DIY & Crafting Club Meetup 04 Canada 
GTA Mississauga: Passport to Miniatures | A build around the World
GTA Mississauga: Passport to Miniatures | A build around the World
Summer has officially wrapped up, and I finally had a chance to sit down and reflect on our DIY & Crafting Club Meetup 04 here in Mississauga, Canada.
On August 8, 2026, we returned to Sheridan College Hazel McCallion Campus for our biggest miniature building adventure yet: Passport to Miniatures: Vacation Around the World. 
There were 80 registrations and we ended up having about 70 travellers in the room. We welcomed 43 first-time attendees alongside returning builders, which made this workshop feel especially meaningful.
Some participants travelled from Niagara, Scarborough, and other parts of the GTA, hours away, to build with us. We had friends arriving together, couples, parents and children, returning community members, and people who were experiencing Rolife for the very first time.
Seeing such a diverse group of builders gathered in one room made me so happy.
Passport to Miniatures
This workshop was inspired by the idea that miniatures can transport us somewhere new without ever leaving the room.
The kits included cafés, homes, gardens, shops, landmarks, and little destinations from around the world. With our travel-themed signs, projected slides, and rows of labelled kits waiting for their builders, it really felt like everyone was checking in for their own miniature vacation.
Preparing all of those kits was definitely a journey of its own.
Every participant had a labelled kit waiting for them, and I tried to organize pickup by seating row so almost 70 excited passengers were not all rushing the baggage claim at once. People were already admiring other kits, comparing their choices, and waiting to see what might become available during the kit swap.
There was so much anticipation before anyone had even opened a box.
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Welcome Aboard
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Once everyone was seated, I introduced myself and Minis with Mimi, followed by an introduction to Robotime, Rolife, and the Robotime Community.
We went over the workshop schedule, reviews, surveys, games, giveaways, kit swapping, and what everyone could expect throughout the day.
The group included experienced builders, returning members, and complete beginners. Some people came alone, while others brought their partners, children, family members, or friends.
One of the most meaningful things for me was seeing returning participants bring new people with them. It showed me that this community is not only becoming bigger. It is growing through genuine friendships and shared experiences.
The Vibe
As soon as everyone began building, the energy in the room started to change.
There were conversations, questions, laughter, tiny tools moving around the tables, and people comparing their kits. Then there were these peaceful stretches where almost the entire lecture hall became quiet because everyone was so focused on creating.
Nearly 70 people were in the room, but somehow it could still feel calm.
That is always one of my favourite moments at these workshops. Everyone is working on something different, but we are all pausing together. For a few hours, people can step away from everyday stress and focus on bringing a tiny world to life.
People shared tools, offered advice, helped with confusing steps, and admired what others were building. Friends and families worked side by side, while people who had only just met began helping each other like they had been building together for years.
More Reading 📖
Kits, Building and a Little Bit of Swapping
We had such a huge variety of Robotime and Rolife kits around the room.
Some first-time builders surprised themselves by how much they completed. A few people finished their kits during the workshop, while others made progress and took their builds home to continue.
Finishing the entire kit was never the only goal.
Making progress, learning something new, relaxing, asking for help, and leaving excited to continue were all wins. Some of the kits were ambitious choices for first-time builders, but people kept going through the tiny pieces, confusing instructions, gluey fingers, and all.
There was also a lot of excitement around the kit swap. People kept looking around the room to see what others had chosen and what might become available.
For the next large workshop, I would love to make the swapping process even smoother. With that many people and kits, it can become its own miniature marketplace very quickly.
Activities In Flight
Of course, I could not let everyone sit quietly and build for the entire workshop.
We had participant surveys, blind box giveaways, kit swapping, refreshments, our grand prize draw, and a Popcorn Quiz filled with Rolife oriented questions.
The Popcorn Quiz was so much fun. Everyone had a chance to test their Rolife knowledge, shout out answers, and take a little break from concentrating on tiny pieces.
The room definitely went from peaceful building mode to game show energy very quickly.
We also had Tim Hortons treats, sweet desserts, and savoury snacks to keep everyone energized. The refreshment area gave people another place to socialize, look at other projects, and meet builders from different tables.
Giveaway Winners 
Our main giveaway received 101 valid entries.
Congratulations to Adam, also known as @Adamj in the Robotime Community, who won the Robotime Pinball kit!
We also celebrated Vanshika, who won the adorable Rolife Gelato Stall.
It was so much fun watching both winners receive their new projects. Thank you to everyone who participated in the activities, surveys, and giveaways throughout the workshop.
Voices from the Journey 
For this meetup, I wanted to hear directly from some of the people who make these workshops so special.
I asked participants about their experience, what they enjoyed about the day, and whether they had a message they wanted to share with Rolife.
Bree & Caleb
Watch their interview:
Abdul & Jean
Watch their interview:
Marg
Watch her interview:
Their answers reflected so much of what I saw around the room. Miniature building can be a way to relax, try something new, spend meaningful time with someone you love, and feel welcomed into a creative community.
These interviews also reminded me that the finished kit is only part of the story. The conversations, laughter, frustrations, encouragement, and memories created while building are what turn a kit into a keepsake.
A Growing Community
🌳🌳🌳
This workshop showed me just how much our local community has grown.
We welcomed 43 people who had never attended one of my workshops before, but we also had familiar faces returning and bringing their partners, children, family members, and friends.
Watching returning participants introduce someone new to Rolife is such a special feeling. It means people are not only enjoying the workshops themselves. They want to share the experience with the people who matter to them.
Some attendees travelled a long way to join us, and I never take that effort for granted. Whether someone came from across Mississauga or travelled from another part of the GTA, I wanted them to feel that there was a place waiting for them in the room.
What Our Makers Said
A total of 48 participants completed the workshop survey, and the responses made me so happy.
All 48 respondents said they would attend another DIY & Crafting Club Meetup. Out of those responses, 47 people said they would definitely attend the upcoming customization workshop.
People shared that they enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, the organization, the variety of kits, the opportunity to learn something new, and the chance to build alongside friends and family.
Some of the comments included:
“Love this event. Glad I came.”
“Thank you for creating this amazing space to be creative and meet new people.”
“Had a great time. It was a great entry to the Robotime Community!”
“This event was so fun!”
“Every act of creation is vital.”
People also shared ideas for future workshops, including more themed events, seasonal projects, limited edition kits, mechanical builds, customization opportunities, and additional locations throughout the GTA.
There was especially strong interest in painting, colour changes, accessories, furniture decorating, and finding new ways to make each kit completely unique.
Challenges and Wins
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Behind the scenes, this was definitely the largest workshop I have organized.
Managing registrations, cancellations, replacements, kit selections, labels, food, supplies, activities, giveaways, interviews, photos, surveys, and participant communication takes much longer than the workshop itself.
The attendance management and preparation before the event are always the biggest parts. With almost 70 people, I also wanted to make sure everyone felt comfortable, welcomed, and happy with the kit they received.
It was a lot of moving pieces, both miniature and full-sized.
For future large workshops, I would love to have more designated volunteers, a smoother kit-swapping system, and more time for games and interviews. I am always learning from participant feedback and thinking about how to make the next experience even better.
The Crew Behind the Workshop
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
A workshop this large does not happen without help.
A huge thank you goes to my husband, Michael, for being my co-pilot through all of my workshop shenanigans. From preparation and transporting supplies to setup and cleanup, he continues to help carry the load, both literally and emotionally.
Thank you to Bree and her crew for volunteering and helping before the doors opened.
Thank you to Ghaith for helping capture photos from the day.
Thank you to Shante for staying afterward to help tidy the aisles and clean up.
Thank you as well to every participant who shared tools, helped another builder, welcomed someone new, completed a survey, joined an interview, brought a friend, or helped take care of the workshop space.
Closing Thoughts
What made me proudest was not only hosting my biggest workshop yet. It was seeing how this community continues to grow through real connections.
There were complete beginners sitting beside experienced builders. Parents created with their children. Couples turned the workshop into a creative date. Friends laughed through difficult steps. Strangers helped each other, and returning participants welcomed people who were attending for the first time.
That is what I want these workshops to feel like.
Summer has now officially come to an end, and what a season it has been.
Since this workshop, I have started a new chapter in my career, celebrated my anniversary with Michael in New York City, and had the incredible opportunity to represent the Robotime Community during the Rolife 9th Anniversary panel.
Life has been wonderfully full, and I wanted to give this recap the time and attention that such a meaningful day deserved.
Now I am preparing for another miniature adventure in October, with the holiday season not far behind. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for our growing community.
Thank you to @Robotime for continuing to support these workshops and helping us bring builders together in real life.
Thank you to everyone who came aboard, travelled to join us, brought someone new, shared your experience, and helped make Passport to Miniatures our biggest journey yet.
From first-time builders to returning friends, and from Kit to Keepsake, thank you for building this community with me. 
Can’t wait for the next one! 
Thank you 
