3 Reasons Star Wars Builds Are Perfect For Beginner Makers
It's no secret I love building Star Wars inspired projects, but I didn't start out with them and wish I had.
In 2018, I built my first Star Wars project: a power sanded (because I didn't get into carving yet) plywood Death Star. My next Star Wars project wasn't until 2021 when I built a giant Mythosaur Skull from 2x4s, this time graduating into power carving. Now, I can't imagine not having at least 1 Star Wars project in progress at all times.
Looking back, I realized that Star Wars, or other dystopian themes, are the perfect theme for beginners.
Reason 1: Turn Trash Into Projects
The original movie was on a modest budget, but that made the Makers for props, costumes, and sets get creative.
Star Wars has tons of little bits and bobs known as greeblies across panels and walls that add depth and character. Since the movie needed to save wherever possible, bits of model kits and random objects were assembled and painted to look like something new. I've used spare wire, parts from broken appliances, and even juice lids in my projects.
Giving a piece of trash a new life adds to the depth of projects and spares your wallet a bit.
Reason 2: Hide Mistake With Weathering
Adam Savage has said that the difference between a newbie and master craftsman is their ability to hide their crimes (meaning mistakes).
With most Star Wars projects, mistakes can be accentuated until they become part of the story. Especially for the Rebel Alliance and smuggler ships, things look like they were found and repurposed. So lean into it and instead of throwing the entire project away because of a mistake, make it part of the project.
Plus, since most things in the galaxy far, far away are dirty anyway, you can cover things up with some creative weathering.
Reason 3: Finished Pieces SHOULD Be Non-Uniform
Elegant, modern projects have a symmetry to them that can be appealing, but difficult for beginners.
In Star Wars, few things outside the galactic empire are symmetrical. It's been said that if there were 4 things in a row, at least one of them should be missing, damaged, or broken in some way. Even the Rebel ships are often non-uniform in design and even the ones that are symmetrical have differences on the sides.
If you're worried about getting both sides to be completely identical, go the opposite way and intentionally make them different.
