SmallishBeans

The Minecraft Creator Behind the Screen

SmallishBeans, known to his community simply as Joel, has built one of Minecraft's most engaging channels through nearly two decades of consistent content creation. Born Joel Beans on June 29, 1993, in North Yorkshire, England, the 32-year-old YouTuber has transformed from a teenager making gaming videos into a cornerstone of the Minecraft creator ecosystem^[1]^[3]. His channel, which launched on October 5, 2008, now reaches approximately 4 million subscribers and has accumulated over 1 billion total views across his video library^[1]^[10].

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From RuneScape to Minecraft Empire

Joel's journey into content creation began years before his Minecraft fame. His original YouTube venture in 2007 focused on RuneScape videos under a different channel name, though he later created the SmallishBeans identity in 2008 when his preferred username "small beans" was already taken on Xbox Live^[5]. Early content centered on Call of Duty montages, where he developed his editing style and community engagement approach^[5]. The transition to Minecraft came organically, and his channel evolved into a hub for creative builds, collaborative series, and entertaining gameplay that resonates with audiences worldwide.

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Signature Style and Community Presence

What distinguishes SmallishBeans is his ability to balance ambitious projects with approachable humor. His long-standing Shrek Minecraft skin, originally chosen because he played the film's soundtrack during early Call of Duty videos, became an iconic part of his brand identity^[1]. Despite maintaining this recognizable aesthetic, Joel refreshed his look around 2020 with a green-haired character while keeping the Shrek costume as a nod to his origins^[1].

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His involvement with the Hermitcraft server since Season 11 has showcased his technical building skills and collaborative spirit. Videos like "Colourful Starter Base!" and "Secret Laboratory!" demonstrate his talent for creating visually striking structures with functional depth^[2]^[8]. Beyond Hermitcraft, he participates in various life series and challenge videos, including the recent "Past Life" series where players navigate Minecraft's beta versions with limited lives^[4].

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Personal Life and Partnerships

Joel's personal and professional worlds intersect beautifully with his marriage to fellow creator LDShadowLady (Elizabeth Dwyer). The couple began dating in early 2012, got engaged in November 2017, and married in May 2019^[3]. In August 2025, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, though they maintain privacy regarding her details out of respect for their family's boundaries^[6]. This balance of transparency and privacy has earned them respect within the creator community, where Joel's introverted nature contrasts with his bold on-screen persona^[1].

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Multi-Platform Engagement

While YouTube remains his primary platform, SmallishBeans maintains an active presence across multiple channels. His Twitch streams reach dedicated audiences, and he operates a second YouTube channel, @SmallishStreams, specifically for VOD content^[2]. On Twitter, he engages with over 481,000 followers through humorous observations and community updates, maintaining the self-deprecating humor that defines his brand^[6]. His Instagram account provides glimpses into his life beyond gaming, including the announcement of his daughter's birth in June 2025^[9].

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Channel Performance and Influence

Analytics platforms consistently rank SmallishBeans among top-tier gaming creators. With an estimated monthly income ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 and a subscriber base exceeding 4 million, his channel demonstrates sustained growth and engagement^[7]^[10]. HypeAuditor places him at #1631 worldwide among YouTube influencers as of December 2025, reflecting his significant impact within the gaming content landscape^[7]. His videos average around 45 minutes in length, suggesting deep audience investment in his content style^[10].

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