Via Starwars.com:

It’s no secret that one of the things I like best about Star Wars is how it inspires fans to create. Costumes, art, crafts — I appreciate all of it. There’s something special about fan-made astromechs though. Anytime you see an R2-D2 unit rolling around a convention or fan event, be sure to pause for a few minutes and wait until a kid comes along. Getting the chance to watch a child react to seeing R2-D2 in person is getting the chance to watch pure, innocent joy. Adults react that way, too. I can’t help but grin when I hear Artoo’s beeps and boops.

The R2-D2 Builders Club was founded in 1999 and serves as a resource for fans wanting to re-create the lovable droid. If you see Artoo or any other astromech rolling around a convention, the operator is nearby and usually happy to answer questions. Though the beloved blue and white droid is quite popular, builders assemble other characters too and sometimes come up with original designs and color schemes. I talked with a few astromech builders about what made them want to build droids, what they’ve built, and what advice they have for anyone interested in following in their footsteps.

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