This was me last night, after finishing the stormtrooper kit. The beauty and precision of Bandai’s design and manufacturing is so elegant, I was inspired to rethink several of my kit components. I spent all morning redesigning and test cutting, watching the Cricut machine’s performance with each iteration. As a result, I’ve made small improvements to the kit building process and experience, and improved kitting efficiency. When one wears all the helmets hats in a business, small improvements make a big small difference :)
BTS: For instance, the first version instructions for the newly-listed round basket with handle kit had you measuring and cutting parts for the handle. Tricky measurements, too, like 9/16 of an inch. I realized this was contrary to my core value proposition *snerk* of taking the tedium out of miniature building; that’s what machines are for. Now there is a pre-measured and cut handle assembly piece that took me like four tries to optimize for the Cricut. It’s still fiddly to make, but no rulers are involved.
The stormtrooper’s name is… Stormy. He and Zilly have yet to meet.
I think Scarlett is getting big, with permanently dirty toes. At seven months old, she’s not at that super leggy stage, but who knows?
Oh, and here’s a beauty shot of the new basket. It’s colored W&N Promarker Orchid. (This was my favorite color when I was a young girl, but I called it lavender :)
nancyland.com 
What a wonderful scene you have created and Scarlet is a joy!
Thanks, Joyce! Scarlett is a joy. She and Brian play a laser light saber game we call “red dot” and she is obsessed. Obsessed.
The scene with the star trooper looks so lifelike, as if he’s on a movie set on the back lot taking a break in between shooting a scene out of Star Wars. The basket is adorable, great job!
Stormy was on a break, and needed some downtime. I’m glad you like the baskets, Bennie!
It is such a pleasure to see Stormy in the comfy chair, chillin’ out in front of the fireplace with a nice glass of wine and 2 of your Wonderful Baskets on either side! He appears to be deep in thought…
I wonder if he is contemplating the NEXT PROJECT on your kit agenda! ;P
I know, Elizabeth, right? The Empire’s elite soldiers deserve a little downtime. When I chatted with him, it was all about Bandai, but… he’s clever that way.
Wow! Talk about your uncanny valley – could Stormy be any more lifelike? The new handle basket is sooo pretty! I think Zilly might like an Easter bonnet to go with it..
BW, I cannot say enough how awesome these kits are, whether one is a Star Wars fan or no. They grow on one :) Glad you like the new basket. I felt I had to represent classic utility. Next up is the Toto basket.
ALSO I have to give credit to you for all the love the Stormy photo is receiving on FB, for the gift of the perfect wine glasses and bottle. Those little perfect details…
The kit does indeed look amazing! The original movie came out when I was in high school and I have yet to see any of the sequels or prequels, but my nickname at work is OCD-B which I like to think sounds Star Wars-ish.
Hah, Barbara! OCD-B is hilarious. (Not that there’s anything funny about mental illness. Well, maybe a little :)
I am buying those markers. And maybe a Bandai kit. I’d buy me a Scarlett too, but I imagine she’s one of a kind. Besides which, I have an Ester. You write my favorite shopping blog :D
Hahaha, Keli, you will be sooooo glad about the markers. The Bandai, too; the build was inspirational. As for the qats… no more need be said (I keep reminding myself :)
Oh, and if you don’t buy at your local art supply store, Jerry’s Artarama has good pricing and nice fresh stock.
That is a lovely color, especially with the green stones. :D I am definitely intrigued by the Bandai kits now.
I think you, especially, will appreciate what Bandai does, Brae :)
The orchid is such a lovely color! It makes me smile.
I just noticed the black and white basket next to the stormtrooper, it looks gorgeous! The stormtrooper made the picture even more real than it already is – I love the scene!
Thanks, Susi! The black is ebony stain, and the white is the standard kit color. I really like 2-tone weaving as well :)
I never thought I would lust after a storm trooper, but I am. He is beyond amazing. And that scene….just too cute.
I know what you mean, Kat. By now, stormtrooper is as culturally generic as kleenix and scotch tape. I just got the Captain Phasma kit; we’ll see if that shakes things up a bit. I’m not sure what to think or do :)
I just wanted you to know that my order arrived today! Like WOW. How awesome to pluck it right out of the mailbox. We’re on opposite sides of the country! I looked and touched everything just because it makes me happy to do so:) The kits and pieces are all packaged beautifully and I love the instruction sheets.
My only immediate and selfish suggestion for possible future consideration is that the instructions for the Round Basket with Handle be printed on one or both sides of the 8.5 x 11 paper with a larger font. It would still only take one piece of paper. I’m old and I wear reading glasses. *grin* Not to worry, I will manage and if necessary I can enlarge the instructions on my printer (that just came to me as I was writing this).
If you would be interested in seeing a photo of a real east coast “hens and chicks,” please let me know (you have my email). I bought it from a plant place for my garden this past summer, and shared a lot of the “chicks” with friends. One of the kits I bought was Echeveria:)
Thank you for your quick order response and lovely note. I will have fun!
P.S. Are you familiar with the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (N.A.M.E.)? If not, they have a page on Facebook and a connect to Etsy that I think would be of interest. You know, in case you need something to do in your spare time.:)))