[ryanmercer]

If you do want to get into DIY stuff with lego, if you have someone you can describe what you want to they can make it in Studio, building software that you can find at https://studio.bricklink.com/v2/build/studio.page

You can then have them export the element list and you can buy the individual elements from the seller or sellers of your choice on https://www.bricklink.com on the secondary market and then you don't need to buy an entire set.

You could also just have someone sit down and help you buy a bunch of common elements in common colors from one or more of the larger sellers so you can have a nice little inventory of pieces.