JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review)

Do you enjoy LEGOS? Everyone knows LEGO bricks, as they’ve been around for ages. I grew up with these construction small construction bricks. The precursor to Minecraft, the emergent gameplay from Lego bricks is almost limitless. Of course, since their inception, other companies have risen to fill this market. JMBricklayer is one such brand, creating Lego style construction bricks for a more mature audience.

In this article, I review the Butterfly Orchid Set from the Botanical Garden line of JMBricklayer plastic construction bricks.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - vertical image feature

Disclaimer: JMBricklayer sent me this set free of charge to do this demo build and review. As with any review on TangibleDay.com, nothing influences my opinion more than the product’s performance and appeal to builders of all ages.

Review Summary: Is the JMBricklayer Set Worth it?

As someone who grew up with Lego sets and with kids who love to build, I’m always looking for the most interesting sets to bring home. Suffice it to say, the Butterfly Orchid Set isn’t the easiest build, but the final product is worth the effort.

The end result is an incredibly detailed and realistic looking flower pot with orchids, flower petals and all, leaves, and all the greenery you’d expect from it’s living counterpart. It’s not the LEGO brand you expect, but all the same and compatible, this JMBricklayer set is sure to be a hit with any construction brick enthusiast!

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JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - pirate ship review — The details on this lego like pirate ship from JMBricklayer is outstanding. Every single detail from the torn sails to the anchors is so realistic. I am impressed with JMBricklayer’s attention to detail.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - scale model train railroad set blue engine — Check out this amazing model train set from JMBricklayer. It even has powered controls for the engine with lights and a dedicated smartphone app.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Butterfly orchid flower set review — The final Butterfly Orchid Set is a decorative centerpiece.

Read on for more details of this Lego style construction brick set. Are these bricks comparable with LEGOs? Do JMBricklayer construction bricks provide a good experience?

Let’s find out!

Unboxing and Impression

At first glance, the box art clearly had the aesthetic of a botanical theme nailed down. While I’m not a gardener or anything related to growing things–I’m a wargamer who enjoys the Grimdark feels of Warhammer, in fact–I do enjoy the challenge of a good puzzle or hobbies that require concentration.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - front box art — It’s a box worthy of opening with delicate anticipation.

The Botanical Collection includes three potted plants. For this review, I was provided with the Butterfly Orchid set, which is the one with the white flowers in it. As a gift for Mother’s Day, or for some occasion for someone who would enjoy the beauty of flowers, this could be a thoughtful gift.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - product photo box art front view — We know they aren’t real flowers. But, the idea is the same…

I could tell right away though, based on the art, that the set doesn’t seem geared toward young children. As you might expect, though, delicate flowers with this aesthetic is something that would be attractive to an adult.

Logos are everything these days.

Well, of course, it states it right there on the top of the box: Ages 14+. And, just to show you, it’s fairly large set with 581 pieces. For comparison, though, it’s not even close the whopping Titanic model (which is over 9000 pieces).

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - 581 pieces part set — ….Yeah, that’s a lot of pieces. Not for young kids.

Then again, if you think about it: The complexity of a construction brick set isn’t simply the number of pieces in the kit; it’s also determined by the amount of attention to detail that goes into the design itself.

And, the difficulty of any brick build is also based on the instruction guide that guides you through the construction process. Did JMBricklayer overly complicate their set? Or, was it just right?

Was the Construction Build Hard? Fun?

So, upon opening the box, I was met with a pile of plastic bags of lego-like pieces. Yes, I was overwhelmed, but not surprised by the sheer volume of assembly ahead of me.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Mise en Place organizing pieces — There are a number of unique pieces in this set you won’t find in LEGO building sets.

The best practice for assembling lego bricks is to pre-sort your pieces, so you can easily find what you need as you make progress. Taking out some kitchen ware and bowls, I set about sorting out the pieces based on what I assumed were the subassemblies for the kit, e.g., flowers go in one bowl, leaves in another, and so on.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - close up small lego pieces — Compatible with popular construction bricks, you could, if you wanted to, mix and match with other kits to make unique builds.

As with Legos, the instruction booklets was laid out with step-by-step illustrations. I didn’t need to read any text to interpret any of the workflow. Arrows and symbols were easy to understand.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Subassembly WIP construction with instructions — Of course, I followed the instructions. It’s the fastest way to “done”.

To proceed, the instructions called for building in sub-assembly parts. For example, the instructions led me to assemble the “base”, followed each flower assembly in sequence. This made sense and kept things straightforward. This method of assembling a large set like this is pretty standard, and made the entire process enjoyable.

Small Parts Pose a Challenge…

Of course, not all was this was a pleasant rose.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - pink petal parts assembled — If it looks like a flower, smells like one, then you should assume nothing because it’s fake.

There are some pretty small parts that require precise finger gymnastics to assemble. I can’t count the number of times a part slipped from my fingers–and I’m not clumsy–because they were too small, or required that extra bit of force to friction fit into tight slots.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - confusing instruction booklet illustration close up — I didn’t understand some of the graphical instructions in the booklet. But, the good news is that it probably wasn’t important because I ended up solving the build anyway.

Super imposed on this challenge of small parts were some unclear instructions in the booklet. One such visual guide is shown above. Although the instructions came with QR-codes where you use your phone to open a video, I found this unhelpful. The video itself didn’t open and the entire webpage was in Chinese.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Broken app video photo — A video guide for assembly? I have no idea because the app never loaded.

I have brought this issue up with JMBricklayer and they’ve informed me that they will be making the necessary updates.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Macro photo of small green lego pieces — Small pieces abound… keep your organization skills sharp.

Moving on though; I was able to figure things out for the most part. And, I think any experienced Lego builder will have no trouble putting this kit together.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Close up macro photo of flower closed with white petals — Aww….Is it time to bloom?

The details are spectacular. While some pieces were still attached to plastic sprue and required you to clip them off, this is easy enough.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Clipping the parts off an orange sprue plastic pieces — You may need some clippers nearby for this set.

Tips for Construction Brick Assembly

Here are some 10 tips I learned a long time ago for assembling Lego brick kits that came in handy here:

1. Organize your workspace

Before you start assembling, clear a flat surface and make sure you have enough space to lay out all the pieces and the instruction manual. A well-organized workspace can make the building process much smoother.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Sub assembled flower white petals — Toys and plastic bits in kitchen dish ware. This is a common sight in my household.

2. Sort the pieces

Sorting brick pieces by color, size, or type can help you find the right piece quickly when you need it. This will not only make the building process more efficient, but also more enjoyable.

3. Familiarize yourself with the instructions

Take a moment to look through the instruction manual before starting. This will give you a better understanding of the steps involved and help you identify any potential challenges.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - dirt insert for flower pot set — Working with sub-assemblies is best practice for any Lego brick set or similar construction brick builds.

4. Build in stages

Break the build process down into smaller stages. Focus on completing one section at a time rather than trying to tackle the entire model at once. Work with subassemblies.

5. Use the right pressure

When connecting bricks, use firm but gentle pressure to ensure a secure fit. Pressing too hard may damage the pieces or make them difficult to separate later on.

6. Double-check your work

As you complete each step, take a moment to double-check your work. This will help you catch any mistakes early on and avoid having to backtrack later.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Almost completed LEGO set flowers and foliage — You’re done when you think you’re done. There’s no “wrong” with these kinds of sets, imho.

7. Keep extra pieces handy

Construction brick sets often include a few extra pieces (not all sets do this). My JMBricklayer did not come with spare parts, so keeping organized (as above) is helpful to ensure you have everything nearby and safe. If you need to replace a part, JMBricklayer is very responsive and will be happy to give you hand, e.g., replace, send spares if something is missing.

8. Be patient

This is an important aspect to any hobby! Take breaks if you need to. Assembling a brick set can be a time-consuming process, so remember to be patient and enjoy the journey. Taking breaks and coming back to the build with fresh eyes can help maintain focus and enthusiasm.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Flower stems and connecotrs — I did take a detour with the small “dirt” pieces. The instructions called for “pouring” them in loose. But to keep this model from becoming a mess, I just stacked them.

9. Ask for help

If you’re struggling with a particular step, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Friends or family members may have different perspectives that can help you overcome any obstacles.

10. Customize your creation (optional)

Once you’ve finished assembling your set, feel free to add your own personal touches or modifications. I did this with the JMBricklayer Butterfly Orchid set with the a few of the flowers. You’ll notice that my finished work doesn’t exactly match the box art or the instruction’s guide for assembly.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Attached flowers arranged for best view — It’s a flower arrangement.

And, Done. What Next?

The Butterfly Orchid set is an elegant build with nuanced details. The completed model is a standalone piece. Before I decide where to place it in my home–or give it away as a gift–I wanted to take some photos.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Product photo of assembled lego brick set of flowers — Taking photos of this finished build was a bit of a challenge. What do you think?

Take Photos!

As with any miniature photography, there is some challenge in getting everything in focus and keeping proper exposure, e.g., not too bright or dark. Here are my quick guides on how to photograph miniatures or how to use a black backdrop in your product photography.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Close up view of flower detail in the set — Close up photography.

Close up photos are always fun to take, and show off the finer work that went into the build of this piece.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Flowers photographed against a black backdrop — Check out the detail and subtle flourishes in this kit.

Although this isn’t a “toy” as you would imagine–you don’t actually “play” with this model–I find that these kinds of brick construction kits are more like a jigsaw puzzle hobby. Here, you may have a set of bricks with different colors and shapes that you can combine to create whatever model your particular kit lays out for you. The biggest challenge (and fun) is being able to interpret the instructions correctly, so that you don’t make any mistakes in the build.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Front view photo of the finished model — I think it’ll sit nicely on a shelf near a window. Though, it won’t actually need any sunlight. This is *forever* decor.

Along the way, you’re probably trying to figure out where things go, and that subtle pleasure of making parts fit exactly to plan is a constant buzz. If you’re more of a social builder, then you can take a friend or loved one along for the ride.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - wide angle shot of the finished construction brick model — A gift, a centerpiece, an office decoration…whatever your purpose, it’s a great display model.

I personally prefer working on these lego type builds solo, as I get into a flow state, listening to music or an audiobook. It’s relaxing in that doing-something-without-thinking-too-much kind of way.

MOre Amazing Scale Model Construction Brick Sets!

Well, there you have it: the JMBricklayer Butterfly Orchid set. If you’re looking for other amazing construction lego brick like builds that won’t break the bank, check out a few of these other sets.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Coffee house scale model set product photo — This coffee house model is part of a larger collection of LED light-up brick construction kits. Create a center-piece or even an entire town of these buildings to engage visitors to your home or workplace.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - Medieval Set with stables and guard tower model brick building set — This medieval guard tower and stable set is part of a larger fantasy and historical collection.

JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) - JMBricklayer construction lego brick review - The flower house greenhouse model scale brick construction set — Fancy a cute greenhouse for your desk at work? Or, maybe you want a LED nightlight that double as a model for your town/city collection.

Final Word

I will be acquiring more of these JMBricklayer sets in the future. They are affordable, rewarding to build, and the final models have incredible detail and look great on display. I highly recommend them to everyone.

I hope you found this review informative. I was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience working with this JMBricklayer set.

If you have any questions, comments, or would like me to take a look at other construction sets like these, let us know!

Thanks for reading!

Happy building and creating! 🧱 🏘️