Samarth

“From Merchant to Pirate" by Yatkuu/Gregory Coquelz

I imagine it simply means that votes that were being posted in the voting thread would be sent via private message to a designated member (either you or Horation or someone else) instead… and that person would be responsible for vote tallying/discarding. I don’t see how that would disadvantage anyone, really. Another idea I see working (unrelated) is having a “popular vote” winner and a “staff pick”/“judge’s choice” winner. So that it doesn’t become a simple popularity contest. Or the weightage for the overall winner could be split 60:40 (as an example) between the popular vote and the judges’ vote.

I sort of hear what @Brickshipyard is getting at. Perhaps a secret ballot (private message) rather than open ballot system would help?

Ahoy there! I held off on casting my vote for creative critic for some clarifications, and then the real world got in the way! This is such a tough call as I can only select one… and it’s a toss up between math wizard and horation… but my vote goes to @Horation in the end… although @Math Wizard deserves an honourable mention!

If you see the ruins on Isla Cruces in POTC, I think this set was intended to give off that look (in the limited palettes available at the time)

Now that the contest is actually over… I must say this: I really wish someone built a proper base/headquarter for the merchant guild. Or even a guild marketplace. I got working on this idea but didn’t make the deadline. And I really wish someone would have done a modern interpretation of a Europa theme build (the unreleased theme that had more Steve minifigs in it). Although maybe @CaptainDarkNStormy ‘s entry somewhat fits this criteria. And hats off to @Mister Phes for running the show!

This is a perennial challenge in my line of work! You have been doing a fantastic job in running the show here. So no matter who wins, congratulations are in order for you especially!

I think you’ve updated the description so it makes much more sense now. My incorrect impression was that only participants who had submitted entries could vote for a creative critic. You might see how that might make sense in the context of your original example, which was to expound upon how useful the criticism was to improving the build (or simply as feedback). Hopefully that clears up the context of my query.

Thanks for clearing that up. I got a bit confused because you mentioned in the voting thread that “The Creative Critic will be Voted by the Participants of the contest.“ and the example you gave suggested (to me anyway) that the voting is limited only to those who have contributed entries.

@Mister Phes if I vote for creative critic, am I supposed to only vote for those who critiqued my entry or can I vote for a creative critique of someone else’s entry?

Looks like my votes are first? Large Category: (1) Steve's Hand Emporium by Bingowaldorf (2) The Merchant vessel Margaret Hamilton by Elephant Knight (3) Rusty Rudder Pub by Chris Boyd (4) Steve's Upgraded Cutter (The Untold Story) by Andy-Roo Small category: (1) Sneaking Steve by YellowFrog (2) End of the Pier by Elephant Knight (3) Steve Origins: Meeting Redbeard by Oky (4) From Merchant to Pirate by Yatkuu/Gregory Coquelz

Oh yeah absolutely… the contest is just a great motivator to build, more than it it is about the prizes.

Ok you win. Hands down the best entry. Hand-some job. Excellent handiwork! Jamie Lannister would approve!

@Mister Phes maybe put the extension to vote? I’d certainly like to at least TRY and get another entry in. Maybe there’s more people like me, or people who may need an extension for even their first/only entry. Yeah, I don’t think a name tag/printed tile type description is really going to add anything :)

I wanted to do Merchant Guild HQ. No one else seems to be interested in doing some buildings for Steve’s faction, sadly. And I doubt I have enough time now. Unless @Mister Phes extends the date to the end of the month. And even then, this is a spare time thing so, who knows! I have a baby on the way, so life is about to be very different in a couple of months. Yeah I rushed this out the gate, and am happy enough with it to not want to mess around now that it’s done. (Otherwise, no MOC is truly done till the day you tear it down) The yellowed skeleton was sheer coincidence. The new skeletons can’t hold the guitar as convincingly! As for the ship, it was intended to be a cutaway rather than a shipwreck proper, hence the smoothness. Exactly! Lego does all sorts of display stands for a bunch of sets these days… so I figured why not. Thanks!! It is an old trick though, so I can’t take all the credit! The contest IS about Steve, after all!

Thanks, maybe next time. TBH I already started on a second entry, but I doubt I’ll have the time to finish it! @Elephant Knight killed it. He’s one of my hot favourites to win. Thanks! That’s what I was going for! Thats’s high praise. Net and water was fun to do. I realised very quickly that building a stand is going to be its own, separate challenge, and I had to incorporate a weight brick in it for stability. Making things worse was its tendency to topple on the background while taking pictures. The plates at the base were a last minute addition (and a necessity) while I was taking pictures. In the end I chose function over form.

A marvellous design! The build truly feels like an expansion of the OG cutter. My only gripe is that the 2x2 flags would probably be better off in black than red. But that may be a personal taste thing. What set does Margaret Hamilton come in?

This is such a nice idea, using the 4+ fig as a large guy!

This is an excellent build. Making it bigger while still maintaining the proportions of the sails must’ve been a fine balancing act. And the fact that it’s still a merchant boat transporting chickens is perfect!

I agree! An altogether too amiable a fellow to be the victim of this unfortunate tale. Perhaps my next MOC with him should be more… wholesome? Time will tell!

Excellent. But the background says no imperial guards? Coincidence? I think not!

Thank you for the review! I hope you’ve signed up as creative critic or it won’t count! Your heaven/hell interpretation is rather apt, given that the larger message of the poem was to not mess with God’s creatures and nature!

Probably something small, like a brig or a ketch. Honestly though now thanks to you, I want to tear this down and try out a merchant shop!

*reluctantly raises hand* Full time lawyer here 😵‍💫 Although all the rules etc for the contest stem from @Mister Phes !

Excellent rock work; I spy the shark and the brick separator!