Textile designer and ceramicist Lyn Abraham, Founder of Caltonberry, based in the beautiful Peak District National Park.  With 14 years experience working in British manufacturing, in the design of surface pattern and passementarie. Life changed with the introduction of 2 children and the addition of a dog called Stan ( followed by Tibby ) The chance to set up a business, based from home in the village of Calton and Squeak Gift and Party was formed, in 2009.  Through this and a love for the little details in life, the idea and seeds were sown for the creation of the Caltonberry brand, in 2014. 

Natural materials have always been important in the designs and products that Caltonberry is known for. A passion for Manufacturing industry in the UK, narrow fabrics in cotton and linen, to wreaths, created from willow grown within the local area; to porcelain details and decorations hand made in the Peak District studio.

In 2011 we were proud to be awarded the Environmental Quality Mark, which recognises our commitment to looking after the environment and celebrating the things that are special about the Peak District  and Staffordshire.  Working to maintain the high environmental and social standards required to retain this award each year helps us to review our practices and keep looking into new ways we can improve.  We love to use natural and local materials from an area we respect and cherish and it is wonderful to continue to be recognised by the Peak District National Park Authority for doing what we believe in. A few ways in which we work towards this are –

 

 

Materials are sourced locally where possible
Ribbons are made locally, cotton and linen ribbons are available unbleached and undyed.
Willow wreaths are created using British willow and sourced as locally when available and when possible from our own garden.
Making processes are simple, avoiding the need for large amounts of machinery.
The main of the products are made to order, avoiding un-required finished goods.

Packaging is kept simple and used sparingly.  Orders dispatched in paper or card.

Postage is sent via Royal mail, with details printed directly onto paper envelopes, avoiding the need for a secondary adhesive label and sent when possible from the village postbox avoiding unnecessary trips to town.

Energy usage and waste is monitored. Electricity is from a sustainable provider.

Heating and hot water is provided via a Air Source Heat Pump.

The office and studio is furnished with predominately preowned and recycled furniture. Many pieces are from local charities and includes a gorgeous wooden school cupboard, clay drying rack, which has been re homed from the old Wedgwood factory, amazing to have something with such a history and from such an important, local and iconic company.  The same goes for our props and display items, from recycled frames, to old linen fabric back drops and my favourite piece of slate, left over from a fireplace which features in many of Caltonberrys  photos.

Security and front of house is overseen by Tibby and Stanley.