Canada Meetup: Building Models, Building Friendships

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA — On January 3, 2026, The Hive in Thunder Bay hosted a lively 3D puzzle workshop led by Emma Samchek. Supported by Robotime, Rolife, and ROKR, the Make and Take event invited local builders to enjoy DIY building together, despite a flu reducing attendance.

A handwritten sign for the January 3rd meetup at The Hive in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Kits and Camaraderie

From the moment the kits were opened, the room filled with laughter, conversation, and focused, joyful building. Strangers quickly became teammates, helping one another find tiny  pieces, interpret instructions, and celebrate every small success.

Participants at the beginning of the Thunder Bay workshop.

Some of the kits Robotime provided for the event included Rowood Starry Night wall art puzzles, Rolife Puppy’s Cozy Villa miniature houses, ROKR Corsac M60 Justice Guard guns, a Rolife Night of the Eiffel Tower puzzle, and ROKR Terminator M870 Justice Guard guns.

Emma and the kits Robotime sent for the meetup in Ontario.

Knowing that several men had signed up, Emma had asked Robotime if a few Justice Guard kits could be included. They happily agreed, and the men gravitated toward the mechanical builds right away, finishing them before the two-hour mark. They were impressed by the detail and engineering and left eager to continue the series.

Meanwhile, the women worked side by side on their Starry Night and Puppy Villa kits, helping one another and forming easy friendships as the builds took shape. One participant was so excited that she finished her model at home just an hour after leaving the event and sent Emma photos of her completed kit.

Almost everyone had a buddy working on the same project, which made teamwork feel natural.

Buddy systems were naturally formed between participants building similar kits.

Helpful Hands, Helpful Hearts

Emma spent much of the early session moving around the room to help people get started.

“I really want people to have that great experience and know that there are people who will help when help is needed,” says Emma.

By the middle of the event, the atmosphere had settled into a relaxed, productive rhythm, giving her time to take photos and enjoy watching the group build together.

The easy atmosphere where everyone was joyfully working on their kits. 

“Everyone had fun,” Emma said. “They giggled about lots of things and worked with each other to find pieces or to help one another with steps to putting things together.”

By the end of the afternoon, the room was full of smiles and a genuine sense of connection.

The first miniature house put together during the meetup.

A QR Code for the Curious

Curiosity didn’t stop at the tables. Throughout the event, passersby approached to ask what was going on and what Robotime was all about. Many had never heard of the brand before, and Emma was happy to explain the kits, the community, and the creative experience behind them. She left the Robotime QR code visible so anyone interested could learn more and stay connected.

Excitement Beyond the Event

The two men who built the Justice Guard guns were especially enthusiastic. After finishing  their models, they even staged a playful duel outside the venue.

ROKR’s Justice Guard mechanical models discovered by participants of the Make and Take event.

“They never thought these could be so cool,” Emma said with a laugh.

More than anything, the meetup sparked new friendships. Every participant said they planned to keep building and explore more Robotime kits in the future.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

Emma credits the online Robotime community for the encouragement they shared before and after the meetup, which helped her feel supported throughout the process. She is also deeply grateful to Robotime for making the event possible and for giving her the chance to bring something new to her city.

“I’ve always wanted to be a change in my community somehow, and this is how I’ll do it,” Emma shared. “Bringing people together in love, passion, and kindness creates a happier community for my city.”

These kinds of events bring people together and create a happier community.

Seeing people light up as they discovered something new was emotional for her, and she admits she even teared up after the event.

“I’m truly honored I can represent the Robotime company and the community in Thunder Bay,” she said.

With the success of this meetup behind her, Emma is already looking forward to hosting another one soon, hopefully in a larger space to welcome even more builders.

Read more about the Canada Robotime DIY & Crafting Club Meetup Event 01.

*All photos courtesy of Emma Samchek

Updated on Jan 12, 2026