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News photo by Steve Schulwitz Carol Shaft shows how to use small LEGO tools to place small LEGO pieces into place. In this photo, she uses it to properly attach the wire that connects the light to one of her Lego pieces.
ALPENA — Carol Shaft talks about her Lego collection and her addiction to building it to create works of art.
Her passion for the hobby is clear when she talks about her work, from large replicas of the Colosseum and the Great Pyramids to smaller figurines such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man, and even Santa.
Her Lego creations offer geography lessons and tips on today’s popular pop culture trends.
Mr. Shaft first bought Lego for his children, who didn’t show much interest in them, but a few years later, when he was exposed to adult-level building blocks, he proudly displayed them in his home. He said he became obsessed with creating complex models. In Alpena.
She said she has about 200,000 Legos, including special tools she uses to place small pieces on site during the building process.

News photo by Steve Schulwitz Carol Shaft shows off the instructions for her latest Lego project, a replica of India’s Taj Mahal.
Shaft is a former mayor of Alpena and has traveled all over the world. Many of her Lego creations are inspired by places she has visited or landmarks she has seen firsthand.
She has Lego flowers, wall art, and even a globe and has installed a specially designed light kit that illuminates the globe when turned on.
Shaft said looking at miniature cityscapes of Paris, London and other places built with Lego bricks evokes memories of the actual visits. As a Lego enthusiast, she said, when a new limited edition product comes out, she’s always one of the first to order it before it’s no longer available.
Working with Lego has been a part of her life since she bought her first set nearly 30 years ago, but it wasn’t until she really dove into the game that she became the enthusiast she is today. He said that was until recently.
“I got hooked on them about 15 years ago,” she said. “There’s a difference between enjoying Lego and being addicted to Lego. I actually have Lego in my budget.”

News photo by Steve Schulwitz A miniature version of the Statue of Liberty made of Lego blocks looms over Carol Shaft’s living room. Her home is decorated with dozens of Lego pieces.
She keeps boxes, instructions, and thousands of spare parts neatly stored in her home, organized by color, shape, and size, and when the final product is completed, it is organized for guests to admire and reflect on. I am. Shaft said that over the years, Lego has evolved from something that anyone can build to something that is complex, time-consuming to use properly, and difficult to complete.
“Initially Lego was very simple, but now it’s 3D puzzles and it’s very complex,” she said. “The instructions were easy to read and understand, and the parts were large. They are now labeled 18+ and come with full assembly instructions. They are complex, and the parts are large. I often have to go back five or six steps in the instructions.”
Shaft said that since it’s an expensive hobby, when he gets a new set he takes his time assembling the kits because he wants to experience assembling the parts and confirm the theme of keeping the shape as long as possible. .
“If I had the money, I would spend 10 times as much time on Lego as I do now,” Shaft said. “I just hang out with them until I’m done. Once it’s done, it’s done, so I don’t want to finish it too early. I have to wait until next month when I can order more.”
Shaft said she budgets $75 a month for Lego kits, but that often doesn’t cover the cost of larger, more complex sets. If there’s a set that I have to buy, I sometimes buy several at once, but sometimes I have to wait months before I can order the next one, she said. .

News photo by Steve Schulwitz Carol Shaft’s home in Alpena has a wall depicting the Earth made of Lego. Shaft has about 200,000 Legos in her collection, she said.
Shaft said she enjoys connecting with other Lego enthusiasts, connecting on social media groups to share photos of their collections, offer advice, and compliment and encourage each other. . She said the Lego Club in Alpena would be great because it would allow people to meet and interact in person while discussing hobbies and having fun together.
“I hope this story helps establish a club in Alpena,” she said.
Shaft offered some advice for new LEGO users or those in the early stages of learning the ropes of the hobby.
She said she needed to buy a small, inexpensive set to get a feel for what she was doing and see if it was fun. Then, as the children’s abilities and proficiency with Lego increases, they gradually move on to larger and more complex models, she said. She also recommended doing your research and choosing products that match your interests.
“Go to LEGO.com and see everything,” she said. “There are thousands of kits out there. Decide what you’re really interested in. Whether it’s Harry Potter, Star Wars, or locations around the world, collect them into groups that interest you. It’s more fun. Do what you’re attracted to.”

News photo by Steve Schulwitz A Lego globe built by Carol Shafo of Alpena sits near her piano in her home. The shaft was fitted with a custom designed light set to accent the model.

News photo by Steve Schulwitz Carol Shaft lifts the top of a Lego replica of the Great Pyramid to reveal details inside.

News photo by Steve Schulwitz Lego versions of Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote are on display on a shelf in Carol Shaft’s home. The two characters are joined by other pop culture figures such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man, and even Santa.

News Photo: Steve Schulwitz Carol Shaft takes you through landmarks from around the world, including landmarks in Washington, DC.

News photo by Steve Schulwitz Carol Shaft holds decorations made from LEGO and displays them in her home.

News photo by Steve Schulwitz Carol Shaft shows off her Lego replica of the Colosseum. She said the project included about 10,000 pieces and had to be done in large, detailed sections.
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