 5
     Alien Trooper - 1
     Egyptian Warrior - 3
     Carpenter - 3
     Evil Wizard - 2
     Disco Diva - 4
     Hot Dog Man - 3
     Galaxy Trooper - 7
The leaves the Lady Cyclops, Samurai, Fencer, Paleontologist, and Unicorn Girl.  I'm disappointed that I didn't get all 16, but I have some extras to add in for future sales.  My favorite from this set is Hot Dog Man.  What are your thoughts?

Minifigures galore!

I'm often asked where I get all of the minifigures that I sell from.  Part of the answer is from LEGO directly.  Since 2010, LEGO has released a set of 16 minifigures a few times a year.  There have been 13 sets, plus a set for The LEGO Movie and a set for The Simpsons.  Series 13 was released on 1 Jan 15 and I'm excited to open them up and add them to my collection and sell some too.

One thing you'll notice, LEGO doesn't tell you what's in each of the bags.  So to get all 16, you either need to buy large amounts in the hopes of getting the 16, you need to buy them from someone who has already opened up the bag to see what's in it, or if you're lucky, you can go to Walmart, Target, or another retailer and try and feel which minifigure is in the bag before buying it.  I am not good at identifying the figures through the bags.  I've gone with the other 2 options to find figures for my collection.  When I buy straight from LEGO, I add duplicates to my inventory to sell to help others find the figures they are looking for.  LEGO doesn't produce and sell even amounts of each figures so some are harder to find than others.  I'll do my best to help you find the ones you're looking for.  Just let me know if you are trying to find one.

Do you have what it takes?

Back in 2008, The Lego Group started what is today known as Lego Ideas.  This is a site where you can post a picture of a creation you've built and if your creation gets 10,000 votes, a panel of reviewers will look at it to consider it for production.  There have been 9 sets released so far with one more on it's way sometime in 2015.  

Take a look and see what's out there.  The site is here.  You can see some of the creations up for review next, vote on creations if you think they are worthy, and add your own creations to the site.  Be sure to read the guidelines before submitting.

Happy building!

Bricks for... The Zia Family Focus Center

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After 5 months and a number of sale events, Bricks for Bricks was able to give back for the first time yesterday.  Many of the sales I've been at have required fees and often times we can't make up that fee in one sale.  Thankfully after two sales at the Zia Family Focus Center, we were able to make some profit above the initial sales fee and were able to give back.  I wish it was a larger amount, but for now I am proud to say we donated $20 to help with activities at this great non-profit organization as well as a $5 bag of new, assorted Lego®  bricks for the Center to use in their Lego® building class.  I look forward to continuing to help the Zia Family Focus Center out in the future and increasing the amount I can give back to them.

Something to build on

A number of customers have asked about whether Bricks for Bricks sells base plates.  The short answer right now is no.  The reason is that I have not found a way to get them at a discount price.  The LEGO® Company sells the bulk of them with other retailers charging the same price or higher.  

Prior to 1 Jan 2015, you could buy green and blue 10" x 10" base plates for $4.99 each from LEGO® and a larger gray base plate for $14.99.  With the new year comes lots of new sets from LEGO®, but also some new pricing.  The usual green 10" x 10" base plate will now be $7.99 each and there will be a tan colored 10" x 10" base plate at the same price.  It looks as though the larger gray plate will remain at the same price and size.  You can also buy road plates (2 per pack) for $14.99 each.  Check out the LEGO® Shop at Home website for details on these.

If you're looking for base plates, I recommend you buy them straight from the source.  Wait until you are placing a larger order and you can get free shipping.  If you don't have a larger order coming up, let me know and I can add them to one of my orders for a small fee.

What are you looking for?

Are you looking for that elusive set that you can't seem to find?  Does the LEGO® fan in your house need one minifigure to complete a collection?  Are you looking for a certain piece?  Let Bricks for Bricks know.  We can try to get the item for you or we can point you in the right direction to get the elusive item yourself.  Send us a message with a description of what you're looking for and we'll do our best to help you find it at the price you are looking for.  Contact us here.  

Bricks for the Zia Family Focus Center

On 12 December we had our second sale at the Zia Family Focus Center during their Talent Show event.  While there, we got to take a look at some of the creations designed by the LEGO class held there.  A lot of excited builders got sets and minifigures that they were looking for.  A few of them will even see some items show up on Christmas morning.  We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Zia Family Focus Center in the future.

Bricks for E. Stapleton Elementary School

On December 6th Bricks for Bricks along with 80 other vendors set up shop at E. Stapleton Elementary School in Rio Rancho to help raise funds for future school activities.  Bricks for Bricks was excited to learn that the school hosts a weekly building session for kids.  They show up an hour before school starts and get to build with bricks.  How come they didn't have that back in the day when I was in school?