Ann Marie's: Shop the World

Just when you think you have enough of everything and too much of some things, you happen to notice Ann Marie's handmade pottery from around the world, and sigh. Their eye-catching colors make it nearly impossible to look away.

Cups, saucers and teapots from the United States, England, Ireland, Italy and France demand a thorough perusal in order to find the right set for that niche. Gift ideas for sisters, daughters, aunties, grandmothers, cousins and friends flit through your mental lists and land smoothly. Denmark, Germany, Austria, Poland and Portugal are responsible for various items as well, and the designs are stunning. 

Collectors must swoon upon finding Ann Marie's assortment of pottery. Whimsy and theme patterns adorn many tea sets, making them irresistible and collectible. They inspire interested observers to shop and collect and consider selling their current collections to make room for the new one. New collectors are born after their initial purchases.

The colors of a specific region, like Provence, are featured on some of the French pottery. Many are beautiful enough to inspire a decor update of a room that displays the teapot, cups and saucers. This could also be said of many, if not all, of the designs from all of the other countries since they are so tasteful and lovely. 

English Burleigh Pottery, from 1851, comes in unique, striking reds, blues, purples and pinks. All patterns are on white backgrounds, including black, and are awash in floral motifs that look like a spring garden. There is a lavender grouping that celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Italian pottery exhibits the familiar yellow and blue floral designs referred to as "Rafaellesco." Aqua and red are also featured in some pieces, and a more enchanting style would be difficult to find. What do you want to see on your table in the morning?
Tea and coffee served in any of these cups would be so much more enjoyable.

Nicholas Mosse's Irish spongeware is inspired by tea sets that his mother used in their home. The fresh, garden-inspired patterns of this pottery are welcome year round in blue, red, yellow or dark green. 

Handmade pottery from Poland, called Boleslawiec, lends an eastern European feel to the table. It is stunning in a dark blue and white circle design or a red, blue and white floral. Enjoy gazing upon these delightful pieces as you plan their placement. 

Visit Ann Maries Today for a variety of beautiful pottery and accessories 

Emma Bridgewater Pottery: Tradition Meets Whimsy

Among the wonderful things you can say about the British: they certainly know how to produce gorgeous pottery! And when the traditional 200 year-old methods of making fine Staffordshire earthenware blended with designer Emma Bridgewater’s warm andwhimsical vision, a new kind of pottery was born.

Emma Bridgewater’s designs combine traditional spongeware patterns and a love of antique needlework with rich, cream-colored earthenware for a full line of pottery objects that are distinctive, but compliment each other. You can collect several of your favorite designs, and everything will work beautifully together. Emma even enlisted her husband, Matthew Rice, as a designer, and his line of bird, dog and calligraphic patterns are some of the company’s most popular.

The idea for Emma Bridgewater Pottery began in 1985 when Emma was trying to find a gift for her mother. All she could find was stuffy formal bone china or rather dull earthenware. She made her own designs, decorated with cut-sponge patterns, and went to Stoke-on-Trent, home of the famous Wedgewood Staffordshire creamware, to have them produced. Today, Emma Bridgewater Ltd. pottery is made in her own facility: a 19th century factory where the pottery is manufactured much as it was in the Victorian era. And the products are so beloved that Emma and Matthew are the sixth biggest employers of potters in Staffordshire.

The Emma Bridgewater line has expanded to include textiles, accessories, tinware, glass, melamine and paper products. The much-loved patterns include birds, farmyard animals, hearts, exotic flowers, countryside and garden scenes, starry skies, and even delightful dancing mice that seem to come right out of a fairytale book. 

Emma Bridgewater Pottery is much prized for its versatility and distinction, in patterns made to cheer your entire day, right from your first morning cup of tea.

Click here for a large selection of beautiful Emma Bridgewater Pottery.