Mumpreneur’s testimonial: British pottery maker Emma Bridgewater

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Mumpreneurs & Mums at work

Published on Thursday, 28 February 2013 09:00

Last Updated on 28 February 2013

Monica Costa

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British pottery maker Emma Bridgewater has created an exclusive new homeware range for Red Nose Day 2013. Available from Red Nose Day official partners, brands-for-less homeware HomeSense stores and TK Maxx throughout the UK from 31st January 2013.

How did the business start?

Because I couldn’t find the right cosy cup & saucer as a present for my Mum – so I decided to make it myself

Can you tell us a bit about the ethos of Emma Bridgewater?

Common sense, good humour & approachability.

Who designs the products?

Matt & me and our design team.

What is your favourite design?

The latest one: currently Zinnias – but perennially “TOAST”.

What inspires your pattern designs?

Life!

How has the Emma Bridgewater style evolved over the years?

Through a huge lake of coffee.

Describe an average day in your life.

A frantic rush to get too many things done.

What piece of advice would you give to your children?

Lie down on the sofa and watch “Some like it Hot”.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Cooking meatballs on a Friday night, knowing everyone is heading for home.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

Swimming – in a river preferably. Sleeping on a comfy veranda.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

My darling Mum.

Where is your favourite place, and why?

The marshes in North Norfolk – you can’t hold onto stress out there!

If you hadn’t been a pottery designer, what would you have been?

Um – maybe a baker. I love cakes.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Keep slogging on. And jokes can save your life – or at least your sanity.

Which other designers do you admire and why?

William Morris – such a firebrand! So complex, so energetic, so right on so many things.

What new products/ranges can we expect to see from you in the future?

No limits!

Could you talk to us about the inspiration behind your Red Nose Day
designs?

As ever, Matt and I sat down, drank coffee, argued a bit, talked about the children and then BINGO – ideas started to flow: jokes on mugs …

What products are in the range?

6 Mugs

An oven glove

2 apron designs,

2 tea towel designs

Bag for life

Why is it important for Emma Bridgewater to continue to produce your
mugs in Stoke on Trent?

Because I love the City; its people, its traditions – they are all vital to the quality of the products we make

Why did you choose to support Comic Relief this year?

I’ve always admired the cause. Raising cash this Red Nose Day can help to change lives forever. That’s because Comic Relief spends the money raised to help change the lives of poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people across the UK and Africa.

Comic Relief was launched on Christmas Day in 1985, live on BBC One. At that time, a devastating famine was crippling Ethiopia and something had to be done. That something was Comic Relief. The idea was simple – Comic Relief would make the public laugh while they raised money to help people in desperate need. Before too long, Red Nose Day was created and the first ever event in 1988 raised a staggering £15m.

This year, 2013, marks the 25th anniversary of Red Nose Day which has raised over £600m and helped to change lives both in the UK and Africa.

Why are you excited to be working with HomeSense on this project?

Because we’ve all got to try to be continuously aware of what’s going on in our cities. This is a great idea – simple and kind

What will you be doing to support RND13 this year?

All our employees really get behind Comic Relief every year, so I know that with the pride of producing our range to support this Red Nose Day, that they will want to be doing more funny things for money than ever before for this fantastic cause –we’ll certainly be using our range to have a few fundraising cake sales and tea parties!