At just 25 years old, Amalia Eriksson became a widow and single mother. Amalia was an enterprising woman and manufactured so-called funeral, christening and wedding confectionery. At this time, she had also started making her so-called Polka pigs (Polkagris). In order to make a living, in 1859 Amalia sought and received permission from the Magistrate in Gränna to "here in the city as a means of livelihood with her own hands, do bakery handling of coarser and finer types of bread and manufacture so-called "Polka pigs". The mayor of the city, Carl Johan Wennberg, had to sign this letter of privilege which enabled Amalia to bake and sell Polka pigs full time.