Emma Bridgewater
Emma Bridgewater Ltd was born in 1985, when Emma was looking for
a birthday present for her mother. She wanted to buy a cup and saucer,
but in the shops she couldn’t find anything that she liked; the choices
seemed to be either bewilderingly formal bone china with stiff silver
or gold patterns, or clunky earthenware.
She liked some of the colourful Italian designs that she saw, but
being made of terracotta they would crack or chip in the dishwasher.
It was one of those “kerching!” moments - here was the opportunity
she had been looking for; the pottery she sought for her mum was what
every cosy kitchen needed. So she set out to design it herself. Emma
drew four shapes, a mug, a bowl, a jug and a dish. She went to Stoke-on-Trent
to find a model-maker; she worked with him to get these first pieces
just right. Luckily, her strong preference for cream earthenware was
easily met as this was still in wide production in many large and
small potteries in the city. 
Staffordshire earthenware has had a world-wide reputation since Josiah
Wedgwood pioneered his beautiful creamware in the early 1800s. When
her shapes were sampled, she started experimenting with the forgotten
decorative technique of sponge printing, applying simple patterns
with a cut sponge. She showed these samples to a selection of buyers,
who almost all placed orders, and the show was on the road.
Stoke-on-Trent, the midlands city known as The Potteries, became the
focus of Emma’s working life. At first she had her designs made under
contract, but within a few years her company acquired their own manufacturing
facility and soon expanded into a big nineteenth century factory on
the Caldon canal, where they still make all of their ceramics (with
the exception of some lines such as plates, which are locally outsourced).
Today Emma’s husband Matthew also designs for Emma Bridgewater, he
has his own range within the Emma Bridgewater collection. This includes
the annual series of charming and humorous advent calendars and his
legendary Year in the Country calendar, which you will see in all
the nicest kitchens. This annual must-have has a cult following, because
it is useful, beautiful and educational; each month features interesting
facts and tips about subjects close to Matthew’s heart.
They are the sixth biggest employer of potters in Staffordshire. Stoke-on-Trent
and are rightfully proud of their reputation as home to the Potteries
They make their wares in a warm cream coloured earthenware which is
a quintessential Staffordshire product; drawing on a long and well-evolved
expertise and a tradition which stretches back 200 years.
