About
Hello!
We are the couple behind The Cotswold Illustrated Company, formerly known as Cotswold Handmade Cards. I'm Lottie, the founder and creative one, Alex is the sales-ey one. (He also runs a company called Veritrec, so if you or your business need people in the Tech sector - send him a message!)
This little business started in 2021 when I created seeded greeting cards for a friend's wedding. I saw a gap in the market for a more 'sophisticated' design, so I drew simple and elegant monochrome designs with countryside themes and botanical elements, and printed them on handmade seeded paper, they ended up selling well, and so I ran with it!
I registered Cotswold Handmade Cards Ltd in February 2022 after receiving interest from a few big retailers. Our growth led us to expanding our wholesale market, attending trade shows, pop-ups and craft fairs, things were really taking off, it was all very exciting!
However, unfortunately, a health crisis in mid-2022 interrupted our plans when I underwent major surgery to remove a benign tumor from my spinal cord. Thanks to our wonderful NHS, I made a good, but long, recovery.
My creative side kept me sane on the difficult days, especially when I couldn't move around that much, so I'd draw! The recovery taught me to try and take a more relaxed approach to life (hmm, still learning) and to appreciate what you already have around you. We are incredibly lucky to live in an area surrounded by rich history, countryside, timeless style, and stunning architecture.
It seemed only natural that after a year and a half or so of illustrating Cotswold designs, to offer more gifts, homewares, and home decor pieces for lovely people who share the same passion for this beautiful place as we do!
In February 2024 we rebranded as The Cotswold Illustrated Company, and we cannot wait to share our new products with you. If you have some ideas or feedback for new products, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Thank you for your continued support.
Lottie
Lottie showcases her talents in illustration, design, crafting, printing, and packaging, all from her idyllic hometown nestled in the picturesque Oxfordshire Cotswolds, England. Follow her creative journey on Instagram as she meticulously creates illustrations, commissions and gifts.
When she's not immersed in her artistic pursuits, Lottie can be found tending to her garden, enjoying a meal out with friends, binging on a box set or wandering through the scenic Cotswolds countryside with her beloved long-haired rescue Chihuahua, Nancy.
When she's not immersed in her artistic pursuits, Lottie can be found tending to her garden, enjoying a meal out with friends, binging on a box set or wandering through the scenic Cotswolds countryside with her beloved long-haired rescue Chihuahua, Nancy.