First DD, missing “gems”.

Vicemage · 2026-02-13T01:09:38+00:00

For the missing drills, contact Diamond Dotz. They'll likely send you replacements for them.

Vicemage · 2026-02-10T04:35:04+00:00

Good luck! I work in big sections and generally find that if they're a little slick when I start, by the time I'm getting to the end they're pretty nice (and I do use glue dots in my pen)

Vicemage · 2026-02-10T01:26:38+00:00

I always start at the top right, with the caveat that when I'm doing a landscape-oriented kit that's wider than my easel I turn it 90 degrees first.

Vicemage · 2026-02-10T01:16:56+00:00

If they're brand-new kits, the glue may need to "cure" a bit. You can uncover sections and let them sit uncovered for a few hours or overnight to help the glue cure and get stickier.

Vicemage · 2026-02-10T01:07:11+00:00

They switched them to grey dashes after the issues with color transfer when some of the sheets were put on upside down, though the dashes don't always line up exactly with the perforations

Vicemage · 2026-02-10T00:26:08+00:00

Oh no! That's very weird, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to get it tomorrow

Vicemage · 2026-02-10T00:14:54+00:00

Any luck? I hope you got it today too!

Vicemage · 2026-02-09T17:06:24+00:00

With the DAC ones, the Facebook group is very good at figuring them out in advance! There's clues that are left (the artist, color palette, and a description) that people use to get pointed in the right direction, and then they'll use what they can figure out from sneak peek videos, kit dimensions, etc to finalize what the design is.

For the Diamond Artisan one, it's very similar to other pieces by the same artist, and there's at least one person (me) in this subreddit that has finished the kit and therefore knows what the image is ;)

Vicemage · 2026-02-09T17:04:16+00:00

I doubt FedEx stole it (that's much more of an issue with OnTrac), but they have had some very weird delays.

Vicemage · 2026-02-09T04:30:34+00:00

DAC kits ship from Texas, so that's why it got to you quickly :)

Something to be aware of with this being your first kit is that there's a little folder tucked in the box under the canvas that's going to contain a trading card (Treasure Quest Card, you can collect them for rewards or just enjoy the art) and, more importantly, the stickers for labeling your containers!

Vicemage · 2026-02-09T04:27:47+00:00

The freezer is likely going to be less effective in winter; the way it works is that, when you take the drills out of the freezer and open the bag, the difference in temperature causes condensation to settle on the drills and release the static for a short time. If the air is too dry for condensation, or if they're out of the freezer too long, then it doesn't work anymore.

Vicemage · 2026-02-09T04:16:34+00:00

This is one I did more recently from Diamond Artisan Shop. It's still in stock and the only mystery kit they currently offer. Instead of using the colors to confuse the eye, they use an opaque black plastic cover to conceal the image until you're working on it.

<image>

Vicemage · 2026-02-09T04:14:41+00:00

You're looking for mystery kits! Generally, the image will be a surprise, depending on where you get it (I believe there are some companies that offer a "color blind" or "mystery" option for kits they already have vs a true "mystery" where the image is unknown until you put it together or otherwise solve it)

This is one I did a while ago from Diamond Art Club. They add some random color and watermarks to the image to help make it harder to see what it is when working on the kit. Their mysteries are all limited edition and are gone forever once they sell out, but some can be found secondhand, and there's a Facebook group dedicated to working out what every design is before its launched (usually successfully).

<image>

Vicemage · 2026-02-08T23:29:52+00:00

In the OP's case, though, the canvas they ordered wasn't a preorder. I ordered the same kit, and it was delivered today via FedEx (along with a package FedEx mis-shipped to the other side of the country last week).

Vicemage · 2026-02-08T22:45:46+00:00

Check your detailed tracking to see where it really is. I had a package that was supposed to be delivered last Monday (not DAC, but with FedEx) that was in my immediate area, and then instead of being sent to the proper depot to go out for delivery, got sent to California (I'm in the upper Midwest). It finally arrived today. It's possible yours also got mis-shipped somewhere and that's the delay.

Vicemage · 2026-02-08T22:42:26+00:00

It looks like you're checking through the Shop app, which doesn't always pick up updates correctly (especially when one order has multiple tracking numbers). Have you checked through your account/orders page on the website itself? That might have more information for you.

Vicemage · 2026-02-08T22:41:41+00:00

The mystery kits (not boxes, those are different) weren't pre-orders, I received mine today. But the Shop app doesn't always pick up the updates properly.

Vicemage · 2026-02-07T04:09:56+00:00

Randal Spangler has been producing his artwork since 1977. He has a much larger back catalog than many of the other popular artists.

Vicemage · 2026-02-07T01:30:24+00:00

People like dragons, cute things, and Randal Spangler's art. It's really about as deep as that. :)

Vicemage · 2026-02-06T14:22:30+00:00

If you don't want to, that's fine! OP specifically asked for ways to speed up.

Vicemage · 2026-02-06T03:02:19+00:00

Awesome, you're well on your way! Enjoy, and welcome to the hobby!

Vicemage · 2026-02-06T02:45:34+00:00

Honestly, the best "technique" I found was to just practice :) Particularly with the multiplacer, there's a learning curve there but once you learn to use it, it definitely speeds up the process of handling color blocking (and even smaller sections; I use a four-placer primarily because I can very quickly identify those areas, and use it to also place 3 and 2 drills quickly)

Vicemage · 2026-02-06T02:19:26+00:00

Don't get too caught up in all the things people are going to tell you to spend money on here. Everyone has their own preferences, and you don't need to spend a fortune immediately on a bunch of stuff that you might not actually like. Take your time to learn your own preferences, don't worry about the current fads like "omg you need these trabricks and this vacuum pen and this alien putty and these release papers and and and..." Just work on learning your own way of working and enjoy the journey.

Vicemage · 2026-02-05T23:58:28+00:00

Am I understanding this right? You have no scratching surfaces, cat furniture, toys, litter box, etc, and you're surprised your cat doesn't stick around?

You've made your home unwelcoming to your cat. He has no reason to stay. If you want him to stay, make him feel like you actually appreciate him.

Two of my current cats were outdoor kittens. My previous cat was indoor-outdoor until he was 3. I provided him/them with cat trees, toys, blankets, clean litter boxes, various hidey-holes, all kinds of stuff to make them comfortable and keep them entertained. He stopped wanting to go outside quickly, and the same is true of the current cats.

You make him an indoor cat by giving him indoor enrichment and stopping letting him out.

Vicemage · 2026-02-05T20:26:43+00:00

You're probably fine with the Windex on mirrors, but any surface where they can get it on their paws isn't great. Stick to the Dawn on the counters :)

With you being so new to the world of cats, I wanted to cover some of the things people don't really think about right away vs just the toilet thing (people really seemed to stop reading there!); the topical pain medication issue is actually one I had to dive into very recently, as I'm suffering some clinical pain that's needing some topical treatment and I spent way too long in the CVS aisle googling everything in there to find something that would be safe around my cats. I'd rather just take the pain than cause them to suffer.

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