Tales from the Brick

In Episode 31 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Alice Finch, LEGO Certified Professional, founder of the Women's Brick Initiative, and creator of the legendary life-size Hogwarts model that inspired builders around the world. Alice shares how building with her children led to creating one of the most iconic LEGO fan creations ever, and how that experience shaped the rest of her journey in the hobby.

The conversation explores the origins of the Women's Brick Initiative, the challenges women still face in the LEGO community, and how research, education, and outreach are helping make the hobby more welcoming and inclusive for everyone. Alice also discusses her work as a newly appointed LEGO Certified Professional, the unique commissions she's taking on, and her vision for using LEGO as a tool for creativity, collaboration, and social impact.

Along the way, Jon and Alice dive into architectural building techniques, the evolution of LEGO Botanicals, the story behind Alice's influential LEGO architecture book, and why the best builds are often the ones that inspire others to create something of their own. Whether you're a longtime builder or just discovering the hobby, this episode is a fascinating look at how one person's creativity can help shape an entire community.

Find Alice Finch:

• Website: thebricknest.org • Women's Brick Initiative: womensbrickinitiative.com • Instagram: @womensbrickinitiative

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app.

Until next time... play well.

In Episode 25 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by LEGO collector, creator, and chrome-plating expert Eli, better known online as ChromeDaddyBricks. What begins as a lifelong love of LEGO castles evolves into a unique niche within the hobby: transforming ordinary LEGO elements into stunning chrome creations using the same industrial processes found in the automotive industry.

Eli shares how his day job manufacturing automotive components led him to experiment with chrome-plating LEGO parts, eventually creating everything from chrome Star Wars ships and Speed Champions cars to custom minifigures, animals, and one-of-a-kind convention giveaways. Along the way, he explains the science behind physical vapor deposition, why chrome LEGO is harder to create than most people realize, and what actually happens when metal bonds to plastic.

The conversation dives deep into LEGO collecting, classic Castle nostalgia, the evolution of LEGO elements, brittle brown horror stories, and the challenge of balancing an expanding collection with real-world responsibilities. Eli also discusses the custom projects fans have commissioned over the years, including giant chrome starships, rare LEGO animals, and the surprising popularity of chrome Formula 1 cars.

Jon and Eli explore the intersection of LEGO, engineering, manufacturing, and creativity while swapping stories about convention culture, rare sets, display collections, and the joy of building for the sheer fun of it. Whether you're fascinated by LEGO customization, industrial manufacturing, or simply appreciate creative people finding unique ways to engage with the hobby, this episode offers a fascinating look at a side of the LEGO community most fans have never seen.

📍 Find Eli (ChromeDaddyBricks): • Instagram: @chromedaddybricks • TikTok: @chromedaddybricks • YouTube: @chromedaddybricks

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app 

Until next time… play well.

In Episode 26 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Bruce Heller, LEGO artist, founder of Gayfols, and longtime advocate for building a more welcoming LEGO community. Bruce shares his lifelong connection to LEGO, how The LEGO Movie pulled him out of his dark ages, and how a passion for architecture led him to become a full-time LEGO artist creating award-winning microscale replicas of iconic Los Angeles landmarks.

The conversation explores the origins of Gayfols, which began as a small Facebook group and has grown into an international nonprofit with more than 2,600 members across 41 countries. Bruce discusses how the organization provides a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ LEGO fans, the impact of its convention gatherings, and the powerful stories of members who found acceptance and community through the hobby.

Jon and Bruce also talk about LEGO's evolving efforts toward inclusion, the importance of sets like Everyone Is Awesome, the growth of diverse fan communities, and the work still being done to ensure everyone feels represented in the hobby. They also dive into Gayfols' future, including charity work, outreach projects, convention events, and using LEGO as a way to bring people together beyond the AFOL community.

📍 Find Bruce Heller & Gayfols:

• Website: gayfols.com • Facebook: Gayfols • Instagram: @gayfols • Discord: Available through gayfols.com • YouTube: Gayfols

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app 

Until next time... play well.

In Episode 34 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Orion Pobursky, longtime administrator of LDraw, the open standard and parts library that has helped LEGO fans build virtually for decades.

Orion shares how a lifelong love of LEGO, a career in the Navy, and a lack of space for physical builds led him into the world of virtual LEGO building. That journey brought him to LDraw and the early online LEGO community through LUGNET, eventually leading him to take over LDraw.org in 2003 and help steward a project that dates all the way back to 1996.

The conversation dives into what actually goes into creating a digital LEGO element, from measuring physical parts and recreating complex geometry to reviewing, certifying, and releasing them into a library that now contains around 17,000 unique shapes and patterns. Orion also explains LDraw's surprising connection to BrickLink Studio, how the community handles everything from thousands of stickers to obscure vintage elements, and why maintaining backwards compatibility is so important.

They also explore LDraw's role in 3D printing, the challenges of recreating Bionicle parts, the history of virtual LEGO building, and what it takes to keep a community-driven project alive for more than 20 years. Plus, Orion shares how LDraw has evolved from a handful of large updates each year to monthly releases containing hundreds of new parts.

Find LDraw:

• Website: ldraw.org • Forums: forums.ldraw.org • Instagram: @ldraw_org • Threads: @ldraw_org • Bluesky: @ldraw_org

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app.

Until next time... play well.

In Episode 27 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Nannan Zhang, founder of Creations for Charity, the longest-running fan-organized LEGO charity. Since 2009, the organization has united builders from around the world to sell one-of-a-kind custom LEGO creations, using every dollar raised to put LEGO sets into the hands of children in need during the holiday season.

Nenad shares the incredible story of how a simple idea among a handful of builders grew into a global nonprofit with volunteers across six continents. From partnering with Beyond the Brick for annual fundraising livestreams to coordinating donations with hospitals, shelters, schools, and orphanages around the world, he explains what it takes to keep a volunteer-run organization thriving for more than 17 years.

The conversation also explores the evolution of the LEGO community, memorable MOCs that have been donated over the years, and how fans, builders, streamers, and conventions can all play a role in giving back. Whether you're a MOC builder looking to donate, a collector searching for one-of-a-kind creations, or simply someone who wants to help spread the joy of LEGO, this episode is a reminder of just how much good this community can do together.

Find Nannan Zhang:

• Creations for Charity: https://creationsforcharity.org • Instagram: @creationsforcharity • Facebook: Creations for Charity

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app.

Until next time... play well.

In Episode 35 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Kate, AKA BrickHuntress, an award-winning LEGO mosaic artist and high school mental health counselor whose work combines art, unconventional parts, lighting, and even wearable LEGO creations.

Kate shares how building alongside her older brother introduced her to LEGO as a kid, how her son's interest brought her back after her dark age, and how seeing The Art of the Brick completely changed the way she looked at LEGO. That inspiration led to her first mosaic, painstakingly built over several months using pieces she dug out of the bulk bins at her local LEGO shop.

The conversation dives into how Kate's artistic background influences her builds, from using botanical elements and unexpected pieces to create hair and texture to hiding Easter eggs throughout her mosaics. She also talks about incorporating lighting into her artwork, creating a wearable LEGO dress using nets, and why she loves pushing LEGO beyond traditional building techniques.

Kate also brings her experience as a mental health counselor into the conversation, discussing the calming, tactile nature of LEGO and how students naturally gravitate toward the bricks in her office. She shares how she has brought LEGO into the classroom, used mosaics to teach art history, and seen firsthand how building can give kids a creative outlet.

Plus, Kate talks about collaborating with Eric Clough on a massive Harry Potter build, the magic of watching kids discover MOCs at conventions, and her plans for a new dinosaur mosaic that will combine three-dimensional building, LEGO nets, and motorized movement.

Find Brick Huntress:

• Instagram: @brickhuntress • TikTok: @brickhuntress

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app.

Until next time... play well.

In Episode 24 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by LEGO artist, convention builder, and cancer survivor Meredith, better known in the LEGO community as Pink Wheels. What starts as a conversation about growing up with Paradisa and returning to LEGO as a parent quickly becomes a story about creativity, community, and perseverance.

Meredith shares how building alongside her daughter helped pull her out of her LEGO dark age and into the world of AFOLs, LUGs, conventions, and MOC building. From sorting thousands of pounds of bulk LEGO in suburban Atlanta to creating colorful castles, cyberpunk skyscrapers, and character-driven displays, she talks about how her style evolved and why she constantly pushes herself toward more challenging builds.

The conversation dives into Peach LUG, convention culture, and Meredith’s experiences contributing to the legendary New Hashima cyberpunk collaboration. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from BrickWorld, the chaos of managing massive collaborative displays, and why some of the best convention memories come from solving problems alongside friends.

Meredith also opens up about her battle with breast cancer and the incredible support she received from the LEGO community. From receiving advice from fellow builders who had faced cancer themselves to building LEGO during treatment and finding motivation through upcoming conventions, she reflects on how creativity, friendship, and a shared love of the hobby helped carry her through some of life's most difficult moments.

Along the way, the pair discuss LEGO Friends, Ninjago, Homestar Runner, Great Ball Contraptions, convention memories, and why the LEGO community continues to be one of the most welcoming and supportive fandoms around.

📍 Find Meredith (Pink Wheels): • Instagram: @pinkwheels

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app 

Until next time… play well.

In Episode 33 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Al and Steve of Briefly Bricks, LEGO stop-motion animators from Melbourne, Australia, and the podcast's first international guests.

Al and Steve share how a friendship and a failed LEGO Masters Australia audition unexpectedly led to Briefly Bricks. After building a yin-yang inspired MOC together, they turned the creation into a stop-motion story that explored themes of mental health and loss. The video exploded online, reaching millions of viewers and eventually catching the attention of the LEGO Group, which invited them to begin creating official content.

The conversation goes behind the scenes of LEGO stop-motion animation, from homemade Technic camera rigs and Blu Tack to Stop Motion Studio, Photoshop, and After Effects. Al and Steve explain how they create professional animations using phones, why storytelling is at the heart of their work, and what it has been like producing projects for the LEGO Group, including LEGO Braille Bricks stories and a Christmas adventure set aboard the Death Star.

They also discuss their growing focus on teaching stop motion through workshops and convention presentations, the creation of their Toekitty character, and their advice for anyone who wants to try LEGO animation themselves. Most importantly, start simple, expect to make mistakes, and keep creating.

Find Briefly Bricks:

• Instagram: @brieflybricks • YouTube: Briefly Bricks

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app.

Until next time... play well.

In Episode 37 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Daniel Zimmerman, Master Model Builder at LEGOLAND New York and custom LEGO builder known online as TacoBricks. Daniel shares how a childhood obsession with LEGO never went through a dark age, eventually taking him from building MOCs in his basement and attending BrickFair with his mom to turning LEGO building into a full-time career.

Daniel takes us behind the scenes of life as a Master Model Builder, from maintaining Miniland and designing new models to teaching workshops, interacting with guests, and occasionally chasing rabbits out of the displays. He talks about building seasonal models, creating Miniland versions of celebrities and LEGO community members, working on massive projects for the park, and collaborations with organizations like Radio City Music Hall and the Newburgh Armory.

The conversation also explores Daniel's work outside LEGOLAND, including custom commissions, writing and building for BrickNerd, and the six-foot-long 1924 Studebaker model that took 14 months to complete. Daniel shares the story of his first commission for one of his favorite bands, Slow Pulp, his passion for music-inspired builds, and the projects he hopes to tackle next, from AC/DC and Def Leppard logos to trains and more Ninjago creations.

Find Daniel Zimmerman:

• Instagram: @TacoBricks • BrickNerd: Find Daniel's builds and articles on BrickNerd • Visit Daniel and the Master Model Builders at LEGOLAND New York

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app.

View the video version of this podcast at https://youtu.be/-THMbhZnw0Y

For more Tales From The Brick, visit talesfromthebrick.com.

Until next time... play well.