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Handcrafted in Bristol, Shared at the Cirencester Vintage & Artisan Market

Mila -the artist behind Freak Like Me standing behind a stand at the Cirencester Corn Hall Vintage and Artisan Market. The stand is displaying many leather and gemstone bracelets, handcrafted in Bristol, UK.

Last Sunday we packed up our leather bracelets, carefully selected gemstones and, of course, a good supply of coffee, and headed to the Vintage & Artisan Market in Cirencester.

And what a lovely day it was.

Cirencester has that rare blend of heritage and independent spirit – the kind of place where craftsmanship is noticed and conversations matter. From the moment the market opened, there was a gentle but steady flow of vintage enthusiasts, thoughtful shoppers and Sunday wanderers, all taking their time to explore something handmade and considered.

It felt like exactly the right setting for Freak Like Me.

We spent much of the day talking about gemstones – how each one is sourced, why every cabochon is entirely unique, and how our interchangeable design allows you to build a piece that grows with you. Watching customers try different leather colours, swap gemstones, and hold them up to the light to see the depth and inclusions is always a privilege.

There’s a quiet moment when someone finds “the one”. That never loses its magic.

It was also a pleasure to meet those who had discovered us online and were seeing the work in person for the first time. Feeling the weight of the leather and the texture of the stone brings a different understanding – something tactile and personal.

And then there were returning customers adding another stone to their collection. That means more than anything. It suggests these pieces are being worn, lived with and valued – not as passing trends, but as something lasting.

Days like Cirencester remind us why we began: to create honest, handcrafted jewellery that celebrates individuality and thoughtful making.

If you stopped by, thank you.
And if you’re still thinking about a particular piece, we’d love to welcome you online.

Mila x

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🌿 Hello and Welcome to The Illustrarium

Bouquet of colourful flowers next to an artist’s colour palette card with paint swatches.

Welcome to The Illustrarium! I’m Susie – an artist, illustrator, and maker based in rural Devon, where I’m endlessly inspired by the natural world around me. My studio looks out over the beautiful Devon countryside, and it’s from these everyday moments in nature that so many of my pieces begin.

Portrait of the artist inside a decorative hand-illustrated frame with florals, butterflies and botanical motifs.

Every design starts with a hand-drawn sketch – it’s the heart of my creative process. From there, I bring each artwork to life using a mix of watercolour, inks, and gouache, before refining the final piece in Photoshop. I love the rhythm of this process: drawing, painting, layering, and watching an idea slowly blossom into something joyful and full of colour.

My Creative Process

Hand-painted watercolour illustration of pink and yellow alstroemeria flowers beside brushes and a palette

Drawing has always been at the centre of my work. My sketchbooks are full of ideas – some botanical, some inspired by folklore or history, and some simply from imagination. This unicorn sketch is one of those pieces that began as a moment of storytelling on the page.

Colour inspiration usually begins with what I find around me – seasonal flowers, soft winter berries, the explosion of green growth along the Devon lanes in Spring, or a fascination with a period in history. I often mix fresh palettes directly from gathered blooms, exploring combinations until something sings.

Bouquet of colourful flowers next to an artist’s colour palette card with paint swatches.

🌸 Inspiration & My Visual World

I’m drawn to objects and details that hold stories – tiny treasures collected over time, pieces of history, textures, patterns, and colours that spark curiosity.

Bouquet of colourful flowers next to an artist’s colour palette card with paint swatches.

✨ What You’ll Find in My TBCH Shop

Everything you see here is designed by me and crafted with care. Quality and sustainability are incredibly important to me:

  • My art prints are produced using archival inks on beautiful 310gsm fine art paper

  • All stationery and cards are printed on FSC-certified paper

  • And every order is lovingly packaged in eco-friendly materials from my Devon studio

Eco-friendly packaging at The Illustrarium: pink tissue-wrapped parcels with patterned gift tags, twine, and studio tools.

In my TBCH shop, you’ll find a curated selection of illustrated art prints, greeting cards, eco-stationery, notebooks, notepads, bookmarks, and more. I’m also excited to be expanding my homewares selection soon too – tea towels are my first addition and I’m hoping to add cushions, washbags, and aprons featuring my signature hand-painted designs in the near future.

Handwritten message inside an illustrated greeting card, showing the artist’s personal touch.

One of my favourite personal touches is my handwritten message service: if you’d like to send a card directly to a loved one, I can handwrite your note inside.

My hope is that when your package arrives, it brings a small spark of joy to your day – and a touch of magic to your home.

theillustrarium-mosaic-pattern-inspiration.jpg

💌 Stay Connected

You’re warmly invited to visit my website if you’d like to stay connected – and if you join my mailing list, you’ll receive a 15% welcome discount to use here in my TBCH shop, along with early access to new artwork.

https://www.theillustrarium.com/newsletter

Thank you so much for being here and for supporting independent makers.


Susie x