In our Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story.
One thing Ilana Mayes, the woodworker behind rustic-modern shelving shop TheCraftySwirl, knows for sure? Your living quarters can have a major impact on your state of mind. “If you feel comfortable, expressive, and creative within your home, it translates into every aspect of your life,” the Los Angeles-based designer says. And an act as simple as styling one of Ilana’s customizable, two-toned shelves can not only help bring order to your space—it might just give you a renewed appreciation for the little world you’ve created.
Explore TheCraftySwirl collection
With Ilana’s easy-to-install shelving, the possibilities are virtually endless. Have a drab hallway on your hands? A floating geometric box or two will turn it into an aesthetically pleasing display for all your favorite treasures. A sleek sofa tray can transform the arm of a couch into an inviting place to rest a mug of tea or a magazine. And with a set of planter-ready shelves suspended by sturdy twine, any budding botanist can expand a petite window sill garden into a cascading wall of greenery. “It’s special to be able to contribute a bit of joy to someone’s every day, particularly in these times,” she says.
Read on to learn more about Ilana’s designs and tips for upping your stylish storage game, then shop TheCraftySwirl collection.

What’s the backstory to your shop?
I’ve always had a creative side to me, but didn’t have a lot of money for decor so I began staining, sanding, and repainting cheap furniture to make my home really my place. In May 2017, I started selling on Etsy, and within a month I was focusing solely on shelving. As orders increased, my boyfriend Mike started helping me. We call our dog Scout our assistant. In an odd way, he really is an intricate part of the shop. He goes to the hardware store with us and sniffs the wood—I like to say it’s a quality check.






How did two-tone become your signature look?
I used to paint pots and mason jars for decoration, and along the way I got obsessed with two-tone. I like the contrast of it. I didn’t know if it was possible on a shelf, but one day I took some ebony stain and a can of leftover white paint and freehanded a design on wood as an experiment. I put it up on the wall and loved how it looked. People like an accent piece, but you also want it to be cohesive with the rest of your decor. With the two-tone shelves, your eye is naturally drawn to the white pop against the wood color, and it still blends in with your space.
Any bestsellers or favorites?
Definitely the two-tone duo and trio shelves. They’re secretly-not-so-secretly my favorite. I love their versatility: they fit pretty much anywhere in anyone’s home. They’ve also brought out a somewhat green thumb in me. I am the worst with plants, but seeing customers decorate our shelves with their amazing plant babies has inspired me. I’ve messaged some and asked, “What is the name of that plant that you have hanging in that photo? How many times do I water it?”







Shoppers can choose different stains, colors, and custom touches. Can you tell us about any memorable custom orders you’ve done?
I have a list of standard paint colors as a base, but I can mix other colors. I’ve done all kinds of sizes, heights, and depths too. If there’s a nook that has an awkward angle, I will angle the shelf to fit in that nook. Recently, I made a giant box shelf for a local customer’s living room. Building it took up my entire living room. It’s special because she’ll always have the memory of creating something together that’s completely unique to her. It’s important to me that people can customize to their own personal style and space.
With all of us spending more time at home these days, how have customers been using your products to update their spaces?
So many people have reached out to say, “You literally have changed my entire quarantine. I was sitting here bored with my thousandth puzzle and then I found your shop. Your shelf transformed my bathroom that I never thought I’d have time to make nice.” Or, “I’ve gotten into aromatherapy, and you helped me display my aromatherapy candles.” Things like that. It’s super touching.







It’s amazing how making little changes like that can have such a big impact.
I think this time has allowed some of us who just work-work-work to reflect: “How do I want my place to look and feel? How do I want to remember my family that’s on the other side of the country? I’m going to add some shelves and put their pictures up.” Focusing on something you can control, like your space, I think is hugely helpful.
From unboxing to hanging your shelves on the wall, what’s the installation process?
A lot of our products can be hung in seconds. In terms of tools, all you need is a hammer and a wide-head nail, hook, or a screw. We give step-by-step instructions on the insert that we include in each package, and I also created a tips highlight on Instagram with how-to videos. You can also always message me if you get stuck.







What’s next for TheCraftySwirl?
I started the potted line—the ones that have a hole for a pot built into the shelf—last year. Now I want to make other potted furniture. We’ve gotten a lot of requests for furniture and we’re thinking of making headboards, night stands, and entryway consoles. Scout is also inspiring us to start a pet line.
I’m excited about putting my own twist on everything, but right now I’m just super grateful. I absolutely never thought that the shop would take off like it has. I feel extremely blessed. My love and hard work goes into everything we do—part of me goes into each piece.
Follow TheCraftySwirl on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Photographs courtesy of TheCraftySwirl.
37 comments
Anna from LissiKids said 136 days ago
Awesome shop! I am in love with your hanging two-tone shelves! They are beautiful. I'm glad that this feature introduced me to your shop.
Elena from Elenacottondoll said 136 days ago
How simple and ingenious!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 136 days ago
Very nice shop. Congrats on the feature.
Ilana M from TheCraftySwirl said 136 days ago
Thank you so much!
Nikki B from Apt1708 said 136 days ago
Beautiful work and such amazing tips. Each design is so unique.
Padmini Persaud-Obasi from BrooklynLotus said 135 days ago
Beautiful! Congratulations on the feature!
Kristina from PatternCrochetToys said 135 days ago
I really liked the idea of a shelf with a pot my cats are constantly flipping flowerpots, and here everything is fixed, great I need to ask my husband to make me such a shelf thanks for the idea
Anna from SublimationDesignsAn said 135 days ago
Wooden shelves will always find their place in the house.
Agnieszka from Makramianki said 135 days ago
Fabulous idea, stunning shelves. <3
Anna and Steve from Jagfindesign said 135 days ago
Aww realy loving these. Such a fab idea
BlueCaterpillar from LabelStickers said 135 days ago
Congratulations on the feature ! Very nice !
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 135 days ago
Fabulous work and amazing tips! Congratulations!
Ekaterina from KatEaland said 135 days ago
Very cute stuff. It's nice that it's made of natural wood. Very stylishly painted.
Kristina Petrova from WonderfulgByKristina said 135 days ago
Awesome store) Unrealistically cool things to decorate the room!
Cait Townsley from PreppyLittlePlanners said 135 days ago
Just moved to Thailand and am creating an office space for my planner business. Your designs really inspired me.
Julia from FavoriteToyStore said 134 days ago
Interesting ideas, thank you
Gina from GinaBogomolArt said 134 days ago
Thanks for sharing! Very nice shop! I love such decor very much and gather things made of wood for my home.
Sharon from YearsAfter said 133 days ago
Everything looks better on a shelf! Congrats!!
Maria from EcoLinenShopArt said 133 days ago
Very beautiful and cozy shelves) And most importantly, natural material) I wish your store prosperity)
Rosita from linentextile said 133 days ago
Very cozy work studio and homemade handmade process makes it more cozier. I love minimal simple products. Wood brings good vibes to every house - and it brings back double energy to it's creators!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 133 days ago
Great shop! Wonderful designs!
Anastasia from MypartyboxPrintable said 132 days ago
Wonderfull shelves for green accents interior.
Robert Jhon from robertteststore said 129 days ago
Great Work
ciaffi from ciaffi said 129 days ago
Congratulations!! :-) :-)
Sorina from BijuBrill said 128 days ago
Love the wooden shelves ♥ They add personality to any plant lover or a fun twist to a blank wall. The dog is my fave...:-)
Carolina from Agirlwithfeathers said 128 days ago
Fabulous shop! Very creative products!
Gerliane said 128 days ago
Adoraria revender esses produtos maravilhosos.
oMordah from omordah said 128 days ago
I love the fresh clean look of your shelves! So glad I saw this post.
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 127 days ago
You have a great concept! Keep up the great work. Congratulations on your feature and I wish you two the very best.
Kravchenko Tatiana from BeengBong said 123 days ago
So simple and so great! Bravo!!!
Ellen Brenneman from EllenBrennemanStudio said 123 days ago
From the moment I saw these I had to have two of them, and they really have transformed my space. I'm so glad to see this shop receiving the recognition it deserves; congratulations!
Irina from PiklerCity said 111 days ago
Wood always looks good in the interior. In addition, it is eco-friendly!
Krzysztof Orłowski said 109 days ago
Bardzo pouczający artykuł.
KATERINA AMPRIKIDOU from ThroughTheStitch said 74 days ago
So clever!! I love most of the products!! A stylish and minimal touch!!
Umesh Vigg from TheInspireDecor said 72 days ago
It's so amazing! when we see hard work is taking shape very beautiful !!
Amanda N. from FlowerAndEarthSoaps said 38 days ago
Ah, that sofa tray table! Such a good idea.
Kimber Phillippo said 37 days ago
The three of you are absolutely brilliant! Love your designs! Best to you.