Who doesn’t need a day now and then to relax and hang out with your girlfriends, right? But sometimes you feel like you’ve done it all before. You want something different, fun, and unique. Don’t get me wrong; going to the spa and getting a pedicure is great and fun, but it might be time to switch it up a bit. So here are a few ideas for fun girls’ day out activities for you and your friends:
· Antique Shopping: Ok. This might seem that fun, but you’d be surprised. Going from shop to shop looking for discontinued Wedgewood china or rare, antique furniture. And you never know, you might just find something incredibly valuable. And make a whole day of this: go to lunch and just enjoy each other’s company.
· Go Foreign: Make your day as multi-cultural as possible. Eat at a great little ethnic restaurant and go see a foreign film—preferably with subtitles.
· Sporting Event: This may not be your cup of tea, but getting all the girls together anywhere will be fun. Let out your inner tom-boy.
· Educational: Hit up some local museums and historical sites. And to get the most out of the experience, take a tour. It will be fun and stress-free. What more could you want?
· The Cornucopia: Let everyone in the group choose one thing to do that day. You will have a jam-packed day with each of your picking out a favorite spot. And you’ll get to know your friends a little bit better.
Whatever you decide to do for your girls’ day out, have fun, enjoy your friends, and learn and experience something new.
Josiah Wedgewood invented new stoneware techniques such as Jasper, the a fine black porcelain which apart from the Chinese first discovering ceramics, is sighted as the next most important development in ceramics history.
The appeal and popularity of this iconic brand has hardly wavered in the 250 years it has been in existence. The last decade has seen Wedgewood produce contemporary ranges and create designs in collaboration with prestigious designers such as Jasper Conran and Vera Wang.
Here are some descriptions of the latest Wedgewood china ranges. Amherst by Wedgwood is the height of understated elegance and good taste, Amherst is the perfect backdrop for sophisticated dining. For more than a decade, this fine bone china pattern has been chosen by those looking for subtle, classic designs with a contemporary twist. Pure white fine bone china with soft grey and black providing a gentle monochrome look.
Cornucopia is like the mythical horn of plenty which inspires this sumptuously exuberant collection, Cornucopia is full of styling possibilities to reflect your mood and personality. The dramatic midnight blue background is perfect for drama and excitement whilst the restful cream exudes peace and serenity.
The ultra-modern Ethereal 101 range draws on a Wedgwood tradition of taking inspiration from nature. Ethereal 101′s natural source is open to personal interpretation. Art Deco is seeing a new renaissance and the geometric lines, simplicity and colour palette of Wedgewood Opal Art Deco range are strong influences in modern interior design. Asymmetric bands in pale opal are bound by platinum lining and divided by marcasite-like jewels.
Signet Platinums beauty lies in its classic simplicity. Here, the smooth white fine bone china and the elegant shapes are the stars. No other patterning, not even a little embossing. There is just one simple, single embellishment a slim line of precious platinum.
Jasper Conran’s latest range for Wedgwood, Blue Butterfly, brings his interpretation of an 18th century design to the table creating a thoroughly modern take on a classic Regency pattern. Other ranges in the Casual Collection which combines versatility and comfort with an easy elegance. From family breakfasts to relaxed entertaining, it helps to make a house an inviting home. The contemporary, clean lines of Pin Stripe range reflects Jasper Conranâs love for beautifully tailored clothing collections which have provided the inspiration for this tableware range.
Vera Wang Blanc Sur Blanc by Wedgwood. Vera Wang approaches design through her passion for detail, a unique understanding of luxury and a desire to blend subtlety with sophistication. Her vision now extends beyond couture fashion into a lifestyle that is defined by being modern, sophisticated and whimsical. Other notable ranges designed by Vera Wang are the Champagne Duchesse and Lace Gold ranges. The Lace Gold is inspired by the hugely popular Vera Wang Lace Platinum pattern. It is crafted to reflect the realities of entertaining, Lace Gold brings new formality to the understanding of modern luxury and provides something to make everyday a celebration.
Wedgewood china will give any dining table the wow factor.
Josiah Wedgewood (1730-1795) – English Potter, Designer and Industrialist
Wedgewood porcelain is known worldwide for its quality and designs and was founded by Josiah Wedgewood. He was an English potter and industrialist born at Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent on July 12th 1730. Josiah Wedgewood was the youngest child of the potter Thomas Wedgwood, and came from a family whose members had been potters since the 1600′s. At the age of nine, after the death of his father, he worked in his family’s pottery where he learnt the very high standards of workmanship and a keen interest in science.
He became well respected and his customers included the rich and famous, including royalty. In 1754 Wedgwood began to experiment with coloured creamware and In 1759 he set up his own pottery works in Burslem.
He established his own factory, but often worked with others who did transfer printing (introduced by the Worcester Porcelain Company in the 1750s). He also produced red stoneware; basaltes ware, an unglazed black stoneware; and jasperware, made of white stoneware clay that had been coloured by the addition of metal oxides. Jasperware was usually ornamented with white relief portraits or Greek Classical scenes. Wedgwood’s greatest contribution to European ceramics, however, was his fine pearlware, an extremely pale creamware with a bluish tint to its glaze.
Wedgwood’s basalt, a hard, black, stone-like material known also as Egyptian ware or basaltes ware, was used for vases, candlesticks, and realistic busts of historical figures. Jasperware, his most successful innovation, was a durable unglazed ware most characteristically blue with fine white cameo figures inspired by the ancient Roman Portland Vase. Many of the finest designs were the work of the English sculptor and artist John Flaxman.
He produced a highly durable cream-coloured earthenware that so pleased Queen Charlotte that in 1762 she appointed him royal supplier of dinnerware. From the public sale of Queen’s Ware, as it came to be known, Wedgwood was able, in 1768, to build near Stoke-on-Trent a village, which he named Etruria, and a second factory equipped with tools and ovens of his own design. At first only ornamental pottery was made in Etruria, but by 1773 Wedgwood had concentrated all his production facilities at Etruria.
Wedgewood Timeline:
1730
Baptised July 12, 1730, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, England.
1739
After his father’s death in 1739, he worked in the family business at churchyard Works, Burslem, becoming very skilful at the potter’s wheel.
1744
Became an apprentice to his elder brother Thomas. However an attack of smallpox seriously reduced his work (the disease later affected his right leg, which was then amputated); the result of this inactivity, enabled him to read, research, and experiment in his craft as a Master Potter.
1752-3
In 1749 Thomas (Josiah’s elder brother) refused his proposal for partnership and Josiah formed a brief partnership with John Harrison at Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
1754
Wedgwood formed a partnership with Thomas Whieldon of Fenton Low, Stoke-on-Trent, probably the leading potter of his day. This became a fruitful partnership, enabling Wedgwood to become a master of current pottery techniques. He then began what he called his “experiment book,” an invaluable source on Staffordshire pottery.
1759
After inventing the improved green glaze which is still popular even today, Wedgwood finished his partnership with Whieldon and went into business for himself at the Ivy House factory in Burslem.
1762
On one of his frequent visits to Liverpool to arrange export of his ware, Wedgwood met the merchant Thomas Bentley.
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Because the sale of his ware had spread from the British Isles to the Continent, Wedgwood expanded his business to the nearby Brick house (or Bell Works) factory.
1765
Queen Charlotte’s patronage of Wedgwood’s cream-coloured earthenware in 1765, led the well finished earthenware which Wedgwood produced to be called Queens Ware. Queen’s ware became, by virtue of its durable material and serviceable forms, the standard domestic pottery and enjoyed a worldwide market.
1768
The merchant Bentley became his partner in the manufacture of decorative items that were primarily unglazed stonewares in various colours, produced and decorated in the popular style of Neoclassicism. Chief among these wares were: - black basaltes, which by the addition of special painting (using pigments mixed with hot wax, which are burned in as an inlay), could be used to imitate Greek red-figure vases; and -Jasper, a fine-grained vitreous body resulting from the high firing of paste containing barium sulphate.
1771
Wedgwood built a factory called Etruria, for the production of his ornamental vases. Later the manufacture of useful wares was also transferred. (At this site his descendants carried on the business until 1940, when the factory was relocated at Bariston, near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire – the Etruria site was used as part of the ‘National Garden festival’ and Wedgewood’s great house can still be seen as it has been incorporated into an hotel.
1774
Evidence of the popularity of Wedgwood’s creamware is found in the massive service of 952 pieces made for Empress Catherine the Great of Russia.
1775
Jasper’s introduction in 1775 was followed by other wares such as: – rosso antico (red porcelain), cane, drab, chocolate, and olive wares.
1782
In 1782 Etruria was the first factory to install a steam-powered engine.
Wedgwood’s invention of the pyrometer, a device for measuring high temperatures (invaluable for gauging oven heats for firings), earned him commendation as a fellow of the Royal Society.
As a result of the close association that grew up between the Wedgwood and Darwin families, Josiah’s eldest daughter would later marry Erasmus’ son. One of the children of that marriage, Charles Darwin, would also marry a Wedgwood â Emma, Josiah’s granddaughter. This double-barreled inheritance of Wedgwood’s money gave Charles Darwin the leisure time to formulate his theory of evolution.
After Wedgwood’s death in Etruria on January 3rd 1795, his descendants carried on the business, which still produces many of his designs.
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The Chinese call Britain ‘The Island of Hero’s’ which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery.
My family tree has been traced back to the early Kings of England from the 7th Century AD. I am also a direct descendent of Sir Christopher Wren which has given me an interest in English History and Icons which is great fun to research.
I have recently decided to write articles on my favourite subjects: English Sports, English History, English Icons, English Discoveries and English Inventions.
At present I have written over 200 articles which I call “An Englishman’s Favourite Bits Of England” in various Volumes.
Visiting the Wedgewood factory, where they make England’s finest Pottery. After watching the master at work, we got to try our own hand at making pottery ourselves in another video, so stay tuned! Video Rating: 5 / 5
