We are very honored to welcome to Replacements, Ltd. Anwyl Cooper-Willis of Portmeirion Potteries Ltd. in Stoke-On-Trent England. Ms. Cooper-Willis will be joining us in our 12,000 square foot showroom for a unique signing event that will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2006 from 11:00am to 3:00pm. That day, Portmeirion items purchased in our store will be personally signed by Ms. Cooper-Willis. Ms. Cooper-Willis is the eldest daughter of Susan Williams-Ellis. In 1960, Susan Williams-Ellis and her husband, Euan Cooper-Willis purchased a small pottery decorating company in Stoke-on-Trent called A.E. Gray Ltd. They added to their firm in 1961 when they purchased a small porcelain producing factory called Kirkham’s, Ltd. Susan’s art studies at Chelsea Polytechnic enabled her to design both shapes and surface patterns for the new company (a combination of skills that was rare at the time), and her designs became very popular. In the early 1970s Susan discovered a nineteenth century botanical identification guide that inspired her to create the world-renowned pattern Botanic Garden, which in fact became Portmeirion’s most popular pattern.

Anwyl Cooper-Willis has worked closely with her mother over the years to realize her own skills in tableware design, and in fact is now the director of design at Portmeirion Potteries. We are delighted that she will be joining us in person on Saturday, September 30! Replacements, Ltd. carries a large variety of Portmeirion patterns, including the wonderful Birds of Britain, Botanic Garden, Pomona, Christmas Story, and The Holly and the Ivy (which was designed by Ms. Cooper-Willis), and many more. From these patterns we have a great selection of pieces suitable for signing, a list of which can be viewed below.

One note of caution, the signature provided by Ms. Cooper-Willis is done on top of the glaze of each piece, is not fired, and is vulnerable to wear if the piece is used frequently. Cleaning agents will remove or fade Ms. Cooper-Willis’ signature. For this reason, we recommend occasional hand washing with a very mild detergent. We recommend these signed pieces not be placed in the dishwasher. If you are not purchasing one of these pieces for yourself or for a collector, keep in mind these signed pieces can be put away for great anniversary or Mother’s Day gifts. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this exciting and fun-filled signing event with Anwyl Cooper-Willis.

If you would like to preorder pieces to be signed during this event, please call us toll-free at 1-800-REPLACE (1-800-737-5223) seven days a week, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm ET. Tell our representative that you are interested in Portmeirion Signing Event information, and let us know which pieces you’d like to have signed by Anwyl Cooper-Willis. If you are unable to attend our signing event in person, we will hold your order until September 30th and make arrangements for Ms. Cooper-Willis to sign your special purchase. We’ll then ship your signed purchase to the address you specify. Listed below is a selection of unique pieces in popular Portmeirion patterns that would be suitable for signing. You can also click here to view inventory and images in all of our Portmeirion patterns and make selections from your favorite Portmeirion pattern. Given the unique nature of this event, and the fact that quantities are limited and are subject to prior sale, consider calling us today to order the pieces you’d like!

Popular Portmeirion Patterns with Selections of Unique Pieces Available for Purchase and Signing

Directions to Replacements

If you are traveling east on Interstate 85/40

• Take Interstate 85/40 east of Greensboro
• Exit 132 (Mt Hope Church Road)
• Turn left at top of ramp
• Travel across overpass, take first service road to the left (Knox Road, before Shell Station)
• Follow Knox Road approximately one mile to Replacements

If you are traveling west on Interstate 85/40

• Take Interstate 85/40 west of Burlington
• Exit 132 (Mt Hope Church Road)
• Turn right at top of ramp
• Take first service road to the left (Knox Road, before Shell Station)
• Follow Knox Road approximately one mile to Replacements