Are you ready to see the Emma Bridgewater Factory? I hope so because here it comes! Visiting her factory here in England is something I’ve been wanting to do for so long! And now, we did . . . Let me sing a happy song . . . and take you places you’ve never been before!
I just had to show you this . . . I love English public bathrooms, they’re all so different and cute, you never know what you’ll get; lots of them have wallpaper, cute old tiles, framed paintings, and pretty paint colors; some of them even have hand cream in them! It’s practically like home! This one, with duck carvings over the door and a chain pull on the toilet, is up a narrow green-painted staircase, on the third crooked floor of a famous old bookstore called Scarthin Books in Cromford, Derbyshire (pron. Darbyshir). Thought you’d like to see it! (Wouldn’t want you to miss anything!)
So there we are (if you squint and look really close) at the far left end of those buildings, see the teeny silver sliver? That’s our car, parked in front of our cottage where the peacock (now named Darcy; had to name something Darcy!) lives called “Weathericks” in Wirksworth where you should all go someday (and say Hi to adorable Jean for us) because it’s heaven there as you can jolly well see! We got in that car, and drove about an hour away to the Emma Factory.
XOXOXO
So, off we go . . . we follow GPS when we go anywhere, and it’s really good; I don’t think it’s ever made a mistake, but it takes us on all the shortcuts no matter how small, harrowing, narrow, and out of the way the road might be. Sometimes we find ourselves climbing teeny weeny remote mountain curves and think, this just can not be bloody right!!! People living on country roads in England are probably standing in their yards shaking their fists at the sky (at the GPS satellites) for bringing fun foreign drivers like us into their neighborhoods. I wouldn’t want to scare anyone, but I can’t help but laugh when I see this (drying my hands on my pants.) When Martha Stewart travels, do you think she screams in the car???? Is this normal? Probably not. I promise you, it’s not always like this. I just like to give you the best of the best!
XOXOXO
For extra relaxation, we break up the driving with bookstores, pubs (pah sida!), antique stores, canal walks and ducks, which more than makes up for dodgy cow-path roads. Checking the bird book we found out the duck-like one with the white bill is a Coot, and those cuties with the huge feet are the baby chick coots.
It’s a little over an hour drive through festive little towns festooned with flags and bunting for the Diamond Jubilee; GPS (England calls it “Sat Nav”) takes us to Stoke-on-Trent, the home city of the Emma Bridgewater Factory — this was the first picture I took as I got out of the car. So excited!
Cute for the factory workers! Stoke-on-Trent was the center of the world when it came to gorgeous dishes; bone china, earthenware, pottery, it was all made here, Johnson Brothers, Wedgewood, Spode, the very finest and most beautiful was made in Stoke.
But it all fell apart (I will never understand why as I still cannot get enough beautiful dishes!); this city, totally built on the dish industry, went into a serious and very sad decline.
The bottom of Emma mugs are as beautifully decorated as the rest of the cup! I fell in love with Emma Bridgewater, her desire to do everything the “right” way, her conserving ways, her attention to detail, when I saw my very first mug. She retires designs after a while, which is the good news and the bad news, they become much more collectible that way . . . so the one you see above is no longer being made. I love this cup, it says “Love & Kisses” on the outside, and “Best Friends ♥” on the inside! How could she discontinue the most perfect gift in the world? I don’t know! I also love that her dishes fit in just fine with my old flea-market-collected sets of dishes. Because really, she makes them the exact same way as my antique dishes were made, and in the exact same spot!
(I love the way the English tell you ↑ they want you to slow down to nothing.) Stoke-on-Trent, with all the empty factories, and talented workers was the perfect place for Emma Bridgewater to put her “pot” business (“pot”=”dishes,” in Stoke-talk). They needed her, and she needed them. So, when all the rest of the world was turning their back on Stoke and the pot business, that’s when Emma began making dishes there; she took over the old Charles Meakin factory, and began to hire. She ran toward the burning building. And she’s young, only in her 40’s now!
I think that Emma’s factory must be a bright spot in Stoke. Prince Charles even visited the factory in 2010! What an honor! And the roses? Of course! They can grow roses right out of pavement in England! Am I happy? Yes, I am.
So off we go on our tour, Joe and me and maybe six or seven others, led by a sweetheart named Jan, there in the spotted apron (they call polka dots “spots” in England). Inside each of those boxes (molds) is thick earthenware creamy pot mix; it’s either a cup, a jug (what they call a pitcher), a bowl, or one of the other shapes they make, the old way, one at a time. I was truly surprised to see how MUCH goes into one little cup!
The factory was decorated for the Jubilee, just like all the rest of England! And this is only one room!
Each piece works its way through the factory, that’s a lot of pot moving! Stopping at each station for the individual treatment it needs before it finally makes its way across the sea to us in our studio, or out to the rest of the world; truly “Handmade in Stoke-on-Trent.”
I loved how they had plenty of jugs and cups for their work!
Custom-made sponge stamps are dipped in paint and put on the mugs one at a time! The sponges are hand-carved too, right there in the factory!
Here’s Jan telling us how they come up with some of the sayings they put on the cups with decals (one at a time – can’t quite get over that!); the yellow is a kind of sealer that burns right off when they fire the pots. Crikey!
Shelves of production go on and on; the rose pattern is hand-painted on the cups. This is how the colors look before they’re fired … which brightens and darkens them considerably.
An English factory always takes time out for tea! Good news is they never have trouble finding a nice cup to have it in! (I’m doing a terrible job of telling you exactly how the pottery is made! This website has a much clearer and detailed explanation of how everything really works at the factory, in case you have more questions, Dad.)
Because I’m not very techie; I’m more interested in the people side of things . . . we could tell how proud everyone was to be working there; proud to be making all this British beauty, proud to be part of such an amazing craftsman tradition; this woman pulled off her glove to show me her Jubilee fingernails! Love it!
I waited until tea time to sneak Petey into the picture!
Oh yes, like all good English establishments, the Emma Bridgewater Factory has its own tea room — also, a gift shop! All my favorite things! And best of all, there was a design studio where visitors can design their own cups!
How wonderful, we wanted something special to bring home to remember this trip by (not that we’ll ever forget!). Our own mugs! Lovely!
So I made an “ENGLAND ♥ 2012” cup, and Joe made a “Queen Mary” cup. Isn’t his ship perfect? He is so talented, my guy!
They give you paint, special pencils to draw with that will burn off during the firing, and they show you how to fix the drawing if you make a mistake! They let you practice and have sponges there for people who want to use them. The color goes on sort of pale, but gets much clearer and brighter once it’s fired. You can choose any shape dish or cup they make and just sit there, draw on it, paint it, and drink tea to your heart’s content. In the end, you’ll have your very own Emma Bridgewater cup! One of a kind! Worth the trip across the Atlantic!! We left them there, they’ll fire them, and ship them home, they’ll be there when we get back! Pretty neat, huh?
Then, of course, we went shopping and absolutely fell in love with this cup celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Yes, we got one, couldn’t help ourselves. Too cute.
AND, we loved it so much, we thought you might fancy one too! Would you? I hope so, and if you do …. just leave a message in “comments” at the bottom of this post (click on the really pale gray letters!), you’ll be entered for a drawing! In a few days, we’ll randomly pull out a name (I hope so much it’s YOURS!!!); we’ll LOVE to send you this memory of our trip to England!
And one last thing before I go . . .
Another bit of a surprise, news from the real world: you know how last year we ran out of our calendars? So this year, we asked to get them early … and guess what, Kellee wrote to tell me they just came in!!! Both the 2013 12 x 12, and the mini calendar! The rest of them will come at the normal time. We are going to try really hard not to run out this year!
OK Girlfriends, that ought to keep you busy for a while. I will give you one last little hint about the next post . . .
This was the sky over Beatrix Potter’s house. . . a dream just came true. ♥ Does that mean an angel got his wings? I think so! Bye for now, xoxo, Girlfriends Forever! Me.
Your blogs almost make me homesick. I think I was meant to be born in Great Britian. Enough about me, Susan, you look so British that one might not notice you in a group. High praise! The tour through the factory is wonderful.
You are actually begining your second month. Time has flown and we have enjoyed every post that you have sent. All of us are loving every picture, video, and word. Many thanks.
I know. June is already here. Not thinking about it yet. If I do, I’ll get homesick!
Wonderful story. I so wish I was there. Definately Emma Bridgewater is one to add to my bucket list. Kiss Petey for me!
Hmm, I wonder if I know him well enough for that!
And was he especially placed under the “nut” sign above the counter in the tea room? 🙂
Yes! You noticed!
I’ve so enjoyed your posts from England and the cups you and Joe decorated are wonderful! What a lovely way to remember a trip. Thank you for sharing your adventure. 🙂
You have made my day!!! Thank you so much for the tour. I adore Emma Bridgewater Pottery and give it as gifts to my friends. I try to find one that would be special to each person. When my dear friend purchased a Mini Cooper Emma had a mug for that. My friend went crazy!!! She owns a teashop so of course the Earl Grey De La Creme was put into action. Your trip is making me soooo happy! I can only imagine how you must be feeling. xoxox p.s. You and Joe did a wonderful job on your mugs…..SUCH TALENT!
Susan, Oh my GOODNESS!!!! How fabulous was that day??? I LOVE all the pottery AND you got to make your own mugs!?!!!! I’m busting at the seams with excitement. Thanks for the opportunity to win a mug – Amazing and so very generous. THANK YOU!!! as you can tell from the CAPS and !!! I’m super-jazzed up. I needed this today so very much.
Hugs and Pottery Love, Jeanette xoox….
I am enjoying every minute of your holiday
Would love the mug got up yesterday to watch the last day of the jubilee
4.30 a.m Made myself a Blt and tea Ilove my Queen 60 years of sevice to the commonwealth.Will be getting you 13 calendar canno live without
continue to have fun love to you both
Oh Thank You for sharing your trip to England with us, through your words and pictures I feel that I am right there with you. What a wonderful gift♥
Oh, how I would love to win that mug!!!! Thanks for the opportunity to try……
I think Emma Bridgewater needs a line of Susan Branch edition mugs!
Yes, I was wondering if EB could duplicate Susan’s cups so we could each have one!
I agree! What a great idea!!:)
Oh now THAT is the most wonderful idea of all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes! A brilliant idea!
Absolutely, what a terrific idea!
Darling girl–you are EXACTLY where you should be. No reason to be homesick. Wallow in everything English to your heart’s content. Fill yourself up with sunshine, and tea, and scary road stories, and ducks, and peacocks, and roses, and scones, and more tea. You are THE BEST for allowing us along for all the joy you spread. Tell Joe to hug you extra dearly for me-for us. Love,
I also love dishes of all sorts!!! Would love to have the mug. Thank for having a drawing.
I cried while watching the ships and boats on the Thames. Susan – I may never get to Great Britain – your travel reporting is wonderful, and YAY! I am off to order my new calendar RIGHT NOW ;-D
Marcia in Sewell, NJ
Hi Marcia in Sewell! Patricia in Philly (but I live in Haddonfield, NJ!) here.
So nice to see FOSB’s close to my home.
Hi Patricia! Haddonfield is a lovely town!!! DO you take the speed line into Philly? I used to sing in the beautiful Haddonfield Methodist Church. There were wonderful extravagant “Boar’s Head Dinners” at Christmas time with King + Queen and royal court all in costumes. I was Princess Georgie. LOL! Those were the days! You aren’t too far from Yardville, NJ
Hello Georgie! I hope you see this! My daughter’s name is Georgette Victoria and we call her Georgie!
Yes, my husband of 35 years and I take the Speedline to Philly together every day. You would love the new shops in Haddonfield – The English Gardener Shop that sells Emma Bridgewater (!) and their sister pub across the street, the British Chip Shop!
Yardville – is it close enough that you could perhaps come for a visit to Haddonfield? And perhaps Marcia would be interested as well?
Thank you, thank you for taking us along on your wonderful trip. I keep checking the computer all the time for each new post. Love the mugs you made.
How fun the pottery factory looks; and always fantastic when things are handmade, not machine made. I would love to have tea out of the Jubilee cup. Stay safe on the roads now; you two scared me there for a minute in your video!! Hugs!
I loved seeing the Emma factory!!! The mugs you and Joe made were my favorites! How cool is that to have Emma mugs you painted yourselves!!!
I didn’t know that Joe is an artist, WOW! That sneaky Pete is so funny. I have a similar old doll that is a sailor girl…..it was my Nana’s. She was from England. Not sure where the doll came from. Everytime I see Pete, I think my sailor girl may take that sneaky look off his face……but then he’d be less fun….Ya think?
I’d like to see her try!
Oh gosh, this is what I was wanting! Let’s introduce the two!!! 🙂 Petey and a sailor girl?!!!
What beautiful pottery! I’ll bet tea tastes exquisite coming out of those cups! Thanks for taking us to the factory!
Kelly in Eastern PA
I’m checking the website a b-zillion times a day, just waiting for your next post! I can’t stand it! I’m drinking coffee as I write from an Emma mug – my favorites in the cupboard! Cheerio!!!!
Oh, how wonderfully thoughtful! To own an Emma Bridgewater cup would be fabulous. Love the mugs that you two made. All your posts from England are
being sooooo enjoyed. Keep having fun.
Your trip has been so interesting to read about with all the wonderful photos! Keep the posts coming! I am excited to see your new wall calendar is out as well.
Oh, I’ve so been enjoying your visit to England – I hope to go back soon myself, and you’ve been doing so many things I now want to do. I love the cottages you’ve been staying in most of all, and I love that you are doing one or two things a day instead of trying to cram in 20 things! If I won that cup, I’d be in heaven!
Julie
The Emma Bridgewater factory was amazing! That is going on my must-see list. I have longed admired her cups and wanted one for the Jubilee but they are a little our of my price range. I found a Jubilee mug at World Market but I would love an Emma one. Wasn’t the Jubilee fantastic? Or should I say, bloody brilliant? The concert, the carriage procession, the flyover, etc. Can’t wait for Beatrix Potter! Thanks for taking us along!
What a wonderful tour. The pottery is so fantastic.
Thank you for sharing your adventure!
Oh dear, I don’t want to seem greedy — but I would really love to have that cup! (Isn’t it called a beaker?) Such fun we’ve all had reading about your trip, thanks so much for sharing.
So enjoying your beautiful pictures of your trip thru the English countryside. I feel as though I am there with you and your husband. Thank you, Thank you
I so look forward to your posts everyday. I love Emma – and found her through you! Thanks for sharing so much love & beauty!!
Oh Susan, thank you so much for sharing your journey through England. Emma Bridgewater pottery looks so pretty in pictures – really need to see some in person. Any chance you’ll order some of the pictured rose pattern to put for sale on your website?
Ooooh…so precious! Being “bloody right” and “crikey”…love it. You got to go to Stoke-on-Trent. I am so sad about the factories being closed…losing the art of dish-making. I could never have too many. I gave my friend an EB mug for Valentines and she gave me the poppy mug for helping with her daughter’s wedding. I first saw Emma Bridgewater mugs in Maine and a sweet little shop…and I think they said toast or some such. The ones you and Joe made are awesome! I just loved watching the FLOTILLA on Sunday and am amazed at the Queen and her stamina throughout her Jubilee. I wondered if the mug is available (just in case I do not win☹) to purchase in your store.
Your new digs look so inviting. Looking forward to Beatrix and your story about her.
Have fun! Be careful on those paths/roads.
Oh, please, please, please, enter me, enter me, please, please.
Does enthusiasm help? Probably not.
OK, I am so officially really way behind you and Joe now that I will never catch up until I have the book in my hands and a month of nothing else to do but reread all the blogs and the book and plenty of time in between the blogs and the comments and each darling little watercolor drawing and vignette that you write about in the book to think and imagine and daydream for a good half hour or so!!!!!! Haven’t you noticed that I am barely hanging on to the fender at the back of the car 🙂 Every thing is whizzing by so fast that I can’t take it all in. England is just too enchanting and darling and bewitching for words!!!!
Oh my! My heart skipped a beat when I saw there was a new post! I really look forward to every word and picture…thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. Your mugs are beautiful! They are going to be incredible mementos. I can’t wait to see your Beatrix Potter post. LOVE!!!
I’m SO enjoying our travel through England and look forward to visiting with Miss Potter! And I do so need a good cuppa tea!
Did you know that MY BEST FRIEND is the one who introduced me to all things “SUSAN BRANCH!?”
AND my best friend, for the past FIFTY EIGHT years is “Claudia of Huntsville, Alabama! ”
As little girls, we traveled around the world together (with our parents who were best friends! and still are!) with our Barbie dolls in tow, and NOW, here we are traveling with Susan Branch all over northern England! How fun!
Nanette and Claudia, sounds real good together 🙂 Glad you’re here!
Hi Susan! I’m so happy for you to be seeing so many wonderful things and including us on your trip! Thank you! The GPS video made my heart race. 🙂 It reminded me of when I was a child riding with my parents on a single lane, very curvey road going straight up a mountain. One side of the road was against the mountain side, the other side a deep gorge drop off. Posted on the mountain side was a sign that stated “Watch for lumber trucks!” 🙂 The photos of Emma’s factory are great. The Royal Jubilee cup is wonderful and would fit perfectly in my hand! 🙂 As always your videos, words, and photos are awesome and evoke lots of similar memories, feelings, and joy in me! Love ya, Barb in Nashville
I think I gasped before Susan did in that video!
Susan the tour of Emma Bridgewater pottery was wonderful! I love my Emma heart mug and teapot–they are so well made. The mugs you made are going to be just the perfect keepsake of your trip to Emmaland.
The video of the drive there reminds me of some of our trips to lands unknown–even scarier when they drive on the wrong side! Looks as though Joe is driving Darcy very carefully and getting to your destinations safely. Glad you have a Volvo!
The sky above Beatrix Potter’s home is so lovely–I’m excited to see what we have in store in your next installment.
xoxo ♥
Even if I don’t win (and I’d love to win) this post was SUCH a treat. Your writing, your paintings, your photos, all of it just give me such a happy glow. Thank you for letting us come along on this glorious trip.
Oooh, Beatrix Potter here we come!
Pam
Oh I so wish I was in england to make my own mug,
but since I cant be, I hope i win one …ugh!
had to make it rhyme 🙂
What a wonderful tour. Thanks for sharing. I’d love to see an Emma mug in person. I’ll just have to splurge one of these days. Take care and have more fun than you can imagine while on your trip. I just love seeing when you have a new post for us.
Goosebumps on top of goosebumps!!! Oh, how fun to sit and paint your very own mug…and in such a darling factory! The rose pattern looks absolutely beautiful..is it a new pattern? I am just simply speechless, so I shall stop now.
I have wanted to order a jubilee mug but have hesitated. Maybe this will be my chance;)
I will try hard to stay busy until your next post..I’m just all a flutter!
So excited for you both,
Christie
Oh…and the cute as pie public restroom…I want to paint a door just like that;)
Susan,
I have admired your work for such a long time! You and Joe taking this trip and you sharing it with everyone is just the most wonderful thing for all of us in the states!!I check your web site everyday in hopes you have posted some wonderful
pictures and little tour notes for all of us. I would love to be entered in your mug contest. Thank you again for sharing this trip with all of us, is has been “just delightful”!
Judy
I LOVE this factory! You have no idea how ‘home’ it feels seeing all the greenware stacked on shelves waiting for the handpainted magic. My Grammie has her own kiln and has done ceramics as long as I remember. Wonderful times sitting around the kitchen table, pouring slip into molds, cleaning greenware and painting. I am thrilled to see such a timeless art still thriving. And I can’t wait to see the mugs you and Joe did when they are finished! There could not be a more suitable take home memory then those!
I have enjoyed your vacation as much as you have. Thanks for the fun! We have a place here in town that you can paint ceramics; and every time a guest comes to visit I take them and paint an easter egg. I now have quite a nice basket of eggs. I love the cups you made. What a great way to remember your trip. I have the coronation cup from 60 years ago that my grandmother bought. It would be fun to have the Jubilee cup to go with it! Hint hint – ha!
Your best blog yet! You are sounding more English in your writing, “jolly well see” and “bloody right” and I think I detected a bit of an English lilt to your voice in the video at Rachel’s parents’ home. You are coming home one day, aren’t you?
And those two photos with you were ADORABLE! You look so HAPPY, REFRESHED and in LOVE with everything around you. I can feel it through the computer screen. Thanks Joe for putting Susan in front of the camera for a change! We appreciate it!
I’m so wishing I’d planned a trip to England for the Diamond Jubilee, they’ve covered it well on CNN and ABC. Such a remarkable historical passage for QEII. Bring home souvenirs! Auction them off!
Carry On!
Diane
I decided in the middle of my day to come inside we had a small cookout with angelhair pasta salad with olives/tomatoes and a creamy Italian dressing (no recipe), and it turned out quite good (Jim thought anyway) and he BBQ chicken and we had our dear friend over just for no reason. The weather here is coolish for this time of year but the 90’s are headed back next week so we decided to enjoy this, anyway I came on here and there was your new blog. I was sipping my iced tea when I turned on the 1st video and Susan when the car came at you I almost sprayed my tea on the computer screen it scared me to death!!! Shame….I need some warning when an accident is almost about to happen, I try not to think about you and Joe on those narrow roads over there I just pray a lot for you!!! I loved the tour of Emma’s Factory how very special that you and Joe made your own mugs….did Joe paint that ship himself?? I know how much you are looking forward to them being there when you go home (maybe it will help you to want to return)….THANKS for a chance to win a mug that would make a very special momento of this trip, and if I am lucky enough to win I will always cherish it but I will be happy for any one of the girls to win it. I also love photography and I have to say the shot of you on the sidewalk by the roses and being shot from above was beautiful!! You need to frame that one for sure. My Angel is headed to Paris, France for 4 days tomorrow and is so excited she can’t stand it….she is also having the trip of a lifetime! Petey reminds me of “where is Waldo” showing up in every photo it makes me laugh and I like the name of the Peacock so happy it has a name!!! Blessings
Hi Deborah ! Been thinking of you and your daughter……YAY ! ………
“…trip of a lifetime!” that’s good to hear ! Take care …. : .}
Looking at the young girl with the cup on her hand — ya think she named her dog spot?
oH Jack….. : .}
Ha !
Nothing’s funnier
in the whole wide world
than humor based on logic.
I dare say-
Mr. Jack….you could give Seinfeld a run for his money !
Jack, do you realize how you’ve quickly become the darling of the blog? 🙂
Oh Susan! I have waited sooo long to tour the Bridgewater Factory and today I did! Thank you so much! I have my Queen’s Diamond Jubilee mug at home and I would love to be considered for the Thames River mug…
Can’t wait to see where we’ll go next!
p.s. The Queen Mary mug should be made available for purchase – especially as souveniers for those lucky folks who travel on the Queen Mary. It is so lovely!
Will tell Joe! I keep trying to get him to paint more, but he somehow slips through my fingers on that!
I know!! I would love that mug with the ocean liner on it, too!!! So amazing…..hello…Emma, are you listening?
Oh, Susan, Joe sounds so much like my Larry! If you can get Joe nailed down on painting more of the Queen Mary mugs, ask him to sign and date them on the bottom as well, please. We sail next year, you know!
And will you sign all the “Twip” books for us as well, so we will have official Signed, First Editions—what fun will that be!!!??
xoxo,
Kathy
Susan, each and every day I have coffee in the mornings with you and take your journey into England. I feel as if I have traveled with you that day, and it’s so refreshing! I am smitten by britian, probably because I have ancestors from there and the pull is somewhat strong to just move there. Please have a peaceful, safe, and wonderful rest of your journey. Judy
Susan…LOVE the cups you and Joe made! (Did he really paint his? It looks suspiciously like a Susan Branch artwork… *smile*). Having only a beginner’s class in pottery making myself, with no experience using molds, I am fascinated by the processes you have witnessed and described. Thanks for the tour! And double thanks for the opportunity for some lucky gal (or guy!) to receive a Jubilee memento; this is such great fun! Hugs from Kentucky…
What a wonderful, magical place! Of course Emma mugs would be born there. And how special you can create your own mug! Too cool! I would be over the moon if I were chosen to recieve this special memento of our trip. And I love the manicure – what a fun bunch.
a big ps to my post; I have a nephew there and his wife, and two baby girls, so the pull to be there is much greater than just being smitten!
Thank you so much for taking us along on this tour – I would have been drinking it all in and it’s almost as good the way you share it! 🙂
I am having so much fun. My favorite things are the post about the facilities and peoples homes and how they are arranged and decorated. I love the cozy feel the English people cherish. And I hope I win the Jubilee cup what a great souvenir.
See ya later. I’m still working on my cup. I’ll catch up.xoxoo
Love, love, love your posts. Been watching everything the BBCA has to offer on the Queens Jubilee, would love a mug from Emma Bridgewater! A memory of your trip and the Queen…perfect.
Also I would redo that speed sign on the wall behind your picture to read :
DEAD FAST —— LIVE SLOW
Oh, that’s a great one!
The Emma factory looks like such a nice place to be. I would love the Jubilee mug. Sitting here in Arkansas drinking my afternoon tea and enjoying your wonderful blog. Thank you for taking us along. I think I will have to add the Emma Bridgewater factory to my list of places to see in this world some day!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing all your pictures and posts with us. I loved the pictures of the Emma Bridgewater factory – would love to tour it someday. In 1976 I ordered a set a Johnson Brothers china that took one year to get to me but I still have it and can now picture where it was made. How wonderful. Can’t wait to see the next post – thank you again.
I look forward to your Post’s everday, and have never been disappointed. The trip to Emma Bridgewater’s Pottery would have been a highlight for me, I love cups made in England, and would love to add one of their’s to my collection.
I am having a wonderful vacation vicariously through you. Thank you so much. It will be my only vacation this year. Love the Tea cup. Hope to win . Thanks for the opportunity. Have a great time.
So, wonderful…was at Stoke-on-Trent a number of years ago and drooled all thru the Spode Factory! So glad you’re sharing so much with us 🙂 The Emma factory was a bit of heaven. Karen
OMG … a dream come true is right. I was in Stoke-on-Trent long before I knew about Emma. Now a bucket list item to return. Thanks for making your dream our dream… “A dream is a wish your heart makes” ♥ Have a quite nice, lovely, jolly good time!
It’s so wonderful to be one of your blog girlfriends. You have turned me on to Emma Bridgewater’s designs, and I am a fan with a beginning collection. I hoped that you were going to say that you were able to order even other Jubilee designs for your store. I’m so enjoying traveling vicariously with you. Enjoy!
What a wonderful day at Emma’s studio. Your hand-painted mugs are so fabulous. Joe’s looks great. Didn’t know he was an artist, too. I’ve only ever seen Emma Bridgewater pottery on your blog, and in your store, so I would love to win a mug. Perhaps I haven’t been looking in the right places. After all, I live in Victoria, B.C. where all things British reside. Looking forward to the next post at Beatrix Potter’s. And please take care on those narrow roads, wouldn’t want you to land up in the hedgerow.
L-O-V-E the rose dishes! And I screamed with you when I saw that car coming ’round the curve toward us on the oh-so-narrow road. Whew!!! How does Joe maintain his cool while driving with all of us screaming in the back seat? Well, just love ‘Cruise’in with Susan’ (hmmm….new book title?). Can’t wait for the next post!
-Marianne-
Oh, those gorgeous buildings. Love the video of the narrow roads, lots of places in Indiana just like that, one car width wide lol. Love the contrast of Emma’s spotted sign against the incredible old brick.
Oh, meant to say, Joe’s ship is GORGEOUS.
I am so in awe of all the beauty you’ve been sending us from England. Thank you for taking us with you. Would love to make that journey myself. After having watched the Thames Jubilee parade, I can say that the illiustration on the Emma mug is perfect. Her china is gorgeous.
Oh my goodness, I am such a huge Emma Bridgewater fan! I’ve never been to the factory, but I did visit her shop in Marylebone (which I think is no longer there) and I loved it. Packed two tea and coffee mugs and little child’s mug with my initial on it into my suitcase and brought them home with me. I hope to visit that factory some day.
xo
Claudia
So happy you can visit all your favorite things and share with us.
Hi Susan ~ pick me, pick me, pick me!!!
Dear Sue and Joe,
Your travel journal has been the highlight of this past month. I literally jump up and down when there’s a new entry! I’ve even switched from my usual morning coffee (and blog reading) to trying tea in your honor (anyone who knows me knows this is a huge change – but I’ve got to say it’s delightful! I may be a convert!) I would so love to enjoy it in this wonderful mug, so I’ll send a word up to the contest goddess and hope that my name is pulled this time.
Enjoy your continued travels and thank you ever so much for sharing with all of us!!
Susan,
It’s been so wonderful to take this trip w/ you via your wonderful pictures! I especially loved this post, and thank you for a chance to win that unique cup! ~Sally
The factory tour was wonderful.
Makes me wish there were more of these old fashioned, artisan
businesses peppered through out the USA and world,
sad to see how rare they’ve become.
Glad to see some still do exist & thrive,
thanks to an appreciative customer base.
Quality, not quantity…less of truly wonderful treasures is AlWAYS more !
Petey looks happier & sweeter with every new photo-
may have something to do with that chocolate cake he’s spying
on shared counter.
Chocolate will tickle & tame any seafaring fella’…even Petey !
The details of your trip of a lifetime are so fab to follow! I’m anxious for the next chapter….Beatrix Potter’s house. Be sure Petey gets a souvenir of his very own to remember this adventure! Safe travels and wave to my English friends Wendy ( lives in Eccles, Manchester) and Sue ( lives in Windsor, Berkshire)
Linda in Roseville, MN
Another wonderful day in the country with you and Joe. I’ve always longed to go to England, and I guess this is about as close as I will ever get. Hope Joe understands that this really touches so many hearts back home. Can’t really explain (with tears welling up) how good these posts make us feel. sniff Continue on your journey and watch those dodgey turns. (tweeds and tights look great on you!) Have you had any emails from Jack and Kitty Girl, we miss them too? hugs….Marge
They write all the time, they are happy and keep telling me to have fun, and they love me. xoxo Thank you Marge!
It has been wonderful reading your posts. I don’t know how you’re going to be able to bear coming home….except for those two kitties waiting for you.
I am so enjoying your trip. Thank you for taking time to give us all a “piece of the action” by your fun descriptions. Would love to see it all….someday. I hope to win the mug! Thanks
My husband and I are off this weekend for five weeks there. I’ve told my friends here that this (SusanBranch.com) is the way we “do” England as well —- wandering around the countryside and seeing what pops out before us. Jill, from Hayling Island, is meeting us at Gatwick, and we have only the first few days actually planned. I sent her the link and she’s following from there! Wonder how many Brits will be following soon. Looking forward to being there with the Union Jacks flying all around. You’ve helped start our adventure . . . love the mugs! Love England!
I’m loving being in the UK with you, even though I’m in Colorado!
Hi, Susan. This is my 1st post on your blog. I am a long-time fan of you & your work. (I still have the Christmas recipes from Country Living’s issues 12/1989 & 12/1990 which my son & I made for the holidays.) My girlfriend & I collect your books as we adore your artwork/recipes/stories. Your detailed drawings remind me of Tasha Tudor’s work. (BTW, my son, Matthew, is an illustrator (Pratt grad) who loves to see Jack’s photos as he wants a tuxedo cat. They are always dressed for any occasion, he tells me.) I am reading/writing this while having a cup of tea in Emma Bridgewater’s Daffodil cup which was a Christmas gift from Matt via a gift certificate. Like you, I have been collecting transferware & English china for over 25 yrs. Fell in love with Royal
Albert’s Old Country Roses while in London in 1980 & expanded it to a dinner set way before it became really popular in US. We just have to say no to paper plates & yes to china whether it is for everyday use or special occasions. I hope that you, Joe & Petey have a spectacular adventure & a safe trip. Can’t wait to see Beatrix Potter’s home, too. Glad that I came on the trip with you. It’s not so bad being packed like a sardine in your suitcase or car. All your girlfriends are wonderful travelers. LOL Oh, I had an English pen pal back in the mid-60s while in high school, though we lost touch a few years later. Enjoy and listen to the song of Life! Ta-Ta for Now! Best wishes, Barbara from NYC
Have I told you again and again that my Mom ( who will be 90 in September) and I are just in HEAVEN with each post!!! We wait like it is Christmas morning to hear where you and Joe are going to end up next. Tell Joe his mug is AMAZING!!! Oh I don’t want this to EVER end. So delightful…so very YOU!!!!
Hello, Love the posting. Your designs were perfect. I love the roses design as well. Hope you will sell those on the website. Can’t wait for Beatrix Potter’s farm.
What a wonderful post today. I was disappointed when I checked this morning and there was nothing but then this afternoon..Walla..It was worth the wait. How fun to get to make your own saying on your cups. That will be something you will prize for ever. and Yes I would love to win that Jubilee cup. The English really know how to do something up..Royal.. 🙂 Looking forward to the next blog post of Beatrix Potter…. hope we don’t have to wait to long. 🙂 Oh and I too scream in the car sometimes if on narrow hilly roads around here. I never know who has to back up.
Good Evening Sweet Sue Omggggggggg Every Blog is Better! Very Magical…I Love The Videos! all Those Winding Roads! Yikes! 🙂 I Bet Martha Stewart has let Out a Few Gasps on Her Travels! 🙂 Love the English Ducks! Quack! ok The Tour of Emma Bridgewater Beyond Fabulous & You & Joe got to Make Your Very Own Cups! Gorgeous! & You are Giving one Lucky Friend an Emma Bridgewater Mug for The Queen’s Jubilee!!Fingers Crossed! omgggggggggggggggggg 🙂 I Love How You Sneaked Sailor Pete into The Tea~Room….He Looks Hungry! You are Right about The English Public Bathrooms too Oh My…so Charming! I know You have to Have a Huge Smile on Your Face Morning Noon & Night…ICan Feel Your Happiness Sweet Sue! 🙂 Love The Photos with You in Them! Hugz & Love & Lots of Polka~Dot Pixie~Dust! ( I Mean Spots~Pixie~Dust!) Yay! Good Night or Good Morning…(When You get a Chance to read this!) xoxo Poof!
P.S. “Crikey”! I Love that Word! 🙂
Love reading about your amazing trip! As summer breezes by, it’s fun to think about you over there having such lovely adventures! Wishing you continued safe travels. . .
Please enter me to win the mug. I think it would make a beautiful hooked rug!
I so enjoyed touring the Emma factory with you. My eye immediately spotted the beautiful mug covered roses. How special that you and Joe could make your own souvenir mugs! O.k., o.k., I have to admit it – Petey is starting to grow on me.;) Love from Oregon, where it looks alot like your photos of spring in England.
How wonderful that you were able to paint your own cups!
Thank you for taking us on the tour of the Emma Bridgewater factory.
And, my favorite thing … the video of the GPS … it’s lovely to know that you are so normal like the rest of us who freak out at cars coming at you head on.
🙂
As, usual, looking forward to the next post as I am a glutton for your blog.
xoxo, Priscilla
Yet another fantastic post! Just so you know, I would have screamed too on that road. 🙂 The ducks and baby coots, so precious. Really enjoyed the tour of the Emma Bridgestone factory, fascinating! You and Joe made such perfect mugs, two such talented individuals! Can’t wait for your next post! Safe travels.
P.S. Loved the mug designs that you and Joe created – how talented you both are! Great to see that the new calendars are in too, can’t wait to get one.
Oh Susan! Your England posts have been so delightful and memory provoking. My 2 sisters, a cousin and myself traveled to England in Sept. of 2010. We all picked something special to see while there, and my pick was Hilltop. I practically had tears when reading about your visit to Hilltop. We had beautiful weather the whole time there which is the cherry on the top on an England vacation. So glad you’re having lovely days as well. Enjoy every last minute and thanks for bringing all of us along as well. The Emma Bridgewater factory will be a “must-do” if we make it over the pond again.
Everyday I look forward to reading about your wonderful trip, you make me feel like I’m with you.
oH for crying out LOuD ……It just keeps getting better & better!!!!
LOLing….at the car ride video…never a Dull Moment…thats for sure!!! Our GPS…we named her Gladys…”Are’nt cha glad you have this”for all the mystery
roads ! Weird, I know. I love to see all the juBilee decorations everywhere… could they stay up for always? Susan…You & Joe could serioulsy go into the
paint-your-own-cup business…I would like to place my order PLEASE ! 🙂
Emma could hire you and Joe for some artistic inspiration….They are
tealiscious ! I know…weird again! But I do love them!!! I am so HAPPY to see
our favorite little guy…cheeky Pete !!!! HAha…I didn’t see him till you told me..
I was looking at the signs on the back wall….Really ! ….I did not even see the
Layered Cake….& Scones…..& Crumbs….hmmmm chocolate crumbs…Did you see
the framed signs? Yep! Those chocolate crumbs came from a “TRULY GREAT”
cake !!! AND….was it an accident that cheeky Pete was sitting under a sign
that reads…..”May contain traces of NUTS!” Is Someone trying to tell US
something ??? I wanted to write a beautifully written post and when I read
it back I’ve got words like…..are’nt cha…weird…tealiscious…Yep!…weird(again)
& NUTS ! Oh well….I always have the beautiful words of Susan and many,many
of you Girlfriends (you know who you are 🙂 ) I think Susan just has a way of *
making me feel Happy! and I am so Happy! for her and Joe !!! Susan…will you
tell me which stAr you wish on ????? P L E A S E ??? *
Well…not sure if I’m a Girlfriend first or a NUT first….but, we need ALL * kinds of friends right? The SKY over Beatrix Potter’s house……gonna think
to myself… what a wonderful………………………………………………………………………………….. Have a better than Great Day Susan & keep traveling the world !!! * XoXDawn “thank you kiddo!” *
Dawn, good thing I’m so serious so everyone doesn’t think that all in Minnesota are nuts! Seriously, I giggle at your posts–love them–and I observed that “nut” sign above Petey’s head, too–just thought Susan knew he belonged under that sign! Wish we could meet at a tea shop just like that and share a cup of tea (and some chocolate crumbs but in the form of a chocolate cake, please, for me…) 🙂
…..” wishes do come true”…..maybe this summer we COULD
meet for tea… & did you say chocolate cake ? My treat !
And….you are a silly one too ! Sometimes I get so nervous
when I send a post…. I ramble on and think… what did I just
send out to Susans blog? Susan is quite the gal…and
sometimes the happiness just overflows and I end up
sounding a little nutty. Take Care Pat….and I think I’ll be
seeing you soon ! : .}
Oh to be in England …
What a fabulous holiday you are having. Thank you for the posts & pics. I adore that Jubilee mug, and would be to happy to win it …
Cheers! Jeanne Murray
Every time I read about your trip I realize why I have always loved all things British. I feel like I belong there and hope to get there soon. This trip of yours has been so wonderful. You will have so many memories to store up. A nosy question. Where do you get your clothes? You always look so put together and just right.
I wish I could say I got them all in one place, it would make life so easy, but I don’t, I find them wherever I can!
Susan,
The photo of you standing outside by the roses,
under the Emma Bridgewater sign just completed its down load.
What a superb shot –
all the textures, traditional colors, roses & brick, bright cheerful sign & you-
in all your English glory !
Assuming this is Joe’s camera work, from a stairway….absolutely lovely !
The only thing missing was him.
Remember to hand the camera to some sweet person
so he or she can capture photos of the two of you
for your personal keepsakes.
People love to participate in others’ joy…….let them snap away !
So sweet Julie…”people love to participate in others’ joy”….Love that thought
So true…when I’m traveling I always ask people if they want me to take a pix of the two of them…it’s just a habit I’ve undertaken…so do it, do it…get a couple of pix with the two of you together.
I do the same–and then most times the people offer to do the same of us and that is the only way we have any photos of us together, at all, on our travels!!! 🙂 (haven’t mastered the setting the camera up and running to get in the picture–would be laughing too hard…) 🙂
Hip, Hip, Hooray….”Woobert’s” back on the job !
Just noticed, on second glance, Joe’s in the distant
walking down past the factory & before we recognized Joe,
we spied the trusty red & cream, trusty tote-
like a good will flag in the wind,
Woobert is our cue that all is right with the world
and all is safe & sound with you two !
Was Petey stashed, safe within Woobert
until he got a whiff of the pastry counter ?
If so……oh dear, whadda’ pair !
I am SO loving this trip! I have learned alot and feel like I am there with you! Your video of the car trip was a great laugh out loud moment! Take care!
We are off home to England in just one week! I simply can’t wait! We are going to the South West -Lorna Doone country 🙂 Hip hip hurra! I shall buy my 3 children their Diamond Jubilee mugs then. When I was a girl, we were all given a Silver Jubilee mug at school…but it wasn’t an EB one of course.
Hi Susan: I had a lovely time touring the Emma Bridgewater factory with you and Joe. So wonderful!! Loved the mugs you made! So looking forward to our visit to Beatrix Potter’s. Take care of yourselves, and continue to have the most wonderful time!!
Having the time of my life touring all over charming, northern England! I am constantly checking………yes……..ALL DAY LONG………for the NEXT installment in our travel diary! You’ve made my day………AGAIN!
Susan,
How exciting! Loved your driving adventure. I have a tendency to squeal when my husband is driving too, so I would hate to see me over there. Ha! Just loved the Emma tour. The rose cup and dishes are adorable!! Are those something you might be able to carry in your store? Designing your own cups – what a great thing! Nice picture of you with the sign and the roses too. Wonderful, wonderful!
Jan
FUN -FUN -FUN !!!! I am having such a great time with you and Joe! Thank you so much for inviting me along!! The cups you two made are just Great! The Jubilee mug is a nice memory keeper. Can’t wait to see where “Petey” ends up next!” He is fun, like the Flat Stanley travels. Off we go to Beatrice Potter’s place now….Need to find her books, and then leaf through The Art of Beatrix Potter.
Oh, Susan!!! Such a feast for the eyes is this blog!!!! Could not WAIT to see your tour of the Emma factory!!! So wonderful. I LOVE your mugs, as well! Great job. The signs are so great in England….polite, proper….I took many pictures of cute signs when we were there. Could go on and on. Thank you, luv, for another fun reading experience…it’s so much more than just a blog. And you look darling in your little sweater and skirt! xoxo…kp