Official Lego Mosaic Sets: Part 3 - Other Dacta Kits

It's been quite a while since the last Official Lego Mosaic set post, so in an effort to wrap up the unfinished projects of past days we are now continuing!

So in between the latest mosaic sets and the illustrious #3443, Lego also released a few more Dacta sets, similar to the ones first seen in the 80s.

First up we have 9534 Mosaic Tiles from 2000.

And second we have 9546 Mosaics Set from 2005.

Now, the only difference I can gather from these two sets, is that 9534 Mosaic Tiles was only available in the U.S. and was $5 (USD) cheaper than 9546 Mosaics Set. So what I can gather, the latter set must have just been a re-release (with strangely, only two more pieces).

Now, even though this next set came out one year after the 2007 mosaic sets, I'm still going to include it in this post because it falls within the same vein.

Lastly we have 9531 Numbers and Mosaics Set (2008).

Again, this set is really similar to the previous two sets. This one obviously just has the addition of numbers. This one doesn't have as much information as to its pricing and availability.

Up next will be part four with system sets and part five will be other sets that aren't only mosaics, but have mosaics incorporated into them. Stay tuned!

Resources:
- Brickset.com
- Lego Wikia
- LUGNET

Official Lego Mosaic Sets: Part 2.5 - #3443 Variations

Continuing on our series of official Lego mosaic sets, we're doing a little half-way point between parts 2 and 3. While visiting http://thebrickblogger.com/ (great website, if you didn't see my post about it, click the link here), I was able to find a couple more variations of #3443. These I'm pretty sure these were a lot less common then the normal 3443 (the one with boy on it), but in my opinion were maybe a little cooler (sorry, Johnny Thunder is awesome!).







Sources:
- Bricklink.com

Official Lego Mosaic Sets: Part 2 - The Illustrious #3443

Continuing on in our series of official Lego sets, we have a most notable, rare, and illustrious set. The amazing 3443. If you happen to own one such 3443, that is something special.

Set 3443 Mosaic Set (Yes, same title, yet again!) was a set that came out in 2000, and was generally released with all other cool sculpture sets such as the Statue of Liberty, the Green Dragon, and the Maxi-fig.



Above is the box it came in. It contained 1993 pieces which in it had a 48x48 baseplate. That's right. All that for $30. That's 2 cents per piece!! And over half of the piece were 1x1 black plates. A full inventory can be found here. I'm also pretty sure it taught you how to make Lego mosaics as well. The set was mostly sold in the Legoland Gift-shops, Lego Stores, and sold/traded on early Lego community sites. You can't even really find one these days.



Above is an example of what you could make with the set. I'd be really curious as how they'd make it. Now, on Bricklink, I believe this set is categorized as k34434, which I think it means that it is the same set! Look below...



In this picture you can see the pieces that they used to create the frame as well as how they used a different image then a child.

Set 3443 is quite awesome. I'm not sure if there would be quite a reason to get one know, but it's just really cool. ;-D Probably one of the best Lego mosaic sets.

Thanks for reading, come back on Sunday for Part 3 of Official Lego Mosaic Sets.

Resources:
- Brickset
- Peeron
- LUGNET
- bricks.argz.com
- Lego Wikia
- Bricklink

Official Lego Mosaic Sets: Part 1 - Ye Old Mosaics

Beginning in 1984, we saw the first ever official Lego mosaic set!...well...Duplo set...well...not even that either being labeled as Dacta! Set 1012 titled: Mosaic Set, marked a new era of mosaics!...sort of!

Anyway! Today we're starting a new series sort of thing of official Lego mosaic sets. I'm going to have it sort of like a mini-history of kits produced. Let's get back to it! ;-D

Like I was saying, set 1012...

As you can see from the picture above it, consisting of several 2x2 printed tile pieces (in Duplo dimensions) and a small red baseplate, was the first official set produced by the Lego company as far as I can tell. Although, I'm pretty sure that mosaics were built by the company, but not put on shelves or anything. No retail price on this, but I would think that it would have gone for maybe $10, $20, possibly $30 during its time.

When I first uncovered these Dacta sets, I knew they looked familiar. And they were because my library used to mount several of this next set on the wall with tubs underneath them. (that or they were knock offs :-P ).



Set 1000, again called Mosaic Set, was basically the same thing as 1012, except released in 1986 had a lot more pieces and a bigger sized baseplate. And this one had a retail price at $46.75. It was quite a step up from the previous set with having idea panel/book things.

And lastly, just to tie things up, in 1987 there were a couple more sets released with animal-like themes, for example:



Set 1019, Mosaic Set (Lion) (again!!) was liked a "themed" mosaic set, if you will. If only had a few pieces, all of them lion pieces. This retailed for $8.25.

Anyway, here's a little brief thing on mosaics, and I'll have more in-depth parts later on. This one was a bit informal, but informational. I hope you enjoyed this, and are looking forward to later ones!

Resources:
- Brickset.com
- Lego Wikia
- LUGNET

Lego Logo Mosaics - Part 1 - MOCpages

There's a strange thing about Lego mosaics. Most everyone who's ever built one (a mosaic) has probably built a 32x32 mosaic of the Lego logo itself. But! For some strange reason, every single one is slightly different in their own each, unique way. You can tell that maybe the letters L-E-G-O or slightly slanted one way, than another.

But that doesn't mean they don't have anything in common either. Most everyone also includes the black border of the logo, which probably shouldn't be there, considering it's so small compared to the rest of the logo.

It's very strange how one little 10 inch by 10 inch image made out of little plastic bricks can be duplicated and replicated by almost everyone.

Anyway, I have searched far and wide all over the internet for as many mosaics I can find, and here's a giant gallery for you to enjoy. This is only MOCpages' ones though. There would be way to many in one post if I did Brickshelf, and Flickr too (at the same time). Although most are 32x32, some aren't, by the way.

See if you can pick out those subtle differences!













<---Lego Logo by Casey McCoy | A LEGO LEGO logo mosaic By Mariann Asanuma--->













<---LEGO Logo By John Langrish | Lego Logo Mosaic 32x32 By Lucas Liska --->













<---lego logo mosaic By dakota spencer | lego"lego"mosaic By davis jefferson --->













<---Lego logo By Arthur Gugick | Lego Logo By Arthur Gugick --->













<---LEGO logo By Middle Earth Mason . | Star Wars Collection By Exitrooper !--->











<---LEGO Logo Out Of LEGO By John Earle Hildebrand III | Lego Logo By peter stev--->



^^^- Large Lego Logo By Eugene Tan -^^^

Look for the next edition!

A Mosaic: What is it?

I'm glad you asked! You can't really have a Mosaic blog, let alone a Lego Mosaic blog, without even knowing what one is!

Dictionary.com defines a Mosaic as

a picture or decoration made of small, usually colored pieces of inlaid stone, glass, etc.

but the Lego design school has my favorite definition:

A mosaic is a picture, pattern, or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces of material onto a surface. In art and architecture, mosaics are usually made of stone or ceramic pieces in a variety of colors set into cement or mortar.

Also, Mosaics come in all shapes and sizes and can be made on any
surface with enough adhesive. Plus, mosaics have been around for a very long time. It's not like it's a "new thing". The first one dates back to the second half of 3rd millennium BC. Seen left, is a cone-like wall mosaic courtyard from Uruk in Mesopotamia 3000 B.C. Even primitive and almost colorless, the mosaic displays an different design on each pillar. Mosaics became even more complex and popular as time went on, being used a lot during the rein of the Roman Empire, being used to decorate walls and floors. To learn more on the history of mosaics, I suggest reading it up on Wikipedia. Here's the link.


But on this blog, we're not doing normal mosaics. We're doing Lego ones. But what is "Lego?" Or more importantly, "What are Lego bricks?"

I had to do a "definition" in school once and I choose "Lego bricks" as my thing to define so mine is:

A type of toy consisting of interlocking bricks and pieces that have a tube inside the bottom and studs on the top so all pieces can be put together and taken apart easily.

And when you put those two things together, Mosaic and Lego, or "Lego bricks", you get something wonderful. Lego Mosaics. Seen right is my first attempt at a mosaic. The classic Lego logo on a 32x32 baseplate.

The rest of the blog will consist of creations from other builders and their mosaics, tutorials on how to get started in mosaics, and we might even get interviews on builders, about their mosaics. I'm new at this blogging thing so cut me a little slack. =P I'll get better as time goes on. :) Stick around!

~Casey~

Hello, there!

and welcome to MosaicBricks! The only blog dedicated to all things Lego Mosaics. I'm so glad you've stopped by. Although there aren't any posts yet, there will be in the near future. Here, we'll cover all types of mosaics including, Face-up mosaics, SNOT mosaics, cheese-slope mosaics, as well as give you tutorials, tips, and help on your own Lego mosaics.

So once again,

I hope you have a good time reading here.

~Casey~