Etsy Star: DIY Furniture Plans by PlanCanvas

Etsy crafter Christian Schoeneman of PlanCanvas. Photo: Christian Schoeneman

Designer Christian Schoeneman isn't like most Etsy sellers -- and his virtual store, PlanCanvas, isn't like most Etsy shops. Instead of making items to sell, he makes and sells the plans so you can DIY your own furniture.

Schoeneman's original idea came from his own lack of funds. Now a mechanical engineer, he was finishing his MBA at the University of Michigan at the time, and dreaming of living in the perfect apartment. "It was all modern, cool lighting, leather sofas -- almost like a martini bar/lounge." Soon enough, he found out just what these things cost -- and they were more than his modest budget could afford.

Undefeated, he started dreaming of DIYing his way to a dream pad. "I knew my self-taught carpentry skills could be used to build nice things. That's how it all started: design furniture, make plans to build it, and make it easy to build and affordable." Once Schoeneman had finished all of his own pieces, he kept on designing, eventually selling his plans to the public on Etsy. "It's so rewarding when others like your designs enough to buy them," he says. His store includes everything from side and dining tables to chairs and shelving.

Schoeneman's process starts with the mere inspiration to start making something new. His design sense is influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Craftsman design movement. Once he's decided what piece he wants to create, he uses his mechanical engineering skills to build a computer-generated prototype in CAD. (CAD stands for Computer Aided Design, a type of program that allows users to design objects, or spaces, on the computer.) He then troubleshoots ways to use as few tools and materials as possible; the fewer things needed to make the furniture, the easier (and less expensive) it is to build. He wants to make sure that his plans can be followed by most laymen using the most basic of materials: plywood and solid planks and posts (which can be cut at a home improvement store) and basic screws, nails, and paint. When he thinks the design is complete, he mocks up the piece, then writes the how-to directions he sells on PlanCanvas.

Although fulfilling, his work can be challenging. "It's so hard to balance form, function, and the use of materials. Lots of problems need to be solved for a plan to actually work. For example, how do you make a complete dining table set from 3 sheets of plywood? And make it look good, and easy for anyone to make using standard-size materials and as few [tools and materials] as possible? That's a neat challenge and creative outlet." But it's also a labor of love, says Schoeneman, to "be able to make something of beauty out of something as basic as plywood."
His studio is either a workshop in his basement (that's where he makes all of his prototypes) or in the living room when his two sons are sleeping. "There are very few [places] to work without the kids around," he happily laments.

Prices for Shoeneman's plans range from $5 to $10. "Many customers who buy my plans are where I was 10 years ago -- just out of school and wanting nice things [for their homes]." He tries to create one new plan every month, but concedes that these days it's more like every other month. "Carving out the time is challenging. I have a ton of sketches just waiting to be either made or turned into plans. Between my day job as a mechanical engineer, and the family at home, there isn't a lot of time to devote to the furniture plans."

The fruits of his labor are thoughtfully green: "If you're making it in the US, you're only shipping materials within the country. Far cheaper than shipping pre-cut pieces from across the globe."