To celebrate Country Living’s 40th birthday, we are delighted to be running our first  nationwide search for 40 of the Best Artisans 2025. Also marking their fourth decade this year is the iconic British pottery brand, Emma Bridgewater, so it seemed fitting that we team up.

The owner and founder herself, Emma Bridgewater, is our Awards Patron and we are thrilled she has agreed to self-select artisans from our final list of 40 for a bespoke mentorship opportunity.

This is a not-to-miss chance for a talented artisan or small business owner to learn from one of the very best.

Emma started her ceramics business 40 years ago when she wanted to buy her mother a gift but couldn't find the perfect item. Instead, she handmade her a mug herself. 

Emma soon spotted a gap in the market for her recognisable sponge designs and with a clear vision, a firm belief in her brand and good business sense, she formed one of the biggest ceramics houses in the country. 

Emma has always been passionate about traditional craft and processes and has never swapped human skill for machine-driven production lines. Still today, every single design is moulded, sponged and glazed by hand in her factory in Stoke-on-Trent.

Hear from Emma above.

Nominations for our 40 of the Best Artisans Awards for 2025 are now closed. Stay tuned as we reveal the winners in due course. 

The final 40 will receive: 

• A year’s free membership to the Country Living Artisan Collective
• An invitation to an award-winners’ event at the Country Living Christmas Market in London this November, where Emma herself will be there to toast the occasion
• An opportunity to showcase your work on Country Living’s content channels
• Our stamp of approval: an official 40 of the Best Artisans 2025 stamp to use across all your own channels
• PLUS the opportunity to be selected for an exclusive mentorship with Emma Bridgewater