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.
hello susan, ooohhhhh how fun to go to the factory, and what lovely cups. i do love the ones you and Joe designed, but the that Diamond Jubilee one is also very interesting. what a beautiful place to go to and what a beautiful country this is. off to go check on our newest turkey, a wild one. a young hen that jumped over our fence and into the barnyard with all the birds. tom tom is very happy and courting her so we have a little turkey romance going on here, hope she stays and we have more little turkeys as a result. cheers. hugs…. 🙂
I am so with you in spirit. Oh! To go to England during the Jubilee…love, love love the Union Jack bunting! Thank you for the photos of the Emma tour. I adore the poster on the wall of the tea room that says, “Truly Great” as it so sums up every post you’ve sent us. The Emma tour is, for me, one of the highlights. Your trip is my dream.
Blessings,
Beth
Reading about your travels here in the UK is making me look at things anew. My DH and I have now joined the National Trust and we are having fun, also visiting the tea rooms (well someone has to taste the cakes) I am so sorry the weather has returned to ‘normal’ but it is what makes our countryside so green. Now I have the pottery factory on my growing list of ‘places visited by Susan that I wish to see for myself’ Thank you for being so kind, sharing your holiday with everyone.
I so love the mugs you made! I am a huge Emma fan and a huge fan of all things British. I have enjoyed every minute of your trip and can’t wait till the day I can do the same but until then, thank you for taking us along!
I have been loving this English vacation – it’s like Christmas every morning as I excitedly clink on the link to see if there’s a new post about your adventures! I love LOVE that you got to create your own Emma Bridgewater masterpiece. I’ve tried to find a place like that here in my neck of the woods for years, because I think I’d be quite the Michelangelo given the chance to create my own line of pottery, but alas… no luck! So I live vicariously through you, my friend! xoxo
Susan and Joe– Thank-you for inviting me along, with all of the other virtual friends , on this splendid trip to England!! I have not missed one spot of the journey. From the Pre-packing to the Queen Mary, each post has been so delightful and it seems so real to me! I really feel like I am along in the backseat somewhere. Emma Pottery sounds like the perfect antidote to the town’s revival and I hope it continues to thrive. Please add me to the list of possible recipients of the mug in your drawing! And I am thrilled to know calendars are here and I will be able to buy one this year.
Cherrio!!
Winnie
What a wonderful time I am having reading your blog and watching the Queens
Jubilee on the telly we have enjoyed so much the flotilla and the outdoor concert which was on my birthday. A perfect beautiful 4-day celebration in the North Carolina mountains this past weekend and I thank-you for making it all the more special.
I visited Stoke~on~Trent back in 1990 and went through the Royal Doulton factory. It was indeed fascinating to see how these things are made and all the steps they go through to finished product. If only Emma had been there then! How wonderful to be able to design your own mugs (or do they call them beakers?). I’ll bet those two mugs end up being your’s and Joe’s favorite and most used souvenirs from your wonderful trip. Many thanks again for taking me with you!
Fingers and toes crossed that you will choose my name for that gorgeous Jubilee mug.
You are such a wonderful story teller — and you are telling us things of England that we would never read in a travel guide. Love the Dead Slow sign!!! Cannot believe you got to design your own mug at the factory — what an absolutely fabulous idea! And it’ll be there when you get home! (My, Joe is quite the artist, too!!) BTW, have you heard how your kitties are doing? Continued thanks for all the joy you send our way! Ethel
Oh Susan, what an incredible place and post! I was getting butterflies in my stomach looking at all of it thinking what would i choose!!!!!! Thank you so much for yet another wonderful time with you and Joe, and i have to tell you, i let out a big ‘OHHHHHH’ when we were in the car! oh my goodness. just go dead slow…tee hee ( love that )
Wow, thankyou for the factory tour, so interesting!!! I would love to give the Jubilee mug to my England-loving daughter!! She is working in Spain this summer, but was thrilled to find the Queen’s Jubilee on tv there!!! Loving you blog, Thanks so much, Kim D. from Dublin, OH
Hi Kim, I spent many years in Central OH. From 6th grade through college I lived in Westerville and graduated from Westerville HS and Otterbein College. Westerville wasn’t a suburb then. And I knew Dublin when it was just a crossroads.
I’m enjoying “our” trip. Can’t wait to see Beatrix Potter house. It’s a wonderful thing you are doing sharing all these smashing day trips with us. Thank you, Susan.
What a treat to see Emma’s factory – I use my colourful Diamond Jubilee cup from her every morning to have my tea. Fun to see where it was made and maybe even a peek at some of the people who created it. It’s brilliant traveling vicariously along with you, haven’t been to England since 2006 and this is helping with the withdrawal pangs.
Erin in Morro Bay
This has all been such fun enjoying England with you. Thank Joe for his patience with blogging to us (and waiting for you to take photos for us, etc.) and thank you for sharing it all with us. What an exciting time to be over there! I’d love to win a flotilla mug. I love all the Emma Bridgestone pottery! Thanks Susan!
So enjoying our trip to England – can’t wait to make one of my own… looking forward to your diary 🙂
I LOVE being with you in England ! It is one of my dreams….
OMG you have such a wonderful way of describing your sights! It has been such a nice way to begin my day! Thank you so for sharing 🙂
I am enjoying every blog post of your travels SO very much! Watched every minute of the Jubilee celebration that they televised here and am so excited for you being able to be right there. My family was able to be in England for 6 weeks during the summer of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and there were so many special exhibits, decorations and overall excitement throughout the country, that I can only imagine what it is like now that it is her Diamond Jubilee. The hubby and I are planning our end of Oct./early Nov. trip over the pond, so I hope there will still be some Jubilee excitement left by then! LOVED visiting Stoke-on-Trent years ago (I am rather a fan of Portmeirion) and I love the Emma Bridgewater pieces, so I may have to go visit there too! My china cabinet is pretty much reserved for British only pieces, so I have a spot for the Jubilee Mug if I happen to win!! I just love everything British 🙂
The mugs you & Joe painted are so beautiful! Can’t wait to see the finished products once you receive them. No need to rush home, though.
What a treat to follow along on your journey! This has been one of my favourite posts yet…. and not because of your lovely giveaway! (Although I do adore that mug…:)
Thank you so much, Susan! Your blog is the perfect morning pick-me-up.
I am loving going along on your trip- and you look the proper english girl in your natty traveling clothes! I would love the cup and give it the BEST home!! Take care on those roads and get home to us safely, but full up with wonderful memories! :o)
Opps, I commented on the wrong posting! I would be head over heals happy to win that fantastic mug! I adore her work tremendously.
Lynnie
Oh my, we girlfriends have to straighten ourselves up a bit after Joe’s driving mishap. I think I’ll be in the trunk for our next journey.. Love the Emma factory because it reminds me of The Bennington VT pottery factory tour my husband and I took in February. Would simply adore a new mug. Can’t wait for our next adventure(hopefully it will not involve our car).
Been at the beach in at Ponta Vedra, Florida and missed all of yall! Now Back to your wonderful blog and going back to England with you on your trip. It is so great to see everything I have missed while I have been gone. Oh, what a beautiful countryside. It looks kinda like North Georgia with the cows and sheep. Love the Emma Bridgewater Factory. It would be great to win that mug! Thanks Susan for sharing such a wonderful vacation with all of us. Love to you and Joe.
P.S. Can’t wait to order new calendars!
Hi Susan…. I loved all the Emma Bridgewater dishes! They all are soooo colorful! One of us will be so very lucky to win the cup that you have for us. Very interesting tour of the factory where they make the dishes.
Looking forward to the post of your next stop…
Carol M
Susan, thank you for having us along on your trip! I have had a wonderful
time in England with you and Joe. You have given me so much wonderful
ideas and information when I am able to travel to England. My friend Linda
(who gave me the heads up on your website) we get together at work and
go over all that you and Joe have seen and done. We would love to plan a trip
to that area of England and just explore the quaint towns and lovely homes
at our leisure as you and Joe have done.. Linda and I enjoyed the tour of the Emma Bridgewater Factory
it’s wonderful that she is helping to revitalize the pottery industry in that area. I love her mugs I plan to start collecting. love that jubilee flotilla mug and the mugs the two of you designed when you get home you have to put them on your site I can’t wait to see them. Thank you for taking us on your trip linda and I have enjoyed it so much.
Enter me in the drawing for the Silver Jubilee cup. We have been following the blog and just love hearing about your travels. I’ve been to England, but didn’t do anything like what you are doing. Must go back!
Chris
So nice to hear from you Chris … Hi to Kathy!
Hi Susan!!!
Chris and I have been following your blog and we look forward to seeing where you are headed next!! We couldn’t stop laughing with the GPS video this morning….LOL! Have fun and please enter me in the drawing for the Jubilee cup. Thank you!!!
The cups you both made were fantastic. Joe is a great artist also! Thanks for sharing!
Love your blog and books, love England, love the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, love Will & Kate, and would really love a mug!!
I’mhaving such a great trip- Thanks for inviting me along…I did my student teaching back in merry olde England in 1975- so it’s great to be back!!!
You really are too much! The gift of this blog and then a possiblity of a mug, too?!!
Thank you so much for taking me along on your journey. I can’t imagine how you are doing it “all” – journal/diary, drawing, painting, traveling, viewing the sites, spending time with old friends and making new ones, enjoying tea with Joe, and on top of all that – updating your blog. You are one of the most creative, energetic, and unselfish people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting!!:)
Sincerely,
Susan (from Dallas, but finally on the way to our summer in Colorado)
What a nice thing to say! Have a happy Colorado Summer!
Hi Susan and Joe! Your travel blog is addicting! I check it everyday, hoping for another glimpse into beautiful England. Cannot wait until you show us Beatrix Potter’s home….what a treat! Thank you so much for bringing us along on your adventures!!
Thanks for taking us along on this dream trip. I love the videos of the animals. The sheep are my favorites.
I’ve been wondering how Jack is managing at home on the Vineyard.
Please enter me in the Jubilee mug drawing. Thanks for your generosity!
Oh Susan, to be a mouse in your pocket right now! I’m so glad you are sharing your adventure with us here on the blog. I’d love to have a chance to win the mug. It would be so special. Crossing my fingers!
You have gotten me addicted to Emma Bridgewater pottery…..THANK YOU! I am loving your trip reports…feels like I am right there!
I love how you are beginning to pepper your speech with “British-isms,” “jolly,” “bloody,” all the good ones! Are you starting to talk like Madonna now? 🙂
That factory looks AMAZING. I love the gal’s fingernails. Did you plan this trip of yours to coincide with the Jubilee, or was that serendipity?
Sarah
It was serendipity, we didn’t know, but for some reason, it makes perfect sense!
It must be those fairies you talk about who run ahead of you and set things up for your viewing pleasure! 🙂
Sarah
I always thought those fairies came with Martha’s Vineyard, I didn’t know them might come here too! How great!
Great news about your calendars. I would love it if you would do a 5X7 easel calendar as well. I am really enjoying your trip and feel as if I got to go along with you.
Yes, I love easel calendars!
I second the request for a 5×7 easel calendar – I would love one
for 2013.
I always enjoy getting my dose of travel from your blog. I so enjoy hearing about all the interesting places you go. I lived in England for a time and I never even heard of the places you are going and honestly you are making want to go back and seek out all of these lovely places. Thank you so much for taking me along on your journey.
Hi Susan, the factory tour was amazing. I can’t believe they paint most of them by hand! That makes them even more special. Loved the picture of you outside – and your skirt is adorable! I anxiously wait each day to see if you have posted anything new. It’s been all wonderful, can’t thank you enough and am so excited about Beatrix Potter! hugs from Sharon from Maine. XXOO
LOVE IT! your trip is so much fun..you are going to places i would love to go and I live so much closer to it all(Netherlands)…well enjoying it all through your blog!
I have some early Emma pottery too..the red plum’s ..would love to visit the factory..and the Wedgewood one..have that too….the Rosalind serie…both the plum from Emma and Rosalind from Wedgewood are discontinued……..
Have a wonderful journey…!
i have been enjoying ‘my’ trip to england with you and joe! thankyou so much. it has been fun living it through you. i hope maybe i might have a chance to win the mug but knowing my luck, i will just dream about it. tata for now
Thank you Susan yet again for brightening my day! Are those not the most beautiful mugs? I had never seen them before. So nice to know that there are still places making beautiful items by hand. I love that they decorate the bottom AND the inside! Please enter me in the drawing – I would definitely fancy that mug.
Susan,
I am entering my name for the drawing for the cup. I am enjoying your blogs so much and bookmarking some of the sites until I have more time to read them.
Bless you and Joe as you continue on your wonderful way.
Suzanne
Susan and Joe,
Seems like you are ‘working’ most the time you are vacationing in England. And just for us whom you left behind in our cozy ‘lives’. Thank you for the wonderful blog and all the pics. Love the factory and people. Want the mug so bad!! Hugs
What a HAPPY surprise to see a tour of Emma’s factory! Did you get to meet her? Love being on this trip with you!
Thank YOU!!
I am having such a good time travelling around England in your handbag! Your mini movies make me laugh because it could be my husband and I, we would go to the same places and have the same conversations…
I am enjoying every bit of your vacation in England! Love the EB pottery.
Am loving ‘our’ trip too! The other day I could hardly wait to see what ‘we’ were doing next…was pretty funny, because, for a moment, it was ‘real’. 😉
The month of May was magnificent being included in your journey through England! You make everything so descriptive and beautiful and bring it to us across the pond through cyber space. Now June is pure joy! Can’t wait for your diary to come out 🙂 what a treat. I’m anxiously waiting to see you and Joe at Beatrix Potter’s beloved Lake District. I hope we’ll see you and Joe dance to “When You Taught Me How to Dance” — love the musica. As far as the awesome Emma Bridgewater souvenir, pick me xo0xo
I’m just loving your trip. I dearly love the pottery and would love to win the cup.
I watched on television as much as possible. Wouldn’t it be fun to live around the corner from Bridgewaters ? I would go broke !
Hi Susan,
I’m so enjoying your trip. It’s as if I’m right their with you and Joe. The pictures of the darling cottages and the fields of meadows and wild flowers is spectaclar. I’m so glad your living your dream.
Thank you so much for sharing this all with us!!!!!! Keep having fun!!!
Gail
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for taking us on your trip with you. I can feel your excitement in your writing. Im so happy for you. Have fun on the rest of “our” trip. Cant wait to see where else we go.
Michelle
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for taking us on your trip with you. I can feel your excitement in you writing. Im so happy for you. Have fun on the rest of “our” trip. Cant wait to see where else we go.
Michelle
I’m loving seeing England through your eyes! 🙂
Don’t you just LOVE the old stone walls?! No little wooden picket fences….old, stacked stone walls for miles and miles! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! You were so funny in that GPS video…”I hope people understand… (and I know you were probably going to say, “that there could be someone coming just around the curve” because that’s exactly what I always thought as we drove on those curvy, oh-so-narrow, winding roads! Fun!!!!!
That was exactly what I was going to say!
Yep! I knew it because I’ve been there and said it, too!!! Scary, scary, scary. Just beware of tunnels. We saw two vehicles stuck side-by-side inside a tunnel! Closed down the whole road in both directions until SOMEHOW someone got them out. Can’t figure out how, though, because they wouldn’t have been able to open their car doors?!
To have a piece of England would be a pleasure. I’m enjoying the journal and thinking of my English Grandmother I never knew. Had to watch the Jubilee concert…
Every post I think wow oh wow! I would have loved to go to Emma’s with you! Be sure to post a pic of the mugs you made when you get home so we can see them fired and what you put inside. Did Joe seriously draw his?! Wow again!
It goes without saying, that I would be happy to win that mug! Thanks again for letting us travel with you, Joe and Petey! If only you could get a pic of Petey with the Queen!
She might not be up for that! 🙂 Joe could be a great artist if he wanted, but mostly he likes building things!
I’m loving your trip to England.
Joy
Thanks Susan for this great British adventure blog. You make it so much fun to follow and to look forward to what is just around the bend of the road. You are a great travel guide. Loved the factory tour and the beautiful mugs you made. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Susan
Just a little late here but stop by to see hows its all going over there? I love the bathroom and see your point Susan its cute oh just sit there do a little pee! {Hope I can say that? read whats up on the wall hmmm Apple-day/Cafe Philosophic/Scarthin books! only in England you know! You know too Susan your starting to look a little English? she rubbing off on you! I love the Pottery even the polka dot one. It feels as if you’ve been away from home now for a long time, but keep having fun it will be there when you get back! keep up with the fun its been all good!!!!
It is almost like being there. Your trip is so well shared. I would love to go someday.
Linda L. In Texas
Believe it or not, I had never heard of Emma Bridgewater, but after reading your blog and your newest excursion to her factory, I’ve instantly become a fan! Thank you for teaching me about new things in this world…you help open it all up to me!
What a glorious trip this has been. Thank you so much for taking us along with you. I look forward to each days new adventure! Your posts are something I truly get excited to experience. “Thank You!”
Thank you so much, Susan, for not dropping us off in the pasture ~as dear as that could have been to be with the cows and lambs~ on your way to Stoke-on-Trent!
It was lovely of you to include us in the tour of Emma’s wonderfully one-to-one shoppe!
Continue to enjoy your English days, and don’t be in a rush! But please hurry home!
Thank you for including us in your trip! You’re where I’ve always wished to be able to visit. Watched everything I could find on the Jubilee. It looked like a fabulous time. Looks like you’re having the same kind of time ~ a dream trip of a lifetime. <3
`
I am so enjoying our vacation Susan! And this is one of my favorite days! I’d the jubilee cup, thanks for sharing with us all!
(thought I was making a heart at the end! 🙂
I am loving reading about your trip – it makes me appreciate England (where I was born & where I live) all the more. Guess what – we were fortunate enough to get 2 tickets for the special seating round the Queen Victoris Memorial outside Buckingham Palace for the Tuesday carriage procession, balcony appearance & fly-past. It was amazing – such a wonderful atmosphere. We waved to you & all the girlfriends – did you see us?
I’m loving hearing all about your travels. Can’t wait to see the Lake District, having seen (and now owning a copy of) Miss Potter. My husband and I will be going to England in the fall, so this little “pre-trip” is awesome! Thanks for brightening our lives with everything you do.
How beautiful! I love your and Joe’s mugs! A true Emma Bridgewater Susan Branch delight! 🙂
Susan – Thank you so much for all of the beautiful posts. It is so exciting! I have been sharing these with my friend and coworker everyday on our break. She is from Germany and seeing Europe is making her homesick, but she still enjoys looking just as much as me. Thanks again!
I was just over there on the day of the Jubilee!! I hope, I hope, I hope I win. Would love a cup like this. I really enjoyed the story of her shop and how the cups are made. What a happy place!
I wish I were with you in the merry old land of England. Always wanted to go there and still do. I love all the hub bub about the Royal family. I’ve followed Diana from her beginning as a royal until her death. I missed out the orders for the Emma Bridgewater mug when Will & Kate got married. Now I would like to have the Royal Jubilee mug you’re offering via drawing. Here’s hoping I win so I can be just a little closer to England.
I’ve not posted a comment for forever and a day as life with puppy has kept me at attention to save the wallpaper in the kitchen and every windowsill from teeth ( and believe it or not, she’s in obedience school and keeps getting promoted!), however, I’ve read every post as you prepared for your trip and I’ve been with you all along the way. When I saw that Emma’s factory is in the former Meakin factory, my heart jumped. I have Meakin stoneware! It was the first set of dishes I purchased and was so sad it was discontinued. Ive always wanted an Emma mug…now more than ever. I’ll buy one from your shop if I don’t win! Thanks for letting me ride along on this incredible journey of love.
susan…
i can’t tell you how much i LOVE traveling to england with you, how i anxiously wait for your blogs to arrive from across the pond! someday, my dream is do so many of the things you & joe are experiencing…i am INSPIRED…and in time, i WILL make my dreams reality! (and oh, how excited i am to travel to beatrix’ home next!!!)
i have jubilee fever and i am always in love with emma – so i think a mug from the bridgewater factory would be expecially at home with my other collected dishes & cups! i even have a little candy tin from the coronation, with queen elizabeth’s photo on it…don’t you think it would be fun to celebrate both occasions in one place? thanks for thinking of all of us! :)heidi
Loved the Emma Bridgewater factory tour and the cups! I’m so enjoying England through your eyes. Lucky you!!
I have loved traveling across the Atlantic and visiting England with you. : ) I look forward to each new update on your blog. Thank you for sharing with us. It looks like you are enjoying every minute.
Ohh, Nobody Ever gets to our house when they us GPS! They always end up blocks away & we have to rescue them … but at least they’re in the right town:)
You two are having WaY too much Fun… YaY ! i will be asking hubs for your calendar on my B-day in July now that i know they’re in! Don’t want to miss out this year.
It’s So fun to see you two having such a lovely adventure. .& yes it feels we are on it with you.
Blessings to you Both!
~k
p.s. you know, it’s possible the Queen is a fan of yours… have you remotely considered this? Maybe not of Petey… but??… have you sent her one of your calendars? it’s a small world.
I wrote to her when I was eleven, maybe she remembers me! 🙂
Oh She MUST!
*when you are presented to her, sneak an extra kiss on her hand for me!
funny to imagine….and I can just see Susan asking
if she (the qUeen) could hold still for just a second while she takes a picture for her friends…and when
the qUeen asks, “oh how sweet ….how many?” Susan
replies, “oH about 2,ooo or so… and if I may ask….
could I take just ONE more picture? oH… and could
you just hold this little guy too……..ummm….yeah…..
we call him Petey!”
Yah!! That’s the Ticket!)
Stranger things have Happened…
How about that young couple who had the ‘qUeen’ show up at thier Wedding…
That would be like Susan Branch showing up for tea on your patio !))
…it’s All SO much fun!
Thank’s Susan & Hubby (& Petey) for having us all along with You!
I will lift my mug to dear old England, the sun and you!
Thank you much for “sneaking” us along on your trip. What great fun and a wonderful adventure. Makes me want to go even more.
Loved your and Joe’s mugs. And the Queen’s! What a great remembrance of this historic occasion.
Princess Leita Gorgeous, email overseer and current lapcat, says she would look fabulous beside it so she’s keeping her claws crossed.
The Emma business is really extraordinary. Maybe they’ll borrow your designs for a new cup. Wouldn’t that be exciting?
Hi Susan,
Oh, I have enjoyed your journey of England so far! Thanks for thaking so much of your time on vacation to share with us! I LOVED the tour……. I collect Spode “Buttercup” dishes…
Safe Travels!
Christine
P.S. Also loved the bluebells photo! I imagined a wonderful walk too.
Dear Susan:
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely vacation with us. It’s almost as good as being there myself. You are seeing all the things that I would have wanted to see if I had been as lucky as you are. I loved the mugs that you and Joe painted. It would be a thrill to win the EB mug.
XOXO
Toni
love love love the Susan branch Emma mugs
wow! I would love to have some painted by you on an Emma mug !
what an amazing treat to have both artists combined
Karen
The mugs you painted are wonderful! I have a whole new appreciation for Emma Bridgewater mugs. Guess I need to order the cocker spaniel mug before it’s retired! Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of your wonderful trip.
I love your description of the pottery process. Personally, I don’t think I could ever get enough cups and jugs! If I ever get to that side of England, Stoke-on- Trent will be a definite stop. Thanks for taking us there with you!
It is wonderful to be able to enjoy England with you, I visited in “82 and had the best time but didn’t get to go to Emma Bridgewater or some of the other places you have gone. One day I plan on going back across the “pond”..thanks for sharing your adventures.
Here I am again and see my good friend from Texas finally posted. She is new and thru facebook we became girlfriends and she is having so much fun with our trip to England. Thank you for all of my new “Girlfriends” Susan <3
Thanks so much for taking us along with you. Learning wonderful places to eat and visit. That lucky Petey guy…
I loved the tour of Emma’s pottery but I loved the video of “The Sat Nav” more……did you name the gps voice something terribly and properly British? While traveling my many times through Northern Ireland, we would always say “mind the sheep and stay left!” Oh, and if you love pottery, you would love Belleek too! I open my mailbox every day hoping for another chapter of your trip, Susan.
Love the mugs and the wonderful tour of the factory. Have a safe trip home and enjoy the rest of your trip. Hope to win the mug, even though I will be drinking sweet southern tea in South Carolina out of it.. LOL
I have loved reading all of your posts from the ship and England. What a wonderful place to visit. My son works at our local porcelain pottery studio where most of the pottery is hand thrown and hand painted, but it is a much smaller operation than Emma’s studio, so it was interesting to see how a larger studio operates. Thank you for taking us along. I can’t wait to see Beatrix Potter’s home!
I am so enjoying “our” trip to England! The scenery is breathtaking! Love the Queen’s Jubilee mug as my late mom (and me too!) was always into the Royal family. I decorated my mantle for the Jubilee weekend with my mom’s plates, mugs, etc. from the Queen’s prior Jubilees. Enjoy the rest of your week and can’t wait to see where “we” are going next!
Hi Susan and Joe
I have so enjoyed your account of the journey with the well-written narative and beautiful pictures. While I was reading this entry, I was drinking coffee out of my very own Emma Bridgewater mug … it was great seeing where my mug had its beginnings. Oh, and I bought the mug at your online store; it’s a completed circle.
Thank you, Susie
I am enjoying “our” trip! I cannot wait to see where we go next! I love Emma Bridgewater, Peter Rabbit, and all England has to offer. Your blog and pictures make seem like I’m right there by your side.
I think I will bring up a trip to England for my 25th anniversary (7 years away~but by then the kids should be on their own~no responsibilities;))
PS~I was #20 for the traveling journal!!!! I can’t wait!!
This journey has been spectacular – you have done such a great job sharing this trip with us. I so look forward to the blog everyday. It is always full of surprises making me laugh out loud, especially when Petey appears and tears with the anticipation of the Beatrix Potter home. Pure joy! I have a granddaughter named Emma and would love to be the winner!
P.S. I do miss Jack stories but I’m guessing he’ll have so much to tell you when you get back.
Thank you so much for taking us along on your wonderful trip. I have been to England once (as a chaperone for a high school choir) but am dying to return to see all of the things I missed! I love the mugs and enjoyed the factory tour….such talent! Thanks again!!
Hello~
What a wonderful post!~ Each one better than the next!!
I love the yellow rose bush ( my favorite) climbing out of the pavement~ And the factory~
It would almost be like not having to work going to work there!
Words cannot express how much I am enjoying ” our” trip across the pond~ You truly are a special person my dear! Thank you so~ so~ much!
~Blessings to you & Joe~
Lynn~
I am so enjoying traveling vicariously with you and Joe. Thank you for the tour of the Emma B factory. Have to also admit that I will be glad for you to get back so we can see how “Jack” and “Girl” are doing. Keep on making memories!
I’ve been watching all the Jubilee celebrations and longing to be there. Thank you for sharing your experiences! I love the Emma Bridgewater mugs and am starting a new collection…. don’t tell my husband!