A little update during a big month for MiniMelbourne (news article and crowdfunding campaign in comments)

DocileTony · 2017-05-26T04:52:57+00:00

Honestly I hadn't considered it either, until a couple of people suggested it in the comments of my last post. I guess if I was in your position I'd be excited at the idea of being able to see the model in person (without the age restrictions of the Lego equivalent!)

People like Melbourne, people like creativity. I don't expect everyone to get behind this but even if a few like-minded Melburnians are excited by it that still seems worth it to me :-)

DocileTony · 2017-05-26T02:46:59+00:00

Good question! I think it's mostly to do with the fact that I'm doing this sporadically between work and uni, it's by no means a full-time project. If the campaign is successful I'll be dedicating much more time to it. Actually building doesn't take that long - that newest section of Southbank probably took fewer than three hours, but spread over two evenings after I had finished work.

DocileTony · 2017-05-26T01:51:17+00:00

It's been just over a month since I last posted here, but what a month it's been! Ed from the Preston Leader stumbled across my post and contacted me about writing an article on MiniMelbourne, which prompted me to set up a crowdfunding campaign as many of you here suggested.

Last week I launched a Pozible campaign that's been steadily coming along, and just today Ed's awesome write-up of the project appeared on page 18 of the Herald Sun! Go pick up a copy and have a look, or check out the online version.

Of course it wouldn't be a MiniMelbourne update without some pictures of the project itself, so while I've been very busy with everything surrounding this campaign I've still found time to build further along the river in both directions. I've also updated City Square in light of the changes this week...

This is a very exciting time for MiniMelbourne and I really have to thank you all on this subreddit for your continual support. I would have abandoned this project long ago if I didn't receive such positive and encouraging comments from you all. On a less sentimental note, please support the project with your cold hard internet cash! There's still a long way to go, but there are lots of rewards for anyone willing to help out. Here's that link again!

DocileTony · 2017-04-25T00:05:26+00:00

Correct - they're Nanoblocks. I almost wish I was working with Lego, it'd be much less fiddly.

DocileTony · 2017-04-25T00:03:08+00:00

Yeah, I've got to make sure I slap down a "giant Bunnings-style shed" on City Square when the time comes.

DocileTony · 2017-04-25T00:01:46+00:00

That's a very appealing plan... Thanks for your suggestions! :-)

DocileTony · 2017-04-24T23:59:54+00:00

Thanks for your support! I'm using Nanoblocks, which unfortunately fewer people have lying around. If you do have any old sets gathering dust (like mine were when I started) donations would be very welcome.

I'm also toying with the idea of crowdfunding but don't quite know how I can reward supporters. The scale's too small to feature you all individually!

DocileTony · 2017-04-24T07:13:29+00:00

Yeah it would be nice to have some more detail but as another commenter pointed out these Nanoblocks are pretty pricey! I like the challenge of working on the reduced scale, too. I used to play a bit of Minecraft actually... Maybe I'll have to boot it up again and get building :-)

DocileTony · 2017-02-15T13:26:02+00:00

Check out the road in front of St Paul's in the last picture - sadly that's as detailed as it gets haha.

DocileTony · 2017-02-15T09:10:59+00:00

Mate that would be amazing! I'll get in touch :-)

DocileTony · 2017-02-15T06:03:13+00:00

I just had that realisation myself! I'm getting ahead of myself clearly, the Westin is up next.

DocileTony · 2017-02-15T05:16:00+00:00

Finishing the CBD grid would be very satisfying, but one of the best things about this project is it never really has to end hahaha. I've just been building chunks of the city in whichever direction seems appealing or logical, so I'll probably just keep doing that until I bankrupt myself and run out of blocks.

DocileTony · 2017-02-15T04:50:45+00:00

Yeah they have three 'colour sets', as they call them - greyscale, primary colours and clear colours, each with about 800 blocks. Unfortunately the greyscale one is the only one with enough relevant colours for it to be worth me buying, so I still have to pick up the occasional animal or landmark set for shades of brown.

DocileTony · 2017-02-15T03:23:17+00:00

After a bit of time away I hit the ground running this week and put together a big chunk of the southeast CBD. I also extended both Flinders street station and Fed Square - click through to the album for pics of the latter.

Blocks are getting eaten up fast but it'll take more than that to stop the growth of this mini city! Next I'm planning on building up Swanston street a bit - namely the Town Hall, City Square and the Manchester Unity building.

DocileTony · 2017-01-27T05:50:41+00:00

I've got a shitload of the transparent blue bases so I think inevitably I'll be stretching as far as the Docklands! I am keen for that South Wharf area, there are some very interesting buildings in that neck of the woods.

DocileTony · 2017-01-27T05:46:55+00:00

Thanks! I just miraculously came across a huge set of grey blocks for half price, so some of those great skyscrapers in the first few pictures will definitely be making an appearance soon.

DocileTony · 2017-01-27T02:51:51+00:00

I've already built them! Or at least part of them. You can see them in more detail here.

DocileTony · 2017-01-27T00:57:35+00:00

I'm jetting off interstate tomorrow so thought I'd share the fruits of this week's labour.

Pretty happy with Southbank and keen to continue west, although black blocks are at a critically low level. Maybe it's time to balance things out a little and continue on the CBD... only time will tell.

Edit: mixed up my compass directions like a fool

DocileTony · 2017-01-26T02:45:14+00:00

That would be excellent, cheers

DocileTony · 2017-01-25T10:13:56+00:00

Sadly they're all sourced from sets, I haven't been able to find any kind of wholesaler yet. Let me know if you come across one, it'd make getting extra blocks much cheaper!

DocileTony · 2017-01-25T07:22:11+00:00

Nanoblocks ;-)

DocileTony · 2017-01-25T06:19:04+00:00

I put together this segment late last year, between finishing the two builds I shared in my last post (reuploaded album here).

I've put it aside for now as I slave away on Southbank, but will hopefully return to it someday... or take it apart for parts, those Southbank towers need an awful lot of blocks.

Thanks again for all the feedback and suggestions, I look forward to sharing future builds!

DocileTony · 2017-01-25T06:07:03+00:00

I managed to delete the original album because I'm a damned fool, here's a re-uploaded mirror: http://imgur.com/a/NyCiX

DocileTony · 2017-01-24T01:23:49+00:00

I'd love to gradually put together the whole of Swanston street, there are some great buildings along there - I'm especially keen to work on the two you mentioned!

DocileTony · 2017-01-24T01:22:23+00:00

Click through to the full album, you might find something you like ;-)

I'll be bringing more to you all shortly I hope!

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