OUR VERY FAVORITE MUG
If you were to peek inside any office at Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, you’d more likely than not see an Emma Bridgewater mug on the desk. It may be covered in a bouquet of flowers, a flock of birds, or even a troop of farm animals, but it’s instantly recognizable by that half-pint silhouette—with the roomy, comfy handle and stable, tankard base, it’s iconic!
Emma Bridgewater has been a long-time favorite of Kit’s and a part of Churchmouse since the early days. Our little office tea corner quite quickly began collecting a mug here and there. Now, we have a whole cupboard full! (In fact, John suggested to Kit that she added “& Teas” solely as an excuse to bring in Emma Bridgewater pottery. She hasn’t denied it!) We tend to think that tea just tastes better in an Emma mug. The smooth, warm feel of the china, the gentle weight—just heavy enough to be soothing in hand—even the quiet little knock it makes when we set it down, all combine to make drinking from an Emma mug a truly homey, comforting experience.
Our Very Favorite Mug
If you were to peek inside any office at Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, you’d more likely than not see an Emma Bridgewater mug on the desk. It may be covered in a bouquet of flowers, a flock of birds, or even a troop of farm animals, but it’s instantly recognizable by that half-pint silhouette—with the roomy, comfy handle and stable, tankard base, it’s iconic!
Before coronavirus—when we still had in-person morning meetings—a ring of Emma mugs filled with each Mouse’s preferred hot cuppa (coffee as much as tea) would steam up our conference room. Even through the pandemic, with our morning meetings held over video calls, Emma pops in. After all, we Mice have stocked our home cupboards with our favorite mugs, too! Every one is as unique as the staff member holding it—ringed with cheeky messages, adorable little creatures, scenes of the English countryside, polka dots, vegetables, cityscapes, and more!
Before coronavirus—when we still had in-person morning meetings—a ring of Emma mugs filled with each Mouse’s preferred hot cuppa (coffee as much as tea) would steam up our conference room. Even through the pandemic, with our morning meetings held over video calls, Emma pops in. After all, we Mice have stocked our home cupboards with our favorite mugs, too! Every one is as unique as the staff member holding it—ringed with cheeky messages, adorable little creatures, scenes of the English countryside, polka dots, vegetables, cityscapes, and more!
And perhaps that’s what we love best about Emma Bridgewater’s beloved creamware. Whichever lovely illustration (painted by Emma’s husband, Matthew Rice) or playful sponge pattern (designed by Emma herself) graces the half-pint mugs, they all are perfectly at home together—exactly as Emma intended when she launched her company in 1985, with “pottery for a relaxed, colorful, mismatched life.”
And perhaps that’s what we love best about Emma Bridgewater’s beloved creamware. Whichever lovely illustration (painted by Emma’s husband, Matthew Rice) or playful sponge pattern (designed by Emma herself) graces the half-pint mugs, they all are perfectly at home together—exactly as Emma intended when she launched her company in 1985, with “pottery for a relaxed, colorful, mismatched life.”
Everyday, Yet Extraordinary
EVERYDAY, YET EXTRAORDINARY
It all began with a search for the perfect birthday gift in 1984. Emma visited shop after high street shop, hoping to find a pair of cups that would suit her mum’s warm, colorful kitchen—to no avail! Nothing seemed to fit her ideal: something sturdy, yet romantic; the sort of “everyday kitchen china” that “sits right at the heart of our lives.” The only solution, it seemed, was to make it herself! With this strong, personal vision, Emma set out to create just the right piece—the kind of mug that she and her family would treasure and use happily every day.
After many conversations, consultations, and lots of hard work, the Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke-on-Trent—a region at the very heart of British ceramics—was born. Each piece of creamware is handmade with British clay—from Devon, Cornwall, Wales, or Staffordshire (closest to home)—in one of the few remaining potteries in England. Every step in the making process—from casting to decorating and glazing—is attended to by skilled artisans well-versed in traditional practices and craftsmanship.
From beginning to end, many deft hands and expert eyes touch each piece seeking out imperfections and making sure they’re as perfect as can be (see if you can find an inspector’s signature squiggle on the bottom of your mug!). We also give them the once over when they arrive at Churchmouse. After traveling thousands of miles from one island to another, they sometimes get a little battered on the journey. But to Kit, every shard of Emma’s pottery is precious. She saves them all, hoping one day to use them in a creative project.
Image courtesy of Emma Bridgewater
Image courtesy of Emma Bridgewater
Over decades, Emma’s creamware and that dear half-pint mug have become iconic. “As quintessentially British as marmalade on toast,” it’s found its way into homes all over the UK and beyond (especially here on Bainbridge Island). We spot her patterns in our favorite British home decor magazines, crime dramas, and in the hands of bakers on the Great British Bake Off and squee every time!
Over decades, Emma’s creamware and that dear half-pint mug have become iconic. “As quintessentially British as marmalade on toast,” it’s found its way into homes all over the UK and beyond (especially here on Bainbridge Island). We spot her patterns in our favorite British home decor magazines, crime dramas, and in the hands of bakers on the Great British Bake Off and squee every time!
Emma’s joyful collections are all inspired by the creative life she leads with her husband, Matthew, her children, and her friends. Anything from a sister’s dress, to beloved children’s books, hens in a coop, and the garden potting shed can become a design on her pottery. As ordinary as these moments are, they inspire such extraordinary happiness.
Emma’s joyful collections are all inspired by the creative life she leads with her husband, Matthew, her children, and her friends. Anything from a sister’s dress, to beloved children’s books, hens in a coop, and the garden potting shed can become a design on her pottery. As ordinary as these moments are, they inspire such extraordinary happiness.
EMMA MEMORIES
As the years have passed, a huge variety of Emma Bridgewater creamware, decorated with a huge variety of designs, has graced our shelves—and their stays tend to be quite brief! Emma switches things up from season to season and, as designs are retired, much of her creamware has become highly precious and collectible. Here are a few snapshots of the treasured pieces—some limited edition, some that Emma may still make—that we Mice have taken home with us:
These mugs remind Lauren of her springtime semester abroad at Oxford.
Leila and Nate enjoy the wildlife of their PNW neighborhood—not so different from British critters!
An image from Kit’s pilgrimage to Liberty London and the little bit of Liberty she brought home (plus a cameo from the original Churchmouse!).
Lisa enjoys her cuppas out in the fresh air of her family’s farm.
John and Kit’s very first Emma mugs, John’s ‘British Birds’, and their collection of vintage silver teaspoons.
A hot cup of tea, a good mystery, and a cat in the lap is Lauren’s idea of a great afternoon.
Limited edition ‘Year in the Country’ mugs—one often filled by John; the pair a favorite of Lauren’s parents.
Freshy starts her days checking swatches and getting organized with Emma at her side.