r/booknooks

This is only my second book nook build, and honestly… this one really challenged me 😂

The box says 472 pieces and around 8 hours build time, but it definitely took me way longer. I ended up working on it over FOUR afternoons because there are SO many tiny little pieces and some parts were super detailed and tricky to put together.

What I really love though is the vintage feel of this one. It reminds me of those little souvenir shops you’d find tucked away on a cozy street corner

There were definitely moments where I questioned my life choices lol 😅 but once it was finished… wow. It looks absolutely beautiful on the shelf and honestly gave me such a huge sense of accomplishment.

Not gonna lie, I would not recommend this as a beginner build. But for anyone who loves challenging, detailed book nooks and enjoys the process of really slowing down and building piece by piece, this one is so rewarding

Well, it wasn’t pleasant. The only other kit experience I’ve disliked so much was Cathy’s Flower House, and that was rooted solely in a deep misunderstanding of what I was getting myself into (I hate making things out of paper and fabric).

I thought that I had a pretty solid understanding of what I was getting into with the Kaayee kit: Poor quality wood and consistent fit issues, per all the reviews I could find. I thought I could manage, because I loved the theme (why aren’t there more desert/southwest kits???). I noticed the breakage and terribly tight fit issues right away and I rolled with them. Then I noticed the nonsensical AI clock face (really, it’s a CLOCK, how hard would it have been to draw?) which contributed to the initial inkling of feelings that I might not feel proud to display the finished product. Then there were multiple occasions when I scrambled to undo something because the instructions had been so unclear that I only realized my mistake after putting in the work to fit the (tight!) pieces together. Then my background did not move after all was said and done, which honestly may have been user error as I’d never done gears before, but they did turn manually before I put the whole thing together. I finally gave up on it entirely when the final step—the back installation—was quite literally impossible. The instructions show a smooth top and three sides of tabs, whereas the actual piece had tabs on all four sides, all of which needed to be inserted into the slots of the bottom, top, and sides, which were already in place as per the order of operations in the manual. So I could not install the back without breaking something, because physics exist. So I broke something, because I no longer cared.

As for positives, I’m certain that several pieces did NOT break in some way, shape, or form as I gently removed them from the boards. So that’s a win.

It’s a rare occasion that I don’t feel making a kit was time well spent, but I’m honestly regretting not just the time and effort that went into making this but also the amount of my acrylic pens (especially my gold!) that I wasted on this project.

We have a shed, a shed I rarely enter because it’s quite scary, and that is where the kits I don’t want to look at live. Kaayee Retro Train has landed itself on the Shed Shelf o’ Shame, right next to Cathy’s stupid flower house.

I absolutely love Anavrin. The kits that I have purchased from them seem to be a really good quality. I have only put together two.This is my second, but I have a few more to complete, such as their bakery, old shanghai, and cats crossing. I'd like Whispering Hollow but I can't at the current price point. Not a fan of the modular bricks or the newest Maple Story. I watched a video on Seoul Hipjiro and that was the deciding factor on buying this and now I'd love to visit. Can't wait to build more.

Jiu Fen Old Street work in progress. Finding it much easier to have the pdf instructions than the booklet because then I can zoom in and see better.

Here’s a kit many of us are familiar with and now I see why it’s so popular! I just started on it and so far it’s been an enjoyable build. I’d love to customize it but haven’t thought of how just yet…. I don’t want to change it too much since I think it’s pretty cool as is.

This makes me want some of the other detective kits.

I’d love to hear if anyone has completed it and customized it. 🕵🏻‍♀️

I know this isn’t the totally correct subreddit for this, but hoping for some grace 🙏Wanted to share with the community what I’m working on right now. while I wait for a new kit to come in I started working on a new diorama. This one is a Mayan pyramid. Kukulcan Mexico. My vision for this is a pyramid in the jungle with warriors in the woods protecting it from invasion. The plan is to add this to a surface adding trees, ground plants etc then having miniature Mayan warriors in the woods.The pyramid, I could have gone and made but this time I wanted to find one that was made in Mexico. That took a time. Found one on eBay!!
It came after a while only problem. No instructions. Only pictures. Well that was fun learning how to put it together but I finally got it!  next was trying to paint it the original color which was terracotta and had turquoise accents. This is where I am today. Paint done. I made squares using my polymer clay the. Used the back of some jewelry making stuff the wife had to emboss them, and glued them on. Accented the lines with gold marker. I think it looks good so far. Next up is working on the terrain for this. Currently working on some stone ruins I am making out of foam to texture and paint then add as well I’ll be doing this stuff At least until my new kit comes in lol. What other hobby’s do you all do?? I know there so many talented people in this community.

It’s alright Toncheer 4.5 star difficulty and 1.5 pages worth of directions. No problem, we both know I make it up as I go along anyway. 😬

My sweetie came in while I was rolling tiny plastic pearls dipped in glue and held on a toothpick in chopped up tiny pieces of plastic and gave me one of those looks. Understandably. I am way past round the bend. By the end of 2 hours of working today my eyes lost the ability to focus. Bifocals aren't set for things that tiny. But I am making progress, more of less.

Here's a summary of my process:

1. Find item on paper, cut out, miss tiny but important detail, glue it on. Remind self "no one will see it but me. "

2. Find tiny bead in little plastic bag, reach for it and watch another two other tiny beadsroll out of the plastic pocket, fall into my lap, and disappear.

3. Spend 15 minutes crawling around floor looking for beads. Sweep floor, move furniture. Conclude fairies wanted the beads and took them the same place they hide socks.

4. Glue pieces together. Notice pieces are glued facing the wrong way. Carefully tug on pieces hoping that they won't tear. They often do. Tell self, "This is supposed to be fun!"

5. Cut clear plastic attached to template. Notice, too late, that glue on finger holding the piece steady while I cut has now smeared on the middle of the clear plastic. Spend half an hour seeing if alcohol will remove it. Take off paint from wooden piece attached. Paint wooden piece. Say, "no one cares but me." Continue on.

Etc. Which is why kits that claim they take 5 hours take me a week.

This is my Dune-themed book nook. It’s my first time creating one without a kit (flying without a net), and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s actually a gift for my nephew, since we’ve been seeing the Dune movies together. Dune’s been one of my favorite books since high school, so I hope you like it!

Sent my sister a progress image and she asked me if it was centaurs or unicorns.

I guess heads are nonessential for horse-like guards.

Otherwise the kit is sturdy and well made. But I hate these headless horsemen.

Loving this so far. Like all Anavrin kits, the pieces are sturdy and fit together easily. There are lots of tiny details and a variety of greenery. They even have one board of thicker pieces so the books aren’t all the same width.

I‘m adding a few bits I have leftover from other kits, such as the autumn leaves from Dreamy Alley.

My only complaint is that I wish the kit included glue strips! Im currently using leftovers, but it won’t be enough for the whole thing.

My first official Anavrin kit.

I lived in Japan for a couple years and went to this street during the fall so I kinda wanted to go with a autumn look versus the sakura/spring vibe. Mostly a lot of edge painting, a few sign replacements, and I handwrote the Sapporo crates. The biggest changes were the two trees and the front where I added the mutliocolor leaves. I think the trees turned out well but I'm not sure how I feel about the front. I may redo it with bigger leaf pieces in the future.

Also sadly one of the led strips behind the main sign stopped working. They were good to go on testing but once I glued everything in place and turned it on at the end half weren't working anymore. It still looks fine its just not as bright as it would have been.

Either way a beautiful kit and I'm looking forward to the other two anavin's I have waiting.

Last week I had barely any time for booknooking, but this week I'm making up for it. I've spent a few hours each afternoon working on this steadily, and am really pleased with how it's coming together. I could carry on and get it finished this afternoon, but think I'm going to stop here and come back to it tomorrow, just to prolong the fun a bit more.

My Youngest Offspring asked a while ago for before and after pics of the edge painting and other details, so I've included here the flower from the box at the front. It's a simple change, but I far prefer it with the extra details.

This is my third plywood kit, and second nook. I'll post a review when I'm done. For now, I'll say I love the mirrored effect. No matter how far I lean over, it looks like there's more library around the corner.

My fiancee and me spent the good part of last weekend working on this, I must say it totally smashed my expectations, especially for being one of the hardest difficulty kit from the brand!

Biggest twist on the build was my fiancee finding out that glue stick works wonders on this material! Total game changer!

This is my first heavy modified kit. I’ve been so inspired by this group I had to share 😊 I love this group and the tips and ideas given.

I started with making the mugs with plastic tube, washi tape and plastic clip handles. Here’s what I used for tutorial in making the mugs! https://youtu.be/J\_XXnnTshcg?si=QTKpkVuwcJCQCEoz
I bought some craft supplies like boards, lollipop sticks, scrapbook paper, furniture markers and pre made items (mainly on table).
It was a lot of fun but definitely a challenge for myself! I normally find these kits relaxing as I follow the instructions but enjoyed using a bit of creativity! Dora’s loft is a very good one to modify and I have put the original up for reference 😁 I had more mugs to use but I felt there was enough and will save for another project. I was going for an overfilled shop vibe but when I got to the end point loved it as it is!

Modifications:
I cut floor boards out of wood planks I bought from Temu.
I used scrapbook paper on the stairs and walls to change colour.
I used furniture markers on the walls and the table on the bottom which is made out of lollipop sticks.
I used lollipop sticks to make a bench at the platform and changed the material items around.
I made the mugs with a plastic tube, washi tape and paper clips.