Hi, I’m Bethany – an illustrator and designer based in Northamptonshire, and the creator behind Little Bee Illustrations.

I have always loved telling stories through pictures, and my work is inspired by the magic of childhood curiosity and imagination. With a First-Class degree in Illustration from Birmingham City University, I specialise in creating fun, bright, and characterful illustrations that bring warmth and joy to children’s publishing, greetings, and product design.

My creative process often blends traditional watercolour textures with coloured pencil details, giving each piece a handmade charm and a sense of life. Whether it’s developing a whimsical character, illustrating a scene, or designing for print and merchandise, I love creating artwork that sparks joy for children and nostalgia for grown-ups too.

Alongside my illustration practice, I also work as a designer across publishing, branding, and e-commerce – bringing together creativity and storytelling with strong design thinking. Past projects have included children’s greetings cards, planners, and branding for The Book Station, an independent bookstore I helped bring to life.

My dream has always been to create books that inspire, entertain, and comfort children – the same way my favourite stories did for me growing up. Until then, I continue to explore playful worlds through illustration and design, always chasing that spark of curiosity.

If you’d like to collaborate or commission a project, you can reach me at beth@the-smarts.net.