The Road to Relaunch: Behind the Scenes of a Fantasy Brand

Thistle and Bard
May 23
2 min read

Relaunching a Fantasy Brand

Born from a love of storytelling and RPG-inspired adventures, Thistle and Bard is a fantasy brand that has always been more than just a gift shop. Now, we’re inviting you to explore a fully immersive fantasy marketplace experience, where every collection is a realm to discover.

The new website design will give you the most immersive fantasy shopping experience yet!

On our new website, you will be able to finally:

Shop by Realm (like The Savage Lands or Lost Lagoon)
Search by product type (stickers, accessories, stationery, clothing & more)
Read the lore behind each collection and uncover hidden Easter eggs

If you’re seeking handmade fantasy gifts in the UK or looking to support a creative woman-led business, you’ve found your party.

How Cinematic Marketing Opened New Doors

One unexpected success of this relaunch journey has been the rise of our cinematic short animations. These teaser reels — created in-house — blend visuals, sound, and storytelling to bring our collections to life and spark curiosity across Instagram, Pinterest, and beyond.

They’ve not only helped boost engagement but also caught the attention of our local government, who have invited us to speak on creative entrepreneurship and marketing through animation. (Yes — that really happened.)

These small reels of story magic now play a huge part in how we connect with new audiences and share our world.

We’ve Joined Faire: Wholesale is Coming in June!

Another major milestone: Thistle and Bard is now available on Faire, the global wholesale platform for independent brands. This means boutiques and shops across the UK and beyond can now stock our most beloved collections — just in time for seasonal ordering ahead of Christmas (yes, they realy do buy their stock that early) !

We’re excited to bring our RPG-inspired collections to even more people, and this step marks a huge expansion in our mission to make magical, meaningful products for dreamers, gamers, and collectors alike.

Join The Guild – Our Newsletter for Insiders

Want early access to new drops, secret lore, and behind-the-scenes updates? Subscribe to The Guild, our exclusive newsletter for fellow adventurers and creatives. You’ll get:

Special offers and early product access
Exclusive freebies and digital downloads
Sneak peeks of what’s coming next

Join 'The Guild' Newsletter For Your Anniversary Invite!

Support a Handmade, Woman-Led Business Rooted in Story

Running a small fantasy business isn't easy, but the magic comes from you — our community. Every comment, share, and purchase helps this world grow.

As we celebrate our 5th anniversary, know this: you're not just buying a product — you're becoming part of a story.

Let the adventure begin.