In a world that can sometimes feel dark or dull, this is a space for celebrating creative women in the UK who fill life with light, love, colour, and joy. For supporting the hobbyists, the side-hustlers, and the full-time makers; encouraging their one-time projects and their life-long passions. For the painters, the writers, the content creators. The crafters, the florists, and the weekend bakers. It’s for you all. For being creative for creative’s sake (i.e. being creative for the simple joy of creating), but more than that… for being creative for creatives’ sake (for the wellbeing of creatives).

The Blog
Lucy from Illucetrate
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Lucy from Illucetrate, self-taught artist with a focus on pet portraits

Our first Friday Feature of 2025 is the incredibly talented (and equally lovely) Lucy from Illucetrate. Lucy is a self-taught artist, hand-painting bespoke pet-portraits and other commissions. Lucy started painting again as a way to keep her occupied during a difficult time in her life. She then grew that creative hobby into the most wonderful and inspiring small business. So let’s find out more about her… What first got you interested in painting? In all honesty, and my family will say this on my behalf, I truly think I was born with a creative streak! After showing an interest in drawing and colouring from the moment I could hold a

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Create It Yourself Valentine's & Galentine's cover image with hearts and lobster pattern background
Create It Yourself Features

Create It Yourself Feature: Valentine’s & Galentine’s Projects

With the 14th of February just a couple of weeks away, we’re going all heart-eyes here at FCS with this month’s Create It Yourself Feature being all about Valentine’s and Galentine’s projects. Each creative project is perfect for making your other half or best friend feel loved up. Handmake them a finished piece, or give them the gift of a creative kit they can enjoy themselves. Alternatively, why not show yourself a bit of love and create something special just for you.  Here is our little selection of projects we think are perfect for celebrating Valentine’s and Galentine’s day (all designed by wonderful creative women with small businesses here in

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6 ideas for a creative January illustrations
Monthly Motivation

Monthly Motivation – 6 ideas for a creative January

Whether you’re itching to get back into routine again after the festivities of last month, or you’re slowly easing into the year, some gentle creativity could be just what you need to start 2025 on the right path. So, while it’s freezing outside, and the evenings are still dark, get cosy inside and maybe try one of our 6 ideas for a creative January. 6 ideas for a creative January 1. Decorate a journal. Remember when you had to cover all of your school-books to protect them? And, if you were lucky, you were allowed to use stickers and colourful wrapping paper to make them really personalised and fun? Well,

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Fi from Creative Stationery London in a gorgeous patterned jacket
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Fi from Creative Stationery London, creator of luxury handcrafted stationery

This week’s Friday Feature, and the last one of 2024, is the lovely Fi from Creative Stationery London. Fi creates luxury handcrafted stationery (yes, you read that right… handcrafted!) with a focus on purpose-filled pieces – designed to be used well, not just admired on your shelf. Each item of stationery is made by Fi herself, and many of them can even be personalised. We asked Fi some questions to get to know more about the incredible woman behind the inspiring small business… What does being creative mean to you? To me, it’s my outlet. It lets my mind process things, when I’m doing things more repetitively, but it’s also

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Louise from Two For Joy Illustration
Friday Features

Friday Feature: Louise from Two For Joy Illustration, creator of cheerfully illustrated cards & stationery

This week’s Friday Feature is the ever so creative, Louise from Two For Joy Illustration. Louise is an award winning (very rightly so!) illustrator and designer – with a focus on cheerful cards and stationery… although, as you’ll read in her interview below, it sounds like she might expand into other products in the coming years, which is a bit exciting! Let’s get started… What inspires your creativity? So many different things. I would say I’m design-led, so i create a range of illustrations around maybe something topical – like my love for postboxes – or an idea I’ve had for a clever card (Like my children’s cards which all

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10 ideas for a creative December illustrations
Monthly Motivation

Monthly Motivation – 10 ideas for a creative December

Ah, December… the month when festive spirit takes over and handmade creations really come into their own. Whether you fancy making your own Christmas gifts for loved ones this year, or you need a moment of creative me-time amongst the chaos – we’ve got ten ideas to have yourself a very creative December. 10 ideas for a creative December 1. Create a mocktail. With lots of merriment around at this time of year, why not experiment with some new mocktail flavours and bring some festive cheer to your December – without the headache! Berries are great for their rich Christmassy colour. Winter spices, especially mixed with apple or orange, give

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