Russ in Motion — For Makers

Your craft deserves a handmade digital presence.

I build websites for people who build things with their hands. As a woodworker, fiction author, and developer with 20+ years of experience, I understand what it takes to translate physical craftsmanship into a digital experience that feels just as intentional.

Maker to maker

I've built furniture, designed for LEGO, and worked with the Smithsonian. I understand materials, process, and the patience that good work requires — because I do it myself.

Not an agency

No account managers, no upsells, no fifteen-person calls. One person who understands your craft and handles your entire digital presence.

Built to last

Next.js, Shopify, clean code. Your site will be fast, accessible, and designed to grow with your business — not lock you into someone else's platform.

How we work together

A complete digital storefront designed around your craft. Not a template with your logo dropped in — a custom build that communicates the same care you put into your work. I handle the design, the code, the product photography direction, and the copywriting so you can stay focused on making.

What’s included
Custom Shopify or Next.js storefront
Product photography direction & art direction
Brand narrative & copywriting for your story
Mobile-first, conversion-optimized design
E-commerce setup — payments, shipping, inventory
SEO foundation & analytics so you can track what's working

Common questions

I already have an Etsy shop. Do I need my own site?

Etsy is great for discovery, but you're renting space on someone else's platform — and paying 6.5% per sale for the privilege. Your own site lets you own the customer relationship, keep higher margins, and build a brand that's yours. Many of my clients run both, using Etsy as a funnel and their own site as the destination.

I'm not very technical. Will I be able to update the site myself?

That's the whole point of the partnership model. You don't have to. Send me a photo and a sentence and I'll handle the rest. But if you want to update things yourself, I'll build it so you can — with a simple CMS and clear instructions.

How is this different from hiring a web design agency?

An agency will assign a project manager, a designer, a developer, and maybe a copywriter — none of whom have ever held a chisel. I'm one person who builds furniture in the morning and websites in the afternoon. That means less overhead, faster communication, and someone who actually understands why your work matters.

What if I only need help for a few months?

The partnership retainer is month-to-month. No long-term contracts. If you need an initial build and a few months of support to get established, that works. If you want ongoing help year-round, that works too.

Background
Creative Director, LEGOForum One → Smithsonian, NEA20+ years frontend developmentNext.js · React · Tailwind · ShopifyFiction authorProfessional voiceoverWoodworker & makerColumbia University

Let’s talk about your work.

No pitch, no pressure. Just a conversation between two people who care about making things well.

Russ in Motion · Alexandria, VA