A family business supplying
a global market.
Carey Company
Carey Company is a family business that specialises in braiding and historic needlework. Jacqui started in business after completing her textile degree in 1985, and Carey Company was set up in 1990 so that Paul could join her working from home with their two young children.
Now based in Ottery St Mary, Devon UK, Carey Company endeavours to supply the best available equipment, materials and literature enabling others to experience the joy of textiles. They make products directly available to customers through fairs, exhibitions and workshops, as well as through wholesale and online services.
Visit our shop to browse equipment, threads, kits and books. On our resources page you will find articles, instruction leaflets and other downloads.
Our Ethos
The Carey Company ethos is rooted in a lifestyle choice of ethical practice, creativity and connectivity. Consciously choosing small scale, slow and considered development, production and services.
Motivated by quality (Pirsig 1974) rather than material gain, Jacqui and Paul aim to braid together all aspects of their world and open up doorways to the stuff that matters.
Our Ethos
The Carey Company ethos is rooted in a lifestyle choice of ethical practice, creativity and connectivity. Consciously choosing small scale, slow and considered development, production and services.
Motivated by quality (Pirsig 1974) rather than material gain, Jacqui and Paul aim to braid together all aspects of their world and open up doorways to the stuff that matters.
Our Ethos
The Carey Company ethos is rooted in a lifestyle choice of ethical practice, creativity and connectivity. Consciously choosing small scale, slow and considered development, production and services.
Motivated by quality (Pirsig 1974) rather than material gain, Jacqui and Paul aim to braid together all aspects of their world and open up doorways to the stuff that matters.
Jacqui Carey
Jacqui is an internationally recognised artist, maker, author and researcher, specialising in braids and historic needlework.
Jacqui also lectures and teaches, sharing her knowledge and skills with makers in the UK and around the world. Read more about Jacqui, view a selection of Jacqui’s work.
Paul Carey
Paul’s training as a mechanical engineer brings resourcefulness to Jacqui’s creative work. Although their partnership incorporates shared roles, Jacqui tends to focus on the more artistic elements whilst Paul backs up with the practicalities.
Paul sources, designs and makes the equipment, whilst looking after the business side of things, such as technical support, publishing and ensuring the fast and efficient delivery of customer orders.
Working from home, the family business grew to actively involve Paul and Jacqui’s children and numerous friends along the way. The results can be seen in various Carey Company publications.
Paul and Jacqui’s shared interests continue in their now grown up children, Richard and Maddy and they now have successful careers in illustration and acupuncture.
Jacqui’s Work
See a selection of Jacqui’s braiding and textile work spanning across her career.
Carey Shop
Browse and order our quality braiding equipment, threads, course, kits and books about kumihimo, Chinese braids and historic English embroidery.
Featured Projects
Read articles about projects and kits you might like to make, such as Jacqui’s historic English sweet bag.