Volodymyr & Kate / The team behind 21CNCStudio
Making things is how I started again.
I’m Volodymyr Papush, a Ukrainian maker based in the UK. My wife, Kate, and I are the team behind 21CNCStudio. I started the studio with a small laser and the experience I’d brought from my CNC workshop.
Over three years, I’ve gone from simple laser-cut designs to 3D-printed models, electronics and projects like Aura AQ.
Read the story
01 / The workshop I came from
It started with wood
and a CNC machine.
Before moving to the UK, I had my own workshop in Mariupol, Ukraine. There, I designed and made wooden projects with CNC machines.
When the full-scale war began, I had to leave my home and workshop behind. I started again from zero in the UK.
I bought a small diode laser and began designing again. My tools had changed, but I still cared about how parts fit, how mechanisms move and how someone would assemble each model.
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02 / Sharing the designs
Finding my feet
on Etsy.
I started selling my laser-cut designs on Etsy. Those early sales helped me get back on my feet and return to the work I love. As the shop grew, I saw more of you turn those files into finished models in your own workshops.
I love reading your reviews and seeing photos of your builds. They give me ideas for new models and the motivation to keep designing.
Visit my Etsy shop- Sales
- 15,000+
- Reviews
- 2,000+
- Average rating
- 4.9 / 5
Main 21CNCStudio Etsy shop / November 2026
03 / Three years of making
From laser models
to Aura AQ.
I began with simple laser-cut designs. Big Boy marked a turning point as I took on more complex models. Then, thanks to Bambu Lab and MakerWorld’s support for creators, I discovered the world of 3D printing. It gave me another way to build moving parts and explore new shapes.
Sharing my work on MakerWorld and seeing the response to Aura AQ changed the direction of my work. I began spending more time on devices, electronics and software. With Aura, I could work on all three in one project.
Laser-cut models
Pagoda Tower Lamp
A wooden pagoda lamp with tiered roofs and illuminated windows. Explore the project on MakerWorld.
3D printing
Garden Races
RC vehicles you can print, assemble and drive. Explore the 3D printing collection.
Devices & software
Aura AQ
A touchscreen air-quality monitor with a printed enclosure. Explore the wider Aura ecosystem.
04 / The other half of the team
Kate.
My wife and my teammate at 21CNCStudio.
Kate has her own career in the beauty industry. As she followed my work, she became more interested in the projects and gradually got involved herself.
We develop the designs and plan the marketing together. Kate also films and edits our videos. I have a feeling we’ll be working on 21CNCStudio full-time together before long.
- 01
- Design development
- 02
- Marketing
- 03
- Filming & video editing
05 / What comes next
Thank you for making
this possible.
Your support lets me work full-time on the projects I love.
Thank you to everyone who has bought a design, shared a build or supported a project.
Aura AQ is growing into an ecosystem. I’m working on more projects in that direction and look forward to sharing them with you.
I’m still making laser-cut models, too. You can find some of my latest designs on MakerWorld.
If you enjoy DIY, follow us for new projects, videos and a look at what we’re making. I’d love to see you there.