Teacups, Teapots, and Coffee Pots

I have collected teacups since I was 8 years old. My Grammy Lola gave me my first two teacups, oh how I cherished them! I wouldn't let my sister touch them. I still have them and to this day I regard them as prized possessions. Over the years my collection grew to include creamers, sugar bowls, teapots and even coffee pots. Needless to say I am a pottery hound! I simply can not ever have enough dishes to suit my many food and catering moods!

I have had such a dear and sweet love of dishes and pottery ever since I was a little girl- I don't know any of my friends that can say that about themselves. I remember the first time I saw a table set with Spode Christmas Tree dishes and serving pieces- how it made my heart sing. I told myself that very day that I would one day (when I was grown up) that I would have a table set like that for Christmas.

I hosted my first tea party when I was 8 years old. I hosted my first dress up Christmas Tea Party when I was 17 years old. Needles to say, I have enjoyed hosting Tea Parties ever since! And now that I'm living in England...I'm going to have a summer tea party and we'll all wear hats! But that is going to have to wait for a bit.


When my husband announced that he indeed got the assignment here and we would be moving to England my heart leapt for joy! We would be moving to such a beautiful part of the world, a place where I would be surrounded by the best Bone China manufacturers in the entire world! Since moving to England my collections have grown. I am proud to say that my knowledge of china, bone china and iron stone has improved as well. I think that the next time I go on a trip to Stoke on Trent that I can give a quiz on the various pottery manufacturers and their history and be the only one who knows any if not all of the answers.


Old Country Roses- I know that not everyone likes this pattern but for me it's got great sentimental meaning. I adore flowers in general but roses have to be my all time favorite not to mention that they are my birth flower and that the pattern came out the year of my birth. The roses are in clusters of red, yellow and pink and (and I take this from the Royal Doulton website) go from any style table setting- traditional to modern to shabby-chic. How can you not love it? I mean really! I'm working on having a tea service that I hope will eventually evolve into a dinner service.

Burleigh Pottery- While this is not Bone China, it IS very nice pottery indeed! I love the history of this pottery and to think that a family loved it to much that they bought the company and it's still alive and well today is a testament to it's quality. I bought some pieces to give as gifts and yes I bought pieces for myself too ;-) Reading the story, history and the process that the pottery goes through and it will bring a smile to your face. I wish that you all could come here and see the place in person, it would give you a true appreciation of it. Before our tour over here is done I will have a collection of Burleigh pottery ;-)

Portmeirion Pottery- Seriously, what is not to love about this stuff? When I'm in a Portmeirion shop I feel as if I am walking through an English Garden full of flowers all in bloom!

So today I'm dreaming of pottery and what kinds of meals I would serve on the various pieces. Happy dreaming everyone!