Hello!

I’m Caroline and I’m the artist behind Mint To Be.

I’m a biologist turned self-taught mixed-media/recycling artist, so you won’t be surprised to learn that I am naturally inspired by flora, fauna, landscapes and travel.

Brought up in a 'make do and mend' environment, I love to experiment, combining traditional techniques with once-used materials to give them new life and added interest to the detail in the original pieces which the final range of products are created. Look out for paper marquetry, hand marbling and collage, or vintage dip pen & ink and watercolour inks/pencil drawings, often fused together.

I like to transport people to places they dream of exploring and elicit memories of places they once visited, through my eyes.

If you’re wild about wildlife, it’s not just the landmarks that remind you of a place, but also the birds and animals you spotted there. For example, the Yellow Eyed Penguin will always remind me of Curio Bay, New Zealand, when one hopped out of the sea where I stood, shrieking bald eagles remind me of Alaska and closer to home, blue tits, robins and goldfinches remind me of my garden.

If you’re as curious about curiosities as I am, then enjoy my take on memories of unique landscapes such as Giant's Causeway, legendary landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or Stonehenge, time honoured traditions such as Mexico's sugar skulls, honouring the lives of their loved ones, the intricate Celtic knot carvings of Ireland and the worker bee, a symbol of the city of Manchester since the 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, in which the city played a large part.

Finally, I like to share helpful Words to Live By; quotes taken from my own ups and downs over the years; wise words that have helped me along the way and have been an important factor in my business journey too.

People come to me initially because they are attracted to my artwork, but as the stories behind each piece begins to resonate with them, my creations become much more personal; they want to have pieces of my work in their homes too or send them as special and meaningful greetings and gifts to their friends and families.

Every piece I create tells a story; all part of my own life's adventures.

I create my original pieces with simple, traditional tools; my mum’s vintage nib pen (complete with her smudged inky finger prints) and bone folder, bottles of highly pigmented inks and paints, water colour pencils from the Lake District, knives with tiny blades for cutting intricate shapes...

All my products are made in the UK and use recycled and British raw materials wherever possible. Everything is created from my original artwork and most pieces are made by myself in house.

I'd love you to explore the website which gives you the opportunity to support and buy directly from the artist.

Enjoy the journey.