Etsy's Handmade Blog
About Us: Adrian a.k.a. adrian1
Story by adrian1, Vanessa
Published on September 18, 2009 in Etc 		Photo by

Vanessa

Adrian, a.k.a. adrian1, has been a steady member of the Support Team since November of 2006, one of the first Admin to be hired. He's always worked part time, and so he is a bit of a mysterious, though charming, figure around the Etsy offices. His fingernails often caked with paint, this artist/Etsy Admin moonlighter always seems absorbed in his work and ready to share his thoughtful take on support issues. 



Fun Facts:

  • Adrian is a painter and a graduate of the New York Studio School's Master's program in fine arts. Matt describes him as an "really good, intense painter." Adam says that at one point, Adrian's studio had no heat, though he carried on painting, bundled in a coat and gloves.
  • He's also a great musician.
  • In her previous job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Erin brought Adrian to draw every Monday when the Museum was closed to the public. Once they stayed so late they got in trouble with a guard and were kicked out. Erin adds that Adrian could teach anyone a lot about art.
  • Adrian used to be the Admin in charge of MATURE content and spent his days looking at these items.
  • Because he only works part time, he'll sometimes look at you and not quite remember your name. Dan gripes that Adrian only knows one story about Dan and brings it up every time he sees him. (The story involves our former receptionist Jakob smooching Dan in the elevator.)
  • Jason mentions Adrian's peculiar habit of using Youtube as a radio station.
  • Claire notes that he was featured in GQ magazine last year in a style shoot where he was "the New York painter."
  • The Support Team acknowledges that his desk is filthy. From Claire's vantage point, all she can see is 1.5 liter Poland Spring water bottles littering his desk.
  • Lauren points out that Adrian has always worked part time at Etsy, which is rare, especially considering that he's worked here longer than most Admin.
  • After inviting himself to Danielle and Jim's wedding (Adrian loves weddings!), he didn't even show up because he was in Italy. (As Danielle put it, "He goes to Italy like it's going out of style." And Italy never goes out of style.)
  • He came to Etsy through Matt (like many of us). His graduate school friend and fellow painter Erin came along on the interview and that's how she was hired as well.
  • His mom went to school with Matt and Emily's moms.He's family friends with Jakob.
  • Adrian comes from an illustrious family — artistically and politically — from D.C. and Cambridge. His father is the head of Brookings Institute.
  • His grandfather Constantino Nivola was a famous Italian sculptor. Adrian is actually in Sardinia right now overseeing the dedication of a park in honor of him. Adrian was close with him as a child and fondly recalls his grandfather playing country music while he worked.
  • When he's in Italy, he has 50 cousins who all want to party with him all night long.
  • Claire overhears him talking on the phone in Italian — and it's pretty much a steady stream of "Bene...Va bene."
  • His first attempts at drawing maps were "a disgrace," according to Time Magazine.
  • Adrian once gave ProjectMatt a bottle of lotion and to this day, he has no idea why.
  • Adrian is a very private person.
  • Dan adds, "WTF is up with this guy?"
  • His nephew Sam is totally into Thunder Chicken and dressed as the cartoon for Halloween one year.
  • ProjectMatt also notes Adrian's longstanding love for cereal.
  • However, Emily points out that Adrian went to Luciano's Restaurant, one of the few restaurants across the street from the old Etsy office and which he referred to as Lucky Luke's, everyday for lunch — even though it made him sick.
  • He's like a beautiful Roman statue, but more hirsute.
  • He loves eating sweets and reciting poetry.
  • Adrian has a nice, earnest way about him — he's very smart but seems like he always just woke up from a nap.
  • He always gives an insightful view into a Support situation. Lauren gave him the nickname Mr. Sensitive Ponytail because of his special gift of empathy.

Here's young gentleman Adrian looking like he has his hands full with a teen girlfriend.

What a little doll! He looks like an illustration in a children's book.


Etsy has had quite a growth spurt in the past few years, and we have the awkward pictures to prove it. We've been posting a series of About Us pieces to help you get to know the Etsy admin (and since many of us are new, for the admin to get to know each other!). You've seen the admin badge, and maybe you're a bit curious about the person behind it! For more on Etsy's mission and about the company, please see our About page. (The link is in the little blue footer of every Etsy page.)

Tags About Us, admin, Adrian Nivola, art, artist, Cambridge, employee, Etc, ETC, Italian, Massachusetts, painter, Sardegna, Sardinia, staff, Support Team, Washington D.C., work
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71 comments     Login to add your own!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. VintageEyeFashion

those osh kosh overalls are too cute!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. thebestvintage

Your company profiles are so great!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. mcfunley

I once saw Adrian eat a plate of peanut butter using a knife. Seriously wtf.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. ColorfulCasual

It's nice to meet you, Adrian!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:18 p.m. WoodPigeon

I love these biographies!
Continuing to paint despite not having heat is intense!
PS *what a cute baby picture*

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:25 p.m. ParadiseBodyShop

I love these "About Us" pages!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. spacejam

cool article

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. emilybidwell

Adrian still makes that face seen here in his baby picture! soooo cute. I have loved working with Adrian...such a thoughtful and intelligent person. Love this "About"!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ByTheBy

Hi Adrian! Nice to meet you!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. smashgirl

I love cereal too!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. TheCottageCheese

What a cutie pie.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. objecked

omgosh those curls in those oshkosh.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. tinyleaves

interesting story...love the oshkosh

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:52 p.m. hollypaints

He ate a plate of peanut butter using only a knife? He is definitely hardcore then.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. BeadinBabe

Ha, Love this! I love the picture when he was little! Such a doll!! Nice to meet you Adrian. :)

Sept. 18, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. pandawithcookie

We're going to need follow up on the small flying machines.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. Littlestenographer

I love this series! I used to think I was the only one who uses youtube as a radio station.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. girltuesdayjewelry

Beautiful paintings, Adrian! Good luck with your art and nice to meet you!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. lovelygifts

Adrian sounds like an interesting person. Nice to hear about the Etsy staff. It puts a face behind a name.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. lorilooms

Question - Do you eat cereal out of the monster GIANT bowls? Oh, and Luv the curls shot ;)

Sept. 18, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. minihorse

the "about us" articles are my favorite part of the storque. i use youtube as a radio station, too :)

Sept. 18, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. SimpleJoysPaperie

Nice to meet you Adrian!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. BabbidgePatch

How delightful to meet Adrian :) thanks for the series!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. emilybidwell

Oh - almost forgot! When adrian was researching mature listings on etsy he was in the habit of printing out a heck of lot of these images to use as examples. One time I went to a meeting with Maria (http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news...) and she ended up with like 5 photographic nude pictures in her stack of papers for the meeting!....um those belong to Adrian...for "research"...HAHA

Sept. 18, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. lisaroy

Great to meet Adrian!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. BlueGremlin

hahaha mr sensitive ponytail....i know some of those guys. nice to meet you adrian, i also like to eat sweets.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. ooty

nice to meet you =0)

Sept. 18, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. ChloesRuffleButt

Hi Adrian, nice to meet you! You look like fun!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. VixVintage

Thanks for sharing Adrian!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. tootsweethandbags

"what do you find yourself buying on etsy?"
"mostly things for my baby nephew"

AAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

etsy-love,
Elisa and Diana

Sept. 18, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. odiliafu

Hi Adrian, nice to meet you! Love your cute little doll picture. :)

Sept. 18, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. blueberryshoes

adrian you seem like a nice friend! oh and i want your tween girlfriend's dress.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. paramountvintage

adrian are you a minimalist??? i love your straight forward answers.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. SeaFindDesigns

Hi Adrian! Love that there's so many Etsy Bostonians!!!!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. warpedLaurie

It is so great to get to know the staff, nice that computer land has real folks behind a keyboard. And they love to craft as well, nice to meet you Adrian.

Sept. 18, 2009 at 5 p.m. PipocaHandmade

I think this is the 'tidiest' interview sheet I have seen! Sweet and simple...very nice!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 5:04 p.m. QuiltFinger

Very funny about! I loved Emily's humorous additions!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 5:29 p.m. mermaidclaire

Mi dispiace, Adrian! I don't think I'm one to talk about messy desks...it is a pleasure being your desk neighbor, bellissimo!!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. zwzzy

Italians do it better! ;D Yay!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. MagicMarkingsArt

The few pieces of art shown in the Belgravia Gallery are a testimony to Adrian's skills and his passion for painting. Great interview!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 6:58 p.m. bhangtiez

Fun facts! Nice 2 c a face w/ the ETSY behind the scenes world!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 7:02 p.m. crochetgal

I absolutely love this series! Its nice to be able to 'meet' all the fabulous Etsians...

Sept. 18, 2009 at 8:05 p.m. bylynnkrestel

greetings adrian!
i love reading comments from your workmates...the truth comes out!!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 8:44 p.m. WickedDarling

Hey Adrian! I love these articles! :P

Sept. 18, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. SkyDreams

i love this series!
hi, adrian!~

Sept. 18, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. Xenotees

These are always so cool to read! Are you related to Alessandro Nivola, Adrian? I think he's from Boston & you kind of have a resemblance... (I mean that in a good way!!)

Yay, I learned a new word too:
"He's like a beautiful Roman statue, but more hirsute." Hirsute = hairy! Oh my!

Sept. 18, 2009 at 11:30 p.m. KisforCalligraphy

I, too, was curious about the word Hirsute. Thanks for the definition, N! Cheers to another fun staff read! A pleasure to meet you Adrian.

Sept. 19, 2009 at 4:46 a.m. eclipse

"Adrian used to be the Admin in charge of MATURE content and spent his days looking at these items."

*sings*
it's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it...

Sept. 19, 2009 at 5:28 a.m. steinschmuckdesign

Hi Adrian,
nice to meet you:)
Thanks for sharing!!

Sept. 19, 2009 at 5:37 a.m. Tias

Hello Adrian!

Sept. 19, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. FlanneryCrane

Nice to meet you. Continue always with your art...

Nice eyebrows too!

Sept. 19, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. 1AEON

hiii!
what happened with that blonde girl?

Sept. 19, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. baconsquarefarm

Nice to meet you adrian~ love the pic in the bib's from oshkosh, such big brown eyes you have. Interesting pic of you in the park with the girl? Keep up your art and neato you have come from famous artists in Italy like your grandfather Constantino Nivola~! Enjoyed reading a bit of your life, again nice to meet ya.

Sept. 19, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. prettycraftything

adrian, you are adorable

Sept. 20, 2009 at 5:08 a.m. Maykela

Hi Adrian!

Sept. 20, 2009 at 6:18 a.m. CheekyLemur

Molto bene!!

Sept. 20, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. LoveMeKnotCreations

haha emily (re: mature papers for the meeting) :)

i love these storque articles!

Sept. 20, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. momomadeit

bene!

Sept. 20, 2009 at 7:17 p.m. stubborndog

Love these features. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Sept. 20, 2009 at 8:41 p.m. designlab443

Oh Adrian, I'm digging the suspenders and rolled up jeans, you were a cool kid, I can tell.

Sept. 20, 2009 at 8:57 p.m. oldfarm

What can I say!

Sept. 20, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. OwlandMouse

I use youtube as a radio station too!

Sept. 21, 2009 at 3:35 a.m. sivansart

A pleasure to meet you Adrian.come and meet me to,you will find my things fun to look at.

Sept. 21, 2009 at 4:19 a.m. GreenTease

Luv findin out about those who run the site!! Nice to know they are fello artisans...

Sept. 21, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. LadyLuLus

Great article!

Sept. 21, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. DalkullanJewelry

Hi Adrian! The pic of you as a little boy is so darling, reminds me of when my son was little. Thanks for the article!

Sept. 21, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. adrian1

Thanks, everyone for the nice comments. It's great to meet you too.

Sept. 21, 2009 at 1:29 p.m. adrian1

"Adrian used to be the Admin in charge of MATURE content and spent his days looking at these items."

It was strange going to work as a voyeur every day...

Sept. 21, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. AutumnLeavesJewelry

Nice to meet you! Spidercamp is one of my favorite shops, makes great gifts for the holidays! I can only imagine what the fuzzy image is :O

Oct. 2, 2009 at 12:51 p.m. goober1473

How come we can't heart this or add him to favorites?? lol x

Oct. 4, 2009 at 7:12 p.m. belladansuer

I think I might be in love with Adrian! Wow! What a guy! Is that even possible? Still, at least nice to make his acquaintence:-)

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