I can hardly believe that here we are in the middle of November - and somehow autumn has completely passed me by. 🍁 Between preparing for festive markets, building my new shop on The British Craft House, and keeping up with all the day-to-day parts of running a creative business, the weeks have just disappeared. I always imagine autumn as a time to slow down, paint, and savour the changing light - but this year it’s been all lists, packaging, and planning instead! Still, it’s been a season full of new beginnings and lovely momentum for The Illustrarium, and I’m so excited to share a little update on what’s been happening behind the scenes.
Packaging with Care
Every parcel is carefully wrapped in eco-friendly materials before it leaves my studio - it’s like sending a little piece of joy out into the world.
✨ A New Home on The British Craft House
One of the most exciting things to happen this season has been opening my shop on The British Craft House. It’s been such a joy to join their community of British makers and to have a space that feels perfectly suited to The Illustrarium - warm, artisanal, and dedicated to handmade quality.
My shop there brings together many of my illustrated designs, from stationery and bookmarks to prints and homeware, all created with care and eco-friendly materials. I’m adding new pieces each week, and it already feels like a lovely creative home for my work.
New Designs & Collections
I’ve been adding to my range of products - in the next few weeks, you should be able to find the same design across multiple items in my shop.
🪶 New Designs on the Way
Behind the scenes, I’ve been working on lots of fresh ideas and product updates.
New illustrated bookmarks are coming soon, each printed on 350gsm FSC-certified recycled card, double-sided, and finished with a choice of tassel colours. I’ve also designed new notebooks and greeting cards, which are currently in production - I can’t wait to share them once they arrive!
New Bookmarks
My latest bookmark designs as always, are printed on recycled card and finished with tassels in coordinating colours - perfect for gifting or keeping.
🎄 Markets & Meeting Customers
The past few months have been full of real-world connections too. In September, I took part in the John Lewis Exeter Pop-Up - such a wonderful experience that I’ll always treasure. It was my first time setting up a display in a large retail space, and I learnt so much in the process. Preparing for it made me think more deeply about how I present my work - from choosing cohesive colour palettes and fabrics to designing layouts that tell a story.
One of my favourite parts was seeing everything come together on the day - framed art, cushions, cards, and textiles all side by side. It felt like a little snapshot of The Illustrarium brought to life. Meeting customers face-to-face was also incredibly special; hearing which pieces resonated most reminded me how meaningful handmade art can be when it connects with someone personally.
I came away feeling inspired and full of ideas for future displays and collections - and with a fresh appreciation for all the tiny details that make a stall or pop-up feel inviting. 🌿
A Special Experience
My John Lewis Exeter Pop-Up was such a lovely milestone - I learnt so much about display and loved meeting customers face to face.
Now I’m turning my attention to the festive season, with a lovely line-up of events ahead:
Rural Living Show, Taunton – 22–23 November
Blundells Prep Christmas Market, Tiverton – 29 November
Dartington Christmas Fair – 5–7 December
Ashley Court Christmas Market – 13–14 December
If you’re local, I’d love to see you at one of these markets - it’s always so special meeting people who’ve followed my work online and seeing their reactions in person.
Festive Events
I’ll be out and about across Devon and Somerset this winter - here’s where you can find me and my work in person.
🖌 Behind the Scenes & Looking Ahead
With all these new developments, I haven’t had much time to sit and paint lately - and I’ve really missed that part of my creative rhythm. My goal for the New Year is to carve out time for new artwork and to launch an online sale of original pieces in early 2026.
I’m also delighted to now have a selection of my fine-art prints available through Artfully Walls, a platform dedicated to curated art prints from independent artists. It’s beautifully curated and ships internationally. At the moment, I’m not personally posting orders to the USA, though I’m hoping to change that soon. In the meantime, if you’re based in the US, you can find two of my prints available to purchase directly via Artfully Walls. And when I have a little more time in the New Year, I’m planning to submit a few more of my prints to their collection. 🌿
Work in Progress
My brushes have taken a little rest lately, but I’m looking forward to returning to this piece - one of many pieces I’ve been working on.
🖌 Secret Sale Collectors List
Lately, my brushes have had to take a little rest while I focus on markets and orders - but my sketchbooks are full of ideas waiting patiently for January. This Blue Tit & Wild Roses painting is one of them, and I’m looking forward to picking it back up when studio time becomes calm again.
I’m also planning a little Secret Studio Sale in the New Year - a quiet online event where subscribers will have early access to a few of my original paintings and studio treasures. Sign up below if you’d like to be one of the first to know when this goes live.
💌 The Smallest Details
Sometimes it’s the simplest gestures that mean the most. I recently shared a little video of myself handwriting messages inside my greeting cards - something I offer as an optional service when customers purchase a card. It’s one of my favourite parts of what I do, and I love knowing that my handwriting can help send a thoughtful note to someone special.
A Personal Touch
I absolutely love handwriting messages inside my cards - it’s one of my favourite ways to make each order feel special.
🌸 A Gentle Close
As we move from autumn into winter, I’m reminded that creativity often grows quietly behind the scenes - even during busy seasons. I’m so grateful for everyone who continues to follow my journey, whether through Etsy, The British Craft House, or in person at the markets.
Thank you for supporting handmade and for helping small businesses like mine thrive.
Here’s to a cosy, creative winter ahead.
✨ Susie x
The Illustrarium