I’ve been collecting mugs and teapots from the British designer Emma Bridgewater for years, ever since the first time I saw them lining the shelves in a little shop on Martha’s Vineyard. I ran toward them, saying (in the seagull voice from Finding Nemo) “mine” and have never looked back.
Emma is a real person, married to co-owner and artist Matthew Rice (whose mom, Pat Albeck, is also a wonderful artist and designs all the National Trust linen dish-towels, among other things). Emma’s “country pottery” as she calls it, is still handmade in the heart of England, Stoke-on-Trent (known as “The Potteries”), using the old-fashioned techniques they are famous for. Just at the time when the last of the old factories was closing, when a whole industry was disappearing, when so many trained people had lost their jobs and china was starting to be cheaply made in China — that’s when Emma and Matthew opened their business and began hiring (a bit like running toward the burning buildings). When we were in England, we visited their factory and had a fascinating afternoon learning all about what they do.
While we were there . . .
They set us up with mugs, paints and the tools to make our own Emma mugs to remember our trip by — we did drawings of what we wanted before we left home, which made it a lot easier when we got there.
After we painted the mugs, the factory fired them and then shipped them to us here on the island — they were waiting for us when we got home. Originals, no others like them, one of a kind, and all ours. I’m drinking my tea from the one on the left right now! If you go to England you can do this too!
Emma and her company was featured in the January 2009 issue of British Country Living Magazine (my favorite magazine, I took these photos of it for you). She loves china dishes as much as I do! The only thing is, her company is forever withdrawing patterns and retiring them. You never know when the thing you love the most will no longer be available. I miss the BEST FRIENDS cup they used to do! ♥ It does make the mugs more collectible, no two collections alike, and her heart-dappled pottery does a good job of making up for the loss of that Love and Kisses cup!
Since they are made the same way, in the same place as vintage china was made, my Emma cups look wonderful mixed and matched with my old china dishes and tea things.
At first we were a little frightened to buy Emma cups for our web store. With the costs of shipping pottery from England to America, the cups are expensive. I was worried, what if it’s just me that loves them? This could be a big investment for our small company that might just end up being Christmas presents for my girlfriends for a lifetime! But we’ve discovered that lots of you love Emma as much as I do! We’re committed to it now — everyone loves the collecting and displaying. Collections are blooming all over America.
♥ ♥ ♥
Emma cups and teapots are the kind of thing you save for — or get as a gift on your birthday. You buy something else on sale and take that money you saved and apply it to an Emma Bridgewater cup or teapot! Where there’s a will, my mom used to say, there’s a way.
Getting ready for a tea party, I’m mixing in new Emma mugs with old vintage ones. I like that Emma puts words on her china.
And here’s my pride and joy. ♥ Hope you enjoyed our Emma tour. Just knowing that Emma Bridgewater, a regular girl, had the inspiration and guts to start her own china company in England in this day and age gives me hope for the future for all brave and inspired people who wonder, can I do that? She and Matthew are proof positive, if you dream it, you can make it so. xoxo
I love my daffodil mug and my British birds mug. They just make my morning cup of coffee that much better, so thank you for carrying them here;)
OH I’m so happy, I love them too! So special!
I have her heart tea cup and sugar bowl. I just bought the 4 cup teapot and the heart plate. I figure it will be perfect for special meals or to put out “crumpets” when I serve tea ~ if only to me. Happy Birthday to me……Happy Birthday to me……. Thanks Susan!!!! xo
You’re going to love that tea pot . . . Judy is sending me one of the heart breakfast cups today!
I tried to order the hearts teapot but they haven’t come in yet. Is it possible to be on a waiting list so that you know if you’ll get one of the ones that come in or if I need to look elsewhere. I’d love to have it for Valentine’s.
I asked Kellee to check on that for you, she’ll get back to you!
What a treat! Love the teapot.
Some years ago I got a robin cup at your CA store, since my name is Robyn. I did not make the connection that it was Emma until just now. I like it very well.
Hi! Just found your lovely blog and am enjoying reading back issues… I live quite near the EB factory and visit a few times a year. They have a marvellous cafe there as well.
I bought some robin mugs just before Christmas, and they now do small mugs-more coffee can size- as well. (Also got some of the Joy pattern which is great)
I am after bullfinch mugs which have been retired… very annoying!!
Dawn
The way they retire things! You barely see them and they’re GONE. There’s a 60th Anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth cup coming out, we are trying SO hard to get it before it’s gone!
Bought the Diamond Jubilee mug tonight! I have been wanting something from England so I can celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in style!! This is the first piece of Emma Bridgewater I will have-but certainly not the last!
I got mine yesterday too! We are so lucky!
i have been collecting emma bridgewater since the early 90′s since my first trip to nantucket where i also saw the collection in a gift shop…..i have many mugs and many different patterns that interchange so nicely…..toast and marmalade is my favorite… : )
Love toast and marmalade breakfast cup!
Just when I thought I had my perfect everyday mug, I came across Emma Bridgewater’s “Tea & Coffee & Hot Chocolate” mug and now I’m saving the pennies.
EB~wares are expensive even in the UK without all the shipping and import duties to America. I know some who say that if they paid that much for a mug they would consign it to the china cabinet to look at . . eeeeeek! EB is made to be used and loved and I use and love mine every day.
I have four limited edition EB cereal bowls that were made in conjunction with Rachel’s Organic Yogurt (the best yogurt on the planet) and each morning they are used for my slow simmered porridge served with warmed blueberries. For a special treat, a teaspoon of the most deliciously dark molasses sugar goes in the bottom where it melts into a pool of treacley heavenliness to be greedily devoured . .
I’m drinking out of an Emma cup right now. It’s that the designs are retired so fast that makes them even more intriguing. I go to my girlfriends houses and they have all different Emma than I do and we sort of lust after each other’s collections! It’s fun — but you’re right, it’s expensive!
My new JOY mug fills me with joy everytime I open my cupboard. In the last ten years, my health has been declining, and so it gives me great pleasure to have this beautiful treasure in my home. I have my tea and my hot chocolate in it, and it temporarily takes away the cough. I loved England when I was there in 2000…many lasting memories of Bath and the Cotswolds and York where I had tea in an Earl Grey tearoom. I loved Brighton although it was cold when I was there. I was visiting England and Scotland with a chorale that I was in and it’s associated with the junior college here in Mesa (AZ). I brought home a Chintz china teapot set – “Lydia” was the pattern. Delicate yellow background with pink roses and spots of blue and green, here and there. If I’d know about Emma back then, I would have started collecting then. As it is, I’m starting to collect Emma now. Thank goodness there are still people out there creating beautiful treasures for us to collect.
Thanks to you I have bought my first piece of EB. When I saw your heart teapot I knew I had to have it. I ended up finding the heart teapot, but instead of just the red/pinkish heart I ended up with the all different colored hearts on mine. And I really truely love that teapot. I haven’t seen it around on the EB website, so I know it must already have come and gone…. On to some mugs next.
I know just how you feel! It’s very beautiful stuff!
PS – How could I forget to mention Laura Ashley! I love EVERYTHING about her….(I am currently struggling to fit back into those beautiful flowery spring skirts and blouses I bought when we lived in the UK oh so many years ago!!!) I dressed my daughter in her clothes for years as well….the big splurge each winter was the little girls woolen coat and hat for Jessie to wear! Anyway, Laura Ashley was another precious English treasure…
Ruthanne
Yes, she sure was! Actually from Wales, and they are proud of her!
Susan,
I don’t see the Emma Bridgewater QE commemorative mug on your site. Is it still available? I’d love to have one.
Darlene
Oh yes! It’s there, I’m sure you’ll see it in the shopping pages.
I’ve only recently begun collecting EB mugs. Thank you ever so much for the introduction! I have the Love Sampler and the 2012 Year in the Country mugs and am hoping to still find a Joy mug. I’ll be checking to see if you’re able to get that in again. Love shopping in your online shop!
Thanks Sara! We’re going to the Emma factory while in England, I’ll be putting up photos.
yayy i have my first emma mug was helping my mum sort out her junk! room and came across a pretty union jack mug in a draw!! knew instantly this was an emma mug before i turned it upside down to look at bottom .. apparently this was a gift to my mum from someone.. i have now rescued the gorgeous mug from the drawer and will be having my coffee out of it most mornings
xx vicki
What a fun thing to find!
boo hoo .. I missed the 60 years as Queen mug. Is there any chance that Emma will have more for Susan Branch readers? ~Vicky
Check with Kellee or Judy at customerservice@susanbranch.com and see if they are able to get anymore.
I am looking for you in England! I am here on a trip from my home in Richmond, Virginia. I read your message about going to the Lake District on your website while we were in the Cotswolds. We left there yesterday, and I saw that you would soon be at the Emma Bridgewater factory. When I looked it up and realized that we would drive right by Stoke-on-Trent on our way to Keswick, I prevailed upon my husband to stop (not easy like it is with Joe). Oh, my goodness! I was in heaven. I bought the mini “Lots of Love” mugs for all of my grandchildren and my nieces’ children and babies as yet unborn! (If you don’t see any when you are there because I have bought them all, email me and I will send you one. We also discovered a mug that says, “Big Love”. My husband Terry’s grandfather name is “Big”! Perfect! I asked the sales lady if you had been there yet so if you are treated like a celebrity when you arrive, it may be because I told her about your many achievements. I know you will be giddy as I was. I will look for you at Hilltop tomorrow! Linda
How fun! We are still in the gorgeous Peak District, where I think I would like to stay forEVER. If you could see where I am right now…but I’ll post it in a little while. Love the Big Love cups!
I emailed my children after being in The Cotswolds and then coming to the Lake District that I was in a muddle as to which was my favorite. I hope you will get to Hill Top as early as you can because it would be fun to be there all day. When children enter, a very kind man gives them a copy of “The Tale of Samuel Whiskers” because most of the pictures in that little volume were drawn from the interior of Hill Top. I wanted to compare each drawing and each item in each drawing with the actual scene that is just as Beatrix potter left it. You will see her straw hat that is very much like your Laura Ashley one in your Peter Rabbit Room! You will love it. We are off to Scotland tomorrow so I am not likely to run in to you. Have a wonderful va action and a safe trip home.
Susan,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your wonderful thoughts on your journey to England. I have a good friend, Irine, who is English and she is always telling me that I must, must go for a good visit! Right now I’m living vicariously through your blog, but I’m taking lots of notes for a trip that I am planning…..right now it’s only in my head, but that’s okay.
It’s been fun watching all the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations on tv and knowing that you are in the midst of all the fun!
Susan, hi again,
I had to read this post as Emma Bridgewater pottery is my favourite. My husband is from the Potteries and we visit often. We were delighted when EB opened her pottery up in Stoke breathing new life into a struggling industry. It’s a real breath of fresh air.
I’m so glad you enjoyed visiting the Peak District. It really is breathtakingly beautiful
Angela
Amazing!!! Who knew? Well millions, just not us. We want to go back!
I got the mug that has “Robin Birds” flying around it. And on the inside of the mug, there is my name! So I got it for my husband last year for Christmas, and he said “Why did you get this for me? I replied that way every time you drink from it you can think of me, and say a little prayer for me”!!
Very smart!! LOL!
Oh Susan, I am so excited! I have lurked and read your Willard and wonderful blog for ever so long. I have lived vicariously this Summer through your wonderful journey, and then watching the Olympics. We leave for England in less than two weeks, first trip there, can hardly contain myself. Looking forward to the Cotswolds and seeing Emma pottery firsthand
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful adventure with us!
I have missed visiting your store out here in California, always loved visiting it when passing through, have a glorious Autumn……Kathy
Have a wonderful trip Kathy!
I have two Emma mugs–I ordered the zinnia mug from your store and Matthew Rice’s summer in the country from the Emma web site. A few days ago I found an Emma pumpkin mug from 2008 on ebay–it was in England, and its buy-it-now price was more than double the cost of the new ones, but I loved it! Tomorrow’s my birthday so hubby encouraged me to get it, AND he came back from the market today with a pound of freshly ground pumpkin spice coffee–my mug should be here by the end of the week, and I can’t wait to sip my coffee from it!
Happy Birthday Shannon! Sounds like a wonderful September celebration!
Forgot to say, I’ve been collecting the bird mugs and my mother collects the flower mugs. They are perfect to drink from.
We have them in our webstore too! So fun to collect!
Hi Susan,
I have seen that they have a Pug mug…Do you think you will bring that one in your shop? I would rather order it from you.
Thanks,
Debbie
I asked Kellee to order them!
Hi Susan,
I love my EB mug with the Cosmo flowers surrounding the mug! And now my sister loves this mug and wants one, but I cannot find it on your site, so they must not make it any longer! And YES, they are expensive, but like you say “it is worth it, so just start saving your pennies!”. I went of EB’s website and discovered how very, very expensive they are to be shipped to US. Even though your shipping rates are steep to be shipped to Nevada, it is quite less than having a mug shipped from the UK!
Is there any likelihood you would ever be having the “Bluebelle” design on the mug? This is one I wanted to order from EB in UK, but between the cost of the mug and the cost of shipping, it was too expensive to order
.
I just LOVE, LOVE , LOVE all your items you sell on your website, and like I have said before, I have been a follower of your whimsical artwork ever since you started, and I have all your products, I think! Including all your book, so I will be anxious to receive your up and new book. I loved viewing your new book on Williard, so THANK YOU for all your amazing artwork and verbage to go along with your paintings.
I have many, many of your stickers which are becoming hard to find! But my sticker collection is still filled with your artwork!
Thank you, again, so much for your lovely artwork, Susan..it is a great way to start any day.
I was wondering about the cosmos mug too!?! Let us know.
OR…the snowdrop mug.
??? Please let us know, if you can get some more of these mugs.
I told Sheri we were looking for more snowdrops and cosmos mugs, so keep your eye on the store, she’ll get them!
Thank you!
Uh oh, Margot! You know how Emma is … they did it, discontinued the Cosmos mug! So sorry … but the snowdrops should be here soon.
Susan – I bought a “Rise and Shine” Emma Bridgewater from you some years ago that must be a pint and a half because it’s bigger than my other EB mugs. Do you still sell the larger mugs (other than the hearts mug)? I just love them all – they feel so substantial and warm both hands equally on a cold morning! lol
Have a great day!
Hugs and stuff,
Rose
I’m a large mug person too, drink from them every morning. Piglet tea is what I call it! They have very few that size. When we were at the factory, that’s the size we chose to decorate for ourselves. They have one with the Union Jack on it… should I get it into the web store, or is a flag a bit too much for you?
Yes, I think the Union Jack is a bit much, but thank you so much for offering! LOL I’ll settle right now for my rooster Rise and Shine. I also have the Toast & Marmalade Cocoa Mug which is the same size. Thank you for introducing me to the marvelous mugs!!
Hugs,
Rose
There’s a new one I just ordered, it’s all black with white letters … interesting. Like a Toast & Marmalade only in reverse!
Oh Susan, I followed your advice and saved a little here, a little there and finally bought my first (won’t be my last) Emma Mug… its one from the flower collection and I must say it is beautiful and so worth the little extra $, my morning coffee never taste better! I will enjoy it for yrs to come… Thank You
That’s so great. Everything is better when you have to save a bit for it. So happy you love it…they are so beautifully made.
I just got my first mug.
Happiness is a cup of coffee and a really good book! I adore drinking my coffee in it and I’m in love with the Toast and Marmalade line. So lovely. They package it all so lovely from across the sea too : )
Good for you Janis! I love how they are keeping the faith in Stoke-on-Trent!
I couldn’t think of what to get my mom for Mother’s Day this year. I happened to click on the Emma Bridgewater line on your site and feel in love with the chickens. My mom has several chickens in Washington and she loves all things British. I ordered her the Buff Orpington Mug – she will love it! I know I do! Thank you for offering such beautiful items!
She’s going to be so surprised, what a nice thing Kerie!