Aynsley
China
With its foundation firmly in the heart of the Potteries Aynsley
China has a history stretching back over the centuries. In 1775,
John Aynsley established a factory at Lane End (now Longton) and
became one of Stoke-on-Trent's earliest master potters.
When his grandson John Aynsley II took the reins, the company moved
to the forefront of fine bone china making, with the new practice
of adding calcined bone to the china recipe.
The new bone china was a resounding success and in 1861 a factory
was specially built, solely for the manufacture of the new ware.
Now known as Portland Works, that same factory is at the heart
of their manufacturing base in Stoke-on-Trent today. Modernisation
has not affected the traditional handcrafts with which Aynsley has long been associated.
Aynsley has been honoured to supply specially commissioned tableware to
Royalty, governments and companies all over the world.
Queen Victoria, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Their Royal
Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales have all chosen Aynsley tableware for their homes.
Attractively packaged giftware, china flowers and fine art also
play an important part in the company's product ranges.
Border
Fine Arts was founded in 1974 by John Hammond who, following
a chance visit to the Borders region of Scotland, formed the germ
of an idea that was to become the acclaimed business that Border
Fine Arts is today.
Border
Fine Arts has since become the leader in its field. In 1986,
John Hammond and the company were honoured by winning the Scottish
Business Achievement Award in recognition of the growth of the company
and its commitment to quality.
Border
Fine Arts operates a successful and highly popular collectors
Society which is growing rapidly with enthusiastic members. Among
a variety of benefits, members are able to purchase special exclusive
Society figurines which are highly collectable.
In 1994, Border
Fine Arts was acquired by Stanhome Incorporated, owners of the
multi-million dollar Enesco Corporation, and became a division of
the newly formed Enesco European Giftware Group, together with Cumbrian
based Lilliput Lane.
The Border
Fine Arts portfolio now comprises the fabulous limited edition
farming, animal and wildlife figurines of the 'Border
Fine Arts Classic Collection', plus the diverse ranges and licensed
brands showcased in the 'Border
Fine Arts Studio Collection.
The
Border Fine Arts Classic Collection
The superb realism depicted in the farming scenes, breed studies
and wildlife figurines in our Border
Fine Arts Classic Collection really speaks volumes about the
artists who have created them. Entirely hand-crafted at Border
Fine Arts' Langholm studios, it takes many months to create
an accurately detailed sculpture, including all the intricate painting,
assembly and finishing processes required to produce the final figurine.
The
Border Fine Arts Studio Collection
Every item in our Border
Fine Arts Studio Collection is subject to the same rigorous
development processes and stringent quality checks as our Classic
figurines. Each item is hand-sculpted by an established Border artist
and is subject to the same lengthy 'pre-production' processes all
figurines undergo at our Scottish studios - this ensures all its
original, minute attention to detail has been captured. Once the
figurines and accessories in the Border
Fine Arts Studio Collection have been approved by the artists
at Langholm, production can then take place by our international
manufacturing partners, who have been carefully chosen for the high
quality of their work.
Caithness
Glass is a world leader in the creation and manufacture of high
quality paperweights and artglass. Since their inception in 1961
they have taken their inspiration from the colours of the Scottish
landscape - warm peaty tones, heather purple, golden sunsets, the
grey blue of the lochs.
In 1968, they added glass engraving to their skills, and in 1969,
they developed innovative techniques for producing abstract paperweights.
Today, over 30 years later, their paperweight studios in Perth combine
the finest design and traditional skills to create pieces which
are entirely unique, and they are now justifiably regarded as one
of the world's most respected producers of museum-quality paperweights.
Enesco
Launched by the Enesco in 1992, the Cherished
Teddies collection depicts teddy bears in a variety of themes
and activities. Since its debut, the collection has expanded to
include figurines, ornaments plush, and decorative accessories -
all depicting the bears created by celebrated artist, Priscilla
Hillman. Each Cherished Teddies figurine has its own personality,
name and message, and carries a Certificate of Adoption which can
be completed and forwarded to the Cherished
Teddies Adoption Centre for registration.
The Cherished
Teddies bears came about when Priscilla Hillman turned to drawing
one-dimensional teddy bears while recovering from a back injury.
In 1990, she sent her sketches to Enesco president, Eugene Freedman, who decided her drawings would make
excellent three-dimensional giftware items. The Cherished
Teddies collection was introduced in 1992 with 16 highly-detailed
cold cast figurines, and has since become one of Enesco's fastest
growing and most popular collectibles.
Each figurine is crafted from resin, a material that allows for
extensive detailing, because of the cold casting technique. Cold
cast means that the resin is poured into a flexible rubber mould
and left to dry without using heat. With the absence of heat, the
dry mould is left with a flexibility that allows for further shaping
and sculpting. Because of this process, Cherished
Teddies figurines require a high degree of hand finishing and
detailing by skilled artists.
To help collectors learn more about the collection, Enesco launched
the Cherished
Teddies Club in 1995. This club has become the company's fastest
growing Collectors' Club, welcoming over 80,000 members during its
charter year. Club membears are entitled to a variety of benefits
including exclusive member-only figurines and newsletters.
Collectible
World Studios began life as Lilliput Lane Land of Legend. A
division of the Lilliput Lane Limited Group of Companies they manufactured
a range of fantasy figurines. Bill Dodd, Chief Executive of the
company decided to branch out on his own and in August 1990 'Land
of Legend' was launched.
Exciting and innovative ideas followed and the company shifted
its focus to the worldwide collectibles market. In recognition of
their new vision they changed their name to Collectible
World Studios Limited.
Sculptures by Collectible
World Studios are sought after worldwide with loyal collectors
spanning all four corners of the globe. Pocket Dragons, Piggin'
and Just the Right Shoe are such highly successful ranges that each
warrants it's own collectors club with over 50,000 members worldwide.
Members enjoy collectors' magazines, books and club events where
they can purchase current and retired sculptures and meet their
favourite artist.
The
Piggins Collection
Piggin' is the creation of wildlife
and animal enthusiast and artist David Corbridge. He has had a lifelong
interest in animals and spends much of his time sketching them all
over the world. While living on a farm in the deepest wilds of North
Yorkshire, he was inspired by the carryings on of one of the farm's
pigs, and Piggin' was born. David has now sculpted over 200 Piggin'
pieces, as well as the ranges of Piggin' Celebrations, & the
new Piggin' Professionals which were launched in April 2002.
The
WhimsiClay Collection
These hand-painted ceramic creations, each with its own colourful
personality, have already proved highly popular in the United States.
Now they are set to become the cat’s whiskers as an international
brand. They come in a multitude of delightful designs and pose in
various themes, such as Love Cats, Sophisticats and Fancy Felines.
The
CowParade Collection
The CowParade figurines are presented in delightful CowParade packaging and make ideal gifts. CowParade is an affordable and delightful collection of figurines for anyone
interested in the event.
Cotswold
Studio Arts is a family-run fine arts business located in the
beautiful Gloucestershire countryside. The Company reproduces exclusively
the work of David Geenty each piece handmade from his original models.
The finished product faithfully reproduces the original, each sculpture
characterised by virtually unrivalled emphasis on movement and meticulous
attention to the most accurate detail.
Crystal
Impressions
Deep laser engraving into crystal is a spin off from the space
programme and was first discovered by Russian scientists. The inventor
and many of the original team are now working at Crystal
Impressions enabling them to offer an elegant and extensive
retail collection that captivates consumers around the world.
Crystal
Impressions invites you to a wondrous world of sparkling sculptures
suspended in crystal. Their unique products are the result of a
harmonious union between art and technology that enables a classically
trained international team of designers, who are the best in their
field, to combine their talents with the know-how of computer scientists
who convert the artists’ designs into a galaxy of crystallised
pixels.
Crystal
Impressions has the ability to create pixels that have become
smaller and more closely placed, until they are inseparable –
as if engraved with a diamond stylus. This technique, unique to Crystal
Impressions, is called “solid surface” and gives
the matchless image exclusive to Crystal
Impressions.
Applying complex techniques that have been perfected through years
of intense and on-going research, Crystal
Impressions positions itself as the ultimate resource for outstanding
quality and innovation. They offer a breathtaking collection of
3-dimensional sculptures executed directly into clear crystal, with
an almost life-like precision that seems to defy gravity.
Each pixel is formed by a “micro explosion” caused
by the meeting of guided laser beams, transforming and sculpting
the heart of the crystal, whilst leaving the exterior flawless.
Magical and utterly enchanting, the Crystal
Impressions collection is a true product of the third millennium.
The images are suspended within a block of optical glass –
the clearest and purest known form of glass. The delicate lines,
which rival the finest lacework, create the shapes in infinite detail.
The result is a masterpiece of finesse, elegance and distinction.
Crystal
Impressions are world leaders in laser engraving technology,
and continue to refine and develop this process.
Dartington
The story began in the 1920's at the beautiful Dartington Hall when a wealthy American heiress and her Yorkshireman husband;
Dorothy and Leonard Elmhurst founded the Dartington Hall Trust.
Based at Dartington,
near Totnes, South Devon, their original vision was to assist the
economic regeneration of rural areas through a combination of enterprises
spanning business, education, the arts and country crafts.
During the early 1960's, it became evident to the Trust, that to
the north of the county there was an ever-increasing demand for
new industry due to population migration to the cities. This depopulation
and the lack of employment for young people were the basis from
which the idea of a glass-making factory evolved.
In order to provide the expertise required for this enterprising
idea, the Trust recruited the first Managing Director, Eskil Vilhemson,
from a Swedish Glass manufacturer, who in turn recruited a team
of Scandinavian glass blowers and brought them to Devon. The factory
was officially opened in June 1967 when it employed just 35 people.
Over the following years, glass blowing skills were taught to English
craftsmen, working originally to Scandinavian designs and later
to the work of British designers. Many of the original glass blowers
remained in Torrington and have been a key strength over the years
in developing Dartington Crystal into the leading name in English crystal.
Denby
Established in 1809, Denby has been manufatured in the heart of the English countryside for
nearly 200 years.
Denby
pottery is classed as stoneware and is produced from local clays
that are processed in house to ensure quality and integrity.
The Denby design team and glaze technicians strive to create the unique Denby glazes, searching for new finishes, depth of colour and texture.
Each piece of pottery is painstakingly glazed by skilled craftsmen
and fired at least twice at temperatures up to 1175°C.
All Denby products are safe for use in the dishwasher, microwave, oven and
freezer.
Enesco
Group, Inc., a producer of fine gifts, collectibles and home
décor accessories, is based in Itasca, Illinois, USA. A leader
in the $10 billion gift and collectibles industry, the company has
wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, France,
and Hong Kong, as well as a network of licensed distributors strategically
located throughout the world.
Products
Enesco's product lines include more than 10,000 gift, collectibles and home
accent items, including the award-winning Precious Moments Collection
by Enesco, which was introduced in 1978. Adapted from the artwork
of artist Sam Butcher, the Collection of teardrop-eyed children
with inspirational messages is one of the most popular collectibles
in the world.
Enesco also produces the Cherished
Teddies Collection, currently one of the top-selling teddy bear
figurine collectibles in the country, as well as Lilliput Lane &
Beatrix Potter.
Collector Clubs
The Cherished Teddies Club made
its debut in 1994 and is Enesco's fastest growing club with more
than 150,000 "membears" worldwide. Enesco's other collectible
clubs include the Lilliput Lane Collectors' Club.
Galway
Irish Crystal has long been one of the world's best known and
loved brands of traditionally crafted Irish lead crystal. Nestled
in the heart of the West of Ireland, on the shores of Galway Bay, Galway
Irish Crystal is steeped in the rich and diverse heritage of
this unique hinterland.
Their Master Craftsmen are continuously inspired by the sheer beauty
of the surrounding countryside - Connemara, Galway Bay and Lough Corrib - and influenced by the wealth of history and
folklore which is synonymous with Galway,
the famous City of the Tribes.
Their beautiful ranges of tabletop stemware and giftware reflect
these influences in their timeless elegance. Their expert craftsmen
also specialise in creating individually inspired crystal masterpieces
and trophies for special events.
Each piece of Galway
Irish Crystal is crafted with singular dedication to detail,
before being indelibly stamped with their trademark to ensure authenticity.
Their beautiful Galway
Irish Crystal Heritage Centre illustrates and illuminates the
intricacies of the crystal making process, while also depicting
the influences which led to these beautiful creations. Visitors
are given an insight into the history of this unique part of the
world and have an opportunity to see Galway
Irish Crystal's craftsmen at work.
Galway
Irish Crystal is committed to maintaining excellent standards
of customer service as is epitomized by its Mission Statement:-
"To develop a culture of total customer care through excellence
in product and service quality, sustained by focused teamwork and
the ongoing development of all employees".
Lilliput
Lane was founded in September 1982 by David J Tate, after he
had embarked on an ambitious project - to capture the architectural
heritage of Britain in the most authentic, detailed miniature sculptures
ever seen. The fledgling company began with just seven employees,
three of whom were David's own family.
From that original dream, Lilliput
Lane has gone on to produce the world's most definitive cottage
sculptures with collections depicting English, Scottish, Irish and
Welsh styles, as well as French, Dutch, German and American.
By 1990 however, the success and popularity of Lilliput
Lane cottages had become so great and wide-spreading, that it
overpowered other projects that the company had become involved
with, during the previous three years.
Lilliput
Lane presently comprises three production sites in Cumbria that
include Skirsgill at Penrith, Workington which opened in May 1987,
and Carlisle which opened in April 1993.
Studios were opened at Cockermouth in September 1986, and Cleator
Moor in May 1989. However, in order to improve business efficiency,
both sites were consolidated with Workington in September 1991.
Lilliput
Lane operates a flourishing world-wide Collectors Club - one
of the largest of its kind in the UK.
In 1994, Lilliput
Lane was acquired by Stanhome Incorporated, owners of the multi-million
dollar Enesco Corporation, and became a division of the newly formed
Enesco European Giftware Group, together with Scottish based Border
Fine Arts.
The Lilliput
Lane Cottage Collection continues to be a favourite collectable
in the UK. Recent product developments to enhance the core cottage
collections have included Britain's Heritage™, a range of
historical buildings and landmarks, and a selection of illuminated
models and pastille burners.
The
Lladró Collection
Lladró was founded in 1953 when Juan, José, and Vicente, three brothers
born of local farmers and endowed with great artistic talent, formed
a small family company in the Valencian village of Almácera,
Spain. Since then, Lladró has undergone an amazing metamorphosis from an artisan workshop
to a huge firm of international scope enjoying continual growth.
The company management has remained in the hands of the Lladró family, the owners of the firm, since its inception.
The creative team started out by adapting styles from past eras,
but it was not long before certain characteristics appeared that
would soon shape what was to become the unique Lladró style.
The
Nao Collection
Nao produces a natural and elegant collection of hand-made porcelain
figures that are perfect for that extra-special gift.
Nao’s aim is to offer a collection of porcelain figures with a characteristic
warmth, which are the gift or decoration choice for a great many
homes all over the world.
Thus, since 1968, Nao has offered a collection of natural hand-made figures that stand
out for the perfection of their finish, for the purity of their
form and the grace and expressiveness of their design.
Nao is part of the Lladró Group
Moorcroft
pottery
Originally founded as a studio in 1897 within a large ceramic company,
James Macintyre & Co, Moorcroft
pottery soon made its mark on the world. Designs came from 24
year old William Moorcroft who was soon personalising each piece
of pottery produced with his own signature or initials. This did
little for James Macintyre’s name and reputation, and in 1912
the inevitable split occurred. William marched his workforce across
Cobridge Park to a new factory in Sandbach Road where Moorcroft
pottery is still made today. Money came from Liberty, the famous
London store, and Liberty continued to control Moorcroft until 1962.
In 1904, Moorcroft won a gold medal at the St Louis International Exhibition and followed
the achievement with further medals and commendations, culminating
in the appointment of the Moorcroft company as Potters to HM The Queen in 1928.
On the death of William Moorcroft in 1945, his eldest son, Walter, took over management and design.
In 1962, the Moorcroft family bought out Liberty, but Moorcroft seldom prospered. Finally, in 1984, the family sold the bulk of
their shares on the open market. After several material shareholder
changes in the mid-1980’s and early 1990’s, Moorcroft is now controlled by the Edwards family, and has been since 1993.
In 1993, Rachel Bishop joined Moorcroft as only its fourth designer in almost a hundred years. Just 24 years
old, she was soon to see sales of her work flourish.
With that success came the Moorcroft centenary in 1997, and in the same year the Moorcroft
Design Studio was formed, comprising no less than eight designers
with Rachel at their head. Through the medium of this new initiative,
and with added value coming from the skills and craftsmanship of
a dedicated workforce, Moorcroft is selling more of its magnificent ware all over the world today,
than it did even in its previous heyday in the mid-1920's.
Okra
Glassmakers of international renown, Okra design and produce a unique style of handmade coloured glass giftware
and objets d'art.
All Okra designs are limited editions either because, as a small innovative
company, they regularly introduce new lines or because they are
designated as such and individually numbered. It would also be true
to say that as each piece is individually hand-made, no two pieces
are ever the same and therefore each may be regarded as a limited
edition of one!
The production of all Okra
Glass is under the personal supervision of Master Glassmaker
Richard Golding who founded the company. Each piece is made entirely
and exclusively from coloured glasses and a very special few are
signed personally by Richard.
Traditional skills have been combined with the latest technology,
skills and knowledge, perfected at their modern studios located
in the heartland of the English crystal industry in Stourbridge.
At Okra they are also proud of our environmental policies. Their furnaces
are amongst the most energy efficient in the world and they do not
use lead oxide in their glass or acid in their polishing.
They happily undertake commissions, advising clients upon their
choice and creating concepts, colours and designs to create unique
and personal designs.
Arora
An exciting new range from Arora
Design, these are another unique development from this innovative
company. Pets
with Personality are a very humorous range of sculptures capturing
the character and individuality of our home loving Pets. From the
'scatty but loveable' Ralph to the 'greedy guts' Orville, Pets have
a character in their range that should appeal to all. Each Pet comes
with a neck tag with their name and ditty about their personality.
Pets are cast in a special medium developed by Arora that gives them a unique ' cool feel' combined with a heaviness
which imparts high perceived value. This medium also gives a sparkling
but antique looking surface to the casting. Also developed specifically
for this range is a low temperature glaze which gives the deep lustrous
finish unique to the Pets.
Poole
In 1873 Jesse Carter bought a derelict pottery in Poole Dorset and the pottery remains in the same location today. In 1895
the Carter family bought out a competitors factory for £2000.
Jesse Carter retired in 1901 and control of the two factories was
handed over to 2 of his sons Charles and Owen. The next 20 years
saw numerous comings and goings.
During the 2nd World War things weren't good as the Government took
a dim view of fancy goods.
1954 saw contemporary "freeform" pieces designed by Alfred
Read and Guy Sydenham these "freeform" pieces were hand
thrown and hand painted. In 1958 Robert Jefferson was appointed
as its designer and he developed a whole new range of Studio Ware
which became known as the Delphis range and was launched in the
1960's. In 1964 the company became part of the Pilkinton Group and
became known as the Poole
Pottery Ltd.
Today the Poole factory is a healthy company and has recently developed a Pottery
Museum and a thriving Collectors Club.
Royal
Crown Derby began some time before 1750, when the Huguenot,
Andrew Planche, established the first china works in Derby. His
exquisite figures led to a fortuitous link with William Duesbury.
By 1770, Duesbury had acquired the famous Chelsea China Works and
the Bow moulds which resulted in the gradual transfer of a number
of extremely skilled craftsmen to Derby. It wasn't long before Duesbury
could claim - with some justification - that his Derby factory was
the 'second Dresden'.
King George III recognised the uniqueness of Derby
porcelain in 1775 when he granted the factory the rare honour
of being able to incorporate a crown into the backstamp. Much later,
in 1890, Queen Victoria also gave Crown Derby her seal of approval
not only by awarding the royal warrant, but also by granting the
title "The
Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company".
After his father's death in 1786, William Duesbury II set about
making the Derby China Works the finest in Europe.
When William Duesbury died in 1797 at the early age of 34, many
of his remarkable team left the factory which led to a temporary
decline in the fortunes of Crown
Derby.
It was Robert Bloor who restored the Derby
porcelain reputation when he took control of the factory in
1811 and began to build a team of very fine painters.
Confidence in the Crown
Derby name was underwritten in 1877 by the opening of an impressive
new factory at Osmaston Road, Derby.
Royal acclaim followed in 1890 when the company was appointed 'Manufacturers
of porcelain to Her Majesty'.
In 1964 Royal Crown
Derby was acquired by S.Pearson and Son, the Pearson family
company, to become part of their Allied English Potteries group.
Pearson subsequently Bought Royal
Doulton. The company was then merged into the larger group.
1981 saw the first Royal
Crown Derby paperweights, five birds and a rabbit, were launched
at a reception at Chatsworth House. These models were to develop
into one of the most important ranges of china figures in the world
of collecting.
In 2000 Hugh Gibson, a former director of Royal
Doulton and member of the Pearson family, leads a buy-out of Royal
Crown Derby. Once more the firm becomes an independent and privately
owned concern, during the year in which it also celebrates 250 years
of manufacture of porcelain in Derby.
And in 2000 the paperweight range celebrates its 21st birthday,
with a special stopper for the year, and a new collection of five
birds and a rabbit.
The
Royal Doulton Company is one of the worlds leading manufacturers
of luxury ceramic tableware, giftware and collectables and is fast
expanding into providing luxury home lifestyle ranges such as home
furnishings and interior accesories.
The company through its outstanding brand names - Minton, Royal
Albert and Royal
Doulton itself - has always been at the forfront of design and
is valued around the globe for its sense of heritage and Englishness.
As one of the oldest and best recognised chinaware companies in
the worlds, Royal
Doulton has earned itself a reputation for excellence, innovation,
creativity, quality and distinctiveness of design - values which
it intends to build on in order to take its brands forward.
Todays Consumers are more demanding and discerning than ever before
and with changes in lifestyle habits such as the increase in solo
eating, TV diners and convenience food and the importance of fashion, Royal
Doulton has developed products that recognise these new and
ever changing factors.
Clarity for the position of each brand within the tableware and
collectables marketplace has been key to the development process
and the new launches fit clearly into a defined lifestyle segment
- whether classic, contemporary, studio or inspired by Royal
Doultons rich heritage.
Worcester
porcelain
In 1751 under the guidance of Dr. John Wall and a group of local
businessmen a porcelain manufactory was established.
The earliest Worcester
porcelain was painted in blue under the glaze, this proved the
most popular ware throughout the first 10 years of the factory's
life.
In 1789 King George 111 visited the factory and granted the company
the prestigious "Royal Warrant" as manufacturers to their
Majestees. Thus the word "Royal" was added to the name.
Whilst rivals of the period have long disappeared the Worcester
Royal porcelain manufactory became world famous and is now one
of the largest manufacturers of Fine Bone China in England.
For 250years the quality of ware has remained consistent throughout
the many changes of fashion and technology.
In 2001 the factory celebrated its 250th anniversary and continues
to create the most exquisite range of products.
Speed
Freaks
Okay, the door is closed. Fuel Pumps... on. Belts nice and tight...
can't breathe, but hey, your'e not supposed to! Palms Slightly sweaty.
And....press the start button. KAABOOOOM! Either someone has just
rapped a baseball bat around the back of your head or just pulled
the pin and dropped a grenade down each of the piston bores. Rump..Ker...BANG....BANG!
CAn't see anything in the rear-view mirror because the vibration
from the engine's so bad! Around 150 metres in front of the car
three pigeons take to the air. Not Stupid...Pigeons. Let the revs
settle down a little. Good. Temperature and oil pressure coming
up nicely. So lets select a gear and see what happens. Check Nitrous
is switched on. Slot into first gear. Depress accelerator pedal....real
quick!
Every single Speed
Freaks subject is captured at exactly 2.5 seconds after all
of the above happens. It's at that exact moment when every law of
physics is ripped apart as one four wheeled motor attempts to reach
150 mph standing still.
Welcome to the Crazy World of Speed
Freaks. Goin' nowhere REAL fast!
Spode
In the early 1760's, a man who is a 6 year old had watched his
father buried in a pauper's grave, eventually opened his own small
pottery. In the space of the next 30 years he was to make a unique
contribution to ceramic art, and found a tradition of excellence
that continues to this day.
In 1784, Josiah Spode perfected the process of blue underglaze printing on earthenware,
which as the history books record, was not only enough to ensure
his reputation for posterity, but was the essential catalyst for
the phenomenal development of English tableware that was to follow.
He then went on to make the single most important discovery in the
history of his industry-the formula for Fine Bone China - which
was to make the name, Spode famous throughout the world.
Today Spode still operates on the same historic site in Stoke on Trent. In the
factory artists and craftsmen maintain the exclusive Spode style
and quality, products are still made using traditional techniques
and there remains a commitment to nurturing individual skills and
talents, preserving distinctive shapes and doing things in the proper
way, the original way that is, unmistakably Spode.
Waterford
Established by George & William Penrose in 1783. The city of Waterford was the birthplace of this world renowned industry. It was here
that the formula of transforming minerals with fire was developed
to produce crystal. Waterford is a brand that is known worldwide. 1851 saw the Waterford factory close due to failing European economy. The factory lay dormant
for 100 years.
1951 saw the re-introduction of Waterford
Crystal products and due to increased consumer demand 1960 saw
the company expand and it continued to grow. Waterford became the largest producer of hand crafted crystal in the world.
Marquis by Waterford
crystal was launched in 1991 a brand new product the 1st to
be introduced in 200 years. From consumer research Waterford learned that consumers longed for crystal to be less formal and
they quickly responded by launching new products which were to be
manufactured in Europe.
Stuart crystal a sister company to Waterford brought in fashion designer Jasper Conran who designed a contemporary
range of stemware which compliments the Waterford
range.
The
Pit Crew is a collection of 13cm high figures in cold cast resin,
superbly crafted and expertly decorated in the uniform designs of
Formula One race team mechanics.
The collection supports
'The Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust'
with a royalty on every sale
Introduction by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE
On behalf of The Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust
Jim Bamber is well known in the motorsport community for the wit
and wisdom of his cartoons. Few of us have escaped his attention
over the years.
'The
Pit Crew' is a new venture for Jim. It is his first rang of
collectable figures and I am delighted that he has chosen to support
our charity with it.
An F1 pit lane team has one of the most demanding jobs in motorsport
snd The Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust is dedicated to all
of them past and present.
ABOUT THE TRUST….'The Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust'
is a registered charity that exists to support F1 team mechanics,
past and present, in times of personal need.
The unsung heroes of F1, pit-lane mechanics have one of the most
demanding jobs in the sport and the trust provides practical help
to them when things go wrong.
The trust was established by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and is governed
by a board of 12 Trustees, and each having immense experience of
F1. For further information, please visit the trust's website at www.gpmechanicstrust.com
ABOUT THE SPORT….Formula One needs little introduction. It
is probably the most global of all sports and has a worldwide tv
audience of 10's of millions. Only the Olympics bring higher global
TV sports ratings. Of the ten teams competing today, six are run
by some of the worlds top car manufactures, Ferrari, Honda, Toyota,
Mercedes, BMW and Renault.
ABOUT THE ARTIST….Jim Bamber is perhaps best known for his
'Bamber's view' cartoon in the weekly Autosport magazine which he
has produced for over 20 years. Over the years Jim has developed
a wide following in the motorsport community. Once described as
'a legend in his own lunchtime' by Eddie Jordan, Jim realised that
he had made a lasting impression when Stirling Moss once asked for
his autograph.
Wedgwood
The Wedgwood tradition has always been embodied with experimentation, innovation
and quality. Founded in Burslem in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood.
10 years later he moved to new premises at nearby Etruria.
Despite excellent performance at the beginning of the century the
trade which had been built up with Europe and America began to suffer.
Many things contributed to this slump and the factory did notmake
consistent profits until the 1830's.
1850-1899 saw the company flourish once again.
The years after the First World War were prosperous ones for the
company, however Wedgwood then suffered severely during the depression.
In 1930 the decision was taken to purchase an Estate at Barlaston
where a brand new factory could be built. Production began to move
to Barlason in 1940. Since Britain was again at war, innovation
in the factory's wares had to be restricted to humble crockery for
the armed forces and, later, 'utility' ware. When peace came , building
at Barlaston could continue and , by 1950, all production had been
transferred to Barlaston.
One of the most remarkable events of recent times was an exhibition
at the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1995, timed to commemorate
the 200th anniversary of Josiah
Wedgwood's death.
Even today the company continues to be one of the World's leading
pottery brands, now incorporating other famous names such as Coalport
and Masons Ironstone.
Willow
Tree
Susan Lordi's inspiration for Willow
Tree® comes from a love of family, closeness to friends,
and an appreciation of nature. Each represents a quality or sentiment
that helps us feel close to others, heal wounds, or treasure relationships
to living things. Expression is revealed through gestures only...atilt
of the head, placement of the hand, a turn of the body.
"My hope is that the simplicity of these figures will communicate
peace and serenity to you and those you love."
