Once Upon a Time
The Story of Thistle and Bard
Welcome, traveller. If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’re a dreamer, a wanderer, or perhaps even a chronic scribbler of quests and stories. At Thistle and Bard, we make gifts for you—the adventurers, the collectors, and the storytellers who never quite left the fantasy worlds behind.
Born in 2020 from a kitchen table cluttered with sketches, paint pots, and far too many notebooks, Thistle and Bard began as a small creative escape. What started as a few magical prints and an illustrated journal soon evolved into a full realm of enchanting, fantasy-inspired products—each designed to bring a little more magic into your everyday life.
Thistle and Bard is more than just pretty things. Every design is drawn with intention, and every product—whether it’s a soft hoodie, a journal, or a pin
—is chosen for comfort, sustainability, and quality. We work with UK-based
and ethical suppliers wherever possible, ensuring your magic doesn't come at the cost of the real world.
Our collections span mythical worlds, gothic courts, lost lagoons, prehistoric playgrounds and more. Whether you're slipping dinosaur stickers into your DnD campaign journal, gifting a mermaid pin to a friend, or wrapping a birthday surprise in fantasy-themed gift wrap, we want each piece to spark delight.
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Over five years, we’ve grown, stumbled, pivoted, and kept going. The world has changed a lot—but our mission hasn’t. We want to be your favourite shop for fantasy stationery, gifts, and sustainable clothing that doesn’t feel mass-produced.
We know how isolating it can feel chasing your own creative quests. That’s why every product from Thistle and Bard carries a spark of encouragement: a reminder that your stories, your imagination, and your magic matter.
Crafted for dreamers and made with care
A Brand Built for a Long Quest!
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Who's Behind the Curtain?
Thistle and Bard is run by a single mum, a fantasy fiction graduate,
and a lifelong RPG nerd with a knack for building worlds—on paper, online, and in pixelated form. I started this brand because I couldn’t find gifts that felt like they truly belonged to my world. So I made
them.
What I didn’t expect was how many of you would feel the same.
Your support has built this brand—order by order, like bricks in a
castle—and I’m forever grateful for it.
To the Next Adventure...
2025 marks five years of Thistle and Bard, and with it, a brand new website, new collections, and more opportunities to explore new realms together. We’re making it easier than ever to shop by fantasy realm, find your favourite characters, or discover gifts for the adventurer in your life.
So whether you’ve been with us since our first quest or you’re just now rolling initiative—welcome. We’re so glad you're here!