Webchat with Emma Bridgewater, Monday 29 February, 1-2pm. Post a question for chance to win SIGNED copy of her latest book Pattern

[RachelMumsnet]

We’re inviting you to put your questions to Emma Bridgewater during our webchat on Monday 29 February from 1-2pm.

Emma’s distinctive, much-loved pottery brand started after a failed attempt to buy the perfect cup and saucers for her mother 30 years ago. Since then it has found its way onto the dresser shelves and kitchen tables of homes all over Britain and beyond. Today, Emma Bridgewater Ltd is still owned and run by Emma and her husband Matthew, who continue to contribute designs. Emma Bridgewater pottery is manufactured in Britain, with over 200 people now employed in her factory in Staffordshire.

Her latest book, Pattern is a wonderful patchwork of stories behind the brand. Her inspiration is often deeply personal - a plate of her mother’s, a favourite children’s book, and as she tells the stories of each pattern’s creation, she reveals the intricate processes of research and collaboration behind the familiar designs.

Come and put your questions Emma on Monday at 1pm or post your questions in advance to this thread. Everyone who posts on the thread will be entered into a draw to win one of two signed copies of Pattern.

Hi Emma, did you always have an interest in pottery as a child? I can imagine you loving tea-sets as a little girl..

love your designs - especially the chickens - would you consider an alpaca design - I just love those animals

Are you ever bringing this mug back?! Mine broke 2y ago and I'm still so sad!

And yes to the idea of unicorn mugs!

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece ask around on some EB Facebook pages. Most of them are quite normal and helpful and someone might have one they'll sell you.

Much as I like your stuff , I think it's overpriced! I understand you wishing to promote exclusivity, but sadly you out price a lot of folk who like it. Your thoughts?

Hi firstly I just say I walk past your store at Fulham every evening and I always think how amazing the teapots, mugs, cups, egg holders etc look.

Still yet to book a session at Pottery cafe. Secondly for the question- I'm not very arty do what's the best pattern I can make without it all looking a mess?

What is your favourite thing about working in Stoke-on-Trent.

I love the designs of your mugs. Would you consider a rainbow range?

I see you are now designing bedding and other household furnishings. What would you like to design next?

Another EB addict here - can you please design a Mumsnet Half pint mug ?

Hi Emma, when I think of your work, it's always the polka dots which spring to mind first. Do they generally tend to be your biggest seller or do different ranges sometimes do better depending on what else is trending in style-land (wherever that is!)?

Another Emma Bridgewater addict here! I love just about everything and my collection is totally mismatched but the randomness looks great and my family all have their favourite pieces. Have lots of the 8.5 inch plates that I use for parties and people love to compare them.

My question for Emma is could you please please please do a range featuring a short haired black cat with a small white tuft on his chest? I could provide a photo.......

Emma, do you and Matthew have retirement plans or dreams, or do you enjoy your work so much you'll do it until you drop? If retirement beckons, who might be on tap to take on designing duties? Your pottery and other wares seem so much to reflect your and Matthew's enthusiasms and sensibilities. In what direction do you envision the company might go if you two were to scale back your involvement in the design of your firm's products?

Hello Emma, your ceramics and products always give a sense of heritage. Which other designers do you admire and influence you ?

I love the dog mug range from Emma Bridgwater. Any chance you can produce matching food bowls? Thanks

Hello Emma

Love your pottery and have collected quite a bit. Which of your patterns is your favourite? I love green daisy and it goes beautifully with so many of the others.

PS Are there any plans for more rectangular bakers to come out? I have a few but would love more.

I'm a big fan and collector of EB for about 25 years. One of the main things I love about EB is the "handmade" nature of the product - because so much is hand-done, the sponging/painting will vary from one piece to the next. Do you get tired of people complaining about tiny pinpricks and variations in sponging, rather than embracing the handmade quality?

On another note, how did you tackle the recent "hazelnut/hazlenut" bowl issue?

I thoroughly enjoyed the pottery cafe in December and have since joined the collectors club.
My question to you is: will you ever consider having a wedding list function on your website?

Emma is now at MN Towers and poised to answer your questions. Welcome to Mumsnet Emma

Hello, it's very nice to be here and what a lot of lovely questions. I'm looking forward to answering as many as possible while I am here. It feels very exciting to have a new book out, around the time of our 30th anniversary - it feels like a good time to take stock.

Is this where the chat happens?

@SpaghettiMeatballs

I love, love, love Emma Bridgewater. I've collected quite a bit over the years. Every last piece makes me happy when I use it. In fact the chicken in my kitchen arrived on the day DS was born so that had a special memory associated with it before I'd even unpacked it.

I would like to know if you are ever tempted to follow other quality pottery brands and take production abroad in order to reduce costs?

Hi,

I'm absolutely never tempted, Stoke's really important to me and making there is an absolutely central part of my work. It motivates me and I'm really proud to make in Britain.

Sorry....newbie . Hi Emma and all.

@ciele

Is this where the chat happens?

Yes! Feel free to post up your Qs here now Ciele...

@notagiraffe

I have a question: where on earth can I get hold of your Map of Britain teapot? It was on my Christmas and Birthday list for a couple of years. By the time I realised I'd have to buy it for myself it was discontinued and no one seems to have it, not even on Ebay. Any ideas? It's very rare I fall in love with material things but I fell in love with that. (Please tell me you have one knocking round your office that you're happy to sell me.)

Hello there,

I completely agree with you, I've got a couple of mugs at home, but no teapot! The thing is, we make by hand and we make in small batches and sometimes when it's gone, it's gone. However, I'm very fond of recycling in all kinds of ways and you've probably noticed, we do return patterns in new guises or in new combinations, so this might have another outing. But I couldn't promise when! I guess that the fact that the numbers (stock) are genuinely limited, is reflected in the Ebay prices and that's kind of exciting.