“These beads are so gorgeous; I want them in my life.”
“The blue of this dye kit is like a dream!”
In a craft closet in Etsy’s Brooklyn headquarters, bead-inspired exclamations are a regular occurrence. Step inside and you’ll see 20-foot-high shelves lined with organized supplies of every color, shape, and texture: skeins of hand-spun yarn, reams of embroidered ribbon, and enough indigo dye to color a swimming pool. Inside this tiny technicolor canyon, three DIY geniuses recently assembled for a brainstorming session. The goal? A fresh DIY project for Etsy Studio, our new market for inspiration and unique craft supplies.
Etsy Studio represents something truly exciting in the craft-supplies space: a single destination for everything DIY. Yes, there are millions of supplies to choose from—everything from hand-dyed yarn and custom-made beads to vintage materials and ready-to-go kits. But the real secret sauce is in the inspiring projects peppered throughout: Etsy Studio’s original tutorials help crafters seamlessly connect creative ideas with the supplies to bring them to life.

From left: Julie O’Boyle, Aleksa Brown, and Clare McGibbon. Photo by Erik Valind.
That’s where DIY experts Clare McGibbon, Julie O’Boyle, and Aleksa Brown come in. The driving force behind Etsy Studio’s eye-catching, shoppable craft projects, they’ve spent the last year conceiving, refining, and producing how-to’s of all kinds. Today, we’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at their approach to creating the original DIYs that make Etsy Studio so addictive.
The making of an Etsy Studio DIY
All creative projects require a catalyst, whether it’s a length of luxe velvet ribbon or a scrap of holographic snakeskin leather (yes, it exists). When asked where they find inspiration for new projects, the team cites Etsy Studio itself as the mother lode of DIY ideas. “You can find an incredible variety of supplies that you didn’t even know were out there,” says Julie, who can be found plotting out the team’s editorial calendar and post-production schedule when she’s not on the hunt for the perfect neon paracord for a coiled DIY coaster. “It really sets the site apart. And knowing you’re purchasing from a real person, supporting a small business—that’s the icing on the cake for me.”
Inspiration for the next DIY is never far away with this crew: A simple amble down the street can result in an aha moment. “I have a never-ending curiosity about how things are made, so when I see something out in the wild, I have a tendency to analyze it so I can put my own spin on it,” adds Clare, whose instantly identifiable visual aesthetic has made her the de facto art director of the team. “It’s very much about adding that personal touch to something you see in the world.”
So how does the team narrow down their many ideas and decide which projects make the cut? “What people are searching for online definitely plays a part in the DIYs we choose to create,” Clare reports, “but it’s equally important to create a project that’s adaptable and relevant for a wide audience.”
Prototype, prototype, and prototype again
Every project is the culmination of many hours spent combing Etsy Studio for unique craft supplies, experimenting with new materials, creating and refining prototypes, and then recreating the making process for the camera. “Our team is incredibly thoughtful in our approach,” says Julie. “Each project is prototyped as many times as necessary to ensure that it can be easily replicated or customized by a crafter, and that the supplies shown are going to be the correct ones to create it.”
Bringing the project to life
Next, it’s time to photograph the step-by-step process. Clare’s photography background and stop-motion animation skills have proven particularly useful in the production of the many videos and GIFs found on Etsy Studio. “When we’re working on project photography, the most important aspect is clearly communicating a step,” Clare says. “That’s where hand models come in: The placement of hands is really important for conveying how to make a craft at home. Movement is also a big part of our visual style, so when we have an opportunity to animate a still photo or a step, it adds that much more to the educational process.”
Make a hand-painted plate with Etsy Studio
Sharing creativity with the world
After recreating the making process for the camera, it’s time to put the whole thing into words. Aleksa spent years as a DIY editor for the Etsy Blog and has honed her expertise writing easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions for hundreds of projects.
Finally, each original DIY is published on Etsy Studio, where it can ignite the creative spark of craft supply shoppers. Today, Etsy Studio is officially open for business, and a world of DIY inspiration awaits. And this is only the beginning. New projects will be added regularly, so follow Etsy Studio to get inspired and see what the team’s making—then share what you create with #keepmaking.
41 comments
DeUno from DeUno said 358 days ago
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 358 days ago
Bright and cheery collaboration!! TFS!!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 357 days ago
I like the concept of Etys Studio, great resource to find creative ideas!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 357 days ago
So many great idea's..thank you!!
Laurie from BareandMe said 357 days ago
Love...
Harry R. Burger from LightbringerDesigns said 357 days ago
Where can I create my own how-to page? It looks like the only instructions there are made by the Etsy staff so far.
Karen Heenan from Crochetengranny said 357 days ago
Some great Ideas.
Mary Robertson from MaggiesInn said 357 days ago
So very inspiring on this cold rainy morning and just what I needed as a spark of creativity!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 357 days ago
Fun story, love the creative process. Love all the color
Patricia G from oneredcanoe said 357 days ago
Inspiring!
Anissa Anwar from AnissaAnwar said 357 days ago
Love ideas Etsy Studio, wonderful projects.
Tiny House Farm from TheTinyHouseFarm said 357 days ago
Just one question...Claire, where did you get that really cute bag that is hanging around your neck? Will you do a tutorial on this? That would be really great!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 357 days ago
I have to agree that prototype is super important. Once you figure out everything on the prototype, then the production will be much easier and faster. Thanks for sharing.
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 357 days ago
Lovely ideas! Thank you!
JOANNA from BUSTANI said 357 days ago
Great ideas!
Laurie Peace from KnottinghamDesigns said 356 days ago
I'm so inspired by the DIYs myself! I plan to make several already! Wonderful idea!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 356 days ago
So exciting!! Go ladies!
perkinsdonna from DonniesCrafts said 356 days ago
I consistently look at products Etsy has and also get inspired to do something different from what I see. This site has been well used by me and also gives me an insight to what is the next popular craft to make. I love this site and use it for what it was intended. Thank you.
Farideh Nouri from FlairPaintings said 355 days ago
I love your shop!!! Very nice :)
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 354 days ago
Sounds like fun even though I know it's hard work. Y'all have done such a beautiful job and I can't wait to share the DIY's with my friends!
Vintage Gypsy Studios from BohemianGypsyCaravan said 354 days ago
Love the Etsy Studio concept. I think it's going to take off.
ngoc cao from NNCShop said 354 days ago
Wow so cool! Love the collaboration!!
Sonja from LapCatYarnCo said 352 days ago
I can only imagine the awesomeness that is the craft closet at the Etsy headquarters! Is it just bursting with yarn?
Zita from silkstory said 352 days ago
Love your beautiful shop!
Cindy Doty from CinfulDesigns said 351 days ago
This was a beautiful piece to read! LOVE the story and I want to see that craft room!!!! I'm so happy you created Etsy Studio and I have already benefited from it. Holding hands across the world, what a wonderful place to be! Peace and blessings, Cin ;)
allwood1 from AllWoodToo said 351 days ago
Awesome projects!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 350 days ago
Fun ideas! Love all the bright colors!
Valerie from SnitkoStudio said 350 days ago
So inspiring!! Thanks!
Lise P. said 349 days ago
I love this! I just wish you could save, like, tag, favorite or heart items to come back to quickly at a later time.
Maame Adwoa Dwomowaa from EmpressAdwocreation said 349 days ago
Great and inspiring ideas,thanks for sharing with us.
NeatoKeen from NeatoKeen said 348 days ago
Inspirational! I hope Etsy Studio is a huge success!
NeatoKeen from NeatoKeen said 348 days ago
Inspirational! I hope Etsy Studio is a huge success!
teresagomes3 said 348 days ago
Amei. Tudo muito lindo e maravilhoso.
tinickaya from Astridpictures said 348 days ago
Love ❤️
One Stop Steampunk Shoppe from OneStopSteamShoppe said 347 days ago
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing the inspiration behind Etsy Studio.
Trish Burton from sitstaygo said 347 days ago
What a fabulously inspiring element to add to the ever amazing world of Etsy 💕
foofoogal54 from GracefulVtgClothing said 344 days ago
Very interesting. I can imagine inspiration would come from the products in the Studio. I tend to hoard vintage buttons and sewing trims like lace. I may just get inspired from these tutorials. Would love to see vintage used in repurposing possibly with ways that would not harm the original design of the vintage item. Thanks. foo
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 334 days ago
So inspirational !
emaxtees from EmaxTees said 332 days ago
Thats will help many people, great start Etsy Studio
Cutie Expressions from CutieExpressions said 331 days ago
Love it. thanks for sharing!
evolvewithmary from evolvewithmarycrafts said 322 days ago
Great article!