At Whimseybox we eat, sleep and breathe DIY and craft, and so does our community. This, our first quarterly trend report, was created by analyzing the content posted, shared and consumed on whimseybox.com. We track every search, share, click and comment in our efforts to build the best place for people to find DIY inspiration and buy craft supplies online. Read on for a glimpse into what’s in, what’s out and what’s next.

1. S U M M E R 2 0 1 4
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X

2. • Designs + Motifs
• Colors + Textures
• Techniques + Materials
• Project Types
C O N T E N T S
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
I N T R O D U C T I O N
At Whimseybox we eat, sleep and breathe DIY and craft, and so does our
community. This, our first quarterly trend report, was created by analyzing the
content posted, shared and consumed on whimseybox.com. We track every
search, share, click and comment in our efforts to build the best place for people
to find DIY inspiration and buy craft supplies online. Read on for a glimpse into
what’s in, what’s out and what’s next.
Alicia DiRago
Founder and CEO, Whimseybox
• DIY/Craft Blog Trends
• Social Media Trends
• Supply Trends
• Contact

3. • fruit, esp. pineapples,
watermelon
• florals, palms
• scalloped edges
• flamingos
• camping, outdoor
exploration
• constellations, stars
• pom poms
• donuts, popsicles
• dip-dye, color block
• typographic designs
• geometric shapes
and patterns incl.
triangles, hexagons
• diamond and gem
shapes
• arrows
• polka dots
• tassels
• chevron
• animal busts, deer
heads
• nautical
• rhinestones and
glitter
• circus
• subway art
• glasses
• moustaches
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
D E S I G N S + M O T I F S
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X

4. • marble
• copper
• rose gold
• pastels, mint green,
peachy pink
• mixed wood veneers
• light wood
• yellow gold
• high contrast black +
white
• brown kraft paper
• neons
• burlap
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
C O L O R S + T E X T U R E S
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X

5. • weaving
• piñatas
• honeycomb tissue
balls
• origami
• multi-surface paints
• electronic cutting
machines
• simple scrapbooking
systems
• washi tape
• cement/concrete
• macrame
• succulents
• agate
• paper straws
• chalkboard paint
• mason jars
• baker‘s twine
• leather
• watercolor
• block printing
• animal/dinosaur
figures
• letterpress
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
T E C H N I Q U E S + M AT E R I A L S
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X

6. • party crafts
• cake toppers
• diy games, dominoes
• apothecary crafts, diy
skincare, diy haircare
• arm knitting, finger
knitting
• pennants, banners
• floral crafts
• cocktail related crafts
• photo booth
backdrops
• gift wrap
• calligraphy, hand
lettering
• marquee signs
• home + office decor
• bracelets, friendship
bracelets
• string art
• garlands
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
P R O J E C T T Y P E S
W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X

7. W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
D I Y / C R A F T B L O G T R E N D S
• Style over Substance – The increasing popularity of very simple projects that are
expertly styled (ie, decorating purchased baked goods). Possibly driven by the fast pace
and competitive nature of blogging, what these projects may lack in technique and
complexity they make up for with on-trend designs and professional quality
photography.
• Studio Spaces – As blogging matures and revenue models evolve many creative
bloggers are moving into studio spaces outside their homes where they can also host
events, work with contributors and have additional space for creating content.
• Holiday Craft Mania – While holidays have always served as inspirations for craft
projects, we’re seeing projects posted earlier and earlier as bloggers work to be the first
to get their ideas out there and capitalize on traffic from social sites like Pinterest and
links from other blogs. In addition, even the most minor of ‘holidays’ like National
Doughnut Day can drive flurries of posts and projects.
• Circles of Influence – As the blogosphere has become increasingly saturated by
creators, bloggers are teaming up to get their content seen. These small, informal
networks of bloggers are often made up of friends who share a similar aesthetic and
may have connected at industry conferences or events. They cross-promote one
another’s content through regular weekly features, linky parties or inclusion in round up
posts.

8. W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
S O C I A L M E D I A T R E N D S
• Pinterest’s Reign Continues – Pinterest continues to be the dominant social channel for
highly visual DIY/craft content and content creators recognize its importance by
creating graphics specifically designed to attract repins by using vertical images,
composites and adding text overlays. Joining Pinterest group boards is another
popular strategy, and up-and-coming services like Ahalogy and Tailwind help optimize
Pinterest performance.
• The Importance of Instagram – Related to the Style Over Substance trend, Instagram
has become a leading platform for bloggers to promote content and connect with their
audience, despite the fact that it lacks the features to drive meaningful traffic.
• Facebook Falling – The crowded news feed (Facebook reports some users could have
up to 15k items in their feed each day) has led to a steady decline in organic reach of
Facebook business pages that’s leaving many bloggers and businesses frustrated. While
Facebook recommends supplementing standard content sharing with advertising,
brands and publishers are seeking out alternative channels to connect with their
audience.
• Verticalization? – In response to above problem, a nascent trend being watched in
technology circles are vertically-focused businesses that cater to a specific interest area
with features and tools designed just for the needs of the community. (For example,
houzz.com for the home design market.) Will this approach work for DIY/craft?

9. W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
S U P P L Y T R E N D S
• Under an Hour – Supplies that make a big impact in a short time like spray
paint, fabric dye, iron-on transfers, metal leaf and air dry clay are in-demand.
• Project Kits – While always a staple of the craft industry, project kits are
becoming more mainstream. Designed to help aspiring crafters cross the
gap between inspiration and action these kits are mostly sold directly online
(Whimseybox, For the Makers, Darby Smart, Makers Kit) but are also starting
to pop up in physical retailers.
• Beyond the Craft Store – A hallmark of the DIY movement, creators continue
to expand their search for supplies beyond the craft store into hardware,
clothing and furniture stores, flower markets, specialty retailers and vintage
shops.
• Edible Décor – Food crafts have moved beyond the cake + cupcake but
remain popular as supplies are now used to decorate a variety of sweets +
savories.

10. W H I M S E Y B O X . C O M @ W H I M S E Y B O X
C O N T A C T U S
Whimseybox Inc.
1738 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
whimseybox.com
If you write about DIY/craft
on your blog, check out
Whimseybox Influencer, the
affiliate technology we
created specifically to help
craft bloggers and publishers
monetize their content.
whimseybox.com/influencer
Promote your products to a
highly target market of
DIY/craft influencers and
consumers. We offer a wide
variety of marketing
opportunities incl sponsored
content, email marketing,
sampling and more.
whimseybox.com/brands
For media inquiries, contact
alicia@whimseybox.com.
Logos and other brand assets
available for download at
brandfolder.com/whimseybox