Student Success Story: Cristiana - Skincare with heart, rooted in family
At Chalke Valley Soaps, we’re constantly inspired by the stories of our students, their journeys, their creativity, and the incredible products they go on to make. This week, we’re proud to feature Cristiana, the founder of Dewberry UK, a beautiful brand born from a mother’s love and a deep respect for nature. Her story is one of balance, purpose, and passion, and it’s been an honour to be part of her soap-making journey.
Meet the maker
Meet Cristiana, based in Colchester, Essex, she’s a full-time financial risk expert, a mum of two, and the maker behind Dewberry UK. Her business began with a simple mission: to create gentle, nourishing skincare for her son, who developed eczema as a newborn. Uncomfortable with relying solely on steroid creams, she turned to nature—and it worked. Raw shea butter sent by her mother-in-law from Nigeria made a dramatic difference. From that point on, Cristiana was hooked.
From City career to natural skincare
She began handcrafting skincare under the Dewberry UK name, creating body butters, lip balms, and natural home fragrances. With a background in business and over a decade working in the City, she brought both creativity and precision to her formulations. But something was missing. “Cold process soap making felt like the next natural step,” she says. “It’s beautiful, practical, and meaningful. I wanted to offer a complete skincare range.”
Discovering Chalke Valley Soaps
When Cristiana came across Chalke Valley Soaps on Instagram, something clicked. “Your values really aligned with mine: natural ingredients, small-batch quality, and true passion for the craft,” she shared. “The course felt approachable and hands-on, and that’s exactly what I was looking for.”
Taking the leap into soap making
She enrolled in our online Botanical Soap Making Course and dove right in. “It was fantastic. The lessons were clear and practical, and I walked away feeling confident, inspired, and ready to create.” Since completing the course, Cristiana has added beautifully crafted cold process soaps to her Dewberry UK collection, each bar made with intention and care.
Looking ahead
Her future? Bright and purposeful. Cristiana hopes to expand her range, grow her presence in independent shops, and most of all, continue offering natural skincare that helps people feel good in their own skin, especially those dealing with sensitivity and irritation. “I want my products to bring calm, care, and confidence to whoever uses them.”
We’re proud to have played a small part in her journey, and can’t wait to see what’s next for Dewberry UK.
You can find Cristiana and Dewberry UK here:
www.dewberryuk.com
IG: @dewberryuk
Formulated with our Dog Soap Base, Cristiana’s Dog Shampoo Bar is perfect for pampered pups.
It’s your time to shine
If you’re dreaming of turning your passion into something purposeful—just like Cristiana did—this is your time to shine.
When you join our Botanical Soap Making Course, you won’t just learn the techniques. You’ll gain the confidence, knowledge and clarity to create your own line of standout soaps using high-performance natural ingredients. I’ll personally guide you through every step, from formulation to finishing touches.
And once you’ve completed the course? We’d love to feature you too. Graduates are invited to take part in our Student Success Stories—a chance to be interviewed and showcased on our blog, with links to your shop, social media, and product photos. It’s our way of giving your business an extra boost and celebrating everything you’ve built.
Ready to take your next step?
Enrol today! Your soap story starts here.
Hugs and bubbles,
