Random set of the day: Starry Decoration Set
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 7530 Starry Decoration Set, released in 2004. It's one of 40 Clikits sets produced that year. It contains 70 pieces, and its retail price was US$13/£9.99.
It's owned by 39 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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7 comments on this article
https://youtu.be/_asNhzXq72w
Ha ha, it's another Clikits set. Had a nice little run of sets before getting another one people generally don't like. But I recently saw another MOC that used Clikits parts and it looks awesome, so Clikits are not the worst thing. They're not great, but people have used them creatively. I'd be hard pressed to think of a theme that literally has no merit at all. People like to point to Galidor, and Scala or Bellville, but Bio-MOCists find uses for all these pieces, and they are some of the most imaginative builders out there, so just because something isn't traditional, don't bash a theme and say it's not LEGO.
^ Oh, I was never a fan of Bionicle, but the ball-and-joint arms and legs have been tremendously useful pieces (there are entire mecha themes that probably own their existence to the ways Bionicle used pieces). I know the ball-joints probably date back further to Slizer, but I'm still hardpressed not to think that Bionicle was a bit of a game-changer in the style of sets that Lego started producing, going forward.
If the LEGO group didn't experiment with things we wouldn't have Clikits and Galidor, and we would never have gotten Bionicle, either.
@Zordboy: Well, even outside of design, Bionicle definitely had a profound impact on the types of planning, testing/outreach, development, marketing, and licensing strategies LEGO used going forward.
By "licensing" I don't mean the sort of licensing we talk about most often in LEGO fan communities, where LEGO pays royalties to use another brand's IP, but the other way around, where companies specializing in other types of products like video games, books, comics, clothing/apparel, school/art supplies, storage products, and key lights pay LEGO royalties for permission to make and sell LEGO branded products. There was certainly this sort of stuff pre-Bionicle, but Bionicle is what pushed LEGO to set up their own department to ensure LEGO-branded products launched on schedule, had a consistent brand identity, and met certain standards of quality/authenticity.
But back on the subject of Clikits, while it did feel divorced from the LEGO brand in a similar way to products from earlier that decade like Galidor, Jack Stone, and Explore (arguably more so on some levels due to using not only unfamiliar molds and connections but also lots of unfamiliar colors and materials), I think there was valid motivation behind the idea that the LEGO creative spirit could manifest not only as playsets, models, and sculptures but also as a more arts-and-crafts focused experience. It was something LEGO had tried previously with the original 1979–1980 incarnation of the Scala theme, but neither attempt proved particularly successful.
Since then LEGO has dabbled in these sorts of jewelry/accessory/decor products a few more times using more traditional bricks, particularly in the Friends theme:
https://brickset.com/sets/40154-1/Iconic-Pencil-Pot
https://brickset.com/sets/40172-1/Brick-Calendar
https://brickset.com/sets/40188-1/Pencil-Pot
https://brickset.com/sets/850425-1/Desk-Business-Card-Holder
https://brickset.com/sets/850426-1/Pencil-Holder
https://brickset.com/sets/850798-1/LEGO-Classic-Name-Sign
https://brickset.com/sets/852522-1/LEGO-Letters-Building-System
https://brickset.com/sets/853195-1/Brick-Calendar
https://brickset.com/sets/853656-1/Play-mat
https://brickset.com/sets/30404-1/Friendship-Flower
https://brickset.com/sets/40080-1/Friends-Pencil-Holder
https://brickset.com/sets/40112-1/Catwalk-phone-stand
https://brickset.com/sets/40114-1/Buildable-Jewellery-Box
https://brickset.com/sets/40156-1/Organiser
https://brickset.com/sets/40171-1/Hedgehog-Storage
https://brickset.com/sets/40266-1/Mini-Keepsake-Box
https://brickset.com/sets/41346-1/Friendship-Box
https://brickset.com/sets/850581-1/Friends-Brick-Calendar
https://brickset.com/sets/850591-1/Friends-Name-Sign
https://brickset.com/sets/853440-1/Friends-Jewellery-Set
https://brickset.com/sets/853443-1/VIP-Cardboard-Name-Plate
https://brickset.com/sets/853552-1/Friends-Hand-Foot-Fun
https://brickset.com/sets/853780-1/Creative-Rings
https://brickset.com/sets/4659597-1/Bracelets
https://brickset.com/sets/5002112-1/Bracelets
https://brickset.com/sets/5004395-1/Jewelry-and-Sticker-Pack
https://brickset.com/sets/5005237-1/Friendship-Rings
https://brickset.com/sets/6043183-1/Children-s-Jewellery
Side note, @Huw, why are 850798, 852522, 853440, 853552, 853656, and 853780 in the Gear theme/category (with one in its own bespoke subtheme) rather than in the Friends, Miscellaneous, or City themes like similar products? After all, they include considerable numbers of bricks neither glued nor pre-assembled. Also I suspect more of the sets mentioned above (particularly those in the Friends theme with no subtheme assigned) should be moved to the Accessories subtheme of Friends.
Anyhow, I suspect the rumored LEGO Dots/iCreate theme will focus on similar arts-and-crafts/accessory based subject matter to Clikits but again sticking with more traditional building elements and connections.
Heh, we've been Clik-rolled. After those nice train sets...
It's always interesting to see Clikits parts being used in MOCs, that's definitely true! And my daughter will be very happy with its descendant "Friends Friendship Ring" she'll be getting soonish. :-)
@Aanchir That comment is rad.
Another clikits with random set.