Suffolk teapot makers are delighted after being selected to appear in an American documentary about UK craftsmen and women.
Three or four film-makers from Symbio Studios will visit Carters of Suffolk, based at Stonham Barns Park, in spring.
They specialise in making nature, education and history documentaries, and are looking to get the story onto PBS (the US Public Broadcasting Service). The company also sells documentaries for specialist use, such as for in-flight films.
Carters, which makes quirky teapots, has been in operation since 1978, moving from Debenham to its current home. The pottery is made on site.
"Because the product line is traditionally British these products are of great interest to the US market and have been sold in department stores and shops across the country," explained pottery owner Mark Gillam.
"We currently supply Walt Disney gift shops and have previously listed Macys among our customers.
"The artisan craftsmanship of British products makes them of special interest to the US market.
"The manufacturing processes which are highly dependent on skilled labour have changed little since the early 18th Century and this makes the designs truly rare and highly collectable. Only a few hundred teapots will be made in most designs."
Carters' novelty teapots are hugely popular and sell all over the world.
Popular versions include typewriter, telephone and sewing machine teapots - as well as the Classic Book Collection featuring stacks of classic books.
"We are delighted to have been chosen for this special documentary and look forward to showing the film crew how we create the various different designs," said Mark.
"We are happy to be adding to the export drive for British products at a time when we need to encourage as much international trade as we can to boost our economy."
Sales of the teapots are on the rise. Each teapot takes about a week to produce and are made in small quantities to make them highly collectable.
Carters of Suffolk supplies department stores, museums, gift shops and tearooms around the UK and Europe, and online retailers including Wayfair and Etsy.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here