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AND WE HAVE A SUPRISE FOR YOU…
This year we’ve been keeping a secret – there isn’t just one but TWO mugs as Emma Bridgewater have managed to produce us a 2022 mug Carpa! mug with a beautiful litho design which we will also be selling this year in the Giffords Circus shop.
Interesting Facts About Emma Bridgewater:
- Emma Bridgewater began her business in 1985 when trying and failing to find a pair of teacups as a birthday present for her mum that represented her wish to say ‘I love you. I miss you’. Emma realised she needed to make the pottery she imagined herself and she was recommended to visit Stoke-on-Trent.
- Emma Bridgewater and Matthew Rice bought the factory in 1996, after manufacturing pottery in Stoke-on-Trent from 1985, and production has expanded across the site over the last twenty-five years.
- The factory produces slip cast, earthenware pottery which is hand decorated with distinctive Emma Bridgewater designs using specially cut sponges or lithograph transfers.
- The factory manufacturers over 35,000 pieces of hand decorated pottery every week.
- Over 300 people work at the factory in highly skilled roles including casting, decorating, fettling, dipping, sponge cutting, selection, mould making and kiln operation.
- Each piece of pottery made in the factory is touched by 30 pairs of hands before it reaches a customer.
- The factory uses both gas and electric kilns which fire at temperatures of 950 degrees Celsius. Each firing takes around seven hours.
- Sponge decorators train in the company for 18 months before joining the decorating team.
- Emma Bridgewater Ltd is a BCorp company and is part of a network of international businesses that balances the needs of its workers, the environment and its communities alongside those of its shareholders.
- Emma Bridgewater Ltd offers apprenticeship opportunities in ceramic manufacturing to develop and support traditional skills and expertise in the pottery industry.
- More than 40,000 people visit the factory each year to enjoy behind the scenes factory tours, pottery decorating, shopping and our café and garden. Special events, collectors open days, holiday activities and regular arts and literary events take place throughout the year.
- In 2021 the Factory received a GOLD award from Visit England for visitor experience.
